Things I no longer do when I ride

[BamaRider]

Now at age 70, when it comes to riding, stuff I no longer do.

-I don't ride more than 300-400 miles a day. Twenty years ago, I paid no attention to a 700-mile ride.

-I don't ride at night. It's an added risk I don't have to take. The dark exponentially increases the odds for a mishap. You can only see what your lights see. Deer are more active, more drunks, and they can't see you, so they may be more likely to hit things in the road, like me, etc. If I'm in a strange land, and the night is about to overtake me, I call it a day, and make the call, "I'll see y'all tomorrow." I've done such rides in the Rockies, I'd never do now.

- I cured GETHEREITIS, about 10 years ago. I learned this from guys in aviation. If the weather is bad, I won't be going. Cold? Not going. Bike acting funny? The same. There is no place I HAVE to be. If I miss the BD party, ok, what is the worst that will happen? It's what killed Kolbe Bryant and four others. He had to be at that ballgame. For guys who are behind on tour and have to be home Sunday for work on Monday. What will happen if you're not there? Nothing can counter a month in the hospital or not getting there at all.

- Do the safe thing. If you leave the KFC parking lot and have to cross two eastbound lanes to go west on a busy day, look for the light on the other end of the parking lot. If not, turn right, ride east to where you find one, use it, and return the other way—not doing a U-turn on a hill, giving at least 2-3 seconds to the vehicle in front. If I can't exit, I won't force the issue by cutting across three lanes of traffic; I'll go to the next.

-In the twisties, I ride at 50%. In my young days, I'd be around 85%

-I probably won't ever do a cross-country ride again. Instead, I'll do 2-4 day rides. My wife and I are old now, and I don't need to be away from her for 2-3 weeks

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[ST1100Y]

- going slow...

Nah, I kid you not...
My GF now realized that the reason for her going off the (straight!) road there, was her toying along slowly, too relaxed and starting to gaze at the landscape and nature, not realizing that she drifted to the shoulder... and then she scared and froze...
I've same unintended habit in a reduced speed zone, the view wanders off... and then something up ahead kinda surprises me...
Doesn't happen while maintaining a quick pace, cause then I'm fully focused...
YMMV

 

[Sadlsor]

I still roll the dice riding at night, or in the rain, or long distances, but I'm not all that interested in sheer speed much any more.
But I'm much more thoughtful about each of those - and actually ANY - riding scenario, and if I can't be fully in the moment, I'll stop the ride or trip.
The tip of leaving a place by looking for a traffic light makes SO much sense to me, and if I need to leave a place to cross oncoming traffic, I consider that when I leave the main road. "Where's the traffic light for me to get out of here?"
I've been driving this way in my car for a long time, too, and suggest this to my wife, who sadly is oblivious when behind the wheel.
I take for granted nowadays, how being an advanced motorcycle rider has transferred over to driving a cage.

 

[the Ferret]

At 75, I'm probably a lot like Bamarider these days. Don't ride at night anymore, don't "take off" in the rain anymore (might get caught in it though). I'd rather ride for 4 hours than 6 hours , and 6 rather than 10 hours. I don't pound the twisties anymore, and I'd rather ride at a pace where I can look around a bit and actually see something rather than at a pace where I have to stay laser focused on the road. Doubt I'll ride cross country again, I've done it several times and ridden to all of the lower 48 states. It's just too energy draining for me now. I'm good with day rides.

 

[BamaRider]

I did some dumb things when I was 14 and learning to ride in 1969-70. I learned my lessons without having to pay the heavy price most guys had to for the same. I owe my life to a pulpwood truck driver who smoked his brakes to avoid hitting me when I did something so stupid I won't mention it.

Then Sadlsor said, "Where's the traffic light for me to get out of here?" This is called "riding 2 seconds ahead of everybody else." I acquired this ability naturally and honed it by playing chess for 50 years and being a high school running back. It is as if everyone is in slow motion. I don't use it all the time, but in towns, on freeways, and in cities, I do use it frequently. To approach the intersection and see what it will be like when I get there, and where the threats will be. I view the speed, distance, and angles of the opposition, run the numbers, and make the necessary adjustments, adjusting the speed as needed.

Then the Ferret said, "At 75, I'm probably a lot like Bamarider these days. Don't ride at night anymore, don't "take off" in the rain anymore (might get caught in it though). I'd rather ride for 4 hours than 6 hours , and 6 rather than 10 hours. I don't pound the twisties anymore, and I'd rather ride at a pace where I can look around a bit and actually see something rather than at a pace where I have to stay laser focused on the road. Doubt I'll ride cross country again, I've done it several times and ridden to all of the lower 48 states. It's just too energy draining for me now. I'm good with day rides."

