Time out for me

[Chickadee]

Well sad as it may be I'm taking a sabatical from biking till my littlies are bigger.

Sold the bike due to financial contraints of raising littlies, decided initially to share hubbys bike which I then had an accident on. After spending time at A&E, hobbling around on crutches this week and thinking how shit it would be to be permanently disabled or dead for me & family (or any Mum) with young kids I've decided to stop riding for a bit. I've not broken bone but I've damaged the muscles at the top of my legs and groin which makes walking, getting dressed, crouching etc very excrusiating (after wrenching them - even at low speed). A few weeks and physio will see me right, I got off lightly all considered.

Confidence has taken a knock from binning in such a stupid fashion (target fixation trying to be too careful getting in a driveway).

I'll have a pang everytime I see a bike, thinking that could be me - as I dearly love riding but think I should take a break for a few years until the wee ones aren't so we. I think after binning my hubby's bike he probably would worry every time (more so) than he has in the past.

The most embarrasing thing for me was being asked if I was learning to ride (as to why I crashed).

Go out there an enjoy for me Biker Angels, and in the words of the Terminator, I'll be back (just not on two wheels for a wee bit).

[cs363]

Very selfless of you :)
Don't worry that time will pass pretty quickly (especially with wee ones to look after!) and you'll be back on a bike before you know it.

[Rollestonchick]

:hug: Hope you get better soon. I hate driveways too. Had my first bin coming out of one. And you are right KB sister, it does knock your confidence. Tho being a female, i reckon we are sometimes abit hard on ourselves, with the :Oops:
But can understand your decision:yes:, being a mum of littlies:baby:. Just dont leave it tooooo long as you are always a Biker Angel:innocent:too, and you will be missed:crybaby::hug:.

[Oakie]

Yep. Probably a necessary step to take and one I guess about half of us KBers have had to take. Doesn't take to long to adjust to not having a bike and even less time to re-adjust when you finally get one again.

[cs363]

Yep. Probably a necessary step to take and one I guess about half of us KBers have had to take. Doesn't take to long to adjust to not having a bike and even less time to re-adjust when you finally get one again.

I'll second that - I've been off bikes (well, road bikes at least) for about 7 years and it only took a couple or three rides and I felt like I'd never left. :)

[portokiwi]

:hug: Get better soon Chickadee. It takes time to get back on again. I know I have been there. I said I would never ride again. Took a few years, But I am back. Still get the odd shakes at night as that was when I had my crashes.
Be tough, Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you in your own time riding again.

[Storm]

Heal up fast mate. For what its worth, I reckon you are doing the right thing,get yourself healed up properly and in a better place before you come back. Bikes will always be there-trust me, I've done what you did, and they were still there when I came back:D
Vaya con dios, and see ya round

[yungatart]

Not an easy decision to make, but good on you for doing so. As others have said, you can always come back to it later, when the kids are older.
Nothing to stop you going pillion occasionally either (don't get rid of your gear!). And you can still be a part of the scene through KB.

[Chickadee]

Not an easy decision to make, but good on you for doing so. As others have said, you can always come back to it later, when the kids are older.
Nothing to stop you going pillion occasionally either (don't get rid of your gear!). And you can still be a part of the scene through KB.

Trust me, I'm keeping the gear. My white leather jacket has stood up to the task and survived hitting the ground with hardly any visable damage. Helmets a definite replace job, it's totally rogered but no point doing that till I'm riding again. I look forward to going helmet shopping when the time comes!

Thanks for the feedback guys!

[Blossom]

Totally get where you are coming from. I am at the other end of that journey and now the children are getting older I am able to enjoy the bike more.
As for the confidence thing dont give up. I am pushing my limits again after a near fatal head on carcrash a couple of years back and although it still scares the crap out of me sometimes in certain situations its so worth it.
Good on ya.

[gijoe1313]

I know you have been thinking about this issue ever since you've begun your biking. Its good that you can think of others before yourself and focussing on your bairns! After all, as you said, bikes will always be there in the future!

