Haven't been on a motorcycle since my oldest was born. Got to ride one today for a short few miles, thanks to a friend talking me into it.

Damn that felt like freedom. Damn that felt good.

(Must resist, must resist)

Or wait until the youngest is 18. It all depends on how you look at it.

It is Freedom.

Went for a little ride yesterday up the Columbia river gorge. Coming back west on highway 14 along the Columbia river as I was tooling along watching the surreal brilliant orange sunset next to the mighty Columbia river. Thinking life is good.

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:
It is Freedom.

Went for a little ride yesterday up the Columbia river gorge. Coming back west on highway 14 along the Columbia river as I was tooling along watching the surreal brilliant orange sunset next to the mighty Columbia river. Thinking life is good.

I've had those days too...and then a fucking deer jumped out in front of me.

Nothing like it !

Glad you enjoyed the ride.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:
It is Freedom.

Went for a little ride yesterday up the Columbia river gorge. Coming back west on highway 14 along the Columbia river as I was tooling along watching the surreal brilliant orange sunset next to the mighty Columbia river. Thinking life is good.

I've had those days too...and then a fucking deer jumped out in front of me.

Especially this time of year, be aware of more frequent deer "activity", if you live in areas where this is a concern. I'd even suggest not even riding in dusk/dawn time frames.

Be safe out there. People in SUV's texting/checking their cellphones have little concern of people on two wheels.

I haven't ridden in probably 15 years but I kept the MC endorsement on my DL even as I changed states as a matter of pride. I've often wondered if riding again would be like getting back on a bicycle or if I would be "rusty" so to speak.

Did you find it all came back like you rode last weekend or was it more challenging than that?

That’s a long time to go without a ride. There is NOTHING quite like taking a motorcycle for a ride....it’s one of the best sensations you can experience.

quote:

Originally posted by LBAR15:
I haven't ridden in probably 15 years but I kept the MC endorsement on my DL even as I changed states as a matter of pride. I've often wondered if riding again would be like getting back on a bicycle or if I would be "rusty" so to speak.

Did you find it all came back like you rode last weekend or was it more challenging than that?

I was bikeless from 1984 to 1990-ish, and only sporadically between 1990 and 1998. The skills didn't atrophy, but it took a while to re-adjust physically. One bike I had briefly (a Yamaha XS750) would put my arms to sleep in minutes. All of them raised hell with my back until I re-developed the associated muscles.

I've put a bit over 13,000 miles on my '16 FJ and can now ride a couple of hours straight without discomfort.

Until I get off the bike...my knees stiffen up from being in one position that long. Might have something to do with my 68th birthday being imminent...

I took a long break too. 2004 - 2015. Cell phone usage and the modern driver was the hardest thing to get used to.

quote:

Originally posted by LBAR15:

Did you find it all came back like you rode last weekend or was it more challenging than that?

The first few minutes were a challenge. "Let's see, this is the clutch, this is the brake, Oh, the gears are down here."

I was never a highly experienced rider to begin with.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:
It is Freedom.

Went for a little ride yesterday up the Columbia river gorge. Coming back west on highway 14 along the Columbia river as I was tooling along watching the surreal brilliant orange sunset next to the mighty Columbia river. Thinking life is good.

I've had those days too...and then a fucking deer jumped out in front of me.

In my case it was a Ram. Not of the goat variety, but of the Dodge.

Good to hear you enjoyed it after so many years. I have been riding now for close to 50 years, my current ride is a 2010 Streetglide.
Had heart surgery last year and have lost interest in the bike. So I went out and bought myself a Pontiac Solstice GXP, 2 seater.
I love the 2 seater more than the 2 wheels, still have the wind and the freedom, plus I can turn on the heat when it gets cold
As I tell all my riding friends..."ride safe" and especially watch for vehicles making a left turn towards you.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:
It is Freedom.

Went for a little ride yesterday up the Columbia river gorge. Coming back west on highway 14 along the Columbia river as I was tooling along watching the surreal brilliant orange sunset next to the mighty Columbia river. Thinking life is good.

I've had those days too...and then a fucking deer jumped out in front of me.

This is the short answer to why I quit riding. Exponential traffic growth, Cell phones, and too many responsibilities..

I miss it though.

I was 25 yrs between rides.....Decided after my hands twitching every time I saw a bike it was time. I had originally quit to keep my new bride happy..... So after much thought on the subject, several major life changes, and with my two kids about fully grown. I told the wife I was going to get a bike and would be purchasing a term life insurance to cover my income should I not survive the road with her many hazards. Been riding again since 1996. And I love every minute I can get on a bike. The only misfortunes since in riding have been of my own making. I am always riding as if I am invisible as there are many of the retired here who have no compunction at all in pulling out in front of you. I have, as I age reduce my speed and chance taking(most of the time)as I don't bounce nearly as well as I used to ( - =

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
Haven't been on a motorcycle since my oldest was born. Got to ride one today for a short few miles, thanks to a friend talking me into it.

Damn that felt like freedom. Damn that felt good.

(Must resist, must resist)

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. For me it was a good deal longer than twelve years.

I did resist, but it was a close thing there for a bit.

In the end: The way drivers drive today, my age and having no place to store it out of the weather killed the idea.

I haven't ridden in 38 years. I stopped because of the diabetes because back then the insulins were not advanced and more predictable as they are today.

On the other hand I wonder if type 1 diabetics these days safetely ride (statistically) in spite of the condition. I would like to ride again but I'd have to know the statistics. It would be bad if I went out without knowing the statistics if in fact the numbers were against me. That information may not be available.

In 2005 I had not ridden a motorcycle in 20 years. I was a dirt bike enthusiast for years in my younger days. I bought a new Harley Softail FatBoy on my 47th birthday. Jumped on the thing and rode it home. No problem.

A week or two later I took an MSF beginners course that the Harley dealer sponsored, and discounted from buying the bike there. I think they called it Riders Edge. It got me my endorsement back from when I had my license suspended when I was 21.

I put 65K on that bike in 10 years and bought a new Streetglide in 2016.

My only regret in all of this is waiting so damned long to get that first Harley. Did not realize how much I missed being on two wheels.

I had to give it up 2 years ago due to cancer treatment and the neuropathy in my feet. I truly miss the solo rides out in the country. Some of my final memories will involve those rides as well hunting and fishing experiences.

I've ridden the Columbia River gorge many times and it is an awesome way to spend a day or 2 for sure.

Oh well, all things must come to an end at some time. Better to be safe than in a hospital or worse.


Jim