Last Man Standing
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 129
Likes: 111
From: USA
Last Man Standing
I feel like the last man standing. All of my riding buddies have slowly but surely sold their bikes not to return again. Most of us are in our early to mid 50’s. With kids going off to college, inflation eating into the family budget, crazy drivers in Texas; folks are selling their HD’s within my circle of friends. It really stinks. I have been a loner for the past year or so and my mileage has dropped dramatically. Just not as fun to ride alone and I have had too many bad experiences with group rides where I always seem to be near the weakest link rider who has no idea what he is doing. The rides we used to do were for camaraderie and catching up on what’s been going on. Riding with all new people I don’t know doesn’t have the same feel. I am not selling my bike, at least anytime soon. Just not the same anymore. Anyone else experiencing the same?
Bike received 900 miles of riding time total in the last year. I was nearing 7K prior to that and that was no long trips. Just Saturday meet ups. I cannot ride to work otherwise it would have been double that.
Anyone else seeing the same? Just getting old I guess.
Bike received 900 miles of riding time total in the last year. I was nearing 7K prior to that and that was no long trips. Just Saturday meet ups. I cannot ride to work otherwise it would have been double that.
Anyone else seeing the same? Just getting old I guess.
Popular Reply
Mar 18, 2023, 09:55 AM
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 825
Likes: 711
From: N/E Indiana
You don't quit riding because you get Old, you get Old because you Quit Riding. I'm 73 and would rather Ride by myself. Ill Group Ride on PGR Escorts etc, but otherwise its Back Roads for me. My good friend John quit Riding 2 years ago, last October we Celebrated his 93rd Birthday! I want to be like John!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 412
From: Studio City, CA via Rochester, NY
I'm in the same situation. Pretty much all of my riding buddies have either quit riding, gotten busy with other things or moved away. The good news for me is that I'm perfectly fine doing my riding solo and in many ways, prefer it that way. But that said, I do miss the camaraderie and the hang time.
I also have seen my saddle time diminish. Much of that is due to the weather we've had this winter - lots of rain, but in addition to that, I've been busy with other things myself and in some instances just haven't felt like riding when I have had a nice day and some free time. Not sure if that means that I'm beginning to sunset my riding life or not - time will tell. But for now, I'm not going to do anything drastic, such as selling off the bikes...at least not for the time being.
I also have seen my saddle time diminish. Much of that is due to the weather we've had this winter - lots of rain, but in addition to that, I've been busy with other things myself and in some instances just haven't felt like riding when I have had a nice day and some free time. Not sure if that means that I'm beginning to sunset my riding life or not - time will tell. But for now, I'm not going to do anything drastic, such as selling off the bikes...at least not for the time being.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,707
Likes: 13,989
From: Northern New Jersey
Im in the same boat but also prefer it being just my wife and I or just me alone. I stop when I want to stop and turn when I want to turn. Losing touch with friends sucks though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,068
Likes: 5,320
Yeah, I have a riding buddy. We’ve been riding together since 1981. Two years ago, his wife started showing early signs of dementia. Since then, she has gotten worse and requires constant supervision. Needless to say, he hardly ever gets to ride, so we don’t get to go riding together like we used to in years past. Because of that, my yearly mileage has gone down significantly, like yours has.
Living around Houston, like you, I’m feeling less and less safe these days. I haven’t given up, but I think my days are numbered. I’ll be 69 in July.
Living around Houston, like you, I’m feeling less and less safe these days. I haven’t given up, but I think my days are numbered. I’ll be 69 in July.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 499
From: Alberta
I'm 69 in June. Wife can't ride her bike anymore (stroke) so that leaves me alone in my small town. There is a Thursday night drop in group; I'll check them out this year...but why leave after supper when I can go in the afternoon? I'm also a member of a veterans unit, but they're too far away to ride with consistently. At least they know how to group ride. I did acquire a 1974 XLCH to tinker with and ride locally. It takes me back to my much younger days. There'll be no more long distance tours that I can see...maybe with the vets, but it's lonely with out the wife riding. She was the best partner ever, a skilled rider on a comparable machine. Life has it's course...
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 497
It's a shame, but this time will come for us all. For one reason or another. Being all your buddies are only in their early to mid-50's, they'll most likely regret setting it aside so soon. Who knows, they might come back to it in a year or two. Then again maybe they'll move on to other hobbies. One can never say as the future's unpredictable. All that said, now's your opportunity to go new places, take on and embrace your own riding style, and get out for new things that you never got the chance with your old crew. Think about it. It's not the worst place in the world to be. And ****, talking about all the great times you're having could be inspiration on the others.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 5,890
From: Syracuse NY
Well OP, it looks like you're in a small town about 30-mins west of Houston.
My suggestion is make new friends over that'a way........
Look for bike nights, upcoming Blessing of the Bikes events, ect.
Join the local HOG chapter and hunt out someone like yourself who likes buddy rides instead of group rides. Then ditch the HOG meetups.
And yes, look around on the dreaded social media. Facebook would be the first place to look for middle aged riders. (Facebook is for old codgers. Just ask anybody under 20)
I ride lone wolf 80% of the time. Although in full disclosure, my stats will get blown up this year due to riding coast to coast and back again with a couple of guys.
My suggestion is make new friends over that'a way........
Look for bike nights, upcoming Blessing of the Bikes events, ect.
Join the local HOG chapter and hunt out someone like yourself who likes buddy rides instead of group rides. Then ditch the HOG meetups.
And yes, look around on the dreaded social media. Facebook would be the first place to look for middle aged riders. (Facebook is for old codgers. Just ask anybody under 20)
I ride lone wolf 80% of the time. Although in full disclosure, my stats will get blown up this year due to riding coast to coast and back again with a couple of guys.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 825
Likes: 711
From: N/E Indiana
You don't quit riding because you get Old, you get Old because you Quit Riding. I'm 73 and would rather Ride by myself. Ill Group Ride on PGR Escorts etc, but otherwise its Back Roads for me. My good friend John quit Riding 2 years ago, last October we Celebrated his 93rd Birthday! I want to be like John!
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 5,890
From: Syracuse NY
It means you're still alive..........
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 3,072
From: South of Boston, MA
I do not know anyone with a MC, most friends never got into it
I had one friend who did ride, only person who ever hit me (over 25 years ago)....popped a wheelie & landed on my rear tire
He went down I stayed up , low speed so no damage to my bike, min to his crotch rocket
Been to Florida/SC I do not know how many times
Around New England, last summer mapped out a Covered Bridge ride thru NH
Going thru a wooded area with no-one else was a blast
I live in a built up area, 20 miles South of Boston, lots of traffic pretty much everywhere
Cape Cod is a nightmare except in the cold weather, so I do not go down there
Going North into Vermont or NH I have to go thru Boston
So timing is essential & I do not go unless I am going all day
I had one friend who did ride, only person who ever hit me (over 25 years ago)....popped a wheelie & landed on my rear tire
He went down I stayed up , low speed so no damage to my bike, min to his crotch rocket
Been to Florida/SC I do not know how many times
Around New England, last summer mapped out a Covered Bridge ride thru NH
Going thru a wooded area with no-one else was a blast
I live in a built up area, 20 miles South of Boston, lots of traffic pretty much everywhere
Cape Cod is a nightmare except in the cold weather, so I do not go down there
Going North into Vermont or NH I have to go thru Boston
So timing is essential & I do not go unless I am going all day