I'm quitting..

[Mike B]

mmmmmm I can certainly see where you are coming from. My best friend was killed while riding to work one morning 2 years ago. I was totally devastated. I was planning to sell all my bikes and never ride again, I immediately increased my life insurance and didn't open the garage door for weeks. When I eventually went to look at the bikes, they just scared me. Eventually I took the Beemer out for a spin and I was petrified of it, every junction, every car, everything! But I stuck with it, telling myself that Mick wouldn't have wanted me to quit riding because of it. Mick's motto being "Shit Happens". I eventually decided I needed to do something. So my wife and I decided to ride from lands end to john o groats to raise money for charity in Mick's name. It was quite a test for me to be able to do it, but it did get me back into biking.

I now have a totally different view of life. You see two of my very close friends have died of cancer this year. So I now believe that basically "life is dangerous" and whatever you do, or how ever carefully you look after yourself your time will come. That morning two years ago was Mick's time, just as it was for Chris and John that died this year.

So, I now believe that you should do whatever you enjoy, and do it for as long as you enjoy doing it.

So if you are selling your bike because you now have other interests that you enjoy doing, then go for it. Just don't sell it because someone was killed on their bike. That would be the wrong reason.

On a personal note I really dread the day coming when I have to hang up my leathers so to speak. That will be one very sad day indeed.

[pbikerharry]

Very Sad Stoney, but very understandable please don't be a stranger but stay away from the fantasy league please lol.


Pete

[Dog Tyred]

Been expecting this for a while as you seem to have become obsessed with running Darn sight better for you than biking (physically anyway) and the loss of a mate has to be a serious influenence. I know it would be for me.

I take it Han is also quitting?

Wish you and the familly all the best Andy. Who knows when the sun shines next year you might be reconsider?

DT

[Dingle]

Andy, I to lost a biker friend in August. It upset me greatly as he was such a character and a friend to all who knew him.

The loss of Dave won't stop me riding if anything it's made me appreciate how dear everything is and that how anything I do could be for the last time.

Enjoy your running and welcome back to two wheels whenever it may be.

Matt

[Dai wiskers]

Don't feel pressured either way only you know what to do

Do whatever you feel is best listen to no one else

Only you can decide Dai

[herrman]

Only you can decide Andy and it looks like you have. I do think you will be back at some point in the future ( I had a 14 yr break , Never looked at bike mags or such like and then decided I wanted a bike again) It may well be 10 or 20 yrs before the bug bites again but that how it is.

Regards Peter.

[Twinspark]

I gave up bikes in my mid 20s. Lasted less than 2 years before I was back on them again.

I often think about jacking them in, then go for a ride and remember why I own them.

Life is too short - tomorrow may never happen - so we should enjoy today without worrying about 'what if?'.

[Boxered]

You will both be missed as regular trixter weekenders, but if your heart and mind lies elswhere then I salute you but I hope to see you again one day.

I once gave up biking, it was the worst fifteen minutes of my life


Steve

[Mike B]

I once gave up biking, it was the worst fifteen minutes of my life

Love it

[Dog Tyred]

I give up biking once a year (about october) and then take it up again in the spring

Been going on for years

DT

[South_Oz]

I gave up riding after a fall in 83 and 2 weeks in hospital then 2 years with out drinking, Doctors orders. I did get back on a bike after I recovered but the passion wasnt there or perhaps self preservation had kicked in. Then after 15 years I bought myself a 50th birthday present, K100. I thought I was over riding but seems I just needed to mature a bit more before I would get the itch again. Now bearly a day goes by that I dont take the R11s out for a spin.

I can certainly see where your coming from and its a decision only you can make.

Dave

[Gromit]

Andy - as other folks have said here, only you can make this decision and I respect you highly for doing so. It's never easy losing someone like this, especially when it's undertaking an activity which you know yourself to carry an element of danger.

I came very close to your position a few months ago - a good friend of mine had a bike accident last Sept (2011) and has been in the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Injuries Unit ever since. He is paralysed from the shoulders down, has largely lost the use of his hands and cannot move his arms at all. Seeing Jeff in such a condition - especially when he was such a fit bloke (very keen runner, like yourself) - was heartbreaking. He used to be an RAF aircraft engines technician (he left the Firm a few years ago) so is extremely mechanically/technically minded. To permanently lose the use of his hands would finish him off.

You'll of course know if and when you're ready to return to biking, but in the meantime if your heart's not in it - and I fully understand why it wouldn't be - then we wish you all the best and please still hang around here when you can.

[boxerscott]

I am starting to feel the same way.
I bought a brand new GS Adventure in March of this year and so far have covered 2,400 miles.
I will hang on until spring and then make a decision

That sounds plausible, a gsa is a fair enough reason to fall out of love with biking methinks

[exoticices]

I'd consider keeping some ratty piece of junk just to maintain your NCD. If you ever want to come back to biking in the future you'd be shafted without it.

[el-nicko]

I give up biking once a year (about october) and then take it up again in the spring

Been going on for years

DT

WAY TO GO (no pun intended. )