Goodbye Kiwibikers

[madboy]

Yes, the time has come. The bike has gone. An era is over. Madboy has officially retired.

Those who know me will know that I had a big rethink on my priorities in life last year. I woke up one morning and decided I wasn't happy with where I was at in life. So my partner was invited to select alternative accommodation and I put the spotlight on other areas in my life. Originally the bike was going for financial reasons, well that was the reason I gave publicly. But really when I did the numbers, I could afford it. Easily. So I found I was actually forced to make a real decision, with no reason for it other than the fact that I had to grow up and take responsibility for who I was.

And who was I? By day, I drove a Mazda 6. I wore a suit. I had a daughter at private school. I owned a house. I earned good money, and I had an even better career ahead of me. I was intelligent, articulate, and more than capable of holding my own in any situation. I have everything in life going for me.

So why was it that when I looked out that tinted visor that I just couldn't act like an adult? The red mist would come down at the same time the throttle opened. And once you added some bacon to the mix, oh that was a sexual experience.

And therein was the problem. Even when I wasn't smoking bacon, I was taking risks that statistically were not always going to pay off. And in the grand scheme of things, where I wanted to be in life did not involve spending time in hospital, rehab or on ACC. Nor did it involve courts, fines or even jail. And it definitely didn't involve some stickered up Commodore solving the power to weight disadvantage with just sheer weight as you went past. And so for that reason more than most, it was time to put the leathers away. Ultimately no ones daughter should ever have to go through that, least of all mine.

One thing about Kiwibiker is that it's full of some seriously cool people. And it's those people I'll miss as much as the bike. There are many I've had the pleasure of meeting, and many more I haven't. I won't mention names, since no doubt I'll offend those I don't mention, but you guys know who you are. Even the ones I don't get on with, like Str8Jacket and NC, are friggin cool people in their own right.

I've been fortunate to bear witness to some cool stuff thanks to KB. Whitetrash wheelies were always a favourite. Following Flame up the Takas on her Duc - not sure what distracted me more, bike or rider? Watching Loosebruce man-handling the TL around Taupo, not to mention the smartarse wheelying past me at Manfeild. And UncleB letting me ride his Gixxer when it was brand new... that man had trust! And if any of you guys haven't had the pleasure of seeing Velox or Dreamer from behind... you haven't lived.

Even the downsides were great. I attended 3 funerals. Flyin, UncleB and Loosebruce. The latter two I was fortunate to know fairly well. The turnout of bikers, watching the procession on each occasion, was a truly moving experience. Seeing a room full of hard men, dressed in leathers/cordura/armour... and tears rolling down their faces - words can't do it justice.

And simply the best moment I've ever had on a bike - Loosebruce's funeral. Watching the family cars part, and wave through the bikers... then watching the boys at the front popping wheelies and stoppies as they followed Bruce down the motorway. It brings tears to my eyes now as I think about it. Just incredible! I was so proud to call myself a biker that day.

Of my regrets? Well I could never wheelie to save myself. And I was never truly fast, either on the road or the track. Interesting that I'd lanesplit at 260k to avoid a speeding ticket, but I couldn't summon the balls to dump the clutch hard enough to wheelie it. I never got (knowingly) chased by a police bike, nor the Eagle. And I didn't get to meet Scumdog, he'd be worth shouting a beer! But I got the needle round to 278, I got my knee down, I've had the back wheel sliding at 170k, done a fair few decent stoppies, and I'm winning the bacon game 14-0. And a bike has never put me in A&E. And that's how it's gotta stay.

Because at the end of the day, I defied the odds for 2 1/2 years. And I'm happy to leave it that way. As much as I love you guys, as much as I love bikes, and as much as I love that adrenaline rush... I love my daughter more.

Thank you KB, thank you Spankme, thank you all very much. Take care, and ride safe.

[bugjuice]

well fairy fluff then..
hope things work out the best for ya mate, catch ya round some time ;)

[BuFfY]

Great post mate. I very rarely read the whole thing when they are that long but that was very well written!
Good luck to you.
Just because you don't ride any more doesn't mean you have to leave this great site or the friends you have made here.

