Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: jackson on November 20, 2015, 08:29:24 AM
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Here's a photo of a long-time riding partner (John Hermann). John is now 85 years old and earlier this year, he purchased a new 2015 R1200R with the red frame. I lived in San Diego for 30 years and rode a lot of miles with John. He's riding lead in this photo that he sent to me, yesterday. John was the finest rider that I've ever ridden with and at 85, I suspect that he can still hold his own with other riders in the twisties. Most people would hang up their riding boots at his age but not him; he bought a new hot rod. Good on him.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5808/22778500959_4c301c5061_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/AGRLKa)John Hermann riding R-1200R (https://flic.kr/p/AGRLKa) by Jackson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/137309361@N04/), on Flickr
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These truly older riders are my inspiration . Yeah , good on him :bow:
Dusty
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These truly older riders are my inspiration . Yeah , good on him :bow:
Dusty
X2 :thumb:
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That is fantastic. Most of us don't have the genes that will allow us to ride like that into our later years, I will ride as long as can whenever that time comes to hang up my togs.
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Guys like Dick Whitehead and my riding buddy Leo Rocca (81 yrs. young) are my "heroes". I want to be just like them when I grow up. :wink: Leo has a bunch of bikes, but his favorite is the Yamaha Super Tenere. He keeps one here and another at his place near San Diego.
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X2 :thumb:
X3 :thumb:
I hope I can (safely) ride that late in life!
My parents are 87 and 84 years old. Neither should be behind the wheel of a car anymore, much less ride a motorcycle.
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So who is the oldest active rider you know ?
Dusty
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So who is the oldest active rider you know ?
Dusty
Warren Wren. I think is is 72 now. He has no problem hanging with the young folk in the curves, in fact, some of the young folk can't keep up with HIM!
:thumb:
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I think the oldest active rider I actually know is our own Chuck H . Not exactly sure of his age , early 80's it seems .
Dusty
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Dick Harris, 78. Rides Vintage Triumphs. Subscribers to TIOC-BIMA probably know him as he writes many tech articles. Thinks nothing of hopping on his 90 degree crank Triumph and taking it to California.
http://www.thebatavian.com/howard-owens/linden-resident-still-riding-easy-after-56-years-triumph-bikes/26344
Pete
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I think the oldest active rider I actually know is our own Chuck H . Not exactly sure of his age , early 80's it seems .
Dusty
82, I think. It's the Indiana water..
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Here's a photo of a long-time riding partner (John Hermann). John is now 85 years old and earlier this year, he purchased a new 2015 R1200R with the red frame. I lived in San Diego for 30 years and rode a lot of miles with John. He's riding lead in this photo that he sent to me, yesterday. John was the finest rider that I've ever ridden with and at 85, I suspect that he can still hold his own with other riders in the twisties. Most people would hang up their riding boots at his age but not him; he bought a new hot rod. Good on him.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5808/22778500959_4c301c5061_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/AGRLKa)John Hermann riding R-1200R (https://flic.kr/p/AGRLKa) by Jackson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/137309361@N04/), on Flickr
Badass! I love these kinda posts, plus he has great tastes in bikes! Hope to be lucky enough to ride with him/you guys someday!
Nate
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I have ridden with Guzzi riders older than this guy, Mark Anthony & Tom Mentink. Cancer finally stopped Mark and Tom finally gave bikes up in his late 80s. Mark up to his demise could still embarrass younger riders in the twisties. When I 1st met him he had a LM III, then finishing his riding on a MilleGT. His cousin rides his GT now and I meet him @ some Guzzi ralies. When Mark was going to college in his youth he rode Indians. :thumb: When Mark was @ Guzzi National rallies, even tho he was older, he'd let JN Smyth get Oldest Rider awards. Guess Mark didn't like acknowledging his real age.
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That's awesome! I hope I am still riding 10 years before I reach his age.
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Steve Wittman was still flying race planes.. no small trick.. at 90. And winning. (!)
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Must be lots of clean living and a lack of Ex's.
45 years in Construction, to many parts busted & torn, ridden hard and put away wet I'll be happy if I make it to 75. I'm already looking at sidecar's --- just to be prepared.
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Next year we're having a party for one of our guys in Scotland in the Norton club, he'll be 80 and still riding the Atlas he'll have owned for 50 years, still wearing the leathers he bought in the 60's and still drinks whisky for whisky with us ( slightly) younger guys , all these guys are an inspiration and as a former poster said I want to be like them when I grow up!
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Congratulations to John Hermann! As a 25 year member (almost) of BMWMOA, I saw John's name come up often in the club magazine, and he sometimes penned an article about traveling thru Europe (often the Alps) by motorcycle.
Bob
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There was a rider at the Illinois rally over 90. I don't know his name, but he pulled a good size trailer and had a 6 gallon tank on the front of said trailer with a pump to push it up to the bike's tank, so he wouldn't have to stop so often for gas.
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Congrats to him, it gives hope to this young 72 year old rider.
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I think the oldest active rider I actually know is our own Chuck H . Not exactly sure of his age , early 80's it seems .
Dusty
You can add my name to the list...72 and going strong.
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Congratulations to John Hermann! As a 25 year (almost) of BMWMOA, I saw John's name come up often in the club magazine, and he sometimes penned an article about traveling thru Europe (often the Alps) by motorcycle.
Bob
Bob, John Hermann actually wrote a book about his experiences of riding the Alps and other great motorcycle roads. He would go to Europe a minimum of once per year but many years, twice or more to ride. He even bought a BMW to keep in Europe and paid for it to be stored between his many visits. He's one of those people that truly enjoys his life to the fullest.
