Ageing motorcyclists - what's your plan?

**Blackbird** · 11th February 2011, 07:07

Have a look at my follow-up: http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2011/...follow-up.html

A fellow bike blogger from Australia has given me links to 2 excellent radio transcripts on the ageing process which I found really valuable - worth reading. The concept of "exceptional ageing" is indeed food for thought, especially for us older bastards who are nearly there

**Swoop** · 11th February 2011, 08:33

One thing of surprise has been a few ages appearing that did not appear to relate to the user. Pritch, for example, surprised - probably due to the Rossi avatar!

You are all inspiring in one way or another.

"I can putt along at the speed limit, or even slower on a vacant road, listening to the birds, gawking at the farm animals, or just enjoying the smell of a freshly mown field."
I'm not too sure of this bit though... I can do that now!

Originally Posted by slofox

soup up the mob scoot as far as I can. If I can't graft the gixxer engine into it...

A very good idea! Loud pipes fitted so that the others can hear ya??

**slofox** · 11th February 2011, 10:12

Originally Posted by Swoop

A very good idea! Loud pipes fitted so that the others can hear ya??

Probably so I can hear it myself - so I know if it's running or not...

**Blackbird** · 12th February 2011, 15:28

Just received a link to a video clip from fellow bike blogger "Tarsnakes" from Australia ( http://tarsnakes.blogspot.com/). If there's ever a video which epitomises riding bikes into advancing years, this is it:

http://www.tvkim.com/watch/741/kims-...eople-live-for

OUTSTANDING

**Motu** · 12th February 2011, 16:12

Just as well no young guys read this thread - there would be several more pages about their riding gear.It's a wonder they lived so long riding like that.

**Blackbird** · 12th February 2011, 16:17

Hahaha - don't think they'd understand the sentiments

**vifferman** · 12th February 2011, 16:19

They seem to have the right idea!

**Blackbird** · 12th February 2011, 16:23

Same one Ian!

**ellipsis** · 12th February 2011, 16:33

...dont look out that window, you may not like what you see..(denial)...just dropped off my sturdy old sportster in the city to my son who is fitting some new tyres for me...birthday present...he gave me his VTR 1000 to bring home for the weekend...I thought that was a birthday present in itself....only just 100ks+ from there to home...now I have a sore back , my arse is moulded to a different shape , my wrists feel like Ive just done a 1000ks on the Goldwing and I shit myself...not in fright , but in realising I was pedalling along at sometimes 160+ ks and having no idea of how I got there so damned fast and those brakes that scrub off 100ks in what seems like a nano-second...I still dont consider myself of an age to start reminiscing about what was...but I couldnt help thinking , on my way home, when I had half a second to think, that maybe Im too old for this type of machinery....bugger this thread...

**Blackbird** · 12th February 2011, 16:43

Hahahahaha

**vifferman** · 13th February 2011, 09:24

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Same one Ian!

I didn't read the whole thread - just saw that video on another forum.

**Blackbird** · 16th February 2011, 10:28

There's another inspirational video about ageing bikers just shown on Australian TV, introduced by Wayne Gardner.

Here's the link: http://www.abc.net.au/austory/ and click on "On your bike"

**pritch** · 3rd March 2011, 09:55

Originally Posted by Swoop

One thing of surprise has been a few ages appearing that did not appear to relate to the user. Pritch, for example, surprised - probably due to the Rossi avatar.

There was no intention to mislead. I regard it as mine in so far as I took that photo. Now that Rossi has changed his kit there is a temptation to go back and update the pic... Expensive!

Afterthoughts on arthritis: I mentioned this to the Doc and he gave me a prescription prior to the trip.

Previous experience meant I held out no great hopes for the efficacy thereof but I received a pleasant surprise. There was some stiffness on some of the longer legs such as the 621k ride from Kaikoura over the Lewis Pass and back over Arthurs Pass to Geraldine. The pain though never intruded and there was no residual soreness in the evening after a ride. The elbow bent just fine thanks

**Blackbird** · 3rd March 2011, 10:04

Hahaha - that's why my old avatar was a photo of me on my drag bike in the late 60's

I don't suffer from arthritis, but do have some discomfort from knee damage. Most times, it's not too bad and responds well to the odd Ibuprofen tablet. On the rare occasions when it really plays up, I'm between a rock and a hard place as the stronger diclofenac-based tablets give me an upset stomach. Not a good thing to have when dressed in full leathers