40 Years Between Rides
Posted On the VRCC Message Board by F6ING on Fri - Jun 23 - 03:30am: 

I was not going to post this because I didn't want to get long winded (what else is new) but I can't stop thinking about this guy. You already saw my post about stopping by the race mech garage and relating a very proper re-jetting of Cobra 6/6's produces 90 true hp at the rear wheel. Well, while at the garage, I met this quick witted elder biker - 70 years old. His son-in-law lost his right leg to diabetes and gave up modifying an 86 Venture Royale Tourer. It sat for 4 years collecting dust. 

The race techs dismantled it and replaced gaskets and all necessary to get it running and looking like new. The 70 year old was there to pick it up - he was leaving the next day on a 2.5 month tour of the USA. Now, get this, he had not ridden in FORTY years! His wife passed away a year ago. He is retired. What to do? He decided to buy his son-in-law's Venture. He took it for a ride. It stalled a lot - it was running very poorly. He took off from a stop, making a left turn, it stalled and fell over on him! He was pinned to the intersection! People jumped out of cars, pedestrians ran from the sidewalks and they picked up the big bike. The old man was unhurt! He rode the bike back to his s-i-l's garage and parked it. He figured it needed servicing to get it to run correctly. (Good call!) He also had second thoughts about riding it again - but there was a sidecar that the s-i-l had bought (after losing his leg). So... The race garage picked up the bike and side car with their truck - did the overhaul and now that old man is on the road since Monday morning past. 

He was taking I-10 from L.A. to Fla. with plenty of friends to visit along the way. He was also going to camp out. He always wanted to go to the Fla. Keys. He had an 8 gallon auxiliary gas tank in the side car. From Fla. he was heading up the east coast to New Hampshire - for a big family reunion in the end of July. After that event(!), he was going to take the northern route back. He always wanted to see Mt. Rushmore, Montana, Wyoming, etc. I stood there listening - totally amazed. 

I told him how different the steering is with a side car. He said he knew. I told him to start out slowly - not get on the Interstate and cruise at 65! He said he would not. I told him he had to practice his braking so he could stop in an emergency. He said he planned on doing that. Then I told myself to shut up. I encouraged him to keep his mind on the road and stop often - but to have a wonderful trip and never rush any part of it. He said he hoped to make the reunion but if he missed it, he wasn't gonna worry about it. I kept wondering if this guy was nuts or just one of the most courageous guys I ever met. I think it's the latter. 

Taking on the road, all by himself, at 70 years of age. Amazing! I wish him well. I'll pray for him and a safe journey. I hope I see him again come the end of the summer. I hope I have as much salt when I am 70! Once a motorcyclist, always a motorcyclist. Ain't life sumpin'? 

BTW, Happy (belated) B'day Barbarian - this story ought to make you feel young! ;>) Charley 
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