Pause from Riding because you have Kids!

Sky_high

Sky_high

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Hey All,

Ive been a seasoned rider for many years, and have continued to ride on the street after getting married and starting a family. Didn't have time to continue track riding.

However, last year I almost got taken out by a SUV, and I haven't been riding since, in fear of being injured and not being able to play with my kids.

Call me crazy, but thinking of selling my bikes. But I'm torn, as I want to continue riding.

I'd like to get back into track riding, but it takes away a lot of time from the family duties.

Out of curiosity, What have other parents done in this situation?
 
Dirt bikes have a higher chance of injury but a much lower chance of death. Depending on where you live, they can take significant time commitment though. Around me, technically dirt bikes on the road are illegal but if ridden respectfully, cops seem to give them a pass to allow trail access without the hassle of trailering. That makes heading out for an hour or two viable.

Doing trail tours or a track school gets you time on two wheels and it's only a few weekends a year. No worries about spending money on bikes you aren't using.
 
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I stopped for a couple of years when they were very young, then slowly started going out for short rides early Sunday mornings. Slowly went further but not big trips or even day trips until the were in their teens.
I remember one summer evening the wife and I went for a wonderful ride, without incident and when we got back she said, you know if some drunken idiot takes us out, the kids have no parents. She never rode with me again until they were in their late teens.
You have to go with your gut and if it is a go, just do it slowly, you don’t want regrets, either way.
Ligjtcycle’s idea is a great one.
 
Sky_high said:
Hey All,

Ive been a seasoned rider for many years, and have continued to ride on the street after getting married and starting a family. Didn't have time to continue track riding.

However, last year I almost got taken out by a SUV, and I haven't been riding since, in fear of being injured and not being able to play with my kids.

Call me crazy, but thinking of selling my bikes. But I'm torn, as I want to continue riding.

I'd like to get back into track riding, but it takes away a lot of time from the family duties.

Out of curiosity, What have other parents done in this situation?
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I stepped aside for a few years when the kids were small. At first it was out of fear of them losing their dad, but I quickly found out there was no time to ride — Kids were so much fun so I didn’t miss the bike at all.

My guys had fun on mini bikes, only one got interested in motorcycles.

As they got older and needed less of my time, I started riding again.
 
There was a short three year period about 40 years ago when there was no motorcycle in my garage. This dark period had more to do with economics than concern/worry about not being around for my kids. Frankly those thoughts never entered my mind, likely because I never had a close encounter that would make me worry about my own mortality. When my kids were old enough, I would take them for rides on the bike.
 
Sky_high said:
Hey All,

Ive been a seasoned rider for many years, and have continued to ride on the street after getting married and starting a family. Didn't have time to continue track riding.

However, last year I almost got taken out by a SUV, and I haven't been riding since, in fear of being injured and not being able to play with my kids.

Call me crazy, but thinking of selling my bikes. But I'm torn, as I want to continue riding.

I'd like to get back into track riding, but it takes away a lot of time from the family duties.

Out of curiosity, What have other parents done in this situation?
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There are lots of negatives on riding.

1) Money.

Have enough life insurance to take the stress off your potential widow and orphans.

Then look at disability insurance. Wheelchairs can be cheap but renovating a house for them isn't.

2) Families need dads and moms. When there's no dad mom doesn't have enough time to cover all the bases.

Pro are also in the picture.

Properly done it teaches responsibility and awareness.

You can get a thrill without drugs.

Learn mechanical skills.
 
Fuzzbuster said:
Is this @mimico_polak starting another thread!
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Nah, I've got my fill of advice for certain life things from GTAM.

@Sky_high I also had a similar thread to this a few years ago because I got spooked once, and then something along the lines of 'not in the mind frame' for riding, or something something.

For me, I enjoy riding very much, and with 3 young kids in the house it's more of a commitment to deal with them and do stuff with them. To the point where I felt guilty of going out for a ride while they do something with mommy (she won't ride with me since we had our first as if something happens...both parents gone in an instant).

I've sold bikes, missed bikes, and bought bikes to keep filling that void.

For now, I have a bike that I'm technically 'selling' but not really...I don't get out much (used to do 10-15k/season) with only 1-2k / season nowadays (if that) and I'm a much more careful rider since I want to come home in a single piece.

It's a tough call...and pulls differently for each of us.

I'll keep riding, but they're shorter trips within a few hours, and then if the Duc doesn't sell...I'll keep it. If it sells...we'll see.

Good luck, enjoy the time with the kids. My eldest started mouthing back this weekend...so the fun is starting.
 
Well, we are trying to make do with one car in the family so getting to the race track needs some logistic juggling to make it happen.
Some word of advice, never tell your wife to take the bus to work!
 
I have a family and financial responsibilities. Gotta get to work every day. Gotta be around a long time.
But I told myself I'd never want to be the one who says "I never have time to ride, so I sold it."
I also really like racing, two wheels and four.

Here's how those priorities manifested:

I commute on two wheels as often as I can. As long as it's not pouring or snowing, do it. Sometimes it's cold, so bundle up. Sometimes it rains a little bit, so put some clothes in the trunk.

