OLD GUYS/GIRLS THREAD

[jpeloke]

I know it might not be PC, but as I am 73 years of age and sense from reading some of your posts I am not the only "experienced" rider.   A thread for us might be fun.  I can imagine some informative, interesting and even humorous reading.  Give it a thought or two and think of some information you would like to share.  At my advanced age, and I had always wanted a boxer twin, I felt it might be expedient to go ahead and get one.  I have much more riding behind me than ahead of me but I'm not done yet!

 

John

Milton, FL

2005 BMW R1200RT

2009 Triumph Bonneville T100

 

Ps. how many bikes in your garage are too many?

[Scott9999]

Quit yer braggin'.  Some of us may not be your age, yet, but Lord willing, we'll catch up soon.  🙃😁

 

Good on you for sticking with it, as long as mind and body will allow, AND getting the bike of your dreams in which to do it.  When we quit trying, we start dying. 

 

That's why I took out a loan, picked up my Wethead RT late last fall, and am trying once again at 66 years old.   When my wife questioned my sanity, I asked her, "What, you want me to wait another 5 or 10 years, and then try riding again in my 70's?  I don't know if I'll be alive tomorrow, 5 years from now, or if I'm even healthy enough now to ride safely, but I'm gonna give it the old college try!"   I thought I might last until the first tumble, but I had that a couple of weeks ago, am still nursing my right side ribs an shoulder, while ....

 

.... farkling up a storm on the bike, during the layoff, getting ready to hit the road again (this time, hopefully, more figuratively than literally).  🤣🤣🤣  My stone cladding project starts next week in earnest, so I'll be aching in all sorts of new places for the next couple of months.  By comparison, hurting after a little bike ride or two on my new-to-me Beemer, is more worth it. 😏

 

Take pictures and share your ride adventures (and misadventures, those count, too!).  We'll all be pulling for you here.

[Lowndes]

I'm in.  Dunno zackly why 'cept I qualify.  Where's the application form??

[taylor1]

8 hours ago, jpeloke said:

A thread for us might be fun

Might want to move this to Riders Discuss Other Topics [ Just old and grumpy]

[BamaJohn]

“Old” rocks!  I’m “START-ing” early...heading to Maggie Valley today, & Blairsville Wednesday.  Looking forward to seeing everyone!

[Mike]

I’ve come to embrace my geezerness. The key, I think, is to avoid letting your attitude match your age. On the subject of two wheelin’, my hope is to keep it up for a long, long time. 

My motorized two-wheeled riding began when I was about 10, on a K-Mart scooter, so that would mean I’ve been riding 57 years I suppose. My riding ambitions have always exceeded my accomplishments, so I hope to make up for a bit of that before…well…you know. There are plenty of examples in the BMW community of those who continue to ride at a point in life when many are using a walker, something I find inspirational. I ride a bit slower these days, but when I don’t and the blue lights start flashing, my white hair seems to be of use. This is, of course, one of the few situations where being old is beneficial.

The irony (cruelty?) of old age is that you remain more or less the same person beneath the crumbling structure of your aging body. The only cure is attitude.

[John Ranalletta]

IMO, the key to aging well (or as well as possible) is to stay as strong as one can.

There's a joke amongst BMW riders: A fellow walks up to a bunch of BMW riders and asks, "I'm looking for a slightly overweight guy with gray hair who rides a BMW.  Any of you guys see him?"

[jpeloke]

Ways to tell your an old biker or Why its a greater adventure now than it ever was:

 

1.  You start a discussion only to find out its in the wrong place on the site and you don't know how to move it.  I am electronically challenged.

2.  You go into a motorcycle dealer and the first question they ask is:  "Are you still riding?"

3.  You hear voices.  At first you think it may be Siri, Alexa, Echo, Cardo or ?  Then you realize its your motorcycle wanting to go for a ride!

4.  You get up.  Get a cup of coffee.  Go to your favorite motorcycle site.  Find this thread and realize you are not alone!

 

Feel free to add yours!

 

John

Milton, FL

2005 BMW R1200RT

2009 Triumph Bonneville T100

[Hosstage]

I won't be 60 until next year, so no relation to this thread 'cuz I'm not old enough for another ten years!

Sure miss my knees though, they were awesome!

 

#2 above would be an eye opener.

[Skywagon]

You plan a ride in your head the night before… put everything on charge… SENA, bike, phone, gps, jump starter.  Wake up the next morning and think, hmm I have to move the cars around, put on gear (it’s already 85 at 0900), then figure out I want to go somewhere different than I thought last night…ahh crap I’ll just do it in a couple more days. Think I’ll go get a haircut instead. 
 

It is wonderful to have the freedom of retirement and can do things when you want instead of on a time schedule. It’s a real benefit of aging. 
 

I still feel young at 67. I walk roughly 25 miles a week, fish often, work on something almost everyday, and ride when I want to not because it is a weekend. I wouldn’t trade where I am now and where I was at 30. 
 

There is a drive through fast food near my boat. I probably only drive through once a month. When I get to the window they almost always say, oh I need to give you the Senior Discount. That happens way too often. Last time I just told them to keep the damn dollar

[Dave_in_TX]

I turned 72 this month but that hasn't stopped from putting on some miles. I purchased a new 2020 R1250GS in June of 2020 and it now has over 63k miles on it. Got my first BMW in 2007 but have been riding since 1967,

[Norm 88]

I turned 86 last year, riding sense 1950 started on an old AJS most people have no idea what that is. Have had several motorcycles including 4 BMWS the RT got a little heavy for me to move around now on a 2020 BMW  XR900, fun in the Canyons where Ilike to play. Superbike school twice in the late 80s and early 90s planning a ride to the icefield parkway in Canada in late June still riding 10to 15K per year don't know how long that is going to last age has to catchup pretty soon 

,

[Lowndes]

I try to stay trim, watch the weight, exercise, and I did chose my parents carefully.  Doin ok for an old guy. 