Your daughter is truely lucky to have such a great dad :)

[u4ea]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm:mellow:

[Wasp]

and nothing about me lol. We'll miss the excitement you added to the rides. I'll never forget my first kb ride which (for those who dont know) just happened to be with welly's elite, i'll never forget the instant respect I had for you when you told me to take it at my own pace and can only hope that some newbies will respect and look up to me like I do to you

Rock on man, your bike is in good hands :Punk:
<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/photopost/data/500/medium/100_1109.JPG">

[emaN]

later dude.
gotta agree with ya about being a part of the boys' funerals; def a unique & special memory that.
any chance you'd wanna just hang around "general ravings" and such?
but yeh, good on ya for thinking of your daughter bro.

[Madness]

Respect...

[Hans]

Good luck.

[Steam]

Sounds all wrong to me, but what do I know, I'm young and dumb and have an anger problem and I'm on medication so I don't kill people.

[Kendog]

I don't normally go for the whole leaving KB crap.

But that was a great post with a few good lessons thrown in.

All the best.

Kd

[Hitcher]

Thanks for baring all, Madboy. Take care of yourself and your daughter. And I hope all you wish for comes your way.

[Macktheknife]

Thanks for that madboy, really well written, I can totally understand where you are coming from and support your decision. (as if you needed it.)
However, not having a bike does not preclude you from the site I believe, and the many friends you have made here would be saddened if you no longer kept in touch just because you choose not to ride anymore.
May all your troubles be little ones and all your successes be great.
Mack

[Lorax]

Well done. Like giving up Crack I guess. Um. Yeah. I guess.

You sounded hardcore.

As Ali G says, Restecp.

[86GSXR]

Very nice post Madboy. As you say, you've got everything going for you. And that includes the ability to recognise and respect the limits for the very best of reasons. Give it a few years and maybe get another bike, they're not going anywhere and they only get better:first:

[Trudes]

All the best with life Madboy.:sunny:

[James Deuce]

Bye Sausage Boy. :bye:

Take it easy and you know where we are if you feel like a beer with people who aren't normal.

[Coyote]

At least you've got your priorities right. Well done man

Then the midlife crisis hits and you'll find yourself wanting to get a goldwing :p

[chanceyy]

good on you for making those decisions .. you can only ride & enjoy it when your head space is right .. riding & thinking of what can happen or thinking about your daughter could certainly bring about the things you fear

as 86 said bikes are not going anywhere ;)

[Swoop]

Very nicely written Madboy. Hopefully you will be able to join us here from time to time.:rockon:

[terbang]

Well you had the balls to make some decisions that will change you and yours lives. Tougher than clutching the front up I reckon. Good luck.

[Colapop]

Well said Sir. I'd hope though, that the friends you've made will still be your friends. And paths that have crossed yours will continue to add colour and interest in the years to come. No, all life does not revolve around biking for some people and you've made your decision based on the most noble of reasons.

I hope one day that you'll still meet all those people that you haven't yet and that they become friends as close as any you have now and will continue to have in the future.

[MSTRS]

An inability to control your right hand, eh? The first step to resolving a problem is to admit you have one. You are obviously in the best place for you right now. And I salute you for that.
I also think that you'll be back, once the control issue is under control.
:scooter:

[Paul in NZ]

Well done lad...

You aint giving up - just taking a break to concentrate on other things. Trust me - in a few years or even a decade you will see your kids becoming independent and your head will be in a different place and maybe you will see a tired old 636 on trademe and you will get a hankering just to tidy it up a bit and... You will find you have better control and better enjoyment and will value the whole experience more than ever.

To do that - you need to be alive so well done - you made a good choice.

I'll see you down the road a ways OK - I'll be the even older bastard on an older bike - I'll even let you buy me a beer...

