Should I pack it in
Discussion
I'm 62 in a couple of months, still look strong and healthy.
I have 3 damaged discs, a knackered knee, nerve damaged right arm and worn out hip joints.
Reason for posting now is because I had a fall due to dragging a pallet of stuff, on a PT, in snow, invisible piece of plastic under the snow and my foot shot up in the air as I hit it.
Fine at first, finished deliveries then the pain started, Hip, back muscles, right arm, sent home from work.
Now nothing 'broke' just a shock impact, it hasn't half made me start to think of the consequences of a faster impact.
I know the choice and decision can only be mine, it would make my wife very happy, obviously not 'happy' enough to make a film with me.
I have 3 damaged discs, a knackered knee, nerve damaged right arm and worn out hip joints.
Reason for posting now is because I had a fall due to dragging a pallet of stuff, on a PT, in snow, invisible piece of plastic under the snow and my foot shot up in the air as I hit it.
Fine at first, finished deliveries then the pain started, Hip, back muscles, right arm, sent home from work.
Now nothing 'broke' just a shock impact, it hasn't half made me start to think of the consequences of a faster impact.
I know the choice and decision can only be mine, it would make my wife very happy, obviously not 'happy' enough to make a film with me.
waynedear said:
I'm 62 in a couple of months, still look strong and healthy.
I have 3 damaged discs, a knackered knee, nerve damaged right arm and worn out hip joints.
Reason for posting now is because I had a fall due to dragging a pallet of stuff, on a PT, in snow, invisible piece of plastic under the snow and my foot shot up in the air as I hit it.
Fine at first, finished deliveries then the pain started, Hip, back muscles, right arm, sent home from work.
Now nothing 'broke' just a shock impact, it hasn't half made me start to think of the consequences of a faster impact.
I know the choice and decision can only be mine, it would make my wife very happy, obviously not 'happy' enough to make a film with me.
I try not to over think these things.. there’s risk in everything we do to a point (as has happened to you with the pallet incident) but if we worried too much we’d never get out of bed! I have pretty major lower back issues, spinal fusion, artificial disc etc.. so riding distance is hard for me. I’m also 51, but I try not to think about the ‘what ifs’ I have 3 damaged discs, a knackered knee, nerve damaged right arm and worn out hip joints.
Reason for posting now is because I had a fall due to dragging a pallet of stuff, on a PT, in snow, invisible piece of plastic under the snow and my foot shot up in the air as I hit it.
Fine at first, finished deliveries then the pain started, Hip, back muscles, right arm, sent home from work.
Now nothing 'broke' just a shock impact, it hasn't half made me start to think of the consequences of a faster impact.
I know the choice and decision can only be mine, it would make my wife very happy, obviously not 'happy' enough to make a film with me.
If you still love bikes and riding..keep doing it
Waynester said:
I try not to over think these things.. there’s risk in everything we do to a point (as has happened to you with the pallet incident) but if we worried too much we’d never get out of bed! I have pretty major lower back issues, spinal fusion, artificial disc etc.. so riding distance is hard for me. I’m also 51, but I try not to think about the ‘what ifs’
If you still love bikes and riding..keep doing it
I didn't think about it until today. :-)If you still love bikes and riding..keep doing it
There is a risk vs reward element to biking, as long as the reward outweighs the risk then it's worth it (for me). There have been times in the last 30 years where I have stopped enjoying it so I stopped doing it, but the consequences are always there so it's a personal decision. I've been thinking about the same thing after falling badly on ice a few days ago and realising that everything still hurts so an off from the bike could be more unpleasant than I realise. For me it probably lowers the degree of risk I find acceptable (which was never high anyway) and I've always been a fair-weather rider anyway, but I'm looking forward to a few trips this year.
There is a series of programmes running on BBC2 on Wednesdays called "Surgeons: At the Edge of Life".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09m60sk
Last night they were dealing with three accidents.
1 A women in a car crash who wasn't discovered for three hours. Severed her spinal cord.
2 A man in a motorbike accident. He was learning to walk again.
3 A women fell off her caravan steps. Broke her tibia(?)
We weren't shown the longer term outcomes - but the woman in the car crash had nothing below the waist and limited movement above the waist. The man on the motorbike has a long haul back. The woman in the caravan seemed to be back to normal.
What conclusion should we draw from this? Perhaps don't watch television is one conclusion.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09m60sk
Last night they were dealing with three accidents.
1 A women in a car crash who wasn't discovered for three hours. Severed her spinal cord.
2 A man in a motorbike accident. He was learning to walk again.
3 A women fell off her caravan steps. Broke her tibia(?)
We weren't shown the longer term outcomes - but the woman in the car crash had nothing below the waist and limited movement above the waist. The man on the motorbike has a long haul back. The woman in the caravan seemed to be back to normal.
What conclusion should we draw from this? Perhaps don't watch television is one conclusion.
It is said that, at the end of life, most regret the things they haven't done.
There is no logic to justify either riding or not riding a motorcycle. Like everything in life, there are risks. More so than with some past times but less so than others.
The Human species takes risks. It's why we are where we are! However, we also thrive on excitement.
The questions that each one of us needs to ask are:
1. Is the excitement worth the risk?
2. If I don't do it, is it something I'll regret?
There is no logic to justify either riding or not riding a motorcycle. Like everything in life, there are risks. More so than with some past times but less so than others.
The Human species takes risks. It's why we are where we are! However, we also thrive on excitement.
The questions that each one of us needs to ask are:
1. Is the excitement worth the risk?
2. If I don't do it, is it something I'll regret?
Do not underestimate the mental benefits of riding a motorcycle. If you’re going to stop what are you going to fill that gap with?
I stopped riding in 30s and 40s, started again in my 50s and have no intention of stopping. There is nothing like a good bimble out to get rid of all the stress.
I stopped riding in 30s and 40s, started again in my 50s and have no intention of stopping. There is nothing like a good bimble out to get rid of all the stress.
Don't jump the gun with giving up riding, but it might be worth reassessing what and how you ride because you bend and don't bounce as well as you get older.
But the same goes for cycling, running, gym, mountaineering, 'making of the beast with two backs', drinking, combat tiddlywinks etc.
But the same goes for cycling, running, gym, mountaineering, 'making of the beast with two backs', drinking, combat tiddlywinks etc.
I hardly ever ride in the UK now, too dangerous, roads in poor condition, drivers drive dangerously and are focusing on other things, are often rude and just impatient, just not enjoyable anymore. If I lived in Scotland I might ride more but there are fewer dry, sunny days to choose from.
I really enjoy a trip to the Alps, the French are much better drivers than the those in the UK, the food is great, the weather is usually much better, it's got fantastic scenery, reasonable hotels- what's not to like ? Much less risk, much more enjoyment and cheap !
I really enjoy a trip to the Alps, the French are much better drivers than the those in the UK, the food is great, the weather is usually much better, it's got fantastic scenery, reasonable hotels- what's not to like ? Much less risk, much more enjoyment and cheap !
SteveKTMer said:
I hardly ever ride in the UK now, too dangerous, roads in poor condition, drivers drive dangerously and are focusing on other things, are often rude and just impatient, just not enjoyable anymore. If I lived in Scotland I might ride more but there are fewer dry, sunny days to choose from.
I really enjoy a trip to the Alps, the French are much better drivers than the those in the UK, the food is great, the weather is usually much better, it's got fantastic scenery, reasonable hotels- what's not to like ? Much less risk, much more enjoyment and cheap !
I agree with you Steve with regards the weather, the scenery, the roads etc. but I think the statistics will not back up the suggestion that France is "much less risk". I really enjoy a trip to the Alps, the French are much better drivers than the those in the UK, the food is great, the weather is usually much better, it's got fantastic scenery, reasonable hotels- what's not to like ? Much less risk, much more enjoyment and cheap !
A very quick look would suggest their overall rate of KSI accidents is more than the UK while the number of PTW registrations is not significantly different. I'm sure that, as ever, the devil is in the detail, but it's definitely not clear cut. As for a trip to the Alps ... summer can't come soon enough.
I sort of understand the reasons for your post but do you think you will get any real advice on your situation on here. Really.
The only person who knows if they want to stop riding is you. AS above your going to get the "its to bad to drive on UK roads" and I'll never stop riding.
Thats not going to help you make the decision. If the time is right then stop. If you miss riding you can just buy a new bike in future. But I'm surprised as a fit and healthy 62yo you're considering stopping riding when having a fall in the snow.
Makes me thing you're using this to make your own mind up.
But hay just my view. I Don't know you and wish you all the best in the future with your choice.
The only person who knows if they want to stop riding is you. AS above your going to get the "its to bad to drive on UK roads" and I'll never stop riding.
Thats not going to help you make the decision. If the time is right then stop. If you miss riding you can just buy a new bike in future. But I'm surprised as a fit and healthy 62yo you're considering stopping riding when having a fall in the snow.
Makes me thing you're using this to make your own mind up.
But hay just my view. I Don't know you and wish you all the best in the future with your choice.
Friday and Saturday I spent a bit of time on my fz6, checking, cleaning, adjusting.
This morning I dug out my gear and went for a spin, first proper one since getting the bike.
Did around 80 miles, motorway, duals, built up and bends, nice and easy-ish... Maybe the occasional excess twist of the wrist.
Bike is brilliant, me ? I'm not ready to sell up yet.
This morning I dug out my gear and went for a spin, first proper one since getting the bike.
Did around 80 miles, motorway, duals, built up and bends, nice and easy-ish... Maybe the occasional excess twist of the wrist.
Bike is brilliant, me ? I'm not ready to sell up yet.
I'm 10 yrs younger than you and my body has started to break down. Hips, knees are all totally knackered, to the point that after spending a long day on the bike, I can barely walk up the stairs and am in pain for at least 24 hrs.
I made the decision to pack in the bikes, maybe not for good, but for the moment. I need to get the joints etc sorted as I'd quite like to be able to walk etc when I finally retire from work.
I've placed an order for a 300cc maxi scooter to keep up the two wheel thing. I had a scooter last year for the summer and it was a blast, not a motorbike, but so much fun to ride.
I made the decision to pack in the bikes, maybe not for good, but for the moment. I need to get the joints etc sorted as I'd quite like to be able to walk etc when I finally retire from work.
I've placed an order for a 300cc maxi scooter to keep up the two wheel thing. I had a scooter last year for the summer and it was a blast, not a motorbike, but so much fun to ride.
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