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

[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

[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

[Trudes]

All the best with life Madboy.