I get the groceries, pick up the mail, drop things off at a friends, all on the bike. Do all the most boring mundane stuff on your bike. You'll enjoy it more.

I learned to be okay riding alone. It's easier to pop out for a head-clearer when you don't wait for group rides. It's also easier to be the most responsible version of yourself. Be responsible. Be responsible. Tell yourself as you start the engine, "you can die today". Be responsible. Man this has been a really awful year on the highways...

Last but not least, do some motogymkhana. It gives me something to do on sunday rides, gives me something to do with the extra 10 minutes after work, makes me a little more nimble in downtown traffic. Most importantly, it gives the competitive spirit an outlet without the risk of trackday/highway speeds. I can ride at my limit and blow right past it. Worst accident is some scratches on the bars/cage/sliders and an embarrasing photo.

Be responsible.
Happy and safe riding.
 
N234 said:
I have a family and financial responsibilities. Gotta get to work every day. Gotta be around a long time.
But I told myself I'd never want to be the one who says "I never have time to ride, so I sold it."
I also really like racing, two wheels and four.

Here's how those priorities manifested:

I commute on two wheels as often as I can. As long as it's not pouring or snowing, do it. Sometimes it's cold, so bundle up. Sometimes it rains a little bit, so put some clothes in the trunk.

I get the groceries, pick up the mail, drop things off at a friends, all on the bike. Do all the most boring mundane stuff on your bike. You'll enjoy it more.

I learned to be okay riding alone. It's easier to pop out for a head-clearer when you don't wait for group rides. It's also easier to be the most responsible version of yourself. Be responsible. Be responsible. Tell yourself as you start the engine, "you can die today". Be responsible. Man this has been a really awful year on the highways...

Last but not least, do some motogymkhana. It gives me something to do on sunday rides, gives me something to do with the extra 10 minutes after work, makes me a little more nimble in downtown traffic. Most importantly, it gives the competitive spirit an outlet without the risk of trackday/highway speeds. I can ride at my limit and blow right past it. Worst accident is some scratches on the bars/cage/sliders and an embarrasing photo.

Be responsible.
Happy and safe riding.
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Awesome to hear motogymkhana is still around. I thought it had died after it's huge surge in popularity 15 years ago. The track equivalent if people want a little more speed is the Ohvales on go-kart tracks. Similar upsides to gymkhana.
 
I started riding on the streets in Toronto at the age of 15 prior to the implementation of motorcycle licensing when you could legally ride a motorcycle but had to get a drivers licence for a car at 16. I'm now 78 and enjoy it as much or more today than I did then. The desire has never left me. Admittedly, there were periods both short and long when I didn't own a motorcycle for various reasons. One of these was because my son was approaching his 16 birthday. He loved dirt bike riding. I had for many years been commuting daily during riding season from North Pickering to University and College area and back. The nagging question I had was " How can I tell him it's ok for me to ride on the street but not for him to do the same?" I bothered me so much I sold the bike and quit rinding for years. Turns out he never considered riding on the street and gave up dirt bike riding too! It's important to know that every person's situation is unique to them. You have to be able to sleep at night.
 
I took a 17 year hiatus from riding while my kids where growing up.
Don't look at it as "giving something up", but rather focusing on what's important.
Spend as much time as you can with your children... They grow up so quick.
On the bright side... 'By the time they're out of high school you'll probably be in a position to buy whatever the f### kind of bike you want and you'll be old enough that the cost of insurance won't even be a thing :-)
 
GreyGhost said:
Awesome to hear motogymkhana is still around. I thought it had died after it's huge surge in popularity 15 years ago. The track equivalent if people want a little more speed is the Ohvales on go-kart tracks. Similar upsides to gymkhana.
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It's booming!

Wow 15 years ago. I just missed that boat when I started riding in .... Nvm I am old.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk
 
Lightcycle said:
Buy the kids dirt bikes.

Ride as a family.

Win/Win situation.
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Yup, this.
And also as Mad Mike stated, kids are just more fun. My oldest is just starting on the 50 and I head out on rides by myself when I've had a good fill of parenting and want a me-break. Parents need a few hours here and there away from the ankle-biters to keep their sanity.
Rest assured the kids won't want much to do with you for a few years in their teens (other than your money) so you'll have plenty of time to ride then. If the bikes paid for and not depreciating rapidly just let it sit for whenever you have time to ride it.
 
Kids are grown so it’s just the wife and I. Down to one bike but, the missus doesn’t ride with me nor does she want to ride herself.

A few close calls and a couple of good friends perishing affected confidence.

I don’t ride as much as I’d like but, still get to noodle around. It’s just a question of personal priorities and available time.

I’m fortunate enough I work from home and can sneak in a little toot during the day. If it’s too hot and expect the evening to be cooler, I can wait until them.

I used to golf a lot for work functions. The clubs are collecting dust in the corner since Covid.

Most my time is with classic cars with the missus or camping so, the bike doesn’t get a lot of attention but, it’s too much in my blood to give it up entirely.

You can sell your bikes and keep the gear. Pick up a bike when the notion strikes and ride again. Having an empty garage with nothing to look at can be a downer. But, having a bike sit or get moved from one place to another can also be a bummer.
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