A wise man once said there comes a time in every man’s life when he decides to hang it up…his riding days are over. Ignoring the sexist tone of that gender-specific comment, I guess the follow-on comment has to be: Or does there?
I turned 71 a few months ago. To a lot of folks, that’s old. The funny part of it is, though, I don’t feel old. A little earlier today I was putzing around in the garage and my Royal Enfield was making me feel guilty. I hadn’t had the 650 twin out on the road in the last few weeks, a character deficiency I promptly corrected. The old girl and I had a nice ride around the neighborhood, I got the oil circulating again (in the Enfield and in yours truly), and I snapped that great photo you see at the top of this blog. That’s snow-covered Big Bear you see off in the distance, a destination I’ve visited many times on a motorcycle.
But to get back on topic: At what age should we think about hanging up our riding gear? Now that I’m a septuagenarian (I had to look it up, so you can, too) I’m wondering about things like that. But then I think about the guys I’ve ridden with and maybe I’ll continue riding for another 20 years or so. Take a look.
You know, the funny thing is the tone of the conversations during and after a good ride hasn’t changed at all over the nearly six decades I’ve been riding. The topics have changed a bit, but not really that much. We still mostly talk bikes and good roads. But instead of bragging how drunk we were the previous night and who we spent the night with (which was mostly bullshit, anyway) the topics today address different specs. Instead of 0 to 60 times, quarter mile performance, and top ends, now it’s things like our A1C, PSA, and HDL numbers. You fellow geezers know what I’m talking about. But the discussions are just as lively, I think a little more interesting, and probably a bit more truthful. We’ll touch on politics on occasion, but if the conversation gets too heated or goes too far in that direction, I can always get us back on track (and get a good laugh) when I weigh in with a single question:
You guys know what the problem is in politics today? All the guys who really know how to run the country are out screwing around riding their motorcycles.
So, at what age should you hang it up? I’m finding that’s hard to say and most guys my age and older seem to just keep on going. I’ve ridden with guys well into their 70s, 80s, and sometimes even more. Good buddy Dan is heading down to Baja next month to camp on the beach near Gonzaga Bay, and he’s a little older than me. Sim0n Gandolfi, the British novelist and adventure travel writer, rode to Cabo San Lucas and back with us on 150cc CSC Mustangs about a dozen years ago, and he’s about to leave on another epic moto trip at age 90. James from Texas bought a new motorcycle and rode one of the Baja trips with us. He spun off somewhere about halfway down the length of the Baja peninsula to take the ferry across to mainland Mexico, and he was going to ride home to Texas through Mexico. And Willie, another most interesting man in the world, rides every chance he gets when he’s not doing Dos Equis commercials. Like me, all of these guys qualify for that 89-cent cup of coffee at McDonald’s.
Yeah, I think I’m going to stay at it for a while. I think you should, too.
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The best riding in the world? In my opinion, it’s unquestionably Baja. Take a look!
At the ripe old age of 74 I just finished an epic ride on my used Sporty with a sidecar to the VFW in Dunedin Florida, a total of 4 miles last night. I even had to ride home in the dark. The temperature dropped into the high 60’s on my way home, but I toughed it out! So I don’t think my adventure bike riding is done quite yet.
I did have to give my numbers of “A1C, PSA, and HDL” in passing conversations in the evening and during our annual Mardi Gras parade, threw a ton of beads to the adoring crowds. As a sidelight, The Dunedin Mardi Gras parade is the 3rd largest in the USA with over 35,000 people involved. It is BIG fun! So if you even get a chance, come on down! You can crash and burn in my back yard. pitch a tent, and even use my trees for … well you know. I even have fire pit in the back! You light weights can use the Murphy bed or a spare bedroom with indoor plumbing if you like. First come first served!
I think I have many years of adventure riding left in the tank.
Good on you, Terry!
My pop rode until his 80’s. When he visited I’d turn his bike around so it was facing the right direction to leave.
I’m nice like that.
You never did that on any of our rides for me…
Ride if you can…
Our CVMG section leader and ride leader is in his mid 80s and still going strong, taking the long way there to get the twisties and interesting sights…at a good pace…still working on old BSAs daily.. we should all be so lucky or blessed… Ride safe…ride often!
Amen to that, Joe! Thanks for posting.
Man, I sure hope that 71 is not an appropriate age to hang up your helmet. I will turn 61 in a couple of weeks, currently recovering from open heart surgery and planning to retire in about a year. Although I have been riding since age 14 — my first bike was a Rockford Taka (look it up!) — too much of my street riding has been commuting to work or trips to the hardware store. With retirement in sight, I hope to finally have ample time for more serious adventures. The idea of pulling the plug in just ten years is a pretty disturbing thought.
