I think age calms you incredibly. I was out on Sunday on my own. Long lane I know well with no side roads. Could’ve blatted it but was happier looking at the view. 20 years ago I’d have been full chat and a prick.
I still have mild(ish) PTSD from a big off in 2004. Long story short... The weather was great one Tuesday afternoon so I took the day off work with plans to head into the Peak District for the day. This was in the days before average speed cameras on the 'Cat n Fiddle". Basically, it was all my fault and primarily down to speed and overestimating my ability. The bit that still haunts me, is the fact I crashed in the afternoon but wasn't found for a period long enough for my bike (what was left of it) to have cooled down. So, I'd been lying there for a while. I was rushed into Macclesfield General where I didn't properly wake up for the next two days. The most vivid memory is coming-round on the spinal board in the ER frantically wiggling my toes and grabbing my balls. After that, I was out for the count. I think back to how scared of paralysis I must have been to come round just to know I could still move. After three days I was released with a nasty broken left clavicle and months of concussion type symptoms. My SP1 was in a pile of bits at the recovery yard with a bill for about £300.00. A local farmer sent my insurer a bill for £150 to replace an old rotten wood fence post too. Fast forward to today, I've had two bikes - 2008 RSV Factory and my current bike, 2013 1199s. I still have days where I find myself subconscious looking for excuses not to ride but, I manage it as best I can. In a funny way, I'm glad I've had my 'big off' and survived because it's made me a safer rider.
Wot 'e said. Not normally into blowing my own trumpet but... Just had a call from my IAM observer, passed my test last year with a First, very pleased with that. What he just told me was that at the group meeting that I missed before lock-down I was supposed to be presented with associate of the year award, apparently I not only got a First but was marked as 100% on my test Hopefully not a case of pride coming before a fall... Fully accepting that you're only as good as your last ride, you never stop learning. Advanced training can be seen as all day-glow, stuffed shirts and high opinions, IAM and ROSPA groups vary, find one that suits and hone your skills with the help of the other members.
One annoying thing for me is that I have no memory of it. Maybe better road positioning, less speed, or better observation. Who knows? Bugs me. though!
the advanced riding thing is just a whole other thread, and really causes debate so I don't want to go there, I didn't want this thread to go that way, but I'm hearing all the stuff being said and interestingly some comments are ringing true. I'm only 36, but do feel I've aged a lot in the last few years with the divorce and stuff, just everything getting 'serious'. I do get a buzz riding for sure, but I think it's when you get to a point where your getting nervousness in your gut, that feeling that you know your really pushing your luck, almost the taste in the mouth that you get on a track when you are heading into a corner on the brakes convinced you aren't stopping. I've had that a few times in my younger years, mostly on 400's with crap brakes etc where I've just been pushing too much and it's not good, I don't get that these days. Normally, when I get a bit spooked I just slow everything down even more and just try to bank a couple of clean rides in on my own, without mates around etc and then things ease off, think that's what I need now.
Sounds like, at that age, you're becoming aware of your own mortality. Responsibilities and life experience do that to you. It's healthy, listen to yourself. We all probably rode outside of our abilities in our youth, I know I did, had crashes to prove it.
I enjoyed a bit of off-roading (intentional, not because I'm a cock). Nice gravel fire roads and the like. But round here, its all boulders, severe hills and ruts. Alas, more than once I may have hit a bit of grass or a bush face first at 30+. Explains a lot probably
Life is not without risk, whatever you choose to do a degree of risk is associated with it, cross the road - hit by a vehicle (don't cross the road) eat food, choke on food, die (puree all food) ride a bike, fall/get knocked off injured /die (don't ride bike) It's about finding the balence and being realistic with expectations /abilities, we are only here for a very short time, life should be about enjoying yourself while you're still here - quality time - whatever works for you.
Bikes are not safe. End of. But you can reduce the risk. Don't ride like a twat. Don't ride in groups. Always where full leathers. Avoid riding in rush hour. Things like that. I ride very little on the road but I don't think I'd go without a bike completely. I did lay the bike up for 2 years after a very close friend died when my son was just under 3 but I always knew I'd get back in one day. Also took out a life insurance policy that covers the mortgage and won't go out with the wife on the back as wouldn't want him to be an orphan.
i raced enduro for years at a very high level never broke anything bar 2 ribs you just dont get the speed on dirt like the road so i agree with the bumps bruises and breaks but generally not catastrophic !! i dont know a single person who passed away racing im sorry to say i cant say the same for the road riding, the enduro is what i took up when i had my first child at 26 and like a lot of lads didn't touch the road bikes for 11 years . i done a good deal of training before taking to the road again and it was the best few quid i ever spent biking !! hope everyone stays safe this season !!
