OP
Rastoff
US Veteran
Actually I waited until Saturday the 2nd, but the wind was still crazy.
A tough learning experinece
- Thread starter Rastoff
- Start date
Grip_Maker's_Wife
Member
Those conditions sound like a nightmare for any experienced rider at any age. Those were a lot of miles to go each day in treacherous weather so give yourself some credit. Glad you are OK and that is one great friend you have (and his son).
F75gunslinger
Member
I know every year when I was young I'd take the bike out after the winter and go wherever. Never dawned on me to work into it. Now when the winter ends, it's short rides getting longer until I can ride the long hours for full day trips. Its amazing how many muscles get out of shape after just a few months of not riding. A few years..I can only imagine. Glad you got home safe.
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Abbynormal
Member
Now you know why they're called "Hardly Worth Savin's"
You buy one and all sorts of drama begins!
You buy one and all sorts of drama begins!
Many years ago, when I still rode, I had a Honda Hurricane 1000. It was more of a sport touring bike than a sport bike, but it was pretty quick.
I had ridden to Little Rock from Tulsa, to see my ex wife. It was fall, but not to cold yet. I watched all the weather forecasts, & they were predicting highs in the mid fifties the whole weekend. Yea, right! I made it to Little Rock without a problem, but on Sunday, when I absolutely had to ride back because of my job on Monday, it didn't get above twenty five degrees. I didn't have a very heavy coat, so I had to ride back, riding till I was frozen thru & thru, then pulling off & drinking coffee till I could feel my extremities again. Took me all day! If someone in a rusted out old VW bug would have offered to trade me even for that bike, I would have done it, as long as the heater worked...
I had ridden to Little Rock from Tulsa, to see my ex wife. It was fall, but not to cold yet. I watched all the weather forecasts, & they were predicting highs in the mid fifties the whole weekend. Yea, right! I made it to Little Rock without a problem, but on Sunday, when I absolutely had to ride back because of my job on Monday, it didn't get above twenty five degrees. I didn't have a very heavy coat, so I had to ride back, riding till I was frozen thru & thru, then pulling off & drinking coffee till I could feel my extremities again. Took me all day! If someone in a rusted out old VW bug would have offered to trade me even for that bike, I would have done it, as long as the heater worked...
Well, I have to tell you, that most certainly was not the case for me last time around.
In the summer of 2013 I was looking to replace my 1995 BMW K75s. I had bought the K-bike brand-new, and I loved riding it, but that European sport-touring riding position (leaned forward) was killing me after I'd had two back operations. I settled on a new BMW R1200R, but the dealers closest to my home wanted list price and then some for their machines.
I sought the advice of some folks on one of the BMW motorcycle websites, and someone suggested I call Max BMW in Troy, New York. I did, and ended up flying to Albany to take delivery, and then riding the 320 miles home. Even counting the airfare, I saved $2000, and I got to break the bike in properly and carefully. All in all, it was a great experience...
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Riding a Harley from New York to California and back has always been on my bucket list. I'm almost 57, had a hip replacement six years ago and now I need a knee replacement. My legs cramp up sitting in my wife's 2015 Nissan Altima on long drives. Getting old sucks. 
sureshotbob
Member
Rastoff I've got the same model and year H.D. also have added the same seat as your's.
I'm 61 years old and ever since I had a blood clot in my right leg I can not ride like I used to
. Now instead of riding from sun up past sun down I just take shorter ride's with more break's.
After the blood clot I almost sold the bike but never did so now it's shorter ride's with my wife and it's still a lot of fun.
So when you get your bike home start out slow and enjoy it.
I'm 61 years old and ever since I had a blood clot in my right leg I can not ride like I used to
. Now instead of riding from sun up past sun down I just take shorter ride's with more break's.After the blood clot I almost sold the bike but never did so now it's shorter ride's with my wife and it's still a lot of fun.
So when you get your bike home start out slow and enjoy it.
joeintexas
US Veteran
Glad to hear you made the trip from hell relatively safe, having said that, if I knew there would be homemade bisquits and gravy waiting I might consider doing it again!
Yes, Dirty Harry said it best... "A man's got to know his Limitations"! 
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VrFV5r8cs0"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VrFV5r8cs0[/ame]
... and believe me, I know mine!!!
Back in 2003, I bought my last motorcycle, a brand new 100th Anniversary Edition Harley SuperGlide in black with all the trimmings. It was my 3rd Harley and 6th motorcycle overall... but at the age of 53, with mounting physical challenges and reflexes slowing way down, it became obvious quickly that I had gotten in over my head with this one last bike. After just 200 or so miles, I put the bike away and never rode it again. It was just too dangerous. This from a person who used to ride the most treacherous roads and highways in and around Boston in all weather and traffic conditions without barely a thought.
I envy folks who are able to ride safely & securely well into their 60's or even 70's. I think the trick is to never give it up. Even getting out of riding for just 2 or 3 short years takes it's toll on us elderly folks.
Now, at the age of 66, I can barely ride a gosh-darned bicycle safely. Man, this getting old stuff really, really sucks. 
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VrFV5r8cs0"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VrFV5r8cs0[/ame]
... and believe me, I know mine!!!
Back in 2003, I bought my last motorcycle, a brand new 100th Anniversary Edition Harley SuperGlide in black with all the trimmings. It was my 3rd Harley and 6th motorcycle overall... but at the age of 53, with mounting physical challenges and reflexes slowing way down, it became obvious quickly that I had gotten in over my head with this one last bike.
