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Good for you!!  Im 56 and frankly there is no way I could do a 500 mile trip in one day, let alone a 250 mile trip.  But I'm not aging well and doubt I will make it to 70.

Give yourself a pat on the back!

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33 minutes ago, TomTracer said:

She would not let me slow down or quit. I still have some of the notes she tucked into my gear when I left

So very cool to have had a partner that let you be you!

Great story, thanks for sharing.

I got in a bit late (late 40's, now 51) but I have a condition that's aging my spine rapidly - the specialists tell me I have the spine of a 60 year old.  So, I have some of the same concerns you do, to a degree.  Covid blew my gym and healthy eating habits out of the water; I lack self discipline, mostly.

However - summer is around the corner and it's time to quit languishing and get out there!

I sure hope to make it last as long as possible.  You, my friend, are an inspiration.

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2015 FJ-09 / FJR touring bags / oil plug mod / Evotech rad guard / SW Motech bash plate / VStream touring windshield / Seat Concepts:  Sport Touring / Vcyclenut ABS rings (speedo correction) / Cosmo RAM mount

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I appreciate the sentiment. But my post wasn't intended to be all about me. Some our age ride 100 mile days ane are beat. Others go to breakfast or lunch and for ice cream afterward. My "older" riding buddies kept doing what they loved. I intend to do the same. Hope we all do. Why not?!

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1 hour ago, knyte said:

So very cool to have had a partner that let you be you!

Great story, thanks for sharing.

I got in a bit late (late 40's, now 51) but I have a condition that's aging my spine rapidly - the specialists tell me I have the spine of a 60 year old.  So, I have some of the same concerns you do, to a degree.  Covid blew my gym and healthy eating habits out of the water; I lack self discipline, mostly.

However - summer is around the corner and it's time to quit languishing and get out there!

I sure hope to make it last as long as possible.  You, my friend, are an inspiration.

Does riding your bike make your back act up?  I have 2 herniated discs and have already had surgery for that 3 years ago.  After 1.5-2 years they have herniated again but since there is now more room in there (laminectomy) they do not press against the spinal nerves as badly as before.  I do have chronic back pain but it doesn't keep me from riding and riding does not aggravate it, which my family can't believe.  Your situation of course may be different.  And by the way, that's the best 5-o'clock shadow I think I've ever seen.

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I'll turn 67 this year and am itching to go out on another long ride.  My brother-in-law passed away a couple of weeks ago at the age of 67, made my wife and I stop and realize how blessed we are.    My wife will not ride with me but is ok (but worries) with me taking long solo trips.  LOL I was in Duboise WY a couple of years ago eating dinner at Cowboy Cafe.  My phone rang, it was my wife making sure I wasn't where she saw my on Find My Friends which was a building away in shed.  LOL it was amusing but comforting to know she was tracking me.  I've met some great folks on my rides including one fella in Duboise WY.  He was o a HD and I was on a BMW F800GT.  We were camped next to each other and ate dinner together.  Next day we rode together to Arco Idaho where we waved goodby and went out separate ways.  I'll always remember the time we rode together.  Different folks, different bikes but a love of riding that brought us together.  Heard the President of MV Augusta USA describe it as Moto Love.  The love of motorcycles riding that transcends so many things and brings us together.  On my solo rides I take a Garmin inReach Mini and a SPOT.  The SPOT allows me to press a button and send an I'm OK message and location to my wife.  LOL she will take it and look it up on Google Maps and send the family, including me, a picture of where I am.  inReach Mini allows me to send txt messages from my phone even if I'm out of cell service.  They also have SOS capabilities.  Plotting my next ride and trying to figure out how to go west without going thru Memphis TN (and traffic due to bridge failure). 

Last trip to Topeka KS 1st day and last day were between Birmingham and Springfield MO.  It's 560 miles and I did it on the way back with 3 stops.  Not bragging but after some work have a good seat situation and windscreen and was able to just roll up the miles.  It's partially figuring out what works for me and what I enjoy.  Not every day is a long day in the saddle but sometimes a long day is needed to set up the next day.  It's all about enjoying the ride.  If a day gets too long stop early and change plans.  Last year after buying the Tracer GT in the middle of a trip I broke up the Springfield Mo to Birmingham ride into 2 days due to being tired from the 500 mile day before.  Buffeting from OEM windscreen took more out of me than I realized so decided to stop early and rest.  

