Last Man Standing
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
I will be 68 this year and have been though this a couple of times in my life. Friends quit riding and drop out of sight, only to surface 10 years later and buy another bike.
Only now as we have gotten older some friends just don't get out like we use to. Some say either to hot or to cold. We used to ride down into the 30's without a problem. They all admit to being *****'s now.
The real problem now is everyone seems to be dying off. Just had a childhood friend die from lung cancer and seen his deraked chopper at a run with the new owner riding it. Kinda hard to see.
I am not quiting until i can't turn throttle any longer.
Only now as we have gotten older some friends just don't get out like we use to. Some say either to hot or to cold. We used to ride down into the 30's without a problem. They all admit to being *****'s now.
The real problem now is everyone seems to be dying off. Just had a childhood friend die from lung cancer and seen his deraked chopper at a run with the new owner riding it. Kinda hard to see.
I am not quiting until i can't turn throttle any longer.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 200
From: usa
Well OP I feel for you. Im up in Conroe and riding is not the same. The back roads are being taken over by 18 wheelers trying to avoid houston traffic. I have seen the area I live in expand population wise but lag roadway wise so construction adds to the nightmare. I have an opportunity to ride with some old timers but just havent done so yet as they mostly live in the southern part of houston. They are pretty active riders.
I am sure Ill get back on it soon.
I am sure Ill get back on it soon.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 5,222
From: Michigan
WOW!
I no longer feel like the "Lone Ranger"!
I'll shortly be 72 and I've been riding since 1969 and due to people moving away, getting old and dying, I now have only one friend that I ride with and he lives 70 miles (1-1/2 hr.) drive away from me.
My wife hasn't been on her bike in 4 years and doesn't show any interest in it or riding with me (even on the Tri-Glide).
The friend that I ride with has barely ridden his Tri-Glide in the last few years as he was busy moving (twice) and doing home improvements and the Chinese Wuhan Virus outbreak really put a blanket on my riding in '20 and '22.
The last long trip that I have taken in years was the N.S/N.L trip that I took with my cousin from TN in 2019 and he just passed away late last year.
I no longer feel like the "Lone Ranger"!
I'll shortly be 72 and I've been riding since 1969 and due to people moving away, getting old and dying, I now have only one friend that I ride with and he lives 70 miles (1-1/2 hr.) drive away from me.
My wife hasn't been on her bike in 4 years and doesn't show any interest in it or riding with me (even on the Tri-Glide).
The friend that I ride with has barely ridden his Tri-Glide in the last few years as he was busy moving (twice) and doing home improvements and the Chinese Wuhan Virus outbreak really put a blanket on my riding in '20 and '22.
The last long trip that I have taken in years was the N.S/N.L trip that I took with my cousin from TN in 2019 and he just passed away late last year.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 820
From: Moneta, Virginia
At 62, Ive found myself riding alone. My best friend and riding partner for 30+ years came down with a debilitating disease, slowly losing the ability to even stand. The others that rode with us at times have either died or moved away.
I tried a couple of riding groups; one group would meet for breakfast at 9, get on the road bout 10:30, then ride to a lunch spot by noon thirty, loop it on back home. Lol Another group subjected me to their religion and political rants at every stop the stupider they are the surer they are of their (overly simple) opinions being unquestionably correct.
Sigh such is life in rural Virginia lol
The good news; I live in a great area to ride and I still managed 9k miles last year
I tried a couple of riding groups; one group would meet for breakfast at 9, get on the road bout 10:30, then ride to a lunch spot by noon thirty, loop it on back home. Lol Another group subjected me to their religion and political rants at every stop the stupider they are the surer they are of their (overly simple) opinions being unquestionably correct.
Sigh such is life in rural Virginia lol
The good news; I live in a great area to ride and I still managed 9k miles last year
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 5,276
Likes: 4,055
From: central Fl
you guys arent old get out and seek out biker bars and other places to find people that like to ride and then you will have new riding buds. bikers are everywhere well here in fl that is. there are plenty of people to meet at any harley dealer. many of my friends have passed or just quit riding. i find new people all the time. you can do it
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,901
Likes: 11,344
From: NE Ohio
back in the saddle 4 years ago after a long hiatus
65 and average a shade over 4000 miles a season all local
I have a couple friend's that I've rode with...but kinda left them after the first year.
Not anti-social or anything like that, I just prefer to go my own way...ride where and when I want to ride and stop when and where I want to stop
works better for me
..L.T.A.
65 and average a shade over 4000 miles a season all local
I have a couple friend's that I've rode with...but kinda left them after the first year.
Not anti-social or anything like that, I just prefer to go my own way...ride where and when I want to ride and stop when and where I want to stop
works better for me
..L.T.A.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 952
Likes: 528
From: Richmond TX
It looked like I was last man standing for a while. I had one friend left with motorcycles, 3 with none of them running. All the rest of my buddies faded out and sold everything. Then Covid and the Canadian border killed my annual trips with my sons. We used to ride to West Virgiinia, the Carolinas, etc. Who can predict the future?? Four of my friends went out and got bikes again, and my other buddy got a bike running. i rode with my sons in Maggie Valley in '22 and this year I'll join them and my grandson to all ride together, maybe Kentucky. That will come right after my buddies and I ride through Colorado and South Dakota this summer. This assumes I will still be physically capable of riding by the time August rolls around. Lots of things can take us out and tomorrow is promised to no-one. I guess one day I could wake up and not want to ride any more, and if that's where somebody get to, that's fine. As of this moment I can't see it ending for me unless I'm forced to quit.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
I guess i am really lucky as i have the Great River Road close to me, I take off . by myself and can always run into people i know. Either people i worked with or just long time friends and make a day of it.
Also my 2 younger brothers and 2 cousins ride too. No problem heading to the watering hole as i always run into some i know and have a good time.
We used to run every night of the week.
Also my 2 younger brothers and 2 cousins ride too. No problem heading to the watering hole as i always run into some i know and have a good time.
We used to run every night of the week.