I'm quitting..

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 12:16 pm

I've been thinking this over for some time. A pal died in a bike crash in August, leaving behind a wife and two young children. I wasn't particularly close to him or his family but it really made me think. I don't ride that much anymore, i.e. I think I may have done 100 miles since getting back from the Boxertrix Wales weekend and I'm very conscious that my lack of practice will have affected my ability to ride a bike in the way I like safely. What with my new interests in running and cycling I just don't get that urge to open the garage and go for a blast anymore.

I've just been out in the garage to take the mileage reading on my GS in preparation for its sale and I've started to sell the odd bit of gear and its a pretty sad feeling and leaves me with a heavy heart, but I'm pretty sure my days of motorbiking are over.

I'll be getting rid of everything, helmets, leathers and my minter 58 R2100GS if anyone is after a new bike or gear. If you have any questions just ask if not watch the for sale page.

Andy

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 12:49 pm

No-one can say if it is right or wrong - apart from you.

It needn't be forever.

Al

Daveg2812 · Post by **Daveg2812** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 1:28 pm

Blackal wrote:No-one can say if it is right or wrong - apart from you.

It needn't be forever.

Al

Agreed, I'll bet there are a good few of us who walk that fine line between keeping it and letting it go. Incidents like the ones you mention are certainly thought provoking. Left to my own devices, I could easily come to the same conclusion, but when I do go out for that 'blast', I nearly always come back feeling better for it. And, as Al says, you can always change your mind in the future.

exoticices · Post by **exoticices** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 2:14 pm

Fair play.

Have you thought about doing some non-road stuff? Pre-65 trials, drag strip, stuff like that? It's a shame to give it up completely.

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 2:22 pm

I tend to race (running) most weekends and am training the ones when I'm not racing. To be honest I love it, I can finally get into a form of competition where you can cane it without risking killing yourself 9apart from tearing down the hills on fell races). Its a cheap sport, highly social and with lots to have a go at.

Thats why motorbiking hasn't really happened for me the last 2 years, and my mate dying was just the final straw. I need the room in the garage for all my pairs of trainers anyway

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 2:23 pm

..but like Al said...it might not be forever....just until the knees pack up...then I'll be too crippled to ride a proper bike anyway.

Maybe an R1300S would tempt me back

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 2:24 pm

Sorry to see you go, although I appreciate the reasoning.

Sadly I'm a life long addict even after my brother got killed by a taxi on the bike I gave him I knew I'd still not be able to quit riding, and in all fairness my brother wouldn't have wanted me to. it has, however, made me even more biased against taxi drivers than I was before

Rossy1100S · Post by **Rossy1100S** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 3:32 pm

I'll also be sorry to see you go as well, I looked forward to meeting both you and Hannah at the various Boxertrix weekends.

I understand your reasoning and it's clear to see that you enjoy your new sports which will certainly keep you in good health.

I seem to be going the other way and wanting to ride more, having been over to France in September and doing the Dragon Rally again next February, probably a belated middle aged crisis

.

I wish you both all the very best and hope that you still find time to visit and contribute to this site.

Take care

Geoff

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:06 pm

I packed it in way back in the eighties when I was having too many 'close ones' (as I recall,7 in the last week before I sold it)on my ZX10 and took up flying weight-shift microlights instead. After more than enough 'engine out/forced landings (feckin' 2-strokes) I eventualy, at age 62, ended up geting my rotary wing licence (rated on a Robinson R22) where the attrition rate of pilots was incredible but rarly remarked upon. Since then, in the last eight years, I, personaly have seen half a dozen fellow pilots, both friends or aquantancies end up on the wrong side of the turf yet you never hear anyone remark on how dangerous helicopters are. I returned to biking again two years ago because I missed it so much. My reasoning was: 'I'm nearly 70, FUCK IT! It'll never happen to me.' To think otherwise you may as well close the curtains, sit in the dark in your armchair and wait for 'THE END'. Sometimes, when I'm out on me bike, late at night, midweek, not another soul abroard, I think to myself, "I can't believe I'm STILL doing this. This is better than any acid trip I ever took". To quote Jim Morisson " Nobody gets out of life alive". So Keep Calm and Carry On. OK?

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:35 pm

Boxadog 2000 · Post by **Boxadog 2000** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 6:43 pm

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

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 7:01 pm

Blackal wrote:

thing is with modern educational standards "Sarha" is probably 15 and a young mum

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 7:07 pm

popsky · Post by **popsky** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 7:07 pm

Sad news about your friend Andy, we can certainly see how it would make you think twice about continuing biking.

Shall miss both of your company at the Trixter Welsh weekend, and I certainly looked forward to "sometimes" riding with you, shan't forget our first meeting, especially the Sunday ride to the Ponderosa, 4 R1200s all together Steve(Boxered) Peter(Herrman) you and me, bloody superb

I think you would both be welcome to future Trixter events, even on 4 wheels

you could have a few beers and consume 3 or 4 puddings I'm sure.

Anyway take care, enjoy your running/cycling and hopefully me and Karen will be able to meet you and Hannah sometime in the future.

Steve1200S · Post by **Steve1200S** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 7:43 pm

As all have said, only you can make the choice, and its right for you now.

Im sure you'll back around in the future though.

www.boxertrix.com

I'm quitting..

I'm quitting..

Talking about helicopters.........

Re: Talking about helicopters.........