Will I know when it's time?

[RichDoyle]

I don't think it's yet, but will I know if/when it's time to stop riding a MC or, for that matter, driving a car?

I seem to have won some genetic lottery for bone strength and other resiliences, as in my 68+ years I've never broken a bone or even spent any time in a hospital. This despite playing football, motorcycle crashes, and miscellaneous trip/falls from significant heights and whatnot. I can still stand all day on one leg without losing my balance and reaction times are still < 200 ms.

But how long will this good fortune continue? I got to thinking about this as I observed a MC rider (didn't seem to be particularly old - maybe middle age) on the ferry one morning a couple of days ago. He had come up from the car deck and appeared to be trying to sit down (at least that's what I think he was attempting). The problem was he kept circling and twitching like he had a serious medical condition. I was reminded of an interview I once saw with Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's disease. This wasn't just a bit of tremor, like most of us would presume. He seemed to not be in control of even the gross movements of his body. Didn't look like intoxication, it really looked like a true disability. I wondered how he could reasonably control a bike if these were persistent symptoms. I happened to be in my car, traveling down to Oregon. As I travelled down I-5 toward Seattle I believe I saw him pass me in the HOV lane, as permitted, swerving (actually twitching back and forth) all over said lane, which wouldn't be surprising, given what I saw on the ferry. I feel like this guy had no business being the controller of any vehicle, much less a MC.

My father-in-law only quit driving when he wrecked his car blowing through a stop-sign when he pressed the accelerator instead of the brake and collided with another car.

Will I be wise enough to know if I've become a danger to myself and others? It's not something I dwell on. I do evaluate my performance of various tasks more or less continuously, but am I objective enough?

 

[fjrob1300]

Rich, first off good of you to think of the others on the road. In my business, Towing and recovery, I see them all day long. You know the one... shouldn't be driving. Sooner or later I get their vehicles on the back of my truck. I live in a retirement community. I can tell you some people SHOULD NOT be driving. But they do. I boost them because they only drive once a month. Fill their tires, unlock their doors. Time after time I have to shake my head. I wish I could decide who drives in our town. my dad is in his 70s and still rides his Harley. Good genes I think. But I've picked up guys in their 60s on their bikes and I cant help but wonder... how did you manage to get out of your garage! my take is this... ride and drive until you think you are capable. You are already aware. Some people will never be aware. There's some things I've given up, like hockey, because I'm getting brittle. Snowmobiling. because I hate the cold. I hope I will recognize when I'm incapable of operating my bike or car. I'm sure my smart *** kids will let me know. My grand dad died on the way home from the legion at 90! Heart attack behind the wheel. Nobody was hurt. If my gene pool is that deep I'm sure I have a few years left. but like you I'm already thinking about "the other guy" . Drive and ride until you can't. Good luck.

 

[PhilJet09]

What do you get when you combine the moral aptitude of self evaluation with the intelligence to recognize common human faults?

Will I know when it's time to hang it up (and I'm talking about more than just motorcycles)? I hope so, but I'm also surrounding myself with people that I trust, just in case I lose perspective.

 

[SacramentoMike]

I just wonder what the hell you were doing on one leg all day long. :lol:

Wonder if I could do that, but not enough to try.

 

[beemerdons]

Excellent thread RichDoyle, this topic is on my mind a lot these days. In another thread I related I checked out a Honda Gold Wing up in Scottsdale for Forum Member Roy Epperson, after I thoroughly checked out the GL1800 for Roy he flew in to Phoenix on Monday; spent the night at my house, departed for Santa Barbara Tuesday.

In the hour I spent with the Seller, Leon Boyd, I asked him why he was selling his beautiful GW, he related his many medical problems and said he had actually quit riding it over a year ago. I then asked how old he was, the reply was 73 years of age. This hit me like a ton of bricks, unlike my usual self: I was speechless for a minute.

I turn 67 years old on this October 28, the realization that in 5+ years I could no longer be riding a motorcycle scared the living **** out of me. I can't envision not M/C riding!

 

[Queensland Ken]

My old mate is 74 and is always up front with the best of them, a ex motorcycle cop and knows how to "ride" a bike.

He's now thinking of buying another FJR.

I'm 54 and clagged out, just bought a few fun bikes to increase the grin factor.

Mind is willing but the body is letting me down.

I know that after my next operation for my Crohns, I'll most likely have to give up touring on the FJR and stick with a fun bike I can easily handle.

I'll keep riding until I no longer enjoy it or my mates (or my doctor) tell me it's time to hang up the keys.

 

[redjay]

I sold my Voyager and bought an FJR because the Voyager was getting too heavy for me. The FJR feels light to me after having a 900 lb bike.

Hopefully with the FJR I can keep motorcycling for a few more years.

 

[ionbeam]

When to stop riding will be a mix of physical, cognitive and confidence factors (if money, downsizing and relocation don't getcha first).

The trick to standing on one leg is to close your eyes so you don't have reference points to help keep you oriented.

Almost all doctors can refer you to a driver evaluation program which can sort out your ability to drive. Our family has sent some of our old timers to this evaluation because they wouldn't stop driving based on our advice. Sometimes it's the subtle things that make a difference above and beyond confusion during high activity periods like turning in a busy intersection. One test that our driver failed was a cognitive test. They were asked to focus straight ahead then turn their head to the left, not to just glance but to focus, then turn their head back to the front and focus. The test measures the lag time between turning the head and being able to regain focus in the new direction. Lags of 10 seconds or worse is not a good thing because lots of unexpected events can happen in that time. The same lag can happen when looking down long enough to read speed, radio stations or information displays then look back up.

