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. I guess the follow-on comment has to be: Is that true?
I turned 71 a few months ago (note that this blog originally published three years ago; I’m 74 today and I’m still riding). 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 San Gorgonio Mountain 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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just what I needed to hear this morning Joe, thanks!
You bet, John.
I just retired at 65 years old, and I would sure like to ride with you guys!
Look us up when you are out this way, Mark!
Maybe aging up, but not aging out! As I started reading this blog I said "I have to send you a photo!" - I scrolled down a bit AND! there I was!! My CSC bikes have moved on, as have the big Guzzi's. But I am still riding my Moto Guzzi V7II five thousand mile a year/50,000 on the odometer. I'm at 180,000 lifetime miles, which is not much for some folks - I expect to reach 200,000. I enjoy reading Berk's travel logs and Gresh's "fix-its".
Thanks, Dan. You are the youngest old guy among us. Always good to hear from you.
I don’t know
What to say. I am just turned 73 and I am being clobbered by arthritis. In a few weeks the are going to try and burn a nerve in my back . I hope that helps . But it’s my knees the may keep me grounded . I have a bizarre cross slope at the end of my drive. It’s also a blind corner below a substantial drop in elv.
It’s be one difficult to put a foot down to get a safe read on pulling out .
I have sold off my biggest Harley bcuz I can’t push them to turn them around in my garage .
Now I am not ready to quit . I recently bought a 1965/2 and am going to lower the seat .
My hinkley T-100 is ready to rock
But I may buy a Honda trail or something similar small bike to keep me active. I do have several project bikes. I will be spending time on them
One of my club brothers in the Philippines is in his 80’s and now rides a can am spider . So I am not gone yet. But it’s a struggle at times.
"But it’s a struggle at times."
Truer words were never spoken.
Sigh!
Loved reading the above: agree with the sentiments, (particularly the Baja comments...)
And At the age of 81, I still gaze with nostalgia at my BMW , the broken neck I sustained has likely ended my 68 year love Affair with Motorcycling.
But, Love (and hope) spring eternal, and I'm keeping the battery charged..
Best Regards
And
Keep the oily parts on the bottom..
David
Well, at 75 (2023) on a 1972 BWM while moving bikes to higher ground due to a coming hurricane a lawn truck cut me off and Bam! 4 days in ICU... Did mention it was starting to rain? The next year (2024) at 76 I set a class record on three wheels at Bonneville on my SOHC 1978 750 Honda. Now at 77 years I am waiting for my bike to get out of the shop ( not flooded) to go riding again. Helene got my home with 3 ft of water in October of 2024 and my bikes were not rebuilt yet, I will let you know when I get my bikes back if it's time yet. Somehow I think my time has not come yet...just sayin...
You are now one of my heroes, Terry. Thanks for commenting.