It’s not, Neal. You and I both have a lot of years ahead.
My decision time came last summer. My wife has Parkinson’s Disease and for the last two years has been confined to a facility designed to care for the likes of her. I am her responsible person which means if something happens to me, good luck finding someone to look after her. I gave my long distance hauler, a BMW K1200R, to a good friend, Joseph Lee. Interesting too, is that I had given up touring all over the North American continent and didn’t miss it that much. Riding in L.A. traffic will do that to you. You’re wondering how old is he? I’m 86 and fit for my age. But for my wife’s condition I would have a small bike to ride to lunch with friends. As it is, the car is sufficient if not as much fun. Many factors play into the decision to give up riding. When the time comes, undoubtedly your reasons will be very different from mine.
Marty, you and I have had some fantastic rides together over the last 20 years or so. Lots of runs into Baja, the 2005 Three Flags Classic, multi-day rides to SLO and Nipomo and those great BBQ dinners, Highway 58, and many, many Sunday rides throughout So Cal. It’s been a hell of ride. Know that our thoughts are with you and your wife, and thanks for your friendship.
As I started reading this post I said that I would have to add my two cents; and then there was my photo! So, more input: I’m 74. This past May I bought a new Moto Guzzi V85TT Centenario and put 7800 miles on it. I also put 2300 miles on my Moto Guzzi V7II. That makes over 10k which is a typical year for me. Already planned to this year: Black Hills and Bear’s Tooth highway, a couple of rallys in SW Colorado, and a rally in SW New Mexico. The Baja trip this month is a camp on the beach trip with my Tacoma and Turtleback trailer but I’m thinking about a Baja moto trip for the fall.
You know, there’s a lot to be said for seeing Baja from the comfort of a 4-wheeled vehicle. I may get down there next month myself in the Subie. Or the bike. I haven’t decided yet. Have a good trip, Dan, and thanks for commenting.
I’ve noticed I’m not chasing the horsepower any more nor am I impressed with having loads more than I can use. I have two Kawasaki’s (Z900 and ZRX1200) each with 115 rwhp, which to me is the sweet spot and plenty fast. I bought recently a 2001 ZR7S as a winter project. It has the same 750cc air cooled four used in the 1982 gpz750. It puts out 65 rwhp and I found out I’m happy with that too. As I get older, 60, I realize that old bodies don’t handle trauma like the younger models so I’m making a concerted effort not to crash. I still like to have fun in the twisties but I’m more cautious lately. I’m in excellent condition and can’t say how long I’ll be able to ride because like you, I don’t feel any different than when I was in my twenties. Oh, I almost forgot, I have a fourth bike.. a 2007 Honda Helix 250cc scooter. I’ve kept one in the stable for over twenty years. They’re a blast, easy to ride and great for city commuting. I’m thinking it’s my “reserve bike” for when I’m too feeble to hold up the big boys. So I guess I have been thinking about it. And planning.
I think I’m thinking the same way, Marcus, although I’m down to a single bike right now. Well, actually, it’s a twin, but you get my meaning. I loved riding the CSC 250s. People say I still sound like a CSC commercial. They are great bikes. I thought the RX3 was absolutely perfect for Baja.
It would depend on the type of riding you do. If I ever go off-roading again it would be something lightweight like my old Elsinore. No giant BMW in my past or future, you have to think about picking it up. By the way, those men you pictured are in great shape. And what’s with all that hair?
Agree on all points. The hair thing is something I noticed, too. It makes me jealous. But then, grass doesn’t grow on a busy street…
Had to skip my usual long distance trip last year – CA – OH – NC – CA – due to removal of a foot of lower colon. Vovlulus rather than cancer, so should not reoccur. 2020 trip was pretty weird, what with the whole pandemic thing going on (“not gonna die of Covid or boredom, so let’s go” ) so was looking forward to 2021. Usually go in September, but this one is going to start mid-April and last about six weeks with fun point being graduation of first granddaughter from same college my mother and daughter graduated from. Doing the math on the three generation story there, puts me riding in my early 70’s. Like the folks above me kn this thread, I can still handle lots of HP, but travel on a 650 V-Strom for the versatility of getting around mixed pavement and the occasional dirt road to campsite. Side note on the surgery – fantastic treatment from Veteran’s Administration hospital in San Diego. Good care, excellent surgeon and since my wife had this specialty ticket as an RN, I know what they do and recognize a sharp doc and good OR team.
We’re glad you are doing well, David. Thank you for commenting.