Good on you for making the choice and now, forgive yourself and don't beat yourself up to much about the Duchess. Jamie will have her sorted and I'm sure hes glad that you are able to get up and about (albeit painfully) and later on, you will be having a wee chuckle about it all!

Now, go, be free and happy and be at ease about it all (once the bruising has stopped!) :yes:

[MyGSXF]

Hope ya heal up soon chick. :yes: Don't be too hard on yourself hon.. we all make mistakes & accidents can happen to anyone! :msn-wink: you're still a biker angel.. it's in ya blood! :devil2: & time will pass real quick!! :eek: My "baby" is 6 now!! :crybaby: & apparently riding his OWN new little bike at his dads this weekend!! :banana:

see ya round :hug:

Jen :rockon:

[sinfull]

It'll buff out chick ! On ya for puttin ya kids first , but git yaself another lid !
Sure there will be a time when ya wish ya had one !

[Toaster]

Yes kids, family and finances have a way of becoming a priority over the things we may enjoy but have to either cut own on or leave for a while to make it through the next stage of life. All the very best.

[jrandom]

Maybe its Mentor time...

I think you mean trackday time.

:niceone:

[Okey Dokey]

Hi Chickadee. I was really sorry to read of your accident and hope you heal well and quickly.

I think you have made a difficult decision, and done so for the best of reasons. Someday you will return to biking, maybe as a pillion and then later on your own again. Or maybe not.

Either way it's okay, as long as it is right for you.

[ynot slow]

Big ups to you.Funny how I had same thoughts after kids etc,sold the bike thought yep a few years(almost 20yrs)but great to be riding.As you say kids,finances etc,how many guys would do what you've done,a few will,but if a 2 bike family it is the ladies bike which goes first.Jump on the back if you can,enjoy the rides when available.

[Chickadee]

Three things have happened to me in my riding career
1) Someone failed to give way and then emergency stopped in my path, so I had no where to go even though I stoppied.
2) Forks replaced after the above bent them with 2nd hand front end. Tyre was shit causing the bike to slide in a corner.
3) Binned the duchess in a driveway at low speed

I probably might need mentoring to get me back up to speed when the time comes but I'm not a complete idiot on wheels.

I look forward to getting back into riding in years to come when the boys can pillion too.

[Trumpess]

Oh hunny, I am so sorry to hear of your demise and the sudden reality check thats now taking place. I'm sure your decision is the right move for you.
Don't listen to the negatives, you have to let them go.
You have to be positive, as its that motivation which will be the key to getting back on your bike later, when you are ready.
All the stuff ups we make are there for a reason, and make us better and a little more experienced for it.
I think it is times like these, that we eventually stand back and prioritise.

I am a mum of 2 boys, 12 and 8.
Before the kids came along, hubby and myself were enjoying the biker life. The freedom! And the association.
But when my first child came along, I decided to stop riding (pillion) for the sake of my kids. The 'what if's' always entered my mind. Paranoia perhaps?

Hubby has always enjoyed his bike, I have never let him not. I have been ever so jelous when he would go out for a ride and not me. Or if friends showed up on their bikes, the little green eyed monster would peek out round the side, but I got over it, and you will too. I am sure this is a normal feeling.
I think once you become a mum, its an extra sacrifice we are prepared to take on, to be there for our kids. Someone has to be.

Until very recently, now that the kids are older and not babies anymore, I am back on a bike. This time I am riding solo, and I LOVE IT!!
I am so pleased I didn't learn to ride before my kids came along as I now reckon it would have been all the more harder to give up the lifestyle to rear my babies.

I have been very fortunate not to have had an accident yet, touch wood, however its always in the back of my mind, especially when you hear some of the stories out there. So with not knowing this and the feelings that you are going through because of this, only you can come to a conclusion.

I think it takes alot of guts and gumption to come to a decision like this. It is life changing, but you have to look towards the end of that rainbow, and dream about the day that will come back. And you will enjoy it more than ever!

I hope you have a speedy recovery. Take care hun.

