Mid-Life Rider

In one of your posts (specifically, “In Search of My Lost Moto-Mojo“) you referred to a period in your life as “the valley of the shadow of responsibility” during which you were busy raising kids and establishing a career instead of riding.  I’ve also noticed that in many of the interviews on the site, you’ve asked people questions about the inherent danger of riding motorcycles, and whether they’ve had to make “deals” with spouses, etc.

I’m wondering if you’ve given any thought to the fact that many people have waited until later in life to start a family, and how that might throw off the timing of the “siren call” of motorcycling in relation to the “valley of the shadow of responsibility”.  In other words, the siren is calling but the kids aren’t grown yet!  People that have always ridden don’t seem to have an issue with continuing, but people that have never ridden or wish to return to riding have to struggle with the timing issue and whether it “makes sense” at this point in their life.

Obviously, I have a personal interest in this (or I probably wouldn’t be writing).  I had a dirt bike in high school and a street bike for a few years after college.  Seventeen years later I’m now 42 with a wife and two kids ages 7 and 4.  And the siren calls.  Of course at this stage it really has nothing to do with rebellion, going fast or living dangerously… quite the opposite in fact.  But mention a motorcycle to someone with zero interest or knowledge in motorcycling and the first thing they say is “but you have young kids…”.

While it’s a personal choice that each individual has to make on their own, I wonder if it would be a good topic for you to explore in your blog sometime.  I would be interested to know your thoughts on the issue.

Paul. I really appreciate your thoughtful response. In fact, I probably haven’t given much thought to a situation like yours. Doh.

For me, it had nothing to do with the “danger.” I just didn’t have the time, or didn’t perceive I did. Or maybe I had just forgotten how much I enjoyed riding. And then one day, the urge to ride was back in a really big way.

I was at 9/11. Really changes your perspective on things. Go to the office one day and it’s your last.

I’ve written this elsewhere: to me it’s about living, not avoiding dying. It’s about doing things that help you find the best in yourself. The doing that helps you find ways to take care of what’s inside you. Anything can be that doorway. For some of us, it’s riding bike.