NH has an older driver program and after a point you have to test to keep your license. This kind of thing is getting more common in all states.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Pop and I had this conversation just last week and it was a painful one. A close friend and sometime fishing partner of his is "losing it". He is increasingly forgetful, gets confused, and often gets lost while out on the water. Since he is operating a 25 foot boat with a 300 HP Yamaha on the back and we are on the Louisiana Gulf Coast, there are many opportunities for this to become a major problem. It became a major problem last week.

Pop called me. Pop was upset, and depressed. He was not only concerned about his friend, he was concerned about his own mental health and the inevitable "How long before I get like that?" question came up. How do you gently tell someone they are not mentally capable of...anything?

My Dear Old Dad will be 70 this year. He still has tremendous physical strength, I cannot overpower him if he gets belligerent. How could I prevent him from doing something stupid if he did not want to listen? How long does he have before this comes up? Will it ever come up? Or will he remain mentally strong until his old body finally lets him down?

We discussed all of that with the same honesty and love that has been the basis of our relationship since before I can remember. I asked him where exactly did he want to go on this year's Best Motorcycle Trip Ever. He replied that wherever it was he wanted his two nephews to be with us, I had better get my **** lined out so things went smoothly. I reminded him that I needed him to keep going for a while. Without him as the main character my Ride Reports would suck.

 

[radiummadman]

my buddy from Capitan, N.M. turned 87 in Oct of 2014. His rides are Police Harley. DR650, 650 VStrom and an 07 Fjr with a side car. He rides just about

every day weather permitting.

 

[ionbeam]

Pop and I had this conversation just last week and it was a painful one...he was concerned about his own mental health and the inevitable "How long before I get like that?" question came up. How do you gently tell someone they are not mentally capable of...anything?...

The family physician should be a go-to person. There is a chance the problem is caused by meds or perhaps other background medical problems are the issue, and possibly the meds can be adjusted or problems treated. You can go to the Dr and discuss a parent's problems and get good advice, and the Dr may (probably) will want to do an evaluation and then the Dr can be the one to break any unfavorable news to the patient. We have been through this process and it's never fun and in the case of mother-in-law it was a nightmare.

 

[hppants]

R/H my friend, well said. Keep lighting your Dad's fuse every once in a while. Don't burn it through, just put a little heat on it. It shakes the cob webs out. And quit working so damm much and come ride with me. Put your dad right behind me and let me lead him to each peg scraper. Getting his blood pumping is something I always look forward to. We can all learn a few things from your Dad.

I'm 49 now. That hardly qualifies me to comment on this thread. But the truth is, I've been thinking about this subject in a much broader sense. I've mentioned many times that I lived my first 43 years in a box. I tried pretty successfully to control every breath of my being, scared shitless of the "Boogy Man" lurking just outside that piece of cardboard called life. The motorcycle helped change that. Risk are now worth taking, if done with common sense considerations in mind. I won't stick my head in the sand, but I've come to learn that once you've put a few miles on life's highway, you realize that there is absolutely nothing to worry about. The truth is - we really don't get to decide much. The energy we spend worrying about intangibles rarely pays dividends. In the end, whatever happens was going to happen anyway.

So RD, ride on my brother. Your sense of situational awareness will tell you when it's time (if ever). In the meantime, enjoy your life and rejoice in what we all know - that the view from inside the helmet is FAR better than the view from inside the windshield, or inside the house.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

― Hunter S. Thompson

 

[BkerChuck]

I think the very fact that you posted this thread indicates you're already ahead of the curve. I'm not saying it's time, I'm saying you already obviously have the right mind set to be self aware and watch for the signs that it's time to curtail or stop on your own. None of us want to face this harsh reality yet the time will come for us all. Maybe taking an experienced rider course or even a track day to help hone those skills that you may feel are weakening might be a good idea.

My mother drove a car up past her 85th birthday but starting about 7 or 8 years ago she began curtailing driving after dark. My mother in law is in a similar situation. She's lost sight in one eye and while she still drives she limits driving after dark or in bad weather.

Time waits for no one so enjoy as much as you have left.

 

[beemerdons]

I just wonder what the hell you were doing on one leg all day long.

Wonder if I could do that, but not enough to try.

I just praise God that I'm not as Old/Decrepit as SacramentoMiguel, Herr Petey, Dr. Rich, Roger of Rog/Deb or "Pops" Niehart! jes' sayin' and nuff said, SENILE!

 

[petey]

I guess we all have to face reality some day, yes beemerdons be very glad you're not as old as some of us. As some of you know I like to have fun riding the twisties, and ride with guys the "Arkansas Twisties" (often) less than half my age. I'm turning 77 this year, just saw my Doc for a physical, he said everything looks pretty good and said keep doing what your doing....so I'll take his advice and proceed (riding) with caution.

I wish I had the genes of people on my wifes side, she has an ant 102yo and others in their 90's.

 

[El Toro Joe]

When I met with my surgeon for the MRI consultation, and he basically said that my back was ******, and that this fusion surgery will most likely not be my last. I was very upset, thinking that I might not be able to ride again. It's been 4 weeks since my surgery, and I'm feeling good. I have a follow-up with the doc today, hoping for good news. I'm sure I will be back on the bike by late spring or summer. But it sucks to know that my time to enjoy what I love doing is limited. Enjoy it while you can. I hope that I will still be riding when I'm Petey's age.

 

[beemerdons]

"I hope that I will still be riding when I'm Petey's age." El Toro Jose, only Chuck Norris will reach Petey's age! jes' sayin' and nuff said, ANCIENT!

 

[wheatonFJR]

If I can't ride as well as petey, I hope to ride as long as petey will!

Dang, this topic is depressing to me for some reason.

Think I'll go for a ride...

 

[Jer]

I plan on riding until I turn 80 and then see how I feel about the future. I will turn 74 in July leaving six years until 80.