to all of the fathers that ride...please read | GTAMotorcycle.com

to all of the fathers that ride...please read

beachguy

beachguy

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been riding for many years...some of my favorite memories are from the saddle of some of the bikes i have owned or rented on various parts of the continent. ridden in all types of conditions from snow in Arizona to torrential rains in Pennsylvania. even spent some time teaching new riders how to ride at Humber college for a few seasons...but with the recent rash of incidents happening on Toronto roads, i'm thinking of packing in street riding and converting to track or dirt or both. the birth of my first child is slated to happen tomorrow and with every passing day, i see my bike collecting more and more dust (not from my wife not wanting me to ride it, from me just being bored of riding it). I've had a few close calls in my day and in the past i just shrugged it off but with the responsibilities of fatherhood looming, the last thing i want is for my wife and child to end up without a husband or father because some dips**t didn't see me or decided to head home after a couple of after work pints and plow into me.

so my question to the people that have been or are in the same situation as i am, what have you done?
 
beachguy said:
been riding for many years...some of my favorite memories are from the saddle of some of the bikes i have owned or rented on various parts of the continent. ridden in all types of conditions from snow in Arizona to torrential rains in Pennsylvania. even spent some time teaching new riders how to ride at Humber college for a few seasons...but with the recent rash of incidents happening on Toronto roads, i'm thinking of packing in street riding and converting to track or dirt or both. the birth of my first child is slated to happen tomorrow and with every passing day, i see my bike collecting more and more dust (not from my wife not wanting me to ride it, from me just being bored of riding it). I've had a few close calls in my day and in the past i just shrugged it off but with the responsibilities of fatherhood looming, the last thing i want is for my wife and child to end up without a husband or father because some dips**t didn't see me or decided to head home after a couple of after work pints and plow into me.

so my question to the people that have been or are in the same situation as i am, what have you done?
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Inside my windscreen I have a picture of my daughter which every time I tuck down to do something stupid I see it.
I watch alot more for retarded drivers and don't put my self in stupid situations like running yellow's and riding in peoples blindspots.
Most accidents are not always 100% one persons fault, A fully aware and defensive rider will make the right choices.
 
beachguy said:
been riding for many years...some of my favorite memories are from the saddle of some of the bikes i have owned or rented on various parts of the continent. ridden in all types of conditions from snow in Arizona to torrential rains in Pennsylvania. even spent some time teaching new riders how to ride at Humber college for a few seasons...but with the recent rash of incidents happening on Toronto roads, i'm thinking of packing in street riding and converting to track or dirt or both. the birth of my first child is slated to happen tomorrow and with every passing day, i see my bike collecting more and more dust (not from my wife not wanting me to ride it, from me just being bored of riding it). I've had a few close calls in my day and in the past i just shrugged it off but with the responsibilities of fatherhood looming, the last thing i want is for my wife and child to end up without a husband or father because some dips**t didn't see me or decided to head home after a couple of after work pints and plow into me.

so my question to the people that have been or are in the same situation as i am, what have you done?
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Good luck with your first child. And two words of advice for years of happy, enjoyable, family oriented motorcycling.

THE TRACK.




Also have a read of this;
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...ving-up-street-riding-track-only-Ever-done-it
 
beachguy said:
been riding for many years...some of my favorite memories are from the saddle of some of the bikes i have owned or rented on various parts of the continent. ridden in all types of conditions from snow in Arizona to torrential rains in Pennsylvania. even spent some time teaching new riders how to ride at Humber college for a few seasons...but with the recent rash of incidents happening on Toronto roads, i'm thinking of packing in street riding and converting to track or dirt or both. the birth of my first child is slated to happen tomorrow and with every passing day, i see my bike collecting more and more dust (not from my wife not wanting me to ride it, from me just being bored of riding it). I've had a few close calls in my day and in the past i just shrugged it off but with the responsibilities of fatherhood looming, the last thing i want is for my wife and child to end up without a husband or father because some dips**t didn't see me or decided