I'm with you; I'd never rule out another cross-country, but I doubt it. I have the ability, the bike, and the time, thanks to applying my rules. What used to take me two weeks will now take three. The issue is, I don't need to be away from her that long. We're both doing fine, but at our age that can change in a second, and I don't need to be 2000 miles from home, with no easy way back. Twenty years ago she endured my long absences without complaint.

The other thing I'll add is that I no longer participate in group rides. It's nothing personal, but I don't trust anyone, whether it's two wheels or four. It makes me nervous nowadays. I'll ride my way and see y'all back at the fire.

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[JetRanger]

I've passed by other bikers in my "gang" going the other way who later asked me why I didn't acknowledge them with "the wave".

"I was watching traffic or shifting... priorities!"

 

[Jay547]

At 66, I don't take my wife anymore. Not because I don't want to, because she quit.

 

[diferg]

The issue is, I don't need to be away from her that long. We're both doing fine, but at our age that can change in a second, and I don't need to be 2000 miles from home, with no easy way back. Twenty years ago she endured my long absences without complaint.

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I am blessed! My Bride has been riding with me since she was 14 and I was 16. (Lambretta TV 175) She didn't make all the rallies and Iron Butt rides with me, but she did several of them and enjoyed everything about them, especially the competition! Now days she has back problems which makes it hard to get on / off the ST 1300, so we are restoring a GL 1800 champion trike. It is in very good condition and we are practicing 100 to 200 mile days and planning some multi day rides. Not quite like 30 years ago, but our current day pace we can still enjoy the adventure.

 

[drrod]

I will be 74 in a little while and I find I go "splat" rather than "bounce" so I don't do single track off road much anymore. Quit riding at night quite some time ago. I am tending more toward "touring" rather than "riding". Get off the road earlier to enjoy friends and the ambience.

I figure I have gone about as fast as my limited talent allows me. Now is the time to see what I have missed when I had to be focused on the road.

 

[CDNolddude]

Now at age 70, when it comes to riding, stuff I no longer do.

-I don't ride more than 300-400 miles a day. Twenty years ago, I paid no attention to a 700-mile ride.

-I don't ride at night. It's an added risk I don't have to take. The dark exponentially increases the odds for a mishap. You can only see what your lights see. Deer are more active, more drunks, and they can't see you, so they may be more likely to hit things in the road, like me, etc. If I'm in a strange land, and the night is about to overtake me, I call it a day, and make the call, "I'll see y'all tomorrow." I've done such rides in the Rockies, I'd never do now.

- I cured GETHEREITIS, about 10 years ago. I learned this from guys in aviation. If the weather is bad, I won't be going. Cold? Not going. Bike acting funny? The same. There is no place I HAVE to be. If I miss the BD party, ok, what is the worst that will happen? It's what killed Kolbe Bryant and four others. He had to be at that ballgame. For guys who are behind on tour and have to be home Sunday for work on Monday. What will happen if you're not there? Nothing can counter a month in the hospital or not getting there at all.

- Do the safe thing. If you leave the KFC parking lot and have to cross two eastbound lanes to go west on a busy day, look for the light on the other end of the parking lot. If not, turn right, ride east to where you find one, use it, and return the other way—not doing a U-turn on a hill, giving at least 2-3 seconds to the vehicle in front. If I can't exit, I won't force the issue by cutting across three lanes of traffic; I'll go to the next.

-In the twisties, I ride at 50%. In my young days, I'd be around 85%

-I probably won't ever do a cross-country ride again. Instead, I'll do 2-4 day rides. My wife and I are old now, and I don't need to be away from her for 2-3 weeks

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At 72, I find you described my riding now too. Last cross country trip was 2019 and was my last on a bike. Maybe in a car again. Half day rides are the norm now even with the comfort of my 24 wing. My riding buddy of over 50 yrs feels the same. May get older cb1100 or Bonnie again as second bike to eventually replace the wing.
Big difference from when I was in my 60’s. Still love riding but just can’t do a lot of it anymore.

