Alien's blog - final post plus a big announcement

[Alien]

https://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Los-Angeles/blog-985398.html

Thanks for following along, it was an epic trip.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[solo1]

Just keep in mind that you don't need a Valk to stay friends in this club. I, too echo your sentiments about the people here. 

wayne

[RDKLL]

Alien, deciding to quit riding on your own terms...well that is amazing and I can only hope that I have the courage to do that when the time comes...
I have ony been to one InZane...the first one. I hope to make another one day and it was always about the people. I probably rode my bike less than 5 miles at the InZane because I was too busy gabbing with everyone that I had chatted with on the chatroom

Stick around the board!

[J.Mencalice]

I understand your situation out there in L.A.; lived there from 1974 to 1977 and in three years commuting from Hermosa Beach to Inglewood, I never got on a motorcycle to even test drive one.  The odds are just not in your favor when the bike to car ratio is overwhelmingly at your disadvantage.  I can only guess that the numbers have increased many fold in these past forty years, plus the texting, road rage, and insane drivers have exponentially grown also.
Last time I rode out there was four years ago to the Huntington Beach area for a wedding and I took the car rather than the motorcycle for just those reasons mentioned above.
I don't know if they may be included in your explanation for quitting the road on two wheels, but if I was to have a family out there I'd think heavily that their dad would be safer not being on a motorcycle in the asphalt jungle of the L.A. freeway system.
So, good luck and best wishes to you and your wife in the future; thank you for your sharing trip experiences with us all.

[Serk]

Now I regret not chatting with you at Inzane even more. I had gastric bypass 3.5 years ago, and would have loved to talk with you about the road ahead, bike or not...

I considered hanging up my helmet when the kiddos came along, but I need that cycle-therapy too much, even if it's just a little here and there lately...

I salute you for the bravery of taking the path you've chosen...

[The emperor has no clothes]

I feel a mix of emotions about your decision. I had hoped you'd be able to hook up with one of our SoCal rides one of these days. But, I understand your thinking. I wish you guys the best in your next adventure of raising a family. There is nothing better in my opinion. I hope you'll pop in from time to time. 

[old2soon]

That particular decision comes to all of us sooner or later. And I M H O the trick is the fer sure and fer certain the Knowing of the WHEN. As much as all of us like/enjoy/Love to ride we are all different. BUT if you Ever ride again I'm certain our mistress the wind Will be happy to welcome you back-even on your terms.  RIDE SAFE.

[RainMaker]

Thanks for the blog and pictures.  If you decide to ride again in the future, there will be Valkyries available as I don't think they ever die unless they are in an accident.

[Prescott John]

I understand your decision to stop ridding for now.  I lived in the L.A. basin for many years and rode with the So. Cal group.  A 300 mile day consisted of 100 miles of heavy traffic, then 100 good miles and then another 100 miles of traffic on the way home. I always felt like I was playing Russian Ru-let. I now live in Arizona where the first 200 yards is gravel and then the rest is all good roads.  I wish we could have met at Inzane XVII.  I sure enjoyed my time there, and the travels to and from.
John G.

[3fan4life]

When my son was born I stopped riding.

It wasn't a purposeful or conscious decision it just kind of happened.

Years later I started feeling the urge to ride and began looking for another bike.

In 2004 while vacationing in FL I stumbled upon a great deal on a Goldwing and bought it.

As I pulled out of the guys driveway it dawned on me that I hadn't ridden a motorcycle in 14 years and my next stop was VA.

[wiggydotcom]

Glad I got to meet you briefly and shake your hand, Alien...at the curb when you asked Lori a question during the bike rodeo.

Are you going to buy a 4wheeler that allows some wind-Miata,Jeep?