14 replies to this topic

[Robodene]

I have come to accept that my motorcycling days are, sadly, at an end. I could still do it in physical and mental terms, I think, but I now channel that ability into caring for my disabled wife. I am unable to make opportunites for riding.

I have had a terrific run - one year as a 16yr. old, and then a return for another 15 years that I never thought would happen. I have come from a wartime despatch rider's bike - Ariel 350 (War) Special, through a TDM and others to an MT-07. What luck! I am sure that the riding time has been very good for me, if nothing else it has certainly given me e-n-o-r-m-o-u-s fun every single time. I miss it. However, at the age of 83, I acknowledge that now is the time for me to be very thankful for all that and to recognise that all good things do come to an end.

I shall continue to poke my nose into Carpe almost daily as I have done since owning a TDM 900.

Best wishes, and keep it going...!
Rob

[drewpy]

Good luck Rob, you've done well riding to 83 but I understand the need to look after your wife too.

Don't be a stranger on here

[Snowbird]

A horrible thing to have to admit to yourself, good luck with whatever the future holds.
I recon I'll be hanging up my gloves and lid long before 83, hats off to you.

[dapleb]

Wobbo. Xxxx

[dablik]

That's a tough decision but i think many would of stopped a good while before 83 so well done 

[MickC]

Still riding at 83 cant grumble Rob well done Wifey needs you now good enough reason to stop.

[LAURENCEAUX]

Sorry to hear you're dismounting Rob, so best wishes for you and your wife.

[catsbum]

Just a little ahead of you Robo, it is indeed gutting, but life has no sympathy 

 

Wishing you wellness 

 

Cats

[chrisbee]

All good things, must come to an end..
best wishes
Chris

[Robodene]

Thanks, fellers. A school chum of mine of the same age now reckons he would no longer be safe on his bike, which is tucked safely away in Germany, fortunately. He started with a Vincent Black Shadow in the mid 1950s and I had a short (scary) ride as pilion along the A1.  He is easily upset that he never kept it!  Happy memories, though.  Now, how about a C125 - the beauty - in the lounge just to gawp at every day....?

[Quartermaster]

Sorry to learn of your situation Rob. All the very best for the future.

[Robodene]

Thanks, QM. Best to you too.

[PICARD]

Sad tale there Rob, so sorry for you.
It's one of those "it could be any of us, any time" moments that never happens, but then it does!!
Life's a bitch. Sorry fellas, all the best..

[dapleb]

He started with a Vincent Black Shadow in the mid 1950s and I had a short (scary) ride as pilion along the A1.  He is easily upset that he never kept it! 

Me paw sold his pillar box red Vincent when he had us...swapped it for a renault 4 or summat. ರ⁠_⁠ರ

By the age of 8 i understood enough to know this was horrific and felt partially responsible. So when he was offered 14 boxes of bits (that many years earlier has been a complete Vincent) for £100/box i forgo any and all future pocket money contracts in order for the deal to be done.

Me paw is not 80+, still riding very infrequently but still loikes a tinker. Would you still be wanting to do some tinkering wobbo and fit around your wifes care? Not that it really tinkering time of year at the moment.

I admire your ability to weild the TDM at your age...summat I'm sure many of us will only dream of. Xxxx

[Robodene]

I was very content not to tinker after returning to biking.  I had become concerned that I might screw up, lacking some confidence.  So, almost all work was done by the dealer network. Back in the day I used to take engines apart, decoke and all that and I enjoyed it. My magnificent TDM became too heavy but I had some great riding times on it. Its replacement for me, the MT-07 is in some ways its follow-on with a similar feeling to the engine.  I shall have to see if my son, who rode with me on visits, wishes to take on either of my bikes. I suspect that insurance costs may preclude that (not in UK).