Moped Diaries of 80 year old Jac Kelvie

[dr_rock_imp]

I thought this was worth sharing. I have met Jac a few times and he is as nice as they come. He has put countless miles on his bikes over the years. He told me he used to leave Minneapolis in January on his Gold Wing just before a snow storm would hit to drive to Arizona.

For awhile he was "only" riding this 50cc Honda moped, but he put so many miles on it, driving it on many road trips.

In December a bunch of local riders chipped in and bought him a used Honda Shadow and when I spoke with him in late Marche he had already put 3,000 miles on it (Minneapolis has a late Spring).

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/274634951.html

Here is the image gallery
http://www.startribune.com/galleries/274618061.html

 

[redbirds_imp]

What an interesting story. I can't imagine doing miles like that on a moped.

 

[dr_rock_imp]

Yeah, it's not so much about what bike or gear you have, but just being out there and seeing things.

 

[redbirds_imp]

Reminds me of a Peter Egan story about riding a Honda Cub with one of his friends on a tour down the Mississippi Valley. His friend rode a 10 speed bicycle. The tour was a delight and the slow pace meant taking the back roads and enjoying the scenery.

 

[dr_rock_imp]

Sounds interesting! I will have to check that out.

 

[the Ferret]

The great thing about riding on two wheels is leaning thru the curves. Do you even lean going thru a curve at 30 mph? lol

Just kidding, if I am still riding at 80, even on a moped, I will be one happy dude.

 

[dr_rock_imp]

I like the fact that he takes naps On the moped

 

[emptysea]

Oh...I'm sure you'll be riding next year, Mickey. Don't worry about it. :rofl:

Great story, Doc. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Elipten_imp]

I have a new hero, and inspiration.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Cormanus]

Thanks dr_rock. That's a great story.

 

[JustPassinThru_imp]

The great thing about riding on two wheels is leaning thru the curves. Do you even lean going thru a curve at 30 mph? lol

Just kidding, if I am still riding at 80, even on a moped, I will be one happy dude.

Ah, Mr. Ferret. I bought my Burgman 650 from an eightysomething...he was a Harley guy, but arthritis in hands and hips obligated him to get a step-thru with an automatic drive.

He hadn't slowed down in the noggin - no, he had a shop manual and a storage-shed/shop for it. Put on a backrest and taller windshield and a few other doodads.

Sadly for him, he lost it in his driveway on wet leaves; broke his ankle and it wouldn't heal up for months. When I bought it from him he was out of the cast and walking, but wife said SELL. So he sold...I hope it didn't kill him, not riding anymore.

But he gave me the papers and even the magazine reviews he saved before buying it. And I don't think he was a pokey rider.

That's him. I doubt I'll be that spry at his age...I'm almost not, now, in my fifties. But, the scooter/moped thing was just the ticket for him. And for me, when I was heavier and with back problems.