Well he did it again ....

[the Ferret]

... and I'm afraid it's for good this time.

Got an email today. My good friend and riding buddy Jnor has sold his motorcycle (that he just bought a year ago) and all his riding gear, and given up riding. Again.

It's not the first time he has done this, maybe the 3rd time he has given up riding ( I think I even posted a thread about it here one time) but for some reason, I think he's serious this time. He says his heart is no longer in it. That he no longer gets pleasure from riding. He's afraid of being in an accident and ending up in a nursing home. He turns 69 next month.

Together we have ridden many thousands of miles, through many states, had some awesome trips. He was a great traveling companion.

We were scheduled to ride back down the BRP down to the Dragon this summer, and next year when we both turn 70 we were supposed to repeat our 2014 cross country ride to California and back. I am dissapointed we won't be making those trips, but to tell the truth with some medical issues I am having the trips were iffy anyway. Still it saddens me to think there is no possibility of them happening now.

It's tough to lose motorcycle buddies, but as we age, it's bound to happen more and more. I'm going to miss him.

Jnor on pacific Coast Highway California



and somewhere in middle America ...maybe Wyoming?

[pdedse]

Sorry you'll miss out on riding with your friend. I've always preferred riding alone...but of late, I'm thinking it would nice to find someone to ride with at times.

[GoldOxide_imp]

It is tough to ignore the body if it can't keep up with the mind. It also represents a sort of freedom lost and we all don't enjoy that feeling. Many times there are others to consider and the call has to be made. It can't be easy as a chapter closes.

- - -

Which brings up a thought of augmented reality.

For those who wish to ride with others but cannot, it would be unsurprising in the not too distant future where one can join the experience, but in the comfort of their garage/basement/family room. The actual riders will ride, but one will be outfitted with video and motion sensor capturing technology and relay the data back to the home buddy whose computer will translate the experience on a sort of "electric horse" (looking like a real motorcycle) and HD television monitor. It could be in real-time with live conversation and recorded for later experience and replay for anyone, including the original host rider.

Maybe this is done already, or the market isn't ready for it just yet.

[LongRanger_imp]

Very sorry to hear this, but you know Ferret, you've got a whole network of eager riding buddies right here. I know you could easily stitch together a great cross-country route and have a riding companion for each leg. You certainly have the Rockies covered. Just give me a 24-hour notice.

[pdedse]

Very sorry to hear this, but you know Ferret, you've got a whole network of eager riding buddies right here. I know you could easily stitch together a great cross-country route and have a riding companion for each leg. You certainly have the Rockies covered. Just give me a 24-hour notice.

Yes, indeed, Pacific Northwet is covered for you as well.

[offroadfx4_imp]

Yep, as long as it's in June and/or July anywhere you want to go.

[Cormanus]

That's a sad thing, Ferret. It's good to have a buddy you ride with a lot and with whom you are comfortable. It's mostly un-stressful and makes longer trips a bit less lonesome.

[KiowaEagle_imp]

And of course if you want to head East....

[the Ferret]

Thanks fellas., and I appreciate the generous offers.

Cormanus you are right. For you I imagine it would be like Pterodactyl giving up riding. Someone you've traveled with a lot and are comfortable with.

I have had great rides with fellow forum members as well..MTC, dUh, DAC, Offroad, and LongRanger, not to mention those I have ridden at forum rallies with. And every year we have a gathering of family members for a trip somewhere in the Fall Men's Trip. So I am not without riding companions.

[LouA_imp]

Well,I can relate. Maybe,just to keep his toe in,joining a vintage club and keeping in the bike world by helping at meets or maybe a restoration. It is hard to cut the cord.