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I have news which may be shocking for some readers. <\/p>\nI have news which may be shocking for some readers. <\/p>\n
As it says in the banner above, I have referred to myself by the pseudonym, “Booted Harleydude, a booted biker in the ‘burbs.”<\/p>\n
Soon, though, this will change. More after the jump.
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\nYep, I have made a very difficult and somewhat heartbreaking, but acceptable decision to sell my Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Further, I will not replace it. <\/p>\n
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Readers gasp and may be saying, “You are going to sell your Harley? Why? You love riding it so! It’s your only escape!”<\/p>\n
Yeah, all true… however, given all that has been going on with my husband, my priorities have been 1000% focused on taking care of him. Shopping, preparing home-made foods, cooking, doing his share of household chores, driving him to essential appointments, and just spending time with him listening… everything. These tasks lovingly given<\/em> take most of my time.<\/p>\n With not riding nearly that much this year, my riding skills have gotten sloppy. I have made rookie mistakes that frighten me. Almost dropping the bike because I forgot to put down the side stand; turning too tight and almost losing control; and riding much too slowly because I am timid and overcautious\u2026 all of these things shouldn’t be happening to someone who once was an MSF Instructor and a senior emeritus Road Captain of my riding club!<\/p>\n On top of that… the issues with my husband add stress. I work carefully on stress-reduction techniques such as meditating almost every day for 30 minutes, taking daily walks, and talking with a therapist once a week. They all help; however, I have a chronic illness that affects me through flares caused by this added stress. <\/p>\n Trust me, you really don\u2019t want to know what\u2019s involved with these flares, but it isn’t pretty.<\/p>\n When my chronic illness is not acting up, it sits like a silent tormentor in my system and fatigues me. The fatigue just gets me, especially when I am riding my Harley.<\/p>\n Keeping 1000% vigilant takes a lot of effort and energy, which requires stamina. My chronic illness fatigue destroys stamina. It’s that simple. And also it’s that sad. There is no magic pill I can pop to restore what this disease takes away. (Trust me; I\u2019ve tried everything.)<\/p>\n Further, given that I am my husband’s sole caregiver and only friend in the world, I cannot risk injuring myself should some idiot on the road hit me or I crash or fall. I.just.can\u2019t.accept.that.risk.any.more.<\/p>\n I took my time, stopping occasionally so cars behind me could whiz past and my slowness wouldn’t make them mad and do silly things like try to pass me on a double-yellow.<\/p>\n By the end of this month, I think I will be mentally ready to part with my Harley. A friend who is a local motorcop and owner of a motorcycle training outfit will sell my bike for me.<\/p>\n I am hopeful that by summer 2021, things may have calmed for my husband such that “S” and I can resurrect our delayed adventure, pending we both can get a vaccine for Covid-19 and my husband will be okay on his own for a week.<\/p>\n Well… that’s the decision. I loved having two Harleys (1993 \u2013 2008 Dyna Low Rider<\/a>, 2008 \u2013 2020 Road King<\/a>), but it’s time. Time to move on.<\/p>\n Life is short: be at peace with your decisions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I have news which may be shocking for some readers. As it says in the banner above, I have referred to myself by the pseudonym, “Booted Harleydude, a booted biker in the ‘burbs.” Soon, though, this will change. More after … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bootedmanblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Roadking108.jpg?resize=300%2C230&ssl=1\")
How does this fatigue affect this decision? Let me explain. When you operate a heavyweight motorcycle, especially on busy suburban roads and highways, you always, always, have to ride with 1000% focus and attention. Always. “Keep your head on a swivel” is the demand. Since my serious skydiving injury to my neck vertebrae years ago, my head just doesn’t swivel more than about 30 degrees.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bootedmanblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/BHDMpost02.jpg?resize=300%2C190&ssl=1\")
I have been thinking about giving up my Harley for some time now. I wanted to take a few “last rides” before I did that. Recently, I visited close friends in southern Pennsylvania and rode my Harley to get there on roads I love \u2014 through the scenic Catoctin mountains.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bootedmanblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/RideUtah5.jpg?resize=294%2C300&ssl=1\")
Now this does NOT mean that I will give up motorcycling all together. My brother-biker “S” who had the courage to ride with me on a Crazy-Awesome Adventure through the “Mighty Five National Parks” of Utah in 2017<\/a> said the other day — I can always rent a Harley when I want to. We had planned another motorcycle adventure this year, but it got sidelined by Covid travel restrictions.<\/p>\n