Gonna use it for commuting/fun....i ride the z into work every day....its only a couple of miles in, but, with the fuel going up everyday at the moment with no end to it i thought id get one. From a legality point of view here in Bristol....going to work every day i see the same people riding their own scooters (no skateboards though)...i think its a case of "if youre not riding like a twat then your ok" i see plenty of people on their own kit riding past the plod and they dont raise an eyebrow.... Personally ive been knocked off enough times for me to reasonably read the road ahead of me. I rented one of the Voi scooters one day by my house and actually the point where i start putting kit on to ride my bike in the restricted rental scooter was faster...cant say whats going to happen but thought why the fuck not....
I think it's a general feeling of uncertainty. After starting to get over the two years of Covid restrictions and things seeming to approach 'normal' again it's yet another thing that could have repercussions around the world and society. I ran my own business but lost my mojo after 25 years, luckily I found someone to take over and I was able to step back and retire. I haven't had to draw on my pension yet, so I'm really hoping the stock markets improve after a few years.
The stock market hasnt hit the bottom yet...literally everything is bearing down on the markets from all angles and a large part of it is down to the (Primarily American Banks, institutions and Hedge Funds doing their thing) - its gonna get a lot worse...!
Id just like to add thats kinda one of the reasons ive been a bit silent on the forum this last year....in on some stocks waiting for a short squeeze to happen.....that and ive been landscaping my back garden for the last year and im still going...a few more months work and then im taking the rest of the year off to get out and about on the bikes...!
I agree bike trips (experiences) are always great fun, even the bad ones give you something to tell stories about. We love wildlife and have been lucky enough to visit some incredible places and see sights which will stay with me forever (60,000 pairs of king penguins on South Georgia and pods of Humpback whales feeding round our zodiac in Antarctica, marine Iguanas in Galapagos and amazing landscapes in Patagonia).
I miss the people I used to work with and I still miss some aspects of my job. I always enjoyed producing conferences and event but I don't miss scrambling for work, sucking up to ungrateful clients, managing staff and doing a VAT return! The first 6 months after I retired were a bit odd, and I felt a bit lost. Something I read was about having 'Purpose' in your life. So now I volunteer with a landscaping team 1 day a week, (chopping stuff up, bonfires, driving tractors) and also decided to learn bee keeping (tricky little bastards!). This still leaves time for bike trips, some over 50's basketball and other hobbies.
I “stopped working” (can’t say retired!) three years ago in May. Loads of plans shelved due to Covid. My Mrs stopped work last September. We get on pretty well which is a relief after 30+ years of marriage. I’m pretty active and busy. If I ever got bored I’d go get a job. Any job. For now, I have time for family, friends, rugby and of course bikes. We booked a holiday for the summer as we haven’t been properly away for 4 years with one thing and another. I have 5 track days booked so far, a moped race with mates and plan to do Portimao in autumn. And a new Bayliss on order. I’m a very very lucky man but I have worked my bollocks off for decades and now it’s my time. Sometimes the Mrs even lets me decorate.
58 and cash in my final salary to regular pension pot to spend as much as poss in 10 years. I won’t be around after that. And if I am I’ll only be sat in a chair watching 80’s tv on U.K. Gold…
Take care with that final Salary pension... Also the mandatory advice can cost a fortune... and still not deliver what you want (you still have to pay the fee if they don't approve it). https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-way-out-of-the-final-salary-pension-advice-trap-x9sjmr8m5
That is my retirement car. So when I don’t need to do lots of miles that’s the everyday car I’ll have.
I jacked in work at 50, as we were financially secure. People asked me if I got bored, no chance. More time to ride my bike or drive my weekend car, take the dogs for a walk, or do a few laps of Grafham Water on my mountain bike. My Mrs likes her job so carried on part time. I just make sure it looks like I'm stuck into the housework when she gets home from work.
I was half expecting to read “And as for spending time with SWMBO……….I sent her out to work double shifts to support my retirement and I’m surprised it’s working out extremely well”