[mstriumph]

good on ya Gal - bikes'll still be there when the littlies are bigger and you can ride again

it's a BUGGER growing up and getting all responsible, isn't it?! :crybaby:

[McJim]

Last weekend she was on a strange bike for the first time and rode it very well, but not fast, and just made an error (after 120km of error free riding) upon entering our driveway. She clipped a fencepost which had the effect of engaging the front brake while trapping her throttle on causing a slide into a kerb which did a bit of superficial damage to my bike.

I don't blame her - I think she should get back on the bike as soon as it's roadworthy (coz that's what I did when I got munted) if you leave the bike when your confidence is shot it will be doubly shot by the time you come back to it in my opinion.

Aren't forums fun? :Pokey::rofl:

[ManDownUnder]

Yep. Probably a necessary step to take and one I guess about half of us KBers have had to take. Doesn't take to long to adjust to not having a bike and even less time to re-adjust when you finally get one again.

What he said - and total respect and support with your decision.

[FJRider]

No matter how logical some decisions are, no matter how sensible some decisions are...they just dont feel right, but you know it is right for you, at this time. Such is life...and yes, you wll be back.

[FJRider]

good on ya Gal - bikes'll still be there when the littlies are bigger and you can ride again

it's a BUGGER growing up and getting all responsible, isn't it?! :crybaby:

Some of us DON'T...and WON'T... and if you try and make me...I'll tell my mummy... so there :wari:

[jrandom]

I tried to be helpful to DangerousBastard the other day...

:lol:

Well, that'll teach ya.

So when's Chickadee going to dip her toes back in the water in a safe environment? I prescribe MOAR TRACKDAYS!

:yes:

[jrandom]

Go blow it out ya front bum...

Ooooh, what a meanie. If you're not careful, Anne'll be lining you up for a slapping once she's through with me.

[Motig]

Good on ya Chickadee. Sometimes you just have to have a change of lifestyle (and believe me, kids definitely change it) but it doesn't have to be for ever. Had a bit of time out when we had our family, the only drawback is that now I'm back on a bike its turned me into a fair weather rider:sunny:

[Mom]

So you can't see how your original post can be construed as casting up?

What is casting up? Serious question I dont understand.

I actually dont think she should give up riding at all! Perhaps a smaller/lighter option would be better, though I understand from your recent posts you are a one bike family but not by choice. Yes, I have read all the good advice from the forum to you when both your bikes went up for sale. Buy her a little scooter or some such (when you can) to pootle around on to keep her hand in, so she can still have the two wheeled feeling, without risking life and limb out on the open road.

There are plently of us out here that have been in the same boat as you guys. Two bikes and both wanting to ride with small children is not a happening thing sometimes. I have 3 kids, now grown up and away from home (mostly), that is why I can ride out on weekends.

Dont be so defensive mate, it does not suit you.

[JimO]

hope you are feeling better, thanks for the coffee:niceone:

jim

[Chickadee]

hope you are feeling better, thanks for the coffee:niceone:

jim

Cheers Jim,
Was lovely to meet ya, thanks for popping in for a cuppa, hope there will be more visits.....
Feeling a bit better, still hobbling around a bit but on the mend.

[Lucy]

Well sad as it may be I'm taking a sabatical from biking till my littlies are bigger.



Confidence has taken a knock from binning in such a stupid fashion (target fixation trying to be too careful getting in a driveway).


The most embarrasing thing for me was being asked if I was learning to ride (as to why I crashed).

Go out there an enjoy for me Biker Angels, and in the words of the Terminator, I'll be back (just not on two wheels for a wee bit).


Awwww Chick! Just found this thread. Sorry to hear you are hobbling around. Giving up biking? Tui ad...

If I gave up everytime I crashed in my driveway......but then, I've not ended up in A and E and don't have young kids, so I guess I can understand.

Good luck anyway, you'll be back. And I agree, you aren't anywhere near a complete idiot on a bike, but if I ever visit down there you might be, harr harr.

Cheers
Lucy

[Chisanga]

Hi Chickadee and McJim,

Sorry to read that you are giving up for a bit and you came off your bike.... thankfully it was relatively minor. Hope things are going ok for you guys down there... I'm thinking of getting another bike.... I miss it a lot.

Take care