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+--- Thread: Quitting voluntarily (/showthread.php?tid=13761)
Quitting voluntarily - the Ferret - 09-09-2014
Shocked I am
Just got an email from my riding buddy Jim. Many will remember our trip in June, when Jim and I rode from our homes in Ohio to the Pacific ocean and back.
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=3235
The year before we rode down to Maggie Valley and the Dragon together.
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=836
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=839
the year before that we toured the back roads of West Virginia when he accompanied us on that years Fall Mens Ride
just last Thursday I rode up to meet him for lunch and then we went for a nice ride
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=3926
At 63, Jim retired about the same time I did last year. A dedicated motorcyclist. Since I have known him he has had a Harley Fat Boy, an 1200 Sportster, a couple Yamahas FZ-1s, a Yamaha FJR, a couple Kawasakis Versys, a Suzuki DL 1000. He has been riding since the 70's.
Well the email I got at 5:30 am said he had sold his bike and was quitting riding. I just can not imagine quitting voluntarily. My second riding buddy to just up and sell their bikes and quit after many many years of riding. ( the second one has had some health issues at 68 years old).
I am in shock. I know Jim reads this forum, so Jim if you see this, I'm going to miss riding with you, it's been a real pleasure. If you change your mond, give me a call and we will ride!
Any one else have any good riding buddies that just up and gave it up?
RE: Quitting voluntarily - ClassicVW_imp - 09-09-2014
I can think of only a handful of reasons to quit riding.
Age or Health.
Raising a family.
Need the money.
Had a big scare while riding, either to themselves,or witnessed a bad crash.
Just got bored with riding and want to try a new hobby.
RE: Quitting voluntarily - HikerToo_imp - 09-09-2014
Geez, Ferret, the subject of your post is a bit misleading...sounds like you were quitting something !
RE: Quitting voluntarily - redbirds_imp - 09-09-2014
This is such a personal decision and I'm sure your friend gave this much thought before hand and for him, this is right.
My younger brother gave up riding a few years back when he became the sole care giver for a quadriplegic man. He felt that the risks of riding were too great and that he had an obligation to this person to stay in good health. My brother misses riding, something he has done all his life, but feels his decision to be the right one.
RE: Quitting voluntarily - the Ferret - 09-09-2014
Sorry, Hiker, not me...heck I love riding. No intentions to quit here.
Redbirds..I'm sure it was an agonizing decision. Do not look forward to the day when I have to say " that was my last ride"
RE: Quitting voluntarily - Henrik_imp - 09-10-2014
My brother, and long time ride budy quit riding two years ago. I got him into serious riding maybe 15 years ago. He wanted to get a HD Sportster, and I told him he should consider something that corners a bit better. I renter a Monster 620 for him, and he was hooked.
He bought the Monster, and we would go on some great rides together. He then changed to a Aprilia Tuono, while I got my Corsaro, and our pace increased a bit. Convinced him to attend the California Superbike School, and we had probably the best week together in our lives at Phillip Island.
Two years ago after a ride he told me he felt scared. I figured it would pass as we all have our off days, but he ended up selling his bike, and hasn't been riding since.
I still have hope he will pick it up again, but I know he needs to feel confident in his mind. As he is tempted to try my CB11, I am quite sure that he will realize that you can take it easy and enjoy the riding too. We shall see, but I really miss riding with him.
RE: Quitting voluntarily - the Ferret - 09-10-2014
Wow Henrik, that is a tough one.
My brother actually quit for about 10 years, but got back into it about 5 or 6 years ago. We ride together at least 1 day a week, sometimes more. I missed riding with him while he was on hiatus, but he had decided he was done. Luckily for both of us he wasn't. Hopefully your brother will return as well.
RE: Quitting voluntarily - Short Timer_imp - 09-10-2014
[url=http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/274634951.html?page=1&c=y]http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/274...page=1&c=y
Nope, my buddies (and me) have slowed down a bit and downsized some but riding is still a major part of life. If you ask me, it adds years. And stories like the link above just inspire!
Stopping altogether had to be a difficult and very personal decision and something I imagine each of us will face somewhere down the line.
RE: Quitting voluntarily - OldF7Guy_imp - 09-10-2014
People have their reasons. Its a risk every time you leave the house. I am at the age I know what they are. When I was in my teens and early 20s I thought I was indestructable and did some really really foolish things. Its a wonder I was not killed right then. Times change and now there is so much more traffic. I have a buddy that quit riding back in the early 80s after he had to bail off a old Honda 750 and cleaned out a ditch when a dump truck pulled out in front of him. He just got back into riding only this time on a Can Am Spyder which is super safe imo.
Years ago I used to have a terrible fear of someone rear ending me and now that has shifted to somebody coming around a corner in my lane. Dont ask me why because I dont know. I am just more aware probably now than ever to things that can go wrong. I have 3 good riding buddies and told them all if I get killed or something that I was doing what I loved to do. There may come a day when I make the choice to park it but not for now.
RE: Quitting voluntarily - offroadfx4_imp - 09-10-2014
My best friend has quit due to his daughter being involved in an accident. I got him to ride my 1100 a couple of times, but he said the fire or desire just isn't there anymore. Even bigger for him I believe is if he starts riding again, his two sons will too, so like a good parent living by example, he's given them up, otherwise he's giving his blessing for his sons to start again. I’m lucky, my son is in Japan, so he couldn't ride mine if he wanted to.
I'm also lucky that I've never had any major accidents. The old once bitten, twice shy thing...I've never been bitten so I'm not shy. For example, in my experience a lot of kids enjoy baseball or fastpitch softball until they take a hit and they're done. Or like several gymnasts I know, reached elite level, trained their whole lives, daily and have one fall on the beam or one bad landing tumbling, etc. and they lose their nerve. I'm not sure how well the "get back on the horse" thing really works, but it must work for some.
I don't ride a lot of miles, but I do see lots of places and situations that could turn into close calls. I've had my share but as they say when dodging a bullet, an inch is as good as a mile.
I block out what could happen in a crash and that could be healthy or unhealthy, I’m not sure. I know after a major car accident, for a while I was a worse driver because I was over cautious, too hesitant. There is probably a lot of truth in the saying if you read about it or see a video about it, it’s easily forgotten. If you live it or experience it, it stays with you forever.
Right now I’m just happy my mind is not clouded with any major bad experiences that would ruin my enjoyment I get from riding!