06-19-2014, 08:26 AM
Great story Rocky.
I bought my first bike in 1971 and replaced it in 1972 or 1973 (I don't recall now) with a larger model. Seemed like I rode for ever, but in June 1973 a chap turned right from the left lane across the right lane to get to the street he wanted. The fact that I was in the right lane was a minor inconvenience and I T-boned him. I had minor injuries, but they took a while to heal and I spent a year off, all the time wanting to get back on again. When I finally did, I realised I'd lost my nerve. I found the whole business of driving in traffic too damned scary, so I bought a car and lost interest a bit, although I'd admire bikes from afar and occasionally ride on the back of a mate's bike.
In around 1984, with a young family and no money, I needed a cheap commuter to get to work in a slightly inconvenient place and bought a Honda C90. 105 mpg, able to play in traffic; daggy but fun. I rode it for about 3 years and then had another loss of nerve, persuading myself it was only a matter of time before someone knocked me off again. So I bought another car which, with the benefit of hindsight, I suspect was far more dangerous than the C90.
I kept looking enviously at bikes and people with them and thinking I'd like to do it again; every now and again someone wold let me ride one round the block and I remembered how much I enjoyed it. But work, family, money (although the last one was an excuse not a reason) meant I did nothing about it until 2010 when, encouraged by my wife, I decided I really wanted to get back on again. The rest is history and here I am riding and participating in a motor cycle forum.
I mostly didn't miss it while I wasn't doing it, but I'm so very glad I got back on again.
I bought my first bike in 1971 and replaced it in 1972 or 1973 (I don't recall now) with a larger model. Seemed like I rode for ever, but in June 1973 a chap turned right from the left lane across the right lane to get to the street he wanted. The fact that I was in the right lane was a minor inconvenience and I T-boned him. I had minor injuries, but they took a while to heal and I spent a year off, all the time wanting to get back on again. When I finally did, I realised I'd lost my nerve. I found the whole business of driving in traffic too damned scary, so I bought a car and lost interest a bit, although I'd admire bikes from afar and occasionally ride on the back of a mate's bike.
In around 1984, with a young family and no money, I needed a cheap commuter to get to work in a slightly inconvenient place and bought a Honda C90. 105 mpg, able to play in traffic; daggy but fun. I rode it for about 3 years and then had another loss of nerve, persuading myself it was only a matter of time before someone knocked me off again. So I bought another car which, with the benefit of hindsight, I suspect was far more dangerous than the C90.
I kept looking enviously at bikes and people with them and thinking I'd like to do it again; every now and again someone wold let me ride one round the block and I remembered how much I enjoyed it. But work, family, money (although the last one was an excuse not a reason) meant I did nothing about it until 2010 when, encouraged by my wife, I decided I really wanted to get back on again. The rest is history and here I am riding and participating in a motor cycle forum.
I mostly didn't miss it while I wasn't doing it, but I'm so very glad I got back on again.