A very hard decision, indeed!

[motojavaphil]

I feel your pain, Motorcycle Malaise! Older riders reach a point where there just does not seem to be the motivation to get out there. I have toured on Beemers and Ducati's, been a loyal participant at the local coffee watering hole and brought dollar signs to dealers eyes when I walk into their businesses. It came to pass that I began to miss the Sunday rides, did not like the cold and heat and needless to say the texting twits that spread their carnage along with the drunks and druggies. This past summer I took a long trip, tenting and moteling along the way. It was a hoot. DW did not come and initially I did 2-300 mile days ala motorhome extending it to 5-600 mile days as I got into the groove. I put nothing on this trip, meaning I was out to ride and not go somewhere. Developed a theme of rail museums along Rt 50 and re-learned much of my old ways. I got too much sun and wind, cracked lips, sore legs and arms and realized I just had to much stuff, both on the bike and in my head. I especially liked meeting other bikers, some having been on the road for months, and others taking their vacation on the bike. There was the couple with an old Wing pulling an old trailer just roaming. It was 100 degrees and I went to get a drink. When I came back they pulled up and he opened his ice chest on the tongue of the trailer and pulled out ice cold sodas for DW and himself. They were my age and were very comfortable in the touring mode. I respected that!
We had an expression in the 60's about "Finding Yourself". Perhaps as we age we have to "Re-Find Ourselves" while going through life changes like retirement.