I Remember When...

[pwillikers]

I am definitely still riding all the while getting old(er); some would say already old. In fact, I'm accelerating the frequency, duration and challenging nature of my rides in anticipation of the inevitable diminished proficiency which will likely render riding a memory. And, hoping that when that time arrives, I'll still be able to remember the fun that riding has been (or really remember anything at all).

What helps tremendously is that I have a riding partner, my older brother, who exhibits the same enthusiasm as I. We feed off of each other. And, he belongs to a cadre of like minded, enthusiastic misfits who regularly schedule interesting and fun rides.

Our plan for an upcoming three day, thousand mile weekend.

[SergioK]

Oh that looks fun!

[Dr. Curve]

VERY NICE ROUTE! I have some of those same roads as well, on a California TT map that is in a art series I have been working on for the past decade or so. From Westwood south to Auburn is way fun and boy, you guys must be geared up for this. Even taking three days, you will still be pushing the corners and a two day run of your map as seen here is going to be very hard and a real stay alert, must not wander, type of push and go rhythm. 500 miles is no problem on regular roads...........but the two lane'rs you have pinned are not for sissies. Take a few esses for me! And do ride safe..........

[sgoodwin]

I live on one or another of mine nearly every day. Sometimes just a short blast around others are 1-200 miles jaunts out in the countryside. Haven't gone on anything epic for a couple years, work seems in the way. Must be time for an extended vaca.

[John Lyon]

Great route. I remember the Willits to Mendocino section very well, although it was in a Triumph Spitfire.

[signit98]

Overall, great route. I would prefer the coast from Bodega Bay, but that's just me.

[ama]

I must chime in.................!! Yes, I miss bringing up this forum daily and getting knowledge and camaraderie from its members. Dr. Curve bought my very special '99 R1100S and I still miss it. I miss Hancock's posts and the bringing-together that Shannon's memorial ride produced. I now ride a "wet-head" R1200RT and a KTM 690 Duke for those not-so-often trips to the North Carolina mountains. My sciatic nerve back/leg problems are in check for now, but who knows when they will rear their ugly heads and prohibit me from my first passion of riding.

[Moybin]

Originally Posted by signit98

Overall, great route. I would prefer the coast from Bodega Bay, but that's just me.

Been 4 decades since I drove anything into Bodega Bay. Does it still look enough like in The Birds to give you the spooks?

[wswartzwel]

regular Mountainbike riding has made my back pain/numb left leg problems a thing of the past.. Not sure why, but if i miss a couple weeks riding the pain comes back… if i ride regularly I can do heavy lifting, bending or whatever I want and i have no issues at all. May not work for you but it has been a lifesaver for me.

Originally Posted by ama

I must chime in.................!! Yes, I miss bringing up this forum daily and getting knowledge and camaraderie from its members. Dr. Curve bought my very special '98 R1100S and I still miss it. I miss Hancock's posts and the bringing-together that Shannon's memorial ride produced. I now ride a "wet-head" R1200RT and a KTM 690 Duke for those not-so-often trips to the North Carolina mountains. My sciatic nerve back/leg problems are in check for now, but who knows when they will rear their ugly heads and prohibit me from my first passion of riding.

[1100s nut]

Bill the body responds positively in some strange ways. I have stepped up my working out and running, cutting weight, getting ready for the Tenneessee knock out and my back pains are about gone. I noticed doing free standing squats...which with the angle you would think would hurt my back makes it feel better. I think staying active is the best thing to keep all of our problems to a minimum.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

regular Mountainbike riding has made my back pain/numb left leg problems a thing of the past.. Not sure why, but if i miss a couple weeks riding the pain comes back… if i ride regularly I can do heavy lifting, bending or whatever I want and i have no issues at all. May not work for you but it has been a lifesaver for me.

I'm certain that my bicycling routine is the main reason I can still ride the ol' girl.

[John Lyon]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I'm certain that my bicycling routine is the main reason I can still ride the ol' girl.

Same here. Swimming helped me recover from a severe back episode as well, but each person is different.

[Rapid Dog]

...Jeez, old farks all.
I remember the San Diego ride and The Dentist sang me Happy Birthday on my 50th...
I just turned 65 and I'm racing along in my fright for the retirement SS finish line (and those number$ aren't working out so well) with the last bit of function in my knees so that I can take a Long West 'O the Rockies Ride in 2017.
Not sure I'll be able to stay awake if I do get there...

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Rapid Dog

...Jeez, old farks all.
I remember the San Diego ride and The Dentist sang me Happy Birthday on my 50th...
I just turned 65 and I'm racing along in my fright for the retirement SS finish line (and those number$ aren't working out so well) with the last bit of function in my knees so that I can take a Long West 'O the Rockies Ride in 2017.
Not sure I'll be able to stay awake if I do get there...

Feel free to adopt or adapt my personal motto...."never under estimate the power of an unreasonably defiant attitude".

[SeabeckS]

18 years ago the doctors told my wife that I had a 50/50 chance of living for three days.

My reply? " Screw that! "

I'm still above ground and ride whenever I can find the time....

[Bob Hancock]

Nice walk down memory lane, ck. Good to see that attitudes remain. I'd try to rustle up some animus for old times sake but I'd just get it wrong so won't try. Been trying to find the perfect R12S replacement that my legs will allow. Tried the R1200rs but no thanks so have pretty much settled on either a water head GS or my XR which is proving to be it. I'll swap between the two when warranty forces sale....or just enjoy the dirt. I hope to be in CO again this year but probably won't make TOR. Really enjoyed riding with the usual suspects last year.
Special thanks to cuz for walking me through the electro upgrade on my F800GS. I can't tell any difference but I know it's there. Kinda like aftermarket cans.

[Dr. Curve]

Heading for (N.Ga.) Track Rock Gap area tomorrow morning to check out the roads and see what is new for the "coming up" rides this summer. I keep a bike up there just for this, and guess what, its a R11S that just keeps on ticking. She has been a good one though and about two years ago Bob 'Snake-master' R. told me about the 30/30 club he had started, and that it was easy to join. I thought about it, checked the air in the tires on the very 1998 R11S I had once bought new, and joined the club as Bob had suggested. Its easy for some people to join....... but was not so easy for me, pleading my age a bit, because all one has to do........is start a run toward Suches........from a dead 'sitting still' stop at the stop sign there where 60 runs into Morgantown............and run at a whatever pace you feel good about.......and it will put you at the Gulf Station across from the old T.W.O. campground. at the intersection where 60 meets Wolf Pen Gap. If you get there in 30 minutes or less...........you are a member of the 30/30 club, because it is about 30 miles in distance...........and the old black S with 45,000 plus still made it in 29min 11sec..........which to me shows that once a BMW S............always a S.

Bob 'Snake-master' R. had a time of 27min 38sec on his Multistrada, which lets me know how slow I must be to others, but darn it.......my R11S unit may could get into the 27s.........but I surely can't.........Still riding however, because it is like the arts and continues to stir my soul. Regards and respect to all us riders still aboard here on this pivotal forum, and may we all meet someday. Viva la Vita!

[R111S]

R111S here - nice to see all the usual suspects posting here and hope we all can continue to enjoy our R1100S Motorads.

I'm still riding and enjoying it although somewhat fewer miles per year. Back trouble took me down a few notches a couple years ago. I do want to get a used R1200RS after our Daughter graduates from College in 2019.

I just picked up a 2012 VW Turbo Beetle with low miles and man is this thing a fun little Rocket!

I've also gotten active with the SAE and have presented at the World Congress in Detroit for the last 3 years. I also Chair an SAE Committee and two of our Team Members ride H-D...one of them even works for H-D. We have good Camaraderie.

Lastly, I rode up to Oskosh, with a couple Guys from work, for the Fly-in for the first time last year - All I can say is I'm for sure going there again, maybe take the Wifey too.

[throttlemeister]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

[...]
Or read a really interesting ride report with 50 pictures of places someone had been...
[...]

I should do this more. I don't think I have posted the last 4 big rides I have done and have lots of pictures from. Not trying to assume my reports are so interesting, but they did seem to be appreciated. Unfortunately, sorting through pictures to post for a couple of hours is not something I always feel like or have the time for.

Leaving again for a 3 week ride through Slovenia and Northern Italy next month. I'll try to do better.

[PFFOG]

Check out the little roads along the Slovenian/Italy border. Tons of sweet little twisty roads. Check out the Strada di Solarie, near Zoudar IT, and of course the Mangart if you have never been up.

The Strada di Solarie requires you ride a tractor path for about 1/4 mile in the N end as Slovenia didn't maintain its end, but on a clear day views are fantastic!