 

[jdmccright]

You all hit a couple of things that I knew in my heart but never really acknowleged. But first:

I ride to/from work, and only when it suits me. I have a car. When I do, maybe 70% of the ride is unenjoyable traffic and d**kheads who received their entitlement certificate along with their car/truck keys after signing the lease. But my rule always is: I'm NEVER in a hurry to get TO work. My state doesn't allow filtering or lane-splitting, and I'm not comfortable enough to try and thread a 700+ pound bike in between aforementioned yahoos. Nor do I ride along the shoulder like I see many other m/c riders do. No, I sit and breathe in the gas fumes and toke smoke while my clutch hand cramps up because I'm not 25 anymore. Why? For that 30% where I can enjoy the wind, scent, and sights of my route, and the occasional twist of the throttle.

For LD riding, I found it boring. And when it's boring, my mind wanders or I get drowsy and that's when accidents happen. Even music doesn't help. And while I would like to do some twistys, too much is mentally exhausting. I do prefer to enjoy the sights and smells, but I'm okay with some challenges just not 8 hours worth. And where I live, I have to fight traffic for 2+ hours before I can get anywhere enjoyable. I can (and should) do shorter rides around me bc there are some really nice back roads, I guess my brain associates short-term "fun" with doing odd-jobs or tinkering instead. A shame for me, I suppose, but I derive pleasure and accomplishment from other things too.

Finally, pack/group riding sucked the one time I did it. I was so nervous making sure I rode straight and in formation that I didn't get to enjoy any of the riding at all. And they were going so slow it was agonizing, I felt trapped (the group was mostly H-D, so they aren't allowed to go above 1000rpm...jk). I still want to try the WV-STOC but it hasn't worked out for me the last few years.

All that said, I'd for sure do a RTE if some or all the above didn't get in the way. Love this group though, it's one of the things I like spending time doing/reading. Take care y'all!

 

[gunsmoker]

BamaRider, you said you don't ride at night for safety reasons, for visibility. I agree it's a lot riskier.

Just yesterday in the middle of the afternoon on a cloudy day I encountered a 4 foot long section of truck tire curled up in the middle of my lane. I was on a borrowed bike going 70 mph. Well I was on the motorcycle and I easily dodged it.
While pointing it out to my riding buddies behind me.

But at night I don't think I would've seen it in time ---it would've popped up into the beam of my headlights about one second before I ran over it .

 

[SupraSabre]

AT 73, I just finished a ride of over 3,500 miles in 11 days, in August with three of my boys. Then last month was WeSTOC, where I did over 1,700 miles.

Since hitting that horse with the truck 3.5 years ago, I do limit my night time riding/driving. But sometimes you have no choice.

I don't plan on slowing down anytime soon. But, hey, at least I'm not commuting 125 miles a day any more!

 

[ChucksKLRST]

At 76 years young, I agree with all the above statements. But then family situation dictates most of them now days for me. As far as long distance rides. Anything east of Denver is so boring crossing East Colorado and Kansas and anything west of the Colorado's West slope is nothing but Utah, Nevada, or Arizona desert. BTDT many times. But if I ever have the opportunity to do a long distance ride East or West again, I have a nice Kendon Motorcycle trailer and a very comfortable Pickup to pull it.

 

[Daboo]

Also at 73, I know the day is coming when the joy of riding will fade away --- but that day isn't here yet. There are times when I've headed out for a rally and thought to myself, "This is crazy. You're going to ride how many miles and across how many states?" And five minutes later, the thought never crosses my mind again.

I've matured enough over the years to not worry about some things, and to be smart on others. As @BamaRider wrote in post #1, it is sometimes smarter to turn right out of a parking lot onto a main road and then find a place to turn left and go back the direction you wanted, than to try turning left across heavy traffic. That applies to driving a car also. I don't mind riding at night, and I don't mind riding in the rain. But I won't do both at the same time. The grey road turns black in the rain and sucks up all the light that hits it. There could be a 2x4 laying out in the road and I'd never see it. And any rain drops that get on the inside of the visor make it like I'm looking out a bathroom window. That's why I have a car.

I used to ride solo all the time, and by chance met a fellow rider who turned out to be a perfect riding companion and friend. But he moved to Kentucky because he couldn't afford to live in Washington state. The loss makes me appreciate even more the times we had together. As for riding in a group, I take the easy way out most of the time and stick to the rear. Last summer, I ended up in the middle and found two riders that made me uncomfortable. One wanted to be less than a second away from my rear. The other wanted to ride with his high beam on all the time. I waved them by and just followed along. My ego isn't caught up in being in front.