I like to set my own pace and not be rushed or slowed and riding with others means constantly keeping up with a bike in front and behind and not being able to choose which side of the lane to use.  I always plan where I'm going to stay (usually a KOA) but don't plan the route very far ahead.  I'll plan things to see but it's and adventure and a long ride.  IMO the years after retirement are a wonderful time to take the long motorcycle rides and enjoy life.  We haven't done it yet put plan to have my wife fly out and meet me where we can spend a few days together at a great spot.  Another problem with getting older is older parents.  My mother-in-law is 92 and still lives by herself but takes a lot of looking after and my wife is her primary caregiver.  That limits her ability to take long trips.

 

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4 hours ago, TomTracer said:

I consider myself an aging rider. Turned 75 earlier this year,  been riding 63 years, more the last 20 after retiring, and have close to 700,000 miles on all sort of bikes. I see comments in posts by many riders who I think are much like me. Group rides aren't for me, none of that ride captain crap, 3-4 max is my size group, and the last 15 or so years I have enjoyed riding alone. No reservations, no real planned route, just a general direction adjusted each morning after camping or motel. Have ridden from MX to Canada and back, all over the mid-west, into Canada, to CA for lunch and back to KC area, you name it. Was lucky to have a great wife who gave riding as a pillion her best shot but finally admitted she hated riding. She would not let me slow down or quit. I still have some of the notes she tucked into my gear when I left. I miss her dearly. My son fully understands how important riding is to me, and offers lots of encouragement.

As we age, bike weight becomes more of an issue, especially when moving the bike around the garage. A BMW I had was particularly top heave always making me feel it was going over. It did once on a day I had injections for back pain. But, I got it up (much unlike now,😁). 2 of my aged heros were well into their 80's the last time I rode with them. . One had a popup tent and would be all set up waiting to ride with the admonishment "daylight is wasting". 

I have recently gone from 4 down to 1 bike, my current 2020 Tracer 900GT. I don't feel my riding skills have diminished, and fellow riders echo that, but I know they will. Right now though  I still know why a dog likes to stick it's head out the car window. 

My Tracer is a little tall for me but I love it. I can easily move it around the garage, and if I dump it I am sure I can pick it up. Anyone who hasn't watched any videos of women lifting a bike should look. It's easy with the right technique. 

For me the key is knowing what you want to do in life. Assess your ability to pursue that want.  And go from there.  I still camp, motel, ride solo or with a couple of buddies, know how to do most repairs on the road, and know when I will be in over my head. Physical issues will come, but so far they are minor. I can still ride 500 mile days easily, and before the covid debacle hit, did several 900  mile days with no problem. 

So you old farts, what say you!?

i applaud you and ;your ambition for riding... i couldn't agree more it is just the best alone... no agenda, no group meetings or decisions... lol...after being on the big twins for 35 years finally the jump to my 2017 fj-09 super bike, pimped it out a bit with exhaust and ajustable brake and clutch levers, turned 72 this year and getting ready to hit the highway this summer good for you .... rubber side down\\

\\

 

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Well, I am 67 and just did a 400 mile day and what a blast. I dont want to ever stop and it would take some major event in order for me to do so. Gonna be doing this ride again soon.

I am also lucky that my wife has no problem with me riding, never has given me any grief about it, even after a “few” incidents. She did ride many years ago, so she gets it and likes to hear my stories from the road.

And, I never exceed the posted speed limits........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Glad I seen your thread Tom , I some times think I am getting to old to ride glad to know there are plenty of others . I am 72 & been riding since I was 14 or 15 years old , I did the flat track thing all through the mid 60's & 70's & lived through that !

I am still working 4 days soon to be 3 days a week so my rides for now are day rides usually 200 miles or less , but I do enjoy going to Springfield , ILL. to the mile race , 500 miles if I come back same day . For now it's just day rides because my wife is not well & must have someone home with here at night . I bought the tracer so if I ever get the time & still able I can go places unknown . 

Edited by Bob K
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2 hours ago, Skidood said:

Does riding your bike make your back act up?

Only in that I'm really stiff at the end of the day, and worn out overall.  No herniated discs or anything yet, thankfully.  Very mild chronic pain, nothing to complain about whatsoever.

2 hours ago, Skidood said:

that's the best 5-o'clock shadow I think I've ever seen

HAHA my g/f shot that, that's really funny!

I'm considering another 3 day ride next week through the Rockies (HWY 93 / Icefields Parkway).  Looking forward to that loop at least once if not twice this year.

It won't be long before my family in BC & I will all be fully vaccinated, so some long trips to the Interior / Fraser Valley / Lower Mainland and the Island are in order.

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2015 FJ-09 / FJR touring bags / oil plug mod / Evotech rad guard / SW Motech bash plate / VStream touring windshield / Seat Concepts:  Sport Touring / Vcyclenut ABS rings (speedo correction) / Cosmo RAM mount

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6 hours ago, TomTracer said:

The Annual Mile is held at the IL State Fair Grounds, FWIW. Neat racing!

Yes Tom brain fart on my part . Another sign of aging we all face . ☹️

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  • 1 year later...
On 6/3/2021 at 8:22 PM, PhotoAl said:

I'll turn 67 this year and am itching to go out on another long ride.  My brother-in-law passed away a couple of weeks ago at the age of 67, made my wife and I stop and realize how blessed we are.    My wife will not ride with me but is ok (but worries) with me taking long solo trips.  LOL I was in Duboise WY a couple of years ago eating dinner at Cowboy Cafe.  My phone rang, it was my wife making sure I wasn't where she saw my on Find My Friends which was a building away in shed.  LOL it was amusing but comforting to know she was tracking me.  I've met some great folks on my rides including one fella in Duboise WY.  He was o a HD and I was on a BMW F800GT.  We were camped next to each other and ate dinner together.  Next day we rode together to Arco Idaho where we waved goodby and went out separate ways.  I'll always remember the time we rode together.  Different folks, different bikes but a love of riding that brought us together.  Heard the President of MV Augusta USA describe it as Moto Love.  The love of motorcycles riding that transcends so many things and brings us together.  On my solo rides I take a Garmin inReach Mini and a SPOT.  The SPOT allows me to press a button and send an I'm OK message and location to my wife.  LOL she will take it and look it up on Google Maps and send the family, including me, a picture of where I am.  inReach Mini allows me to send txt messages from my phone even if I'm out of cell service.  They also have SOS capabilities.  Plotting my next ride and trying to figure out how to go west without going thru Memphis TN (and traffic due to bridge failure). 

Last trip to Topeka KS 1st day and last day were between Birmingham and Springfield MO.  It's 560 miles and I did it on the way back with 3 stops.  Not bragging but after some work have a good seat situation and windscreen and was able to just roll up the miles.  It's partially figuring out what works for me and what I enjoy.  Not every day is a long day in the saddle but sometimes a long day is needed to set up the next day.  It's all about enjoying the ride.  If a day gets too long stop early and change plans.  Last year after buying the Tracer GT in the middle of a trip I broke up the Springfield Mo to Birmingham ride into 2 days due to being tired from the 500 mile day before.  Buffeting from OEM windscreen took more out of me than I realized so decided to stop early and rest.  

I like to set my own pace and not be rushed or slowed and riding with others means constantly keeping up with a bike in front and behind and not being able to choose which side of the lane to use.  I always plan where I'm going to stay (usually a KOA) but don't plan the route very far ahead.  I'll plan things to see but it's and adventure and a long ride.  IMO the years after retirement are a wonderful time to take the long motorcycle rides and enjoy life.  We haven't done it yet put plan to have my wife fly out and meet me where we can spend a few days together at a great spot.  Another problem with getting older is older parents.  My mother-in-law is 92 and still lives by herself but takes a lot of looking after and my wife is her primary caregiver.  That limits her ability to take long trips.

When in Arco I usually eat at Pickles...

 

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