Among Friends

[jlkz]

@Meowingkitty @Neetgal2 @phoenixbrd 

I never had a bike as a youngster and have tried to ride one several times in my 60's and 70's to no avail.

It is a balance issue and a comfort issue.  At 79 I don't want to "visit" a rehab or nursing facility.  While in our Naples condo, I ride a trike through our small secluded development.  Very little traffic except for trash day.

One thing about the trike: it takes more energy and muscle to ride as DH tells folks.  He found a sheep's wool seat cover for the bike which adds to the comfort level.

After I started riding my trike, folks would call out to DH who was riding a regular bike beside me:  She's catching up to you !  From tykes to seniors, they would also smile and say they love the trike.  It was very interesting to see trikes start appearing...all shiny and brand new.

I was lucky: I found mine at an upscale Salvation Army thrift store that normally did not have bikes / trikes.

There's no way I could ride one back home.....the traffic and then getting the trike in the van along with his bike.  So, when the sun is low in the sky and the day cools off, we ride our bikes in FL.

[Carmie]

I used to ride every day for years for exercise until my knees couldn't take it anymore.

i have recently thought about picking it up again.  ( knee replaced) Where I live is extremely hilly.  There aren't many places to ride where it is a flat service, so the ride is a workout.

My friend bought an e-bike and encouraged me to do so as well. I didn't buy.  Now, a year later, she told me she sold hers.

I would love to ride again, but would need to take my bike to a trail where it would be safer to ride.  Between the traffic and hills, it is not a safe option for me.

Two years ago, my DH hit an adult male on his bike at an intersection at 6 am.  The man was riding to work in the wintertime.  He, the biker, had a DUI and his driver's licenses was suspended, so hence the bike.

The biker was injured pretty badly and my DH was devastated and felt awful. He just didn't see him. It was dark and his bike light was dim.

The man recovered, thankfully.  Our insurance picked up his medical as he had none. It was quite the bill...over $100,000.

It definitely got me thinking.  It is not very safe to ride on the highways,

[Othereeeen]

I too would love to ride a bike....the irony of being able to afford any bike I want now is tempered with...

I live on a curvy, hilly rural state road....a deadly combination for bike riders.....Even riding the mower near the road to take care of my place is dangerous....and people have been killed getting the mail out of the mailbox...

Moron drivers speed along at more than 50 MPH in the 30 MPH zones, oblivious to what may be around that curve or over that hill. 

Every once in a while I see a bike rider on my road....and I always think about the hill down the road they will soon crest, and what happens if a moron doing 50 in a 30 comes sailing along, phone diddling on the way, crests that hill, and there's the bike rider.

There are no shoulders to ride on here....

People are so foolish and selfish today. Like the other thread about people not sending thank you notes....societies rules of engagement have gone by the wayside.

Gotta get to Walmart.!!!...so gotta drive 50 in a 30. I'm ME!!!!

ME ME ME ME ME ME ME!!!!

[Othereeeen]

@qualitygal 

Got that right....I was a thirty year motorcycle rider....Rode every state east of the MIssissippi, no trailering, rode in rain, sun, wind......

I quit because of near misses with careless drivers.

You hit the nail on the head.

There are worse things than getting killed on a motorcycle or a bicycle...and that's being crippled for life, living in a wheelchair, or worse. Alive, but dead.

My 66 year old sister has horses and I worry about her too....she rides alone on trails....and aside from the unbalanced people out there and the threat to women, I worry about her getting severly injured ( not so much killed) and spending retirement in a wheelchair. Or getting kicked. 

She laughs it off....but I'm serious. In my case, it was close enough calls with careless drivers on phones or just not paying attention....in her case, I just don't want her to get hurt.

I KNOW it's not good to dwell on what COULD happen, but as we age, it's not responsible to take chances where death might NOT be the outcome....Who would care for you? Who will pay? Where will you be warehoused if you DON'T die from the accident?

I live alone and cared for my Mom the last ten years of her life. In part I quit motorcycle riding because death on that motorcycle were the least of my problems.

Even something as "simple" as broken leg or ankle or god forbid a TBI, who'd care for my Mom? Who'd care for me? Where will I live if I hang on for another twenty years?

Morbid yes.

But death is not the WORST thing that can happen to a person wiht a somewhat dangerous hobby

Now watch. I'll fall down the basement stairs getting the wash out of the washer ..or slip in the tub!!!!

But...you know what I mean.....!!

[Enufstuff]

@Meowingkitty  Like you, I never learned to ride a bike. I tried

when I was young. It just never interested me.

  What I loved was roller skating and ice skating.

   I did have a stationary bike at home for exercise and I liked having that. I also have used  stationary bikes at health clubs.

[Enufstuff]

@Othereeeen   You are so right!  I drive as little as possible, now that I am retired. It's the wild west out there.

[CANDLEQUEEN]

Yes!!! I love bike riding for enjoyment as well as exercise. My husband and I love going on bike rides. I have to start off slowly-he is much more experienced than I am and can ride for much longer.

I also have a stationary bike that I use most days after work for exercise...

[JeanLouiseFinch]

My husband took up biking last year when his knees started acting up and running became painful.  He'd still try to run now and then and recently he's doing better.  Now he'll alternate between the two. I would love to be able to ride a bike but I can't.  Following my cervical fusion the surgeon specifically told me to protect my neck. Last year I tried to get on a bike and my peripheral neuropathy makes it difficult to maneuver.  I can't risk falling. ☹️

[Kalli]

When I was young we rode our bikes everywhere! A few years ago I went on a short ride with a friend at a local park. I discovered I hadn't realized how important it is for someone my age to have a bike adjusted to my exact height with several smooth-working gears! 😆

I completely understand how easy it would be to not see someone on a bike when driving. Last winter after dark I was on a highway near my home. I put my signal on and pulled into the turning lane in preparation to cross the opposing lane of traffic into a parking lot. After making sure no one was coming in the opposing lane I started to cross it when out of nowhere a bike travels right in front of my car's path! Slammed on my brakes and thankfully didn't hit the guy.

Yes he had a light on however if we'd collided i believe he'd have been at fault since he was traveling against traffic on the side of the road. Of course, that wouldn't have made me feel better if I'd caused an injury to him. But since then I've noticed that often bikers aren't following the traffic rules.

[Lucky Charm]

I ride a beach bike-- year round here. 

My husband has an electric one.  I bought two (electric ones) this spring from GMA steals and deals.  They were half price and made by Radio Flyer. 

He loved his and I hated mine.  I didn't even take it out of the box.  I tried his.  We shipped mine back (free!)

So our vehicles remain parked for the most part, if we want to go anywhere on the island.  Unless it's stormy, too windy.  We take them to the grocery store, the boardwalk and just for long rides.  Many people are on bikes here.

I always joke that we went from Harleys to Huffys.  It's all good!