Have you ever considered quitting riding?

[the Ferret]

I agree with DAC, that is just an awesome story.

Canadian Rockies huh? Never been there. Sounds like I need to start planning a trip. I love mountains.

[Rocky_imp]

Thanks guys
I love mountains too, but it wasn't until 2008 when I saw real mountains in South America.
We have highlands here, but no real mountains. The closest mountains around here are the White Mountains of New Hampshire and I've been there on a bike and also by car many times.
I thought the Andes Mountains were great, and they are, but after riding through the Rockies they don't compare.
But it's all about perspective I suppose. In the Andes you ride very high up most of the time and the mountains don't tower over you all that much.
In the Rockies you ride down in the valleys much of the time and the mountains tower over you - depending on the route. Looking up at those majestic mountains is awe inspiring.
It was something I had to do on a motorcycle and it was wonderful!!

[shdwghst457_imp]

So rocky, since the '89 NT isn't listed in your signature, does that mean those five bikes are your current collection?

[Tortuga_imp]

Rather similar to 'HikerToo' and in sympathy with 'Rocky' I too took a sebatocal from two wheeled fantasticness.

I started riding on a pals farm when I was about 12 or 13. Had a bike of my own at 14 and rode legaly aged 16.

Owned countless bikes from them until 2008 when I sold my Triumph Speed Four. I needed the money as my business had just collapsed and a nasty bit or work had left me paying her off to get out of my house.

I spent a good few years rebuilding my financial situation, and taking paid work. Last year I decided i needed another biking fix, spurred on by a colleague buying a bike in his forties and learning to ride. As I was an ex motorcycle instructor he asked my advice, and I decided buying a bike and riding with him would be the best way to help him.

I bought a Yamaha FZ6N (naked, not available in the US) and rode it several hundred miles home. It made my hand go numb and felt horrible. I sat on it for a year, before doing what I'd wanted to do a year earlier when I first sat on the (my actual) CB1100, by buying the CB.

I might not tear-arse about at 140mph everywhere anymore, but my rides on the CB feel far more visceral at lower speeds since I'm enjoying the whole experience.

It's a little like when you're young you buy cheap, nasty fast food, and scoff it down so you can go out and meet your friends. As you get older, you stay in and cook something delicious, which you eat slowly and savour every bite.

That gents, is the CB1100, the Gastronomical antidote to a world of fast food race reps and increasingly 'adventure bikes'.

Will I stop riding, no. Never again. Life's simply too short.



England about to kick off, see you later...

So rocky, since the '89 NT isn't listed in your signature, does that mean those five bikes are your current collection?

He's 77, he can't remember EVERYTHING!

[grover_imp]

Quote:I'll be 77 this year, and in excellent health with not an ache or a pain, so I don't expect to be giving this up anytime soon
Wow! Truly inspiring!! Thanks for sharing Rocky, I can only hope to be as cool as you are!!

Ride on!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rocky_imp]

So rocky, since the '89 NT isn't listed in your signature, does that mean those five bikes are your current collection?

Yes, I sold the NT650 to a friend who still has it.
Looking back I should have kept it as he doesn't take care of it like I did - but then everyone isn't as anal as I am .
It was a wonderful bike and I rode it over 80,000 km's and never had one issue with it. It still runs just as well; just doesn't get the TLC it deserves.

[Cormanus]

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.

[flynrider]

I bought my first bike (a little KZ400) in the spring of 1980 and have been on two wheels ever since. I had a few bad get offs in the early years, but I never considered giving it up (much to the chagrin of my parents).

Until I got my first plane, it was the most fun way to get anywhere. Nowadays I split between flying and riding. I've owned my Nissan pickup for 15 yrs. and it has only left town a few times in its life.

[ride4now_imp]

I got into bikes through a HS friend of mine in the early 70's. I bought and rode a 71 Yamaha CT175 Enduro, with him, all over the trails of northwestern NJ before I had a drivers license. Got the license, registered the bike, and found out it was too small for the road. Sold it, and my Dad helped me pick out (and pay for) a 70 Kawasaki H1 500. I didn't realize what I was buying, and neither did he. A good thing as you know what a hot rod it was. I took that bike to college in Florida and road with my future wife all over the place. I sold it to buy a car (damn shame...), and then bought a Kawasaki KZ400 in 1975 as a second vehicle. I rode that bike from Florida to NJ one summer and from Florida to Chicago the next. It was a great bike. After I got married, I sold it to buy a 2nd car. Then a year later I bought a 77 Yamaha DT 250 do I could get back in the dirt. Guess what...there's NO dirt in Florida so after washing out a few times in the sand, I sold it in 79 and that was it until 2003. Houses, kids, career, and everything that goes with it kept bikes out of the garage. I flirted buying one each for my son and I when he was about 14 when we lived in Alabama but he was more interested in a go-cart (which we didn't buy) so that was that. In 2003, living now in North Georgia, my wife and I are sitting outside at a Starbucks when some bikes go buy. I looked at my wife....asked her if we could go down to the Harley dealer and just 'look'. I had to have a Harley... I rode a new Sportster home that afternoon and have not looked back. I'm 58 now and look forward to at least another 20-25 years of riding. Rocky is my inspiration... at 77, and he's still at it. I hope I can do that too. I wish I never got away from it.

[Rocky_imp]

Cool stories guys
There seems to be a common thread of family, jobs, etc., for most of us.
And thanks for the flattering remarks. I don't think of myself as being an inspiration, but I for thinking that. It just seems "normal" to me
I will tell you though, that to be as healthy and alert as I am, and to be having the fun that I am on a bike(s) at my age, is worth all the gold in the world. I jump out of bed every morning ready to go. No moaning, groaning, stiffness, etc. I am truly blessed.
And where else could I have met such a nice bunch of guys