Phill748, I know how you feel albeit 2 years your junior, it’s even crazier when you have your own child as the love is just another level. Age really is a great leveller. Don’t think about it too much but be sensible, life insurance, income protection etc, are invaluable....
When my girls arrived I did more track days than road miles so much safer, as I didn't want to hang my boots up.
I'm 35 & have 3 daughters aged 17, 6 & 4. I understand what your thought process is @Phill748 but there are many things in life that can take you away from this world. Try and enjoy biking. If it concerns you to much then only you can make the right decision based on your own feelings. Nothing wrong with putting biking on the back burner for a while, you can always dabble again later on in life.
Thanks all, I actually had a bit of a chat with the missus last night about it all. Tried to explain how I ride and what my limits are and that if something happened I’d hope she knows it would be because i made a mistake, or someone else did rather than me just being a dick with disregard for my family etc. She knows I’m a pretty risk adverse guy, we agreed that I’ll never take her on the bike, and I’ll never take our little one on it, and I’m fine with that, I want biking to be my thing and while it would be cool if Ruby (the threenager) gets into bikes and the racing it won’t be on my bike. my mates know the score also, I me and my best mate ride pretty sensible together, we kinda know where our heads are at so just focussing on enjoying it now. I’ve got life insurance to cover the mortgage etc so from that perspective I’m covered.
Same as mate no need to ride like a knob on the road. Book a track day get the speed out of your system in a relatively safe environment.
Don't think that I can really offer any advice, but only give my thoughts, observations and intentions. This was to be my last summer with my 900ss of 20 years ownership. The CG125 and the Ducati's insurance ran out at the end of April and I have not insured them again yet - for obvious reasons. This means that my little 'classic' Suzuki 200 is my only transport at the moment. I find I am getting more enjoyment out of riding it and will be able to explore different roads not suited to the bigger bike. Some of these roads I have ridden past for decades and always wondered where they went. It is probably partly me naturally slowing down and seeing things differently. But also, the general road use around here has descended in to near chaos - and it is everyone; pedestrians, cyclists, bikes, cars, vans, lorries ...you name it. The accident and death rate on the roads in Angus and Aberdeenshire is genuinely scary and is, I believe, the worst in the UK for motorcycle deaths. In desperation at the end of 2018 I started wearing a high-vis vest - something I had not done since sitting my test in 1986. It helped, a bit, and does get me seen just that little bit sooner - even if I do still get the 'What are you doing there? look just as much. ....and don't start me on about the brain donors using mobile phones. A few day ago I saw a group of young guys at a local petrol station milling around their mega powerful plastic crotch rockets (shopping trip, I assume). I have seen some of them on the road before and am honestly surprised that they are still alive - I even have video files showing riding that beggars belief! I genuinely fear some of them will not grow old due to their own actions never mind the actions of others. I am not going to give up riding though, I am just starting to do it in a different way.
I can relate to that, i have PTSD but try to put it behind me. Back in 2016 i was coming home from work (Saturday morning, night shift) on my trusty C90 cub when a fucking excuse for a shit stain hit me head on(Long story) in a split second i aimed for left headlight went over the top and landed on my left side and couldn't move. I was rushed to hospital then can't remember anything until coming too with pipes and wires coming out of me and an external fixator on my left arm. I had broken 4 vertebrae in my back, both elbows broken, huge chunk taken out of my left buttockpunctured left lung with fluid being drained and a broken pelvis and was in a coma for 2 days and 3 blood transfusions they couldn't find where internal bleeding was coming from.(and more, tying to keep it short). I've sort of got over it(i was back on the 900ss after 4 months, wife furious!!) but that whole car coming at you head on is sort of hard to shake but i just ignore it, sort of. I am thankful to have been able to have that whole i am mortal thing and it does calm you down and make you appreciate your surroundings and like you say, ride a bit safer and sensibly,(until your out on a nice stretch of quite country roads).
