The CB1100 Community Forum

I have ridden almost daily since 1965 and have ridden my motorcycles to 42 states, 2 provinces in Canada, and 5 countries in Europe. Hit most of the popular motorcycle roads and destinations, (and many of the unpopular ones lol). I still needed 6 states to complete the lower 48. 2 in the plains, and 4 of them on the east coast. I had planned on hitting all 6 this year on two trips. One to North & South Dakota, and one to the east coast. With my wife unable to ride long distances any more, and with this colitis I developed 2 years ago and the arthritis that developed in my throttle hand 6 months ago and the 2 bad knees that have been bad for awhile, I'm guessing my days of two week motorcycle trips are over. It was a great run...no.... it was an awesome run!

Anyhow, last week my wife and I decided to take the car and go hit the east coast states I have not ridden in (I know not the same but we do what we can do).
We took St Rt 50 from home over to Ocean City, Maryland then turned north hitting Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island, the 4 states I needed on the coast (along with a few others I had already ridden in...West Virginia, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania). BTW we drove thru New York City, across the George Washington Bridge, across the Bronx and New Jersey turnpikes and I got to say I will NEVER go that way again...car or motorcycle!!!!. Good night what a nightmare and garbage dump to boot imo. On our way back from RI, thru New York near Albany it was open, clean and gorgeous, but I knew that as I had ridden my bike in that area before when Di and I rode to Bar Harbor, Maine 9 years ago.

In my hunting days I had driven through North and South Dakota on my way to hunt black bear in Canada so with this trip I have BEEN IN all 48 lower states (also been to Alaska Caribou hunting), so the only state I need to have BEEN in all 50 now is Hawaii.

I really, really wanted to do the lower 48 by motorcycle, but it just wasn't to be. I had offers from three great friends (fellow CB1100 forum members) to tow my bike close to each state and then ride thru the states with me, and although the offer touched my heart beyond measure, and will forever be appreciated, that is just not my style. I am (or was) a long distance rider to my core. So it's either ride...or pass. Thanks anyway guys! You have no idea how much the offer meant to me.

Anyhow I am back home now,with the plan to ride short local rides while dealing with the doctors to see if they can get me road worthy again. I have my yearly Men's Fall Trip coming up in a few months with my son and brother, my son's father in law and a nephew, and a rally or two (incl the CB rally in W. Va) that will depend on if I think I am able to make the rides. We shall see. I still have my hotel reservation for the CB rally and have not missed one yet.

My goal has always been to ride until I am 70, I've said that many times before. I have 11 months to go. I think I can make it but not in the style I am used to. One day at a time fellas. One day at a time.

That's all....I'm going for a short ride now.

Well, that a bummer that is!! You certainly covered a lot of territory during the good years. I'm impressed!
Let's hope modern medicine can improve things for you.
You're goal is 70 so, since I'm already past 80, I guess I'll make mine 90

Ferret, you've got a '14 CB1100 DLX sitting in my garage in Evergreen, Colorado, to use at your discretion, whenever you want. It doesn't have RLETs but it does have a full tank of gas. Fly (or drive) out here anytime you like and help yourself to it. There are a lot of great day rides in the area.

Sorry to hear that you will miss some of your trips. You never know, you may bounce back and get these things done. Positive mental attitude and all....

Through my short time here on the forum and reading your posts there has always been a thought in the back of my head that you could perhaps be a slave (harsh word but couldn't come up with another for the time being) to riding? Quite obviously your passion for riding is tremendous, but I always wonder if one of the reasons you ride like you do because it is expected of you, whether from forum members, wife, yourself, that that is just what you do. You ride. Back when I was a bartender and had plenty of $ and time I played A LOT of golf. 4-5 times a week and I enjoyed it. If I had a slow week and only played a couple of times people would comment, "Wow, just twice this week?" Later when looking back at those years I can't help but wonder was I doing all this for me or was it just something I always did? Like somehow it was forced from time to time instead of really enjoying it for my passion of it.

Perhaps you will enjoy a little more time for your tea without having to bundle up to go ride 25 miles in freezing temperatures. Some extra time to watch the birds in the yard. Some more S2000 time.

Life is funny

Oh wait, Guth has the S2000? Maybe pick up a Miata or S2000 then?

Sparky has decided she's not safe on two wheels anymore and her CB1100 is up for sale. A severe neck injury from an auto accident 30 years ago led to surgery in 2009 and now arthritis in the hands and shoulder have diminished her confidence. I also am feeling like my riding days are numbered but I am keeping my CB for now. A triked Gold Wing may be in future as a way to us keep riding together.

Giving up my traditional bows after shoulder surgery a few years ago was one of the toughest times for me. I was obsessed with the sport and shot stumps and pine cones on my property almost daily. I came to grips with the loss and sold all my bows except two that are hung on the wall for old times sake.

I know my Creator will give me the grace to take life's changes in stride and savor all the splendid times of days past.

A Miata or S2000 might be just the ticket.

The Can Am is calling you Ferret. Don't give in.

(06-04-2019, 06:54 AM)misterprofessionality_imp Wrote: [ -> ]The Can Am is calling you Ferret. Don't give in.

Ferret would never.

Ferret, this is a tough read, it bring reality that us baby boomers that we are aging and facing these kind of decisions. I am also dealing with Arthritis that probably will end my ability to ride .... someday. Like you, I will keep riding now, one day at a time.
When I introduced myself to this forum, I said I was a baby boomer living a dream and that is still true.

Getting old sucks. Ride on while you can, Ferret. Even the little rides, particularly in the country where there's no traffic to fight with are good for the spirit. At least in my opinion.

That's bloody bad luck, Ferret.

I'm in a sort of similar position myself. Been riding since '64, ridden in most countries in Western Europe, ridden quite a bit in USA and even into Canada (for a day!). But approaching a replacement hip operation, I had to stop riding my R100R BMW 18 months ago, and now I'm finding it really difficult to even PUSH my new CB1100 around!

Most of my trips have been longer tours/holidays, not just short day rides but I think that's over now. At 73 this year it's near the end I think...

Having seen for years, those adverts "Bike for sale, ill-health...". I think I'm pretty close to having just a few rides on the CB and Beemer and then calling it quits. I'm lucky I have my Dad's BSA C15T trials to potter about on eventually. It's been a great ride while it lasted - weeks spent for many years on the Isle of Man for TT week, starting in 1965, rides to Germany for BMWs 75th Anniversary, Holland, France, Spain and even up the Rock of Gibraltar! California, Colorado, Montana and more...

But no more. Short rides round the cute Devon lanes now. Up onto the Moors. Along the coast a little bit. And maybe on the trailer to France for some gentle Alps rides. And then... that's it.