To my friends in the VRCC . This Summer determines what I'm going to do

[solo1]

about riding.

I have been thinking a lot.  I'm reading about many of our members having accidents .  No matter how careful that we are, it could happen.  i see a big increase in "part time drivers'  that are the cause of many of the MC/car accidents.

I'm taking inventory of my self and my aging body.   I bruise easily. All blood tests are excellent for my age so no problems there.  As we age our capillaries walls become thin along with a decrease in fat covering.   I can't help but think what i'd look like with some major damage to my extremities.  I can't help but think that I will reach a point where my arthritic hands and wrists and my worn out knees will prevent me from riding without pain.  It is approaching that point now.

However it's not the pain so much as the body's unwillingness to do as it's told, when it's told.  An aspirin in the morning, along with a 1 mile walk enables me to get on the bike and go, all loosened up.

In the last two days I've been getting some miles on the Vstrom, I won't say how many because it's laughably low. Today, I got up with the intention of riding again. I didn't.  Not only 'it didn't feel right'  but my body didn't want to be disturbed.

As of now, i plan to ride again tomorrow. I've done the last fix for the 'Strom, a new windshield that is working great!  I've done a number of changes that have helped make the bike more comfortable for me. Even tho my body is objecting more strongly by developing more aches and pains, the drug of riding is still strong enough to overcome the objections.

I don't know when I'll quit riding, the Lord knows (and some of you know) how many times that I've come close to quitting.

Why do I tell you this?  Hell, i don't know!  Just sounding off a little.  I am blessed when my wheels still consist of a cage and a motorcycle while some in my retirement community only have walkers, canes, and powered scooters.

As for now, in complete contrast to you FAR RIDERS out there, just consider me a NEAR rider BUT I'm still a rider

Wayne, solo1.

[f6john]

     I have a friend who has spent a lot of money over the years on things, trips, ect. and it was things that I could not and probably would not have done. We were talking about such things the other day and I asked him why? He said, "for the memories" . After thinking about it I realize I missed a lot by being maybe a little too conservative in my approach to things. Whenever the time comes for the bike to be parked there should be no regret on your part. You will have the memories that a majority can only dream about. Ride on until your done and no one will judge you for it I'm sure.

[..]

Wayne,

Being a NEAR rider is far better than the alternative 

Take a look at where you have ridden on 2 wheels.

Yuur photos of riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway as a dirt road are incomparable to what so many of us have ridden. But we have modern bikes, tires, supspension etc.

I reckon you can take whatever wind miles you are getting and multiply them by dozens 

[fudgie]

This may sound like a joke and I hope you take it in my sense of humor, but I think you are more opt to fall at home and break a hip then you are to wreck on your mc. You dont seem like your depth perception is off as you are a very exp rider.
If you decide to quite, keep the bike. Maybe the urge will be back someday.
Only you can decide when to stop. To me, I want to go out doing something I love.

[Big Ed]

My advice...

Keep the bike.

Ride on nice weather days when your mind and body both want to.

Don't ride on the days you don't want to. And don't feel bad when you don't.

A short ride here and there is better than no ride at all.

Enjoy..!!

[Former BMW Guy]

A wise man once told me: "You don't stop riding because you get old; you get old because you stop riding".

Pick the sunny days.

Joe P

[BIG--T]

about riding.

I have been thinking a lot.  I'm reading about many of our members having accidents .  No matter how careful that we are, it could happen.  i see a big increase in "part time drivers'  that are the cause of many of the MC/car accidents.

I'm taking inventory of my self and my aging body.   I bruise easily. All blood tests are excellent for my age so no problems there.  As we age our capillaries walls become thin along with a decrease in fat covering.   I can't help but think what i'd look like with some major damage to my extremities.  I can't help but think that I will reach a point where my arthritic hands and wrists and my worn out knees will prevent me from riding without pain.  It is approaching that point now.

However it's not the pain so much as the body's unwillingness to do as it's told, when it's told.  An aspirin in the morning, along with a 1 mile walk enables me to get on the bike and go, all loosened up.

In the last two days I've been getting some miles on the Vstrom, I won't say how many because it's laughably low. Today, I got up with the intention of riding again. I didn't.  Not only 'it didn't feel right'  but my body didn't want to be disturbed.

As of now, i plan to ride again tomorrow. I've done the last fix for the 'Strom, a new windshield that is working great!  I've done a number of changes that have helped make the bike more comfortable for me. Even tho my body is objecting more strongly by developing more aches and pains, the drug of riding is still strong enough to overcome the objections.

I don't know when I'll quit riding, the Lord knows (and some of you know) how many times that I've come close to quitting.

Why do I tell you this?  Hell, i don't know!  Just sounding off a little.  I am blessed when my wheels still consist of a cage and a motorcycle while some in my retirement community only have walkers, canes, and powered scooters.

As for now, in complete contrast to you FAR RIDERS out there, just consider me a NEAR rider BUT I'm still a rider

Wayne, solo1.

Wayne, You are an inspiration to me and probably  most on this forum!  I've read somewhere that you are over 80 and I think about my dad (82) that is chained to his oxygen tank 24/7. You are a blessed man to be able to still throw your legs over the bike and put her in the wind!!

There are times me and my body don't feel like riding and I'm not even 60 yet! lol.  Riding is good therapy for me and even makes feel younger! I think just like a boxer or football player, you will know when it's time to hang up the saddle. But until that time comes, keep your knees in the breeze brother!  

[BIG--T]

A wise man once told me: "You don't stop riding because you get old; you get old because you stop riding".