Here's a link to his book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Journeys-Through-Alps-Beyond/dp/1884313388
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72 and hope to for a few more.
Dean
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I'd like to know the oldest age at which someone STARTED riding motorcycles. I won't claim the prize, but I started 2 years ago at age 71. Whew, some steep learning curve.
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I'd like to know the oldest age at which someone STARTED riding motorcycles. I won't claim the prize, but I started 2 years ago at age 71. Whew, some steep learning curve.
No idea . You do deserve an ATTABOY and maybe a couple of these :bow: :bow: .
Dusty
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I'm 68 and in good shape at this point in my life. However my reaction times are not what they were 10 years ago. A small difference but noticeable to me. I have adjusted my riding style a bit to compensate... If I live to 80 and still in decent health I don't know if riding would be the best idea other than just around town so to speak...
On the other hand my abilities to fabricate and build mechanical junk is at it's peak.....A fair trade off I suppose...
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Len Vale-Onslow was probably the oldest rider/mechanic/inventor .
Dusty
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I'd like to know the oldest age at which someone STARTED riding motorcycles. I won't claim the prize, but I started 2 years ago at age 71. Whew, some steep learning curve.
Congrats to you, I hope you have many more years to enjoy riding.
Bob
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Had the pleasure of meeting and riding with John (King of the Alps) Hermann in the Alps a number of years ago. Great rider and super nice guy.
Remember his echewing heated vests, etc as affectations that only distracted from his riding experience.
His books on the Alps and Corsica/Sardinia (I think those are the correct islands) were de rigeur for getting the most out of those rides.
May he continue to ride long!
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The last ride my father and I had together was when he was on the long side of 94. He died several months later in Arizona while riding his Honda FT500. A young lady pulled out from a stop sign in front of him while he was on a state highway. That was twelve years ago and I still miss the many dirt and street rides we shared.
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The last ride my father and I had together was when he was on the long side of 94. He died several months later in Arizona while riding his Honda FT500. A young lady pulled out from a stop sign in front of him while he was on a state highway. That was twelve years ago and I still miss the many dirt and street rides we shared.
That is both sad and extremely cool :thumb:
Dusty
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If that was last year it was probably JN Smyth .
Dusty
I kinda think it was this year, back in May. But I'm getting a little old and fuzzy myself.
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79 in a few weeks.
Ralph
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Being 70 myself and having friends around the same age I don't see anything odd about riding at that age. There's a bunch of us, late 60's early 70's that ride regularly around here. One is 80 now and sadly the oldest rider I know has just given up his license at 90 so we can't go forever I guess. We'll probably see you at Sturgis next year, we plan on riding our BSA's out, from the 50's 60's and 70's. That's assuming I can get my newly acquired 64 lightning going this winter! Keep riding as long as you can, cuz if you stop it'll all catch up to you!
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When I had my Beemer airhead and attended their National Rallies you had to be at least 84 to get oldest rider award. Same with oldest two up.
Pete
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I'm just in from 136 miles local riding, trying to empty the fuel tank so I can install CC (requires pulling the tank). I went on some old paths that brought back memories, though they used to be harder curves, LOL. Kudos to the old gents still out there. I'm 69. :bow:
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Normzone tells me you don't look or act a day over 50 :bow:
Dusty
Keep up the good work, Norm! I always appreciate an honest man.
Ralph
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Keep up the good work, Norm! I always appreciate an honest man.
Ralph
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Dusty
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This is a good thread for some serious deep thoughts (NGC) .......
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic047/samples_zps9tosyixf.jpg)
Well, I laughed. :boozing:
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic047/snaggletooth_zpsbm2rejzn.jpg)
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Minnesota's own George Dalin still going at 90
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/juturtle/IMG_5346_zpsyjrlsucy.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/juturtle/media/IMG_5346_zpsyjrlsucy.jpg.html)
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I tilt my hat to you. I hope Im riding when Im 85-90.
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82, I think. It's the Indiana water..
Chuck S. is correct -- 82 is the number for me this year. And, like John Hermann in the original picture, I'm changing my bike to an R1200R. My really cool Orange '12 Stelvio NTX, although a great bike for 32K miles, is getting a bit heavy for me to handle when loaded and I do not want to drop it. So, I bought an '07 R Bike from Laura and Dwight Blake and am in the process of getting it ready for next riding season. It's an interesting bike -- sort of like a sport bike with cases.
My goal for 2016 is to make The National in John Day, OR (I camped there once on a bicycle trip from the West Coast back East) and to follow that rally by attending both The Deep Forest Campout in WA and The Broken Arrow Rendevous in ID. I'm looking forward to the trip. It will end up being ~6K miles, more if I spend some time in Western Canada between the rallies.
All for now. Ride safe out there.
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At 82 years my Father has out lived most of his riding buddies. So I rode with him to Sturgis this summer. Damn that was fun! :bike-037:
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Rumours of more Old Three Wheel Romeos Reported!!
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic047/article-2187610-1486ACD7000005DC-414_634x547_zpsyf7bryo9.jpg)
:thumb: :kiss: :thumb:
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A few of us remember Freddie Marsh, MG dealer in Enfield, CT. IIRC the 1st Guzzi dealer, certainly in New England. Fred was still riding a moped in the dealership parking lot at 101. He passed @ age 104. Before owning the Moto Guzzi Dealership he was a factory rider for Indian, (Springfield, MA), only ~ 20 miles up the road. He was hill climbing, I believe in his 70's. The NH MGNOC rep. Randy Tefft, is Fred's nephew, twice removed? Might you say it's in his blood? R3~