After just 200 or so miles, I put the bike away and never rode it again. It was just too dangerous. This from a person who used to ride the most treacherous roads and highways in and around Boston in all weather and traffic conditions without barely a thought. I envy folks who are able to ride safely & securely well into their 60's or even 70's. I think the trick is to never give it up. Even getting out of riding for just 2 or 3 short years takes it's toll on us elderly folks.
Now, at the age of 66, I can barely ride a gosh-darned bicycle safely.
Man, this getting old stuff really, really sucks. 
Rastoff, so glad you made it back safely. If you don't mind, I read your journal as though I was Walter Mittey, since I will never be doing a road trip like that! When I rode, I had always dreamt of riding from New Jersey to Alaska and back, but the accident shattered that dream. So glad that you were able to share your experience!
Capt Steve
US Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2008
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A couple of thoughts from another "elderly" biker...
Welcome back to "The Ride". Glad you survived your trip and am sure riding will only get better. There is an old adage among boat Captains....
"The only weather you can control is the weather you choose to leave in."
I had to learn this the hard way on three occasions, nearly getting myself killed each time before "Duh!" I got it.
At 64 I just got back on bikes a year ago after 39 years of not riding. {Took the Motorcycle Safety foundations Basic Rider Course which was priceless}. It just got better every day and 10,000 miles later I am having a blast.
Being retired and living in southern Arizona helps a lot as I only ride when the weather and my tired old body cooperate. Wind over 25 and I just get off the road, if there is any serious chance of rain (or any other form of precipitation), I simply don't
go.
Started with a nice 87 BMW R80 RT and moved up to a 2010 Harley Dyna Super Glide. Of all the many features on this bike the Sundowner custom cruising seat is my favorite. {The custom two into one straight pipes are a close second}.
One last bit of advice.... "ATGATT" = All the gear, all the time. (Helmet, gloves, boots, protective jacket and pants)
My wife once pointed out that while I haven't slowed down all that much.... I just don't heal like I used to.
Welcome back to "The Ride". Glad you survived your trip and am sure riding will only get better. There is an old adage among boat Captains....
"The only weather you can control is the weather you choose to leave in."
I had to learn this the hard way on three occasions, nearly getting myself killed each time before "Duh!" I got it.
At 64 I just got back on bikes a year ago after 39 years of not riding. {Took the Motorcycle Safety foundations Basic Rider Course which was priceless}. It just got better every day and 10,000 miles later I am having a blast.
Being retired and living in southern Arizona helps a lot as I only ride when the weather and my tired old body cooperate. Wind over 25 and I just get off the road, if there is any serious chance of rain (or any other form of precipitation), I simply don't
go.
Started with a nice 87 BMW R80 RT and moved up to a 2010 Harley Dyna Super Glide. Of all the many features on this bike the Sundowner custom cruising seat is my favorite. {The custom two into one straight pipes are a close second}.
One last bit of advice.... "ATGATT" = All the gear, all the time. (Helmet, gloves, boots, protective jacket and pants)
My wife once pointed out that while I haven't slowed down all that much.... I just don't heal like I used to.
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OP
Rastoff
US Veteran
Yeah, the snafu cut into my savings considerably. I choose not to calculate that number. I chalk it up to the cost of learning.
Riding a Harley from New York to California and back has always been on my bucket list. I'm almost 57, had a hip replacement six years ago and now I need a knee replacement. My legs cramp up sitting in my wife's 2015 Nissan Altima on long drives. Getting old sucks.
The link below is to a story about Charlie Parks, who in 2003 completed a sanctioned and certified Four Corners Motorcycle Tour of the USA at age 84.
Mr. Parks rode from San Ysidro, California, to Key West, Florida, then up to Madawaska, Maine, over to Blaine, Washington, then back down the West Coast to San Ysidro.
I met him when he was on the East Coast leg of his ride; he stopped to have his Beemer serviced at Bob's BMW in Jessup, Maryland (midway between Baltimore and Washington) on the same day I was having my K75s serviced. He pulled into the dealer's parking lot just in front of me. I had noticed the California tag, the saddlebags and tank bag, and realized he was on a tour...but when he took his helmet off I did a doubletake, as he clearly was no spring chicken. There were five of us in the lounge drinking coffee and talking about riding while we waited, and when he told us his age our jaws dropped!
Rider Magazine did a piece about him when he completed the ride. If I remember correctly, he was retired from the US Navy and was a Pearl Harbor survivor. I don't know if he's still with us (he would be 96 or 97 now) but if he is it wouldn't surprise me if he's still riding...
Hitting the Four Corners | The San Diego Union-Tribune
I couldn't agree more. I turned 63 last month, and have been riding almost continuously since I was 18. I know I'll have to give it up at some point, but I'm not there yet by a long shot.
Last May, I rode 1953 miles in eight days, from my home in northeastern Maryland to Robbinsville, North Carolina, and back, via Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. While in the area, I rode the Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In a month, I will repeat much of that trip, with a stop in Fayetteville, West Virginia to visit friends.
I play it safe when I ride: Arai full-face helmet, Vanson leather jacket, Kevlar-lined jeans, boots and gloves...always...no matter how hot it gets. (I have a ventilated lightweight leather jacket for summer.) I never, ever, drink alcohol before riding. I am very defensive, and position the bike so that I'm never in motorists' blind spots. I had one accident, a low-side slide on a curving road, back in 1979, and I have never had a ticket while riding.
Having said all that, yeah, I'm not a kid anymore, and I do feel it when I put in a long day, especially on a mountain road like the Blue Ridge Parkway. But with a Celebrex to start the day, along with breakfast, I'm good to go. And with a hot shower and a comfortable bed in the evening (I do NOT camp when I ride, LOL!) I'm always ready for the next day's ride.
My late father-in-law had a baseball hat which read: "Old is always 15 years older than I am." I try to think the same way...
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