A time has come in my life...

[FloridaValkRyder]

This time will probably come for all of us eventually, just didn't think it would be so soon for me. No, I'm not dying or anything but it is a sad day for me.   As some of you know I have been having numerous orthopedic problems. I have been to so many orthopedic doctors I have lost track. I have had so many CT scans, X-rays and MRI's that I now glow in the dark, kind of handy for that middle of the night potty break though, I don't have to turn a light on.   

After my fifth and last opinion and so many other types of remedies, braces, physical therapy and “mystery” cures I have finally decided to give bike riding up for good.  My last 2 doctors told me to get “the hell off that motorcycle”. It has become obvious that the riding is probably making my situation worse. The sitting position is not helping at all.  Straddling the tank, even on my twin, has become unbearably painful.  I have reluctantly come to agree with them. I can no longer ride for longer than 20 or 30 minutes without incredible pain and numbness in my left leg, hip,  back and both shoulders. The Pizza Party ride was sheer torture and was, sadly, probably my last ride on the old Interstate. I'll continue to run her up the road once a week just to stir the fluids up a little but that will probably be it.  I have now also lost confidence in my ability to hold the old girl up when stopping, especially with my wife on board.  She is probably as disappointed as I am.  She really enjoys riding, especially in the mountains. You can't even imagine how much this hurts me emotionally. I pray to my lord that none of you ever have to make this decision. 

 My 28 years as a fireman and the numerous injuries from that career have caused so much damage that even radical surgery is at best only going to be 30 to 40% effective at best with months of PT and recuperation time. They have all recommended me going on SSD which I'm not ready for, not yet anyway. The X-rays and MRI's always end up with the surgeon saying “Geeze, what happened to you”. I loved my career with the FD but am now paying the price for it.
 
I'm really going to miss the riding with all of you, fair weather rider that I am.  I always looked forward to it very much.  The mountain ride in June was fabulous, even with the limits on my abilities. That was a trip I will never forget, ever. You guys are such a great group of very special people. Some of you have become real friends to me and have a special place in my heart. I plan to try and stay in touch and will show up to the rides occasionally albeit in a vehicle so this is not a good bye. 
   
I'm going to put the old girl for sale pretty soon, along with my Yamaha, but probably not on the VRCC board. So many of you have almost given your bikes away that I can not get the price I think mine is worth here. My Valk is in great condition for a 16 year old motorcycle.  Bill can probably testify to that better than I can as he has done all the work on her. Thank you for that my friend. The only thing it needs is probably a rear tire but there are a couple thousand left on the old one. If any of you want to make a fair offer on it any way, send me a PM or email me, the address is in my profile. She still has less than 30K on her.  I don't want to discuss selling her on the board.
 
This has been a very hard and long decision for me as you might imagine but when you look more forward to getting home from a ride than going on one it's time to quit.  When you come to a stop and are not sure if you will tip over or not, it's time to quit. I have had so many bikes, at least 12 or 13, and have been riding for almost 40 years, give or take a few. I'm going to have to find something else to enjoy, maybe a convertible or a Jeep, not sure, but we will see. Sorry for the length of this letter but there was so much I wanted to say.  Life, and it's realities, can be such a bummer sometimes. With all that, we must “Endeavor to Persevere” . God Bless all of you and thanks for everything. Ride safe.

Merry Christmas my Friends!

Jeff Parker

[Flrider]

A sad day indeed Jeff, I knew you were having some issues with your hips but did not think it was going to come to this so soon.
I know it was not an easy decision but the right one, no one wants to see you getting hurt or being in pain.
I have only known you for only a short while but I can say that you are definitely a great friend and a true gentleman.
Your name was brought up in a conversation this past Saturday, in a good way, someone said that we had not seen you lately and I said that you were having some hip issues, so you see, you are on peoples minds and are missed when absent.
We all enjoyed and were very appreciative of your effort to put the Maggie Valley trip together for all of us to enjoy.
Do not disappear on us, join us every once in a while and keep in touch.

Good luck with your sale and let me know if there is anything I can help with.

[_Sheffjs_]

Sorry to hear about all this pain. Having to sell Mikes bike comes to mind after reading this.  As always there is plenty of space for cars and trucks (or jeeps ) at the pizza parties.  

[flsix]

Jeff I'll echo what Jack said. Glad you are still going to hang out here and give us a few good words. We'll see you around on four wheels instead of two.

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

I Am Sorry To Hear That Your Riding Days Are Over Jeff ! I Have A Lot Of The Same Problems With My Back. With Ten Herniated Discs, Torn Shoulders , And Other Problems, I Just Can't Give Up Yet ! I Have Tried To Quit Riding In The Past But I Missed The Therapy That I Endure While Riding. My Riding Days Aren't Going To Be Over Until I Am Literally Unable To Get On A Bike. I Wish You The Best On Your Decision And On The Sale Of Your Motorcycles. I Hope To see You On January 2, 2016  For The BBQ Gathering .
Merry Christmas And May God Bless You And Your Family.

Bert

[Grumpy]

I am sad to hear that you have to give up riding, I did not know it was getting that painful for you on the bike. You have always been a good friend, So do not be a stranger. You can still make some of the meet ups, even if it is on 4 wheels. I am sure others share that thought.  

Merry Christmas Jeff

[Pappy!]