[Bekki]

As much as I love you guys, as much as I love bikes, and as much as I love that adrenaline rush... I love my daughter more.I'm 26 and my dad's still my hero.. :love:
Cause of who he is and cause he's always been there. Little girls need their dads.

The adrenaline rush will be there again when she starts bringing boys home..

[ManDownUnder]

As much as I love you guys, as much as I love bikes, and as much as I love that adrenaline rush... I love my daughter more.

A big, and good call. You're off your bike - but you're not down, and certainly not out.

I'm not sure if we ever crossed paths (forgive me , so many people, so little time...) but it sounds like you met most of the gooduns :niceone:
MDU

[BNZ]

Well fuck me, this cant be madboy, someone has logged onto his account!

Whos gonna man the wellington police scanner now?

All the best mate, nice to see your priorities are straight. :rockon:

[madboy]

and nothing about me lol. I didn't want to give the cops a clue where to find the bike... you know, just in case they want to match some camera photos up ;)

Thanks all for the kind words. It's possible, likely even, that I may be back later in life... probably on a really shiney Hardley. I've just got to get old enough to cope with a bike that slow.

[Storm]

Respect for the decisions you've made mate
Best of luck getting the things you want out of life, whatever they may be.
Vaya con dios

[nudemetalz]

Take care, great post !!

[mstriumph]

one thing at a time fella
methinks you are where you need to be in your head right now

good luck with wherever you go next
:done:

[Deano]

Nice post mate, and all the best.

[kiwifruit]

Yep, what Deano said.... hope everything goes well for you and yours :sunny:

[SPman]

...probably on a really shiney Hardley. I've just got to get old enough to cope with a bike that slow.

If its good enough for Graeme Crosby............:shit:

[riffer]

Yeah, I guess they've mostly said it all.

It take a brave man to know when the game's up and to walk away.

Hopefully Doug won't cop too much shit riding a black 636 around the Hutt Valley LOL.

All the best buddy.

[avgas]

Come on man - u don't need to be the suit 7 days of the week!!! I'm not.
What you need is a GB400 - slowed me right down for about 3 years. And its cheap all round.

[Hawkeye]

Take it easy MB. Time is a wonderful thing. I spent years wanting a bike but for similar priorities to you, I resisted. Kids are nearly all grown up now and decided that now was the time to endulge.
You will be back in time. You can never get rid of that feeling and rush as you twist the wrist. Good luck and best wishes for the future.

[Skyryder]

It's in ya blood ol' son. You may think you are leaving the biker fraternity but it's au revoir not good bye. Stay safe and prosper.

Skyryder

[mud boy]

so your misses in single then???

[Hitcher]

so your misses in single then???

I suspect you mean his missus, unless you're enquiring about his marksmanship?

[texmo]

Nice post mate, and all the best.

thrid that

[Toaster]

Nice post, almost made me cry, then I realised I had forgotten to take the tea-spoon outta my cuppa.

[cheese]

You are a wise man.

You know you could always get a dirt bike.... LOL

[Fatjim]

See you round 4 eyes. (You'll be back).

Thanks for the memories, and for farking closing the motoway on the one day I didn't go on the TRTNR!

[BarBender]

Takes a big man to say enough.
But even bigger man to walk away from a 12!

Good luck to you Madboy.

[Str8 Jacket]

Good post madpoy! Good luck with everything.

[Leong]

Good Post! All the best Madboy and thanks for all the advice - much appreciated :2thumbsup

[limbimtimwim]

Hmm.

Odd timing, you give up and I decide to join the Police.

No, just kidding about the police.

Maybe see you again in another life. By then, hopefully I will have let go, and you should have got it under control.

[Daffyd]

All the best, but, like Arnie, You'll be back!

[gav]

You could always buy a bucket racer?
Keep ya off the streets, bit of tuning in the garage, bit of adrenaline rush?

[Virago]

You could always buy a bucket racer?
Keep ya off the streets, bit of tuning in the garage, bit of adrenaline rush?

Thread dredge. :bash:

He's long gone...:bye:

[crazefox]

Peace out mate:jerry::jerry::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby: