Too old to ride

[fontana]

I've always said that when I'm 55, I'm going to stop riding.
I'm now just one year off that.
I'll be sad to give up something that has given me so much pleasure, and enhanced my life over the last 35 years, but after 55 I don't think anyone should be riding.
It's just too dangerous, and I get really angry when I see these 60yrs+ pensioners riding about totally oblivious to the dangers they are posing to themselves and other road users.
Bikes require a level of skill and concentration that are way beyond what is necessary for a car, and these skills simply cannot be maintained by someone approaching 60.
So I'm now going to make the most of my last year riding, before hanging up the helmet for the last time next year.
I think some people here need to consider doing the same.






































































































































BOLLOX

[kfrogzx7]

Oh boy, this is going to an interesting thread surely ?
I've been riding all my life and very much hope to continue to the end.
I'm 59 and I think biking keeps me young, I'm only ever going to hang up my lid permanently when I really am incapable / dangerous.
I hope I've got at least 10 more years in me yet.

[kfrogzx7]

Oh boy, this is going to an interesting thread surely ?
I've been riding all my life and very much hope to continue to the end.
I'm 59 and I think biking keeps me young, I'm only ever going to hang up my lid permanently when I really am incapable / dangerous.
I hope I've got at least 10 more years in me yet.

Well done, Fontana, that was just too easy ....

Oh what a sucker !!!

[herrman]

Well if you feel you are unable to ride beyond 55 yrs old so be it and I for 1 do not want to share the road with you if you think that that is too old. I'm into my 60s and my partner is well past 75 and only started riding @ 58yrs but has toured France/Italy/Norway since then and only stopped when the dreaded big C took over his life. Bike is parked in the garage ready for riding when he feels able to start again which he will.

[fontana]

Well if you feel you are unable to ride beyond 55 yrs old so be it and I for 1 do not want to share the road with you if you think that that is too old. I'm into my 60s and my partner is well past 75 and only started riding @ 58yrs but has toured France/Italy/Norway since then and only stopped when the dreaded big C took over his life. Bike is parked in the garage ready for riding when he feels able to start again which he will.

I was just joking.
But what I said is based on what a work colleague said to me in conversation yesterday.

[JamesL]

I have a more principles-based approach that I'll give up when I no longer enjoy it; so not quite yet .

Also, use or lose it...

I guess the trick is to recognise how your limits evolve as you turn 21 yet again and adjust accordingly. Which is a personal thing, and if 'adjust' means stop riding then I guess that's it...

[herrman]

I was just joking.
But what I said is based on what a work colleague said to me in conversation yesterday

Well I don't find it funny, The only joke here is you---GOODBYE

[fontana]

Well I don't find it funny, The only joke here is you---GOODBYE

[kfrogzx7]

Well I thought it was funny, and I was the first mug to fall for it !!

C'mon guys give the bloke a break.
" Argumentativeness " isn't a crime, and if somebody like Clarkson or AAGill or LJK Setright came on here I bet they'd be MORE controversial and confrontational !!
It takes all sorts .... thank god.

[Herb]

Age won't stop me, some of the most capable guys I ride with are in their 60s. Eyesight might. I am 45 now with an unusual eye condition. I reckon I have 5 years more on a sporty bike, then maybe another 5-10 on a more upright bike (dare I say it feet forward even) so my head is in a different position which makes things more comfortable.

After that its short rides and fettling in the garage.

I had a neighbour where I used to live who didn't ride anymore, he was in his 70's, but was in his garage everyday fettling and fiddling. He sometimes rode to the top of the street and back. He had a gillera 50 GP bike, an MV 125 GP bike, as well as an SS80 and a New Imperial. That would be enough for me. I get as much pleasure messing around in the garage as I do riding to be honest.

[SP250]

Got to aim for something positive where age and riding are concerned.

I reckon Len Vale - Onslow is a good example to try and emulate.
I.E. ride down Pall Mall on a motorbike to collect you 100th birthday telegram from the Queen.
I guess in 38 years it won't be the Queen but Charlie or William who I'll get mine from.

Be good if I can still pull wheelies

[Grip Fast]

It was 20 years in January since I got back into bikes (family, mortgage etc kept me away - the usual stuff). I'm still really enjoying it and learning, and I'd like at least another 20 years, though the Guiness Book of Records for oldest biker is my target - so that's probably another 40 years at least, to be in with a shout.

I remember Murray Walker saying he just knew one day that he wasn't going to ride any of his collection of bikes any more. I'm dreading that happening, so I keep fit with lots of cycling and walking.

[slparry]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... miles.html

Although I reckon 2 years ago I hit 1,000,000 miles or so as I do about 25000 plus miles per year across the bikes I have.

[Grip Fast]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2010794/Britains-oldest-biker-going-strong-94-Reg-Scott-ridden-nearly-400-000-miles.html

Although I reckon 2 years ago I hit 1,000,000 miles or so as I do about 25000 plus miles per year across the bikes I have.

So, if I remember correctly, that's the moon and back twice. That's some serious mileage, Steve.

Only 28 years until I match that chap, but I'll have to get racking up the miles to reach a decent number.

[daves]

Well I thought it was funny !!