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Until we meet again

3K views 27 replies 28 participants last post by  slowgator 
#1 ·
After many miles and a lot of good times, I am taking a longish hiatus from biking. As some of you know, I had a minor crash a few months ago and walked away relatively unscathed, but had a bit of time to think.

I love riding a motorcycle. I have always been aware that there are risks, but at the same time, I have felt that the freedom and joy of riding were more than enough compensation. Some of my happiest and most "centered" moments ever (forgive me, I am a native Kalifornian) have occurred as I have ridden through this beautiful country that we all share. I love riding, and if I was just a bit more sentimental I'd be shedding a tear in the old' keyboard even as I type.

So why's it over for now? Well, in short, it's not just about me anymore. With a young son (16 months) and another baby on the way, it's time for me to really focus on my domestic life for a while. It's not so much a question of reducing risk (tho that's important) but also just being around for the kids when they need me. Like most of us, I am limited for time and I would not be right in the head if I didn't put being there for the youngsters ahead of everything else...so there's just not going to be much time to ride.

There will be time to hang out, teach how to be a good person, watch 'em grow, and just be Daddy, and that is the most important thing right now.

I will have some nice bike goodies for sale soon as I convert the bike back to a more stock form in preparation for selling it. I will miss biking very much, but I know this is the right decision. I hope to drop in from time to time, and I hope you all understand. What a great bunch of folks, and sorry I have not met most of you in person.

What's the emoticon for this? I don't know. All the best, thanks for everything, and may the wind be at your back and the cages far away. Keep the shiny side down, and may the Big Guy or whomever you believe in always watch over you.

:hammer:
 
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#5 ·
mate no matter what happens, or how long you manage to stay away i reckon in about 13 years time i guarantee you you will return, and this time with a young son to ride with.

Just remember part of being a great dad is giving yourself time to yourself........ I was chatting to my dad about this and my old man tells me the only thing that kept him sane raising me (bit of a trouble maker i was) was being able to get into the garage and go for a relaxing ride.
 
#6 ·
It takes a strong person to recognize, and then act on, his priorities. Nothing comes before family. There will come a time again when those change and bikes will always be there for you when you want to return.

Its been a good ride with you here and we will miss you, but the ride you are about to take with your kids is even more important.

God bless and God speed.

Monte :cool:
 
#7 ·
DrEnglish, I gave it up after I crashed 22 years ago and my daughter was one year old. I decided to decide later about getting back into it, and I did, buying my new Triumph two years ago.

At the time, it was the right decision, and the decision to buy the Bonnie 20 years later was the right decision too.

Good luck to you. You will enjoy watching your children grow up.
 
#9 ·
You sound like a truly wise man... a man with his priorities straight. An admirable decision you've made, to say the least. I agree that raising your kids is what life is really all about. I've only recently climbed back in the saddle myself, after quite a few years of domestic duties being my top priority too.
Good luck and congrats on the "Lil DrEnglish" in the oven. :chug:
 
#13 ·
Boy, do I understand. I have three girls, and I reduced my time on the bike accordingly, partly due to time constraints and partly due to the increasing danger of riding in congested New Jersey. I even packed it in altogether for a few years. When your kids are grown and can stand on their own, there will be a bike for you and roads on which to ride!
 
#14 ·
Good luck, Dr E, and happy parenting...like many others on here, I have been there and done that also. I have enjoyed reading your posts.

Larry
 
#16 ·
Someday in the future you will ride again as you have been bitten for which there is no cure.

You could aways secure a few examples of desirable
vintage bikes in need of complete restoration. Take you're time to rebuild them and then 18 years from now put in some fresh gas and you'd be good to go.

Enjoy you're hiatus and take care.

[ This message was edited by: 2112 on 2007-07-08 10:39 ]
 
#19 ·
I gave up my 69 Bonnie when we got married back in 78 and I dreamed of the day when I could get another. When Triumph went under in the 80s I thought that part of my life was to be ancient history untill I ran into a guy in the mall parking lot with a brand new Bonnie back in 02 from that day on I started making plans. Through all those years I had kept a poster of Steve McQueen on my wall to remind me, so now the kids are grown, we're on our own and 30 years later I'm back in the saddle again...You'll be back someday too
 
#20 ·
Good luck... and yeah, like lots of the older bikers here I did pretty much the same. It came to a toss up between new pipes and a washing machine for the baby's kit and the washing machine won! Went straight back to bikes when he hit eighteen. Someone suggested keeping a bike in the garage. It's not a bad idea to have something to play with and strip and rebuild from time to time. :cool:
 
#21 ·
I quit my job teaching and started my own business to have time with my first child - who has down syndrome. Two more children later and the kids are still the priority.

However, because of the tough decision to get rid of the security of a job, and because I toughed it out for the first few years, I now have the freedom to ride.

Congrats to all who follow their hearts and make the tough choices.

Don't be a stranger Doc -we all enjoyed your posts.

(PS. I'm a better husband and father if I ride regularly - and I don't spend time playing golf, watching tv or at the bar or at sports games)

[ This message was edited by: haggis95 on 2007-07-08 13:05 ]
 
#23 ·
Although I'm new to the forum and don't really "know" you, heres my take on it......My daughter just hit 10. She now is more interested in spending tmore time with her friends and on the phone and computer. It finally gave me the time to get the bike I've wanted to get for the past few years. Enjoy the little one, but remember you still need some type of outlet for yourself. If you feel riding is too dangerous right now go with the idea of restoring an older bike or switch over to older british cars, thats what I did the past 10 years.

Adam
 
#25 ·
Doc, best of luck to you and your family!! Wow, I must be bad, I've had bikes on the road for 39 some odd years, dirt bikes before that! My wife of 33 years knew I had bikes before we met and was a way of life for me, I never gave up owning a bike or two at a time, to date over 50 bikes while bringing up three kids, two boys and a girl. One has to do what one has too, so the best to you and yours!!!
 
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