They say 2 things are for certain, Death and Taxes. Well, I'll add a 3rd. 1 rider left.
I've never used the "B" word to describe myself, but I started riding at 12 on an Allstate scooter, moved up to a Honda 90 at 15, Raced MotoX from 16 - 22, while riding on the street as well. Various model and sizes of bikes, until I started riding Harleys in the late 70s. From 77 - 82, all I had was motorcycles, except the El Camino I used to tow to the track, but that was also my wife's, so I was on 2 wheel 99% of the time. I was the first of my friends to ride and back then that meant riding alone or with older guys, some who were the real deal. Then my true circle of friends began riding and we rode together on and off for 40+ years. A couple died early and over the past 5 years either death, illness, or family obligations (caring for elderly parents) had taken all but 2 of us. Last week the last friend still riding bought a boat. Riding weather and fishing/boating weather are the same. Between his age (still 7 tears younger than me), loss of interest, increased fear on the road, buying the boat, and the urging of his family to give up riding, he's listing his bike for sale.
That leaves 1, me. While I certainly don't put as many miles as I once did and have a few cars that take me away from riding, I still enjoy a good ride. All added up close to 58 years on 2 wheels.
I've lost the enjoyment of riding alone and only enjoyed riding with those who I trusted and had been with me all those years. So, here I am today, not done, but the last one.
That brings this to be true -
"One will see all the funerals, one will see none, and one won't have any of you are theirs."

 

Probably should be in This or That, but then again, it's not totally Off Topic.

 

Something that we'll ALL have to deal with at some point. I'd say that makes it a "General" topic.
Don't have a solution to this situation, but hoping you all the best, and many more safe miles.

 

Thank You Sir and by the way, I like your taste in color.

 

Something to think about for sure.

I see some riding friends once a week at what I call bikes and coffee for about an hour and a half. I know them all from a local gun forum I used to mod, so we have common interests. Sometimes those of us heading out in the same direction will ride out together down the bypass for 8-10 miles at occasional egregious speeds. Makes us feel young I guess. Average age usually about 68-70. That’s my extent of riding with others.

Otherwise I ride solo. Wife has never had interest. If I am scheming to get a new bike, or scheming on what to do with the one I just got, I stay fairly entertained.

I’ve done the convertible thing with a few fairly fast, fun cars and found that was not nearly as entertaining as a bike. Wife didn’t like them, and is scared of the water so no boats in my future.

I ride about 12,000 miles a year. If I stopped doing that I really don’t know what else I would do.

 

I have been riding since i was 12 and am 70 now. I have seen people drop off from riding only to return 5 or 10years later, ride for 10 years and drop off again.
Some older friends have stopped riding and i don"t think they are coming back to it. Health problems.
I"m lucky because i have younger brothers that ride, so we are together alot.

We hang places that have alot of other riders there, so meeting new people all the time to ride with. Never been without a bike all these years and intend to ride one to the grave.

 

I have always been a solo street rider, other than once in a while I let my wife talk me into taking her. So I can only relate to what you wrote, as to how it sounds like it affects you.
Only suggestion I can give is that maybe the "right" person will come along to ride with again. I'm not social, but I read many people meet up through that crapbook site for
get-togethers. Second would be - give solo a try for a while, it's sure easier than dealing with others stuff and listening to them do nothing but bitch and complain, and the always PITA, - their wives' BS dictating what and how they do everything.

Good luck, and I hope you find another rider buddy. I do relate to a point, I have lost the few off-road riding buddies I had, and it sucks. I do not enjoy off-roading by myself.

 

We feel ya.

67 here. Got back into riding 5 years ago after corporate layoff. Friends and colleagues moved away from the big cities back to their hometowns, but we stayed. Sons rode with me, but now have their own lives and families. Wife rode with for a while, now too difficult to get on and off.

So there's just...me & the outdoors. And that's still good enough until I keel over.

Best wishes, you're in good company, bro.

 

I feel ya. I had a group of Military guys that I worked with, and we rode quite a bit. Then with retirements and moving to wherever they are from, it has come to a halt. Now I just ride to work and or just go get lost somewhere and have to turn on my GPS to get started in the right direction towards home. I actually love that part. It means I got a substantial dose of wind therapy. My wife goes every now and again, but not enough for me. If it is colder than 80 she passes lol. I wish you the best and hope that you can find some enjoyment on the solo rides.

 

At 70 I'm down to my last riding partner who I've known for 50 years. He's good for a couple hundred miles and likes to be home by sunset due to back\hip issues. Fortunately I can still saddle up and ride all day. Riding alone for me now is greatly preferred to riding in a group where you don't know any ones habits. Losing that last riding buddy is bittersweet; although riding alone is better than not riding at all.