End Of An Era...

[DDT (12)]

The page has turned, and another legend has slipped from the ‘here and now’ into the shadowy mists of fading memories. My good friend called yesterday and asked me for a favor… No way I could refuse…

I jumped on ALI and rode the dozen miles or so to his house, and we performed the sad deed that had such a truly sad symbolic under-current… He and I along with the buyer of Jim’s old bike loaded it onto the trailer that would transport that bike, Jim’s last one forever, to its ‘new’ home…

Jim is awaiting his upcoming seventy-third birthday, but we will recognize that milestone with a little less enthusiasm as times have indeed changed… forever. Since he was ten or eleven years old, motorcycles have been a big part of his life. First it was dirt bikes, which he dearly loved, and which he even rode competitively for many years.

Many times, I’ve listened to Jim recall his experiences riding the circuit… I’ve heard him recount the names of many of the famous champion riders, people, he informed me, that he knew personally and many of those who had beaten him on the track. He didn’t mind that, though, as he dearly loved the sport and was happy to just be a part of it all…

As far as I know, Jim has only owned one cruiser type bike in his life… and he did not like it. It just didn’t suit him, he’d flatly stated, so he stuck mostly with dual-sport and ‘adventure bikes’ for the clear majority of his riding life. His last bike was a V-Strom 1100, the one he was riding when we rode together to Alberta to see the Canadian Rockies… his first trip there.

And, it was that bike that was parked next to ALI on the motel parking lot in Calgary, when Terry Nickel (t-man403) walked up and introduced himself to us. The following day I had sold ALI to Terry on a more-or-less handshake deal, bought the VTX from the local Honda dealer, and began the ride back to Alabama with Jim… A huge memory in my life, and a most memorable event for Jim, as well, as that proved to be his last major road trip.

Jim and I did make a few shorter rides together and many day rides over the next couple of years, but his stamina and strength were visibly slipping away, and it became obvious in time that the end of his riding days was rapidly approaching. It did finally come, and loading that bike yesterday was the final punctuation mark to a long and amazing riding career…  

I will sorely miss riding with my good friend. He was always a cheerful, easy-going companion, never angered or irritated, a source of many great jokes and humorous observations on life in general… a ‘road scholar’ if ever there was one! I learned much from this wise and well-seasoned veteran of the road and of life itself…

No tears welled-up, but that empty feeling in my gut that came with the full recognition of the profound loss we both felt was clearly evident… I’m grateful it came to an end this way, as I do not look forward to the possibility I may survive him and be faced with another even greater, more tragic loss… Life goes on… We take what comes our way, give thanks for all we have, and fondly remember what once was…

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

Jim sounds like a GREAT riding partner. That must have been sad indeed for you both to see the bike leave. Life sure doesn't seem fair sometimes. Be safe my friend. 

[old2soon]

We ALL here and MUCH sooner than we as group would even care to admit Will HAVE to face this Decision-The EXACT When of hangin it up!    And as others have noted-life ain't fair!  We have a birth date and a death date-do What you can While you can tween those dates! Fairly sure we don't git a second shot at it.  Bruce-keep on keepin on long as yer able!  RIDE SAFE.

[solo1]

Thank you Bruce for a nice tribute to your friend.

It brought home (again) the fact that I also quit riding and I do miss it.

wayne, solo1

[Black Dog]

Sounds like the two of you made each others experiences all the more memorable...

A man has to know his limitations.

Black Dog

[Misfit]

I met Jim when you drug him to Tucumcarri. I remember he was a great soft spoken, funny guy on a yellow Vstrom. A sad day indeed. 

[wiggydotcom]

Even though I'm sure it was with sadness for Jim to let his bike go, at least he knew his limitations without a bad accident necessitating the decision.

Perhaps he can find a suitable alternative such as Wayne has found and still be "in the wind".

I wish him well!

[98 T]

A sad day to be sure.  But  knowing his limitations is a sign of true inner strength.  And far better to decide to give up a bike rather than have an accident  end it. Jim sounds like a great guy with a great life story to tell.

Any options for him?  A trike?  A  Can-Am  Spyder?    Solo 1 can give him advice about buying a fun little convertible sports car.

All of us will face a similar decision sooner or later.

[Hook#3287]

Great read Bruce   Not the subject, but the content.  I know it feels better to write it down.

My good friend "Herbie" gave up riding his beautiful HD last year.

He keep it registered in case he changed his mind, but decided he made the right decision and put her up for sale this year.

He's been diagnosed with "dementia" but is still attentive enough to realize his riding days are over.

I'll miss riding with him and will REALLY miss him when he goes away, which he slowly is doing. 

[t-man403]

Wow, Bruce .........

Just yesterday (no joke) as I was driving to one of my jobs, I wondered if you see Jim now that you moved.
I'm glad that you do and please give him my greetings ....... maybe over a deep fried pickle at "Awe Shucks" the oysterless oyster bar  !!

I too remember our meeting with Jim standing by his V-strom, you sitting in the chair outside your motel room door....... should took a picture but it's burnt in my memory bank.......   

 

[J.Mencalice]

There comes a day in everyone's life when you hang up your baseball glove and cleats for the last time;
put the skates and stick in the back of the closet never to lace them up again.  Putting aside the cherished activities of your youth is bitter sweet, but they come to all of us in various ways.
Never tromping the back country in search of that big bull elk or buck again as the legs just won't work right on that 15% hillside for a quarter mile.
Yup, ol' cowboys take to the buckboard when they can't throw over the saddle any longer, but you can still hang around the horses and tend to their needs; maybe your buddy has his future in dolling out good advice on the feeding and care of the iron horse to the next generation.