It's time.

[outrunner]

This is just to let you all know that having thought it through for the last few months I have decided that it is now time for me to give up biking. Even though I bought a new bike in August to see if a change would help I still feel the same, sometimes I look out the window and think it's a good biking day, but I just can't be arsed to get geared up and go out. Over the last year I have never ventured more than 100 miles from home so I am now preparing to sell both of my bikes.
I will miss you all and would like to thank all those who I class as friends for all the good times with meets and ride outs and I assure you the memories will stay with me forever.
You never know, I may buy another bike next year, but I doubt it.
Thanks again guys and girls and I will pop in here now and then to see what nonesense you are all up to.

Andy.

 

[soho]

I hear you Andy, that's a shame but never say never mate. I was in the same boat a year ago. Had a bit of shit going on in life and travelling was generally an A to B affair so I just got in the car or van. Now I have my mojo back (and some better health too). Even with winter upon us I'm almost ready to get right back to it.

So mate, keep your posting up stay with us, who knows ? ! (at least log in to see what kind of shit I'm about to buy !!!)

 

[Lowflyer]

Truly sorry to hear this Andy, but respect your decision.
Please keep in touch with the guys, you have a lot of good friends on here as you know. You were missed at Oban
Even if you turn up at the National next year on four wheels, ok, you will probably get ribbed mercilessly for a while, but would be good to see you again.
My advice to you, ( not that you need any advice from an old hairy assed Teuchter ) would be to keep your gear. You never know you might get the urge again next summer .

You take care soup spiller, if I'm ever down your way, will call in for some refreshment

Ta ta the noo

 

[boboneleg]

Sad news Andy , i hope you get your mojo back and change your mind. Like John says it would be great to see you at the national even if you are in a car.

Wish you all the very best x

 

[Hudders]

Well Andy I can honestly say I'm gutted to hear this, so many great memories.
Don't be a stranger, only a phone call away if you fancy a chat.
Hope you change your mind, saying that if you don't I respect the decision that you made.
End of an era SOUP SPILLER [emoji24]

Sent from my SM-G715FN using Tapatalk

 

[Steve T]

As I've said elsewhere Andy - you will be missed .

But please turn up in a car - we can always do with a giggle

Take care of yerself auld man.

Steve

 

[austin]

Nooooo, Sell one, keep one. SORN it over winter. Buy some new bike gear - a cool leather jacket and jeans - gear that’s light and easy to wear and that you want to wear. Summer only stuff. Don’t even think about riding the bike all winter.

Then come May or June Tax and insure it for the summer. But, only use the bike when the weather is good - not too hot, not too cold and when you want to. Don’t be ambitious- just bimble to St Mary’s Loch or over to the east coast or whatever. It doesn’t matter if you only do none or only a few miles a year. Just use the bike On your terms when you want to.

Get a trailer or a van if you want to come on rallies or get further afield.

You will enjoy the occasional use far more.

 

[The Don]

Alzheimer is a bad beast.......you probably won't remember a thing about this post in 24 hours, and buy a brand new bike
Andy I am sorry to hear you are giving up on the two wheels things but you have to do what is good and what feels the right thing for you. Stick around tho, you can always drive a bloody van to the national .......Simon does it
good luck young man!

 

[DaveS]

Sorry to hear this fella.
Similar place myself. I put an embarrassing 200 miles on my new T7 in the last year... and I'm thinking of selling it. Getting more enjoyment out on my electric mountain bike these days and trips away in the camper van. So I hear you and as everyone has said don't stay a stranger.

 

[Debs]

Hi Andy

Sorry to hear that but respect your decision , please don't become a stranger . You are always welcome here if you fancy a few days away and please think about rocking up at next years national , as we missed you this year.

All the best Andy (sorry couldn't resist)

 

[outrunner]

Wow, I have to say I am humbled by all the replies to my post concerning giving up biking and I can honestly say they are all very much appreciated, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I can't help feeling a bit like I am letting the side down with my decision but it seems to me to be the right one, time will tell if I keep feeling the same way. As I said in my post I will keep looking in here to see how all the reprobates are getting on so don't think you have heard the last from the old soupspiller.
Once again, thank you all for your concern and kind words.

Andy.