Sorry to hear it as well and am proud to have ridden with you up in the mountains. That was a good trip.
Being a bit selfish here, but......if we get to see you more often (by car) then there is a bit of a silver lining in this at least! 
 
Take your retirement and SSD and give your back a break. You only have one. Make the best decision to give you the maximum time you have left for good mobility with it. In the long run I don't think you will regret that decision if it is the best one for you.

Now, back to the fun meter! Go sit in a Slingshot and see if that suits you, or a convertible of some sort.
Newer Jeeps are a blast and their suspensions, even when modified, are much more forgiving than the old leaf spring Jeep days so they will be a bit easier on your back. Am thinking of selling mine but stalling for as long as I can because I really enjoy it still.
If I can help with a Jeep decision just let me know.
However you decide to arrive it will sure be good to see you again!

[TJ]

Sorry to hear you're going to hang it up , but you are the only one that knows what best for you...
I've been thinking the same thing lately ...  I'm liking my convertible even more lately...
Best of luck with what ever you do...

[sixlow]

I am sure this was a hard decision to live with Jeff but there is so much pain involved in living these days we need to cut corners where we can. When this club is spoken of having great members you are on the top of the page so stick around and keep the faith. Hope you find a new toy soon. 

[Bronxboy]

Hope to still see U at some of the meet ups. It sucks getting older, but the alternative is worse. 

[larue]

Man o man just got home and saw this, sad day indeed for a great guy to hang it up. Heard you contemplating the idea before but  Never thought it would come this quick. Great admiration and respect to you my friend I enjoy your conversations and shared a few cigars with you and will be truly missing you. You have to do what you have to do, only you know the severity of the problem, I wish you the best brother and a healthier future, and I want you to get a slingshot like pappy suggested so we can see you again every now and then, if not a four wheel is still ok. Don't quit on us just yet brother

[DD]

best of luck to you & glad your thinking smart before you get hurt or make it worst.      
Pappy I was thinking the same thing, try a slingshot or convertible.  I go for the convertible so you can have the AC & heat.  
it's about the people just as much as the bikes, hope to see you at some of the rides.
Deb  

[Thunderbolt]

When you look forward to getting home instead of going on the ride as you said it is probably the right decision.  Unless you have some repair work done on the old frame and things improve.   Best of luck on improvements to come.  Oh and apply for whatever is due you on the help, you deserve it.

[billyboy]

Sorry to hear that Jeff     I know we talked about this up in Maggie last summer I just didn't
know it would come so soon. I did enjoy riding with you on the Blue Ridge that time. 
only you know what's best for you. Please do not be a stranger even if you show up on four
wheels you are more than welcome.     Hope to see you soon.

[BF]

Jeff....I don't know you, but I understand where you're coming from.

I'm terminal kidney cancer...I've been on the bike exactly three times since last spring.  My riding days are over as much as it pains me to say that. I've lost too much weight and strength that riding at this point would not only be dangerous for me, but for everyone else around me.

I may have a couple years left or according to the oncologist, maybe as much as 8 or 9 left in me....but whatever I have left, there's no going back now.

I'm planning on putting the bike up for sale sometime this coming spring. 

My point is....you're not alone here...and best of luck to you.

[Dragon Valk]

We appreciate you sharing this tough decision with your Valkyrie family
Jeff.  Hope to continue seeing you at some of the group gatherings and
wish you the best of luck moving forward.  Have a Merry Christmas!

[FloridaValkRyder]

Jeff....I don't know you, but I understand where you're coming from.

I'm terminal kidney cancer...I've been on the bike exactly three times since last spring.  My riding days are over as much as it pains me to say that. I've lost too much weight and strength that riding at this point would not only be dangerous for me, but for everyone else around me.

I may have a couple years left or according to the oncologist, maybe as much as 8 or 9 left in me....but whatever I have left, there's no going back now.

I'm planning on putting the bike up for sale sometime this coming spring. 

My point is....you're not alone here...and best of luck to you.

Wow Bruce, I am so sorry to hear about the cancer. That definitely makes my problem seem quite small. Thank you for relating to my issues and sharing your own. God Bless you and your family and best of luck to y'all too.

To the rest of my friends, thank you for the kind comments. It means so much to me. I will see you all soon hopefully.

[Pappy!]

Well....I, for one would still like to do a Panhandle ride. Would like to meet BF if possible.
Jeff, you can lead the ride with whatever you replace the Valk with and clear the forest rats for the rest of us......   Didn't think we were going to let you off that easy did ya'?

[Valkahuna]

Hello Jeff,

I fully understand the heartbreak of admitting that medical issues are dictating your lifestyle. I am sorry that something that you love so much causes you all of this pain, but I am happy that you are choosing to be smart about your motorcycling riding. As has been said on other VRCC posts, only you can know when "that time" arrives. Listening to your body is just plain smart! While I love riding, there are many things that are much more important. Having said that, you are right in that there are many other ways to travel that will allow you to remain as involved as you want to be with this group.

So, while I am sad for you, I am also proud of your wisdom, and happy about the fact that we will continue to see you in the future. So, instead of good bye, I'll wish you and yours a Merry Christmas! We never know what plans our Lord has for our future. We never know what fork or turn we will take in this journey we call "Life". I'm sure that he has plans for you. And oh by the way, there is plenty of space to park a car at the bakery. Besides, you can bring home more goodies that way.

Best to you, Pete K