42 Year Lament

[Jetubet]

If it's not already, my '83 goldwing will be 42 years old this year. I'm having trouble grasping it. I was a newbie here in 2009, 16 years ago and there were seasoned oldies on here then. Some are now gone. I see my age outside myself, in other people. Used-to-be kids are now all grown up. There's congratulations on here to new great grandparents. I think I pretty much feel the same as I always did although I don't look it. The riding I do has gone from a common event to an annual one. I don't think I like it. I have a fear now of dying on my bike that I didn't used to have. Anyone who's on the road with any frequency must surely have recognized the deterioration in the general motoring public. There's more of them out there than ever, many distracted and unconcerned with the responsibility of driving. One of the guys I work with bought a Smart Fortwo and drove it as his daily. I had been curious about the first generation but never enough to buy one. I talked to him at length about his and he let me drive it. It was a second generation 451 model and I was immediately hooked. Since driving his, I've owned two Smart cars. It's replaced my motorcycle. My wife and I will take it now on trips we used to do on the bike. It has heat and air and we don't get wet in the rain. It is a car but very small almost motorcyle like. It reminds me of the motorcycle powered kit cars you'd see in popular mechanics back in the day. And now, I'm almost ashamed to say it, my bike has cobwebs on it. I know if I'm not careful I'll have cobwebs on me too. I'm feeling a way I haven't before, and I'm not sure I like it. Even though I'm not riding it much I have a connection to that goldwing, something I'd always wanted. It represents a fulfilled wish I once had at a time I couldn't afford it. Owning it is a sort of celebration for me I guess. What is it about aging that brings sadness? I don't want to be a kid again and have to deal with everything twice. I'm good, but it has got me thinking about getting old and retirement. This has always been a great place for me to share what I'm feeling so thanks for that. For those of you who still have the fever for it, stay safe and ride on. I'll be with you in spirit and If someone in a Smart car waves, you'll understand.

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[CYBORG]

Thankyou for that honest look at my reality. I have three bikes and they are getting hard to keep up with. My 78 reminds me of my youth as I knock on the door of 80 years old. I start them once a week. Listen to the purr of them talking to each other, and remember the good old days. I wonder if they wonder why we don't go anymore. one or two rides a year have become something to look forward to all year. I feel your pain. And I'm sure we are not alone. One day at a time. One day at a time.

[Rat]

Pretty damn philosophical this winter Sunday morning … my son and I were talking about end of life plans yesterday … so it’s a bit of a theme here too.
Still managing to ride my 'downsized' Goldwing (aka KLR) quite a bit … but my old 500 mile days are rarely more than 250 now.
If the weather is miserable I borrow my wife's Mini Cooper …
Gord(83)Jones

[Whiskerfish]

It suxs. I am a good ways behind Cyborg and Rat yet but there are signs that my riding days may be over a lot sooner than I would like. I have a couple of issues that I am trying to ignore but this summer's ride to Oregon and back may be my last IF I can pull it off. I have some things I really want to do on that ride and thought that it may not happen saddens me deeply. As for the next generation I have 2 Nieces that are turning 40 this year. Both of these ladies I held in diapers and now they have teenage children of their own. It goes by in the blink of an eye.

[CYBORG]

Still hoping to stay on two wheels as long as you. You are my guiding star.

[CYBORG]

Thinking about the end of life talk myself. No one to talk to about it but myself. But starting to think that when it's time... It's time.

[leonardhcross]

The sense that I get is that you guys have been warriors for a long time.....fighting the battle of time and gravity with gusto. I feel proud to be associated with you. (have not been able to figure out why all my pics now post sideways).

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[CYBORG]

I've been involved for some time now. Coming up on 25,000 posts. One bike with 500,000 miles on it. It just feels like time to slow down a little.

[Sidecar Bob]

This summer will be 30 years since I first put Mr.H together. My bikes have always been my daily drivers, primarily the way I got to & from work and did all the usual errands &c (how many of you have used yours to bring home lumber ?) I was on 2 wheels in the warm half of the year and 3 in the cool half until 2009 when I decided I wanted to see the scenery on the dirt roads in the summer too and got a sidecar for the summer bike.
Since I retired I no longer commute and the bikes are not used as much but they are still what I drive when I drive and I don't expect that to change any time soon.

Some years ago someone who worked at a store in our village bought a Smart Car. The first time I saw it parked in front of the store (she should have parked behind to leave spaces on the road for customers but that's another story) I was on Eccles (CX650E/Velorex sidecar outfit). There was no traffic so I stopped next to it to have a look and burst into laughter at this car that was actually smaller than Eccles and when I looked up the specs later I found that the Smart weighed more than twice as much but had a smaller & less powerful engine.
I still have the outfit. She no longer works there but I doubt she still has the car. Take from that what you will....

Re slowing down, when someone asked why sidecarists aren't interested in going fast a wise man answered "because we're already where we want to be"

SIDE1.GIF