Pick the sunny days.

Joe P

I like that Joe, I'll have to remember that! 

[Hoser]

This may sound like a joke and I hope you take it in my sense of humor, but I think you are more opt to fall at home and break a hip then you are to wreck on your mc. You dont seem like your depth perception is off as you are a very exp rider.
If you decide to quite, keep the bike. Maybe the urge will be back someday.
Only you can decide when to stop. To me, I want to go out doing something I love.

+1  Hoser

[old2soon]

Wayne-i'm "only" 67 and there be days i no wanna ride. Then there are days like today
 when i really did not want to come back. You and only you will know when it's time to hang it up. For what it's worth-whatever decision  you make will be fine by me. Peace. RIDE SAFE.

[Clark]

went ridin 2day with my 91 year old former WWII bomber pilot friend on his BMW GS650.. he is still ridin several thousand miles a year.. NEVER GIVE UP WAYNE..

[BIG--T]

went ridin 2day with my 91 year old former WWII bomber pilot friend on his BMW GS650.. he is still ridin several thousand miles a year.. NEVER GIVE UP WAYNE..

WOW! I'm 59 and that gives me great inspiration!! Your friend could probably get in Gueniss book of records! 

[Red Diamond]

I'm 68, near 69. I think you are light years ahead of a lot of us in their 50-60+ years who are still able to ride. Even at my age I know people who are on a cane or walker, even wheel chair. You are an inspiration to me and many others, so ride on. As was mentioned ride when you feel like it and don't ride when you don't feel like it.

[Moonshot_1]

I have, on occasion, wondered what I'd do if I didn't feel comfortable riding a motorcycle anymore.

I don't like trikes. I like the feel of a regular 2 wheeled motorcycle.

If I get to the point where I can't manage that, I'm getting some kind of bad ass convertible sports car. Don't know what or when. But the top will be down, the wind will be blowin' and the view will be amazing.

[art]

I never met you Wayne and since I'm in Or. we probably never will but I do hope you can keep on riding.To me I think it makes a guy feel young again.I'm 69 going on 70 in Jan. and I've had my valk for ten years and 135000 miles.I plan on getting at least 200000 and maybe a lot more.It's a damm good sport .My Dad died in 04 at 83 and always asked me when I was going to quit riding and I always said when I get ready.I hope that is a long ways off.Good luck on your decision.Art

[Valkahuna]

Wayne,

You've got twenty years on me, and I hope that:

1) I live as long as you are, and you're not done by a long shot
2) That I keep a clear head like you have
3) That my love for all things M/C related burns for as long and as hot as yours
4) That I am humble enough, to be like you and ask for other's input, even though by now you know way more than most of us.
5) That I am still healthy enough to even still consider riding
6) That I have the wisdom at that age to consider that I MAY have to make a tough decision

Like others here have said, you are an inspiration. You should be our "Member Emeritus". Do what you feel is right for you, but I'd keep the bike, if for nothing else, Peace of Mind, so that if you want to go on good days, you don't end up kicking yourself in the arse because you made the wrong decision.   

[solo1]

Thanks so much for the encouragement guys. I've read all the responses at least twice and found out I'm going to have to go after the gnats in this apartment.

It got me thinking about some of the recent memories connected to the VRCC.  Things like driving the Miata on the golf cart lane at Bellaire Inzane.  Straightening out the curves at the same with 98T holding on to the "Holy crap" bar (I lied, the Miata didn't have a holy crap bar).

Taking Fudgie for a brief ride in the Miata. I kinda overdid that a little. Following 98T and my son Mad6Gun in the Miata to Shady Valley and watching my son slide off the road in a low side. A bad feeling.

Riding behind Doug, Six2go at the CBR in my Valk side car rig, and wondering why he was signaling me to back off QUICK because a pickup, out of control, was coming right at us from our left and watching the pickup hit a big tree right before it would've hit us.

Riding the Valk in southern Indiana behind Six2go and NOT riding my own ride.  Countersteering hard for a sharp left curve right before a railroad track.  Eased up on the countersteering because of oil on the road and running wide off the road and across the railroad track, NOT at the crossing AND leaned over.  Mark, my son behind me, said that the Valks rear end jumped over a foot in the air hitting the track.  I saved it and got back on the road, no damage to the Valk but I had to stop and try to unpucker.

The many times that my riding family rode down to Columbus Indiana to ride the curvy 135.  It was a source of pride and a little apprehension to have my three sons, two on their Valks just like mine, and the third on his Pacific Coast, following me on the interstate and me thinking "We got ourselves a convoy" with apologies to CW McCall

Many, many more memories, both new and old, and your encouragement, keep me riding.  thanks again everyone.!

Wayne, solo1

[Ice]

Wayne,

You've got twenty years on me, and I hope that:

1) I live as long as you are, and you're not done by a long shot
2) That I keep a clear head like you have
3) That my love for all things M/C related burns for as long and as hot as yours
4) That I am humble enough, to be like you and ask for other's input, even though by now you know way more than most of us.
5) That I am still healthy enough to even still consider riding
6) That I have the wisdom at that age to consider that I MAY have to make a tough decision

Like others here have said, you are an inspiration. You should be our "Member Emeritus". Do what you feel is right for you, but I'd keep the bike, if for nothing else, Peace of Mind, so that if you want to go on good days, you don't end up kicking yourself in the arse because you made the wrong decision.   

+1  could not have said it better, Wayne you are an insparation to all, thanks 

[Clark]

Wayne.. there's some DAM NICE scooters out there