I commute locally during the winter months. It rains, but my gear is waterproof and I still enjoy it. There's something about it that I love. Riding in the winter is no different than riding in the summer except I have to think things through. It reminds me of Ephesians 6 and putting on my armour. If I leave something off, I get cold and wet. We have so few challenges in this life. It's not like the good ol' days when we'd fight off the saber-toothed tiger to bring home the mastodon for mama to cook for dinner. Men need challenges in life. Without challenges, we sit around waiting to die.

Motorcycle riding requires being uncomfortable at times and tests my limits. I've ridden in temps up to 116F for hours. So when I was in New Mexico last summer and the temps were around 105F, I didn't freak out. I just accepted it and dealt with it. If I can make it through those kinds of challenges...what life throws at me off the motorcycle isn't so bad either.

About two months into the three month break of summer riding, I start yearning for being back home. I'm not gone for the whole time, but there's a point when the open road has been great and it seems like it is time to be home. I didn't get married 51 years ago to live by myself. And I miss the times I share the Bible with the men at Damascus House and in my Life Group. It's like God gave me a needed break, but it is time to get back to what I'm here for.

I don't know how long I'll still be riding. but I appreciate the time I have. It's a gift. I surprised myself this past year. I thought I wouldn't get much of an opportunity to ride, and yet I did. 23,000 miles in under 14 months.

Chris

 

[ST1100Y]

The tip of leaving a place by looking for a traffic light makes SO much sense to me, and if I need to leave a place to cross oncoming traffic, I consider that when I leave the main road. "Where's the traffic light for me to get out of here?"
I've been driving this way in my car for a long time, too, and suggest this to my wife, who sadly is oblivious when behind the wheel.

Driving in the job since '84 (bike since '92) I do such also out of the courtesy to not block any traffic following behind...
I've no problem of driving around the block, over blocking an intersection by a stupid, ignorant left turn maneuver...

I take for granted nowadays, how being an advanced motorcycle rider has transferred over to driving a cage.

Every rider is a better driver then the average folks who only learned how to 'operate' a car...

 

[BamaRider]

I am blessed! My Bride has been riding with me since she was 14 and I was 16. (Lambretta TV 175) She didn't make all the rallies and Iron Butt rides with me, but she did several of them and enjoyed everything about them, especially the competition! Now days she has back problems which makes it hard to get on / off the ST 1300, so we are restoring a GL 1800 champion trike. It is in very good condition and we are practicing 100 to 200 mile days and planning some multi day rides. Not quite like 30 years ago, but our current day pace we can still enjoy the adventure.

My wife of 49 years never cared for it. When I was a young man, riding cost me two relationships with some lovely young ladies. But D never challenged me, and when I told her I had plans and dreams to make happen when the time was right. That took 20 years, but in the meantime, I took short trips and daily rides. She agreed didn't fuss when I pursued my riding goals 20 years later.

 

[Sadlsor]

... and group rides.
I'm comfortable enough in my own skin ( which I highly value!) to not feel the need to impress anyone, and I have enough experience to judge other riders -- but not have to say it.
I'll ride with groups, cautiously scoping out the riders, and settling in among the better ones, who are mindful of stopping distance, pace, and self control.
If they are all, or mostly, dipsticks, I'll leave them.
I will affirm once again, my first and last (for now) ride at the Moonshine event with @Uncle Phil , I was mightily impressed with the overall caliber and sensibility of the ST owners and riders, no matter their steed of choice.
And it was a good-sized group of over 12 like-minded motorcycle folk. Can't wait till my next time with them.

 

[Daboo]

My wife doesn't like riding. Actually won't ride. She gets on each motorcycle once. In the garage. On the center stand. With the engine off. Pictures are taken and everyone gets a good laugh.

When I first started riding back in England in 1980, she was against it. I had a break for several years, and when I started commuting in 2007, she was still against it. And she was not shy about letting her feelings be known.

Times change, and she told me to buy the XR. And when that bike was totaled, she told me to buy another. She won't ride with me, but she encourages me to enjoy myself.

Chris

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

Odds are I'm the youngest poster in this thread so far and you guys are awesome...I hope I'm riding in 20 years. And to what I read yes, yes and yes. Hyper focus is definitely what has got me here. I love the multi day/week rides the most, but the last two rides were within 30 miles of home and they were great, looked for the twisty's and stopped at the look outs. Instead of planning for days or weeks, I just looked at the gps at the stop sign. Looking for a couple hour ride my Sweetheart can do with out interstates or traffic, it was easier than I thought. Although I haven't "slowed" down yet, I am slowing down, but there is a big country out there and I still have much to see, hope to see you guys out there... in the daylight.

Thank you all for posting in this thread.