 

[Alba]

Well this is a post I did not expect to read, it's been a few years since we had a beer so looking forward to catching up with you at the national in 2023 .... You have obviously done what's right for you, all the best

 

[Hamster]

Andy, you are defiantly not letting the side, you must do what's right for you at the time. As others have said we don't care how you arrive, its about
being in your company mate.
You are not allowed to lose touch, just phone / message any of us, anytime mate. you have my number so look after yourself mate and get in touch.

 

[The Don]

..... As others have said we don't care how you arrive, ......

Simon can even negotiate a discounted parking fee for Zimmer frames at the National...right Hudders?

 

[Hudders]

Simon can even negotiate a discounted parking fee for Zimmer frames at the National...right Hudders?

To right anything for the Legendary Soup spiller

 

[Philwhiskeydrinker]

Bloody Hell Andy, we cannot let you hang up your bike gear.
You are a legend and bastion to the two wheeled pass-time and a friend to many of us, and seemingly other 'auld codger' bike groups too.

What will you fill your time in with, please don't say daytime tv. You need a hobby to get you out and about on nice summer days and to tinker with when the weather is crap [emoji106]
Keep busy, both physically and mentally.

It was most surprising to hear you'd turned back en-route to the National - you never not make a meet.

My biking mileage is miniscule compared to what it was, the Alp is sorned for year on year (it only needs head bearings but I just can't be arsed, previously, I'd do them on an evening after work!) Life is just busy.

Re this years' National, I couldn't be arsed camping, so stumped up & got a pod but even then I was only half looking forward to it - packing, even the run there and back just seemed a hassle BUT once I'd hooked up with Bazza, had a great ride up and back, it was great to catch up with everyone and the 'spirited' ride down from Tobymory with Hudders' snapping at my heels, his headlight filling my mirrors were just like the good old days [emoji2]

Post covid, life has changed, everyone is that bit more insular, bit more isolated, withdrawn, mojo lost BUT IMHO we need more - more social, more leisure more time out on the bike with friends (despite a bit of talk, I've not been out once all year with local friends on the bikes...)

Andy, if thats it for your motorcycling days so be it but you are not allowed to leave and not allowed to not show your face at a national again geddit [emoji8]

Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk

 

[Barftone]

Buy a EXC300 2 stroke and give it beanz up the nearest mountain.....that will get the blood pumping! Plan a slow wine filled trip to the Stella Alpina next July and its game on. Jokin aside....hope you are doin OK apart from the bikin downer

 

[RickSkye]

Gosh, Andy.
It must be a tough process to decide to stop.
And courageous to take that decision. I mean its not the easy way out.

As the others have said, please come by car to the meets.

I have missed too many meets due to covid, grand daughters being born and other things, so going to try harder and would look forward to meeting again.

To be fair, there are days I can't be arsed to get the kit on, but if I go, I generally enjoy myself.

And the wife tells me to go sometimes, I expect to stop me making a mess around the house, which I seem to do without trying.

How about a CRF250?
Goldwing?

 

[Stuart D]

I don't frequent on here on a regular basis & normally nothing changed much, maybe a new Tik Tok or more of Steve T's fab photos but TODAY! Wow, it does take effort to do anything these days, personally had an amazing time completing the Adventure Country Tracks Pyrenees back in June, got back & washed the CRF 250 off, cover on and there it's been since.
The decision you've made was probably harder than deciding to retire, I respect you for that, I sat out of a Club night ride out because it didn't feel right. Gut instinct has keep you alive this long so don't ignore it. I think we'd all agree that to meet up on four four wheels & make merry rather than a funeral.
Take care Sir & wrap up warm.
On another note if you'd like to tinker over the winter I have a ZZR1100 that needs fettling, let me know.

 

[RickSkye]

To all.

Andy raises a point i never thought about, to be honest. I always thought I would have to end my biking through physical or mental decay.
Some may say that happened years ago.[emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787]

I do get alot out of riding, that mindfulness moment, when the chaos in my head stops, can come after 10 mins or an hour, but it always comes. Its better than a bottle of wine, and used to be less expensive.
There have been rides when the peace, tranquility and calmness of my brain, have lasted for many, many hours, and the loss i felt when it was over, has been less than comfortable.

To be fair, I could be on a little 250, it would be the same.

This maybe a bit deep to discuss on here, which I can understand, but if anyone would like to share, I would be interested to hear what other people get out of it, apart from the obvious, riding thrill, scraping the pegs etc.

If there are no replies I will assume it is too deep [emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji2957]