.

[ribbert]

I was at the hardware shop today trying to figure out the best way to tie some 2.4 m lengths of ally tube to the FJ when an old bloke walked past and commented it was "a great day for riding".
Now, most of you will know that when someone says that, what they mean is "I also have a bike and I'd like to tell you about it"

Early in the conversation it became obvious he was much sharper than his aged appearance would suggest and he was fascinating to listen to. He started riding in 1948 and has ridden continuously all his life and all over the world. His favourite is NZ having shipped his own bike over there many times.

His recollection of motorcycle specs, roads, countries, trips and places etc was almost encyclopedic and I could hear the excitement in his voice escalating and see the sparkle in his eyes as he spoke of his passion for riding. His last new bike was a 2000 model BMW R which he still owned but hadn't ridden for a couple of years. I thought he must have wisely conceded he was too old to ride and given it away but when I alluded to this he said "old be damned! My left ankle was fused after an accident 3 years ago and it's too hard changing gears". His spine had also been fused from an earlier accident but it had not stopped him riding.

He was 90 yo and said he will never sell his bike. It will stay in the garage until he dies and in the meantime he sits with it occasionally, reliving all the wonderful adventures he has had on it and all it's predecessors.
He said there is still not a day goes by that when he sees a bike on the road or one flashes past him in the traffic that he doesn't have a longing to ride, so strong he can feel it in his core.

As for understanding the life long motorcycling affliction, he not only got it, he still had it at 90. Chatting with him for 10 mins was one of those brief encounters we all have occasionally that makes our day.

I would love to think some "young" bloke will have that conversation with me in a hardware store carpark in 25 years time.

Noel

[Troyskie]

Nice one Noel 

[roverfj1200]

I have found it can take a be of coaching to get those experienced  riders to talk but when you do it is magical.

Thanks for sharing Noel

[Bones]

And I can just imagine their face when saying back to you: You took a road bike where? 

A lot of people think the old folk have nothing to offer, but I've had a few occasions where you hear their stories and some are fascinating.

[red]

an old bloke walked past and commented it was "a great day for riding".  Now, most of you will know that when someone says that, what they mean is "I also have a bike and I'd like to tell you about it"
His last new bike was a 2000 model BMW R which he still owned but hadn't ridden for a couple of years. I thought he must have wisely conceded he was too old to ride and given it away but when I alluded to this he said "old be damned! My left ankle was fused after an accident 3 years ago and it's too hard changing gears". His spine had also been fused from an earlier accident but it had not stopped him riding.
Noel

Noel,

Nice story!  I would like to find that guy, and inquire if he had tried a heel-&-toe shifter lever.  He would probably need to have one made, but I rode with one (a Ducati) for years, and it only seems odd.  In reality, it is just cake, and it does not mess up your shoes.      Alternately, I would be looking for a solenoid-powered electric shifter, to fit on the existing shift lever. 

There may be good reasons to quit riding at some point, but a fused ankle may not be the right reason.

[krusty]

It could be a licence issue. I don't know what the regs are in Victoria. In NSW he would be required to do a regular driving tests and produce medical certificates.
https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/ontheroad-65plus/licences.html

When I was doing rider instruction there was an old bloke from a local club in his 80s and would turn up for his test on a WLA Harley with sidecar. I especially remember his riding footwear - sandals with socks, all weathers all seasons. IIRC the WLA had a hand operated shifter.

[Sparky84]

Great read Noel, inspiring.

So did you get the full length ally tubes home?

Or Did you cut them into 800mm pieces 

[ribbert]

So did you get the full length ally tubes home?

Haha, yes I did Alan, I ocker strapped them veritcally to the pannier frames.

Noel

[krusty]

So did you get the full length ally tubes home?

Haha, yes I did Alan, I ocker strapped them vertically to the pannier frames.

Noel

Take a tour of Vietnam and you'll learn how to carry anything on a bike.
I once saw a woman dragging a 20'  piece of bamboo behind her bike. Another time four pigs - two across the rear seat and one on each side like panniers, hog tied?. An airconditioner strapped to a back seat. Two guys on a bike with the pillion passenger holding a car windscreen, crosswise!! There's many more I can't remember.

[X-Ray]

That would have been such a great talk, even if it was a short one. Thats the thing, these older people with such interesting stories to tell wont be around forever, then it will be our turn to tell the stories

[ribbert]

Thats the thing, these older people with such interesting stories to tell wont be around forever.......

I know Ray, but I'm doing my best to hang in there.

Noel

[ribbert]

And I can just imagine their face when saying back to you: You took a road bike where?  

A lot of people think the old folk have nothing to offer, but I've had a few occasions where you hear their stories and some are fascinating.

One of my contracts is an aged care facility. It would be easy to assume the residents are just boring people who lead boring lives and have become old, but I have met some of the most amazing people who have lead the most extraordinary lives. One bloke was an aircraft mechanic during WW2 and was qualified to perform maintenance on air frame, engines and instruments. One of the many planes he worked on was Dragon Rapides in the highlands of New Guinea. After the war he set up flying schools up and down the east coast of Aus buying every Tiger Moth he could find, the going rate for one back then was 40 quid, he had dozens of them. He finished his working life as head of maintenance for Qantas! He was 93, he looked 63, had a head of hair I would have been proud of any age and his memory was perfect, oh the stories. Another resident who had run marathons in 27 countries, another, a journalist who had interviewed Castro. A bloke who became insanely wealthy doing no more than disposing of offal (and said he would never eat a hamburger as long as he lived) People who had travelled extensively in an era when it was not common and tourists were largely unheard of in much of the world. Pioneering Outback farmers, an opera singer who toured Europe in the 50's and so on.

You're right Tony, the oldies that haven't been robbed of their memories are certainly amazing to talk to.

This is just one facility, in one city in one short period of time. Wow, the stories that must be out there.

Noel

[aviationfred]

That is a great story Noel. Great comments also. For those of us not privy to Australian lingo.... what is Offal??


Fred

[Tuned forks]

That is a great story Noel. Great comments also. For those of us not privy to Australian lingo.... what is Offal??


Fred

I think this definition fits the narrative.

Joe

noun
the entrails and internal organs of an animal used as food.
"eating pieces of braised offal turned his stomach"