 

Went to a new dermatologist several months back (the first umteen retired already), a sexagenarian herself.  She was going thru my file with the young assistant asking this and that, while I'm on the table wearing a white paper napkin, then she lookd at me and asked, "So, how old are you?"  I said, "You mean, counting today??"  "Yeeesssss." impatiently.   I looked at my watch and said "I'll be 87 in...."  She looked bewildered and impatient, rolled her eyes.  I tapped the watch, listened to it tick, counted on all my fingers, and said, "...in 13 years."  She looked relieved and said sarcastically, "Cute."   I replied, "You're not too bad yourself , doc!!"  There was a 1/100 second eye contact between the doc and the assistant that said "One more chuckle and you're FIRED."  We get along great.

[John Ranalletta]

22 hours ago, John Ranalletta said:

IMO, the key to aging well (or as well as possible) is to stay as strong as one can.

 

If you've reached 65, you probably know about or have attended an annual health screening.  You know the one where they ask if you feel safe at home which is more a question about your spouse than you.

 

Anyway, several times during the assessment they ask about fall history.  Older people tend to fall over on a fairly regular basis.  A neighbor in his 60s fell during a trek in a state park;  my wife's friend fell in a slippery parking lot.  One is recovering on a crutch and a cane.  The other hit her head and suffers dizzy spells. 

 

"we fall when we experience some kind of event that challenges our balance or strength. If this event overwhelms our ability to remain upright, down we go."

 

Because we don't heal as quickly as we use to heal, a fall that breaks a hip or shoulder can be the watershed event that puts us in the recliner for the rest of our days. Stay as strong as you can. If our bodies get heavier as our muscles lose carrying/lifting capacity, the odds of a fall event increase dramatically.

 

I recommend The Barbell Prescription and I'm trying to follow my own advice
 

[Red]

That's out if you already tried lifting heavy shit and had to have spinal disc fluid from a rupture removed surgically.  What's your plan B?

[MichiganBob]

As the Desederata points out, "take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth." My take at almost 74 is to accept a few realities. Compared to my youth, my reflexes, eyesight, hearing, bladder, and height have changed. Accept and adjust.

I have added lots of bright lights, good horn, better wind protection, quality ear plugs, a lower seat, protective clothing, good helmet, and front and rear crash bars if i stumble. None of these add on's guarantee anything but they theoretically increase probabilities of a safe outing.

These days I'm easier on the twistys, slowing down a bit on the speed, and increased defensive riding techniques. 

 

This riding season, Peoria tt, Springfield Mile, Blue Ridge Parkway to the Dragon, and monkey butt 1000. 

 

Planet Fitness 3 or 4 times a week, at least 7500 steps daily, and eating right. To each their own, to me its preventative behaviors so I can have more time with kids and grandkids. That being said, i sure enjoy bourbon and cigars, especially after a long day on the road and we are at our outside entry motel dragging out chairs, kicking tires and telling lies. Enjoy the ride.

[Hosstage]

9 minutes ago, Red said:

That's out if you already tried lifting heavy shit and had to have spinal disc fluid from a rupture removed surgically.  What's your plan B?

Just keep moving. Figure out what can be done.

Having said that, I'm mostly setting a bad example. When I do finally step over the line, most will not be surprised except that I have already lasted much longer than expected. I've already beat my parents and grandparents (but one), many aunts and uncles by decades. Packing in as much life as possible, which includes a bit of irresponsibility occasionally. That's the fun part!

[MichiganBob]

One of my joys at planet fitness is checking out the young ladies. I gave my wife my heart, not my eyes. Recently, I'm stretching on a mat and a knock down gorgeous young women keeps eyeballing me. She then approaches me and apologizes for staring at me. She explains that i am an absolute carbon copy look alike of her grandfather. Yikes!!!!!!

[Skywagon]

1 hour ago, MichiganBob said:

I gave my wife my heart, not my eyes

Reminds me of that old saying of...Just cuz there is snow on the roof doesn't mean there isn't a fire in the furnace.

[Norm 88]

Well at 86 I walk 2 Mi every day and work out with dumbbells for 30 Mi. I am not a TV guy just try to stay busy in the yard or shop. The Doc says keep moving my bride makes sure I eat right, I like a little Whisky in the evening I get to ride with my son and grandson that I enjoy Life is Good...just trying to make it last 

[Scott9999]

6 hours ago, MichiganBob said:

One of my joys at planet fitness is checking out the young ladies. I gave my wife my heart, not my eyes. Recently, I'm stretching on a mat and a knock down gorgeous young women keeps eyeballing me. She then approaches me and apologizes for staring at me. She explains that i am an absolute carbon copy look alike of her grandfather. Yikes!!!!!!

Well, there's a couple of different directions to go on that one:

 

1) She says, "Yeah, scared the crap outta me.  Grandfather was a famous rapist and ax murderer."  Hmm, then not so good.

2) You respond: "Honey, did you grandpa like to party with younger ladies & Viagra, too?"  Maybe a bit two strong.  🤣

3) You say: "Bless your heart, sweetie.  I hope it's good memories for you, then."  Probably the direction I'd go, but everyone who knows me, knows that I'm just weird.  🙄