FAREWELL...

[betoney]

You will be missed @wordsmith  I can’t imagine facing that decision when I reach that crossroad in life.

A harsh reality to the rest of us still able to enjoy riding, make the most of the time you have and don’t pass up an opportunity to get out and explore, for we too will one day hang up our helmet for the last time. 

[Dodgy Knees]

Good luck in your motorcycle retirement Wordy.   Now, about that new surfboard...  🏄‍♂️

[peteinpa]

Just means it's time for a Spyder, Slingshot, or rag top sports car.

[Kevin R]

Well done, sir!  My dad made it to 79 before it was time to let it go. I hope I am able to extend my riding career into my 80s as you have done. While there is little to compare to the exhilaration of riding motorcycles, I'm sure you will find something else to occupy your thoughts and time. Certainly, reflecting on past rides and trips will be somewhat fulfilling. Sharing those experiences with others like us in the forum will be much appreciated.

Good luck with the next!

[YamaGeezer]

The best rides are had with friends who share our love of two wheels.  While solitary rides are good, it's often the shared experiences with others that are most memorable.  The same is true for cold rainy days reading blogs from those unknown who we have come to consider our friends.   You sir, will always be one of the writers enjoyed here by myself and others.  Please continue to bless us with your musings when you have time.  

Be safe in all things - - - -

 

[wordsmith]

3 hours ago, peteinpa said:

Just means it's time for a Spyder, Slingshot, or rag top sports car.

Or...

[fjray]

28 minutes ago, wordsmith said:

Or...

Nope! 

[Wintersdark]

Wordy, probably:

 

[gerrychuck]

I understand.  Lost my medical last summer after 33 years as a pilot, and had to relinquish a major part of my life and identity.  So I immediately bought a new Tracer 900GT!  'Cause there's always something else to entertain you and spend money on; ) You'll find yours soon enough!  Good luck with the search🙂

[wordsmith]

11 hours ago, Dodgy Knees said:

Good luck in your motorcycle retirement Wordy.   Now, about that new surfboard...  🏄‍♂️

Not much need for a surfboard in Salop I'd imagine, DK!   Lovely part of the UK there - long may it remain unspoiled.

[wordsmith]

On 4/21/2021 at 5:42 AM, peteinpa said:

Just means it's time for a Spyder, Slingshot, or rag top sports car.

A number of well-meaning folks have suggested I try a 'trike' of some kind. I have, indeed 'bin there, dun that' with a Can-am Spyder S3, back in late 2019. A weird and not totally enjoyable experience, as there are more differences than similarities compared to a motorcycle, I thought - but it would certainly retain that 'wind in the hair, bugs in the teeth' experience. Here's a small pic of me - no ATTGATT here - just sampling the Spyder on my first foray into that territory: the ride came later. (My wife took the wind out of my sails then by saying that it looked like a ride-on mower!).
I took it no further then, and even now would have to get my well-being issues, especially the eyes, well under control before investigating further, but 'tis certainly food for thought, to such a degree that I shall not be selling my riding gear immediately.

But it is most definitely farewell to two-wheel travel.

Edited April 22, 2021 by wordsmith

[Xstoff]

Sorry to hear about your riding retirement! 

Hopefully you'll get your health issue under control soon!

[wordsmith]

After quite a lot of research, which was in itself both informative and interesting, I’ve decided not to pursue the Spyder option any further, not that I could do anything meaningful for at least several months anyway.   I was surprised at the amount of info available, including some pleasant videos, many of them from the USA, so I’ve been able to look into the Spyder world quite closely.

Bearing in mind that I have actually ridden/ driven a Spyder rather than merely looking into it, I feel that the day-to-day experience might not be as satisfying as riding a motorcycle.   To be sure, for an old rider such as myself it has some advantages, but I doubt they’d compensate.

Also, the dealer network around here is pretty sparse, and as the Spyder is very complex machine on which a DIY approach to servicing would simply not work for me, that’s an important consideration.   Indeed, I read that some BRP/ Can-Am dealers simply will not work on Spyders because of the complexity of the machine and resulting very high costs that have to be charged.   

And the cost of entry is high, about AUD $30,000 if buying new.   Without wanting to sound like a two-bob millionaire (I’m not!) I could afford it, but choose not to given the misgivings I have.  But it was an interesting chore to look into this option, and I’m glad that I did.  

Thanks to those here who may have commented.

[showmerider]

Wordsmith, I hate to see you go. I've always enjoyed reading your posts. I'm sure you are very knowledgeable on many things in life after 82 years on this old planet and I hope that you plan to at least contribute some of your knowledge  to the less informed . I am curious though, what did you do in life before retiring? Are there any old hobbies that you might have done in your younger days that you might be interested in revisiting? Good luck in what ever you decide to do and please check in on the forum every now and again.

[wordsmith]

Thanks, showme - and may I say I love (and can relate to) your avatar!   

To partially answer your question, excluding work and career, which all too often in we males becomes an all-consuming part of life, I was for many years a very keen sailor.   I  owned and built a number of small off-the-beach racing catamarans of 14' and 16' length, the joys of which were greatly enhanced when my young son (now 58!!!) took an interest and crewed with me.  It helped the bonding process and to this day we remain very close.   I also later owned a 24' trailer-sailer for family use, and also crewed on a 32' ocean-going yacht.   Frankly , none of these activities now interest me in the least, even if I was fit and able! 

I was also a competitive distance runner up to and including Marathon distance (but can hardly walk now, and couldn't even run a bath!), which kept me super-fit.   In more recent years, because I enjoy working with my hands I built a couple of 18' sea kayaks, and had thought I might like to have another dabble at that, building purely as an interest and to then sell rather than paddle myself, but alas I would find it hard to be on my feet for hours at a time building one, tho' it would be very satisfying.  In fact I recently ordered a book of plans, etc., from a specialist business in Maryland (Chesapeake Light Craft) to stoke my interest further, but I doubt I'll be willing to commit to such a project now.

After retirement (but still while enjoying my riding days) I worked from time-to-time as a volunteer on projects in various Aboriginal/ Indigenous communities, often very small and very remote, and also mainly very deprived, but would not want to put myself through that activity again, rewarding though it was at the time.   Time, methinks, to break out the old pipe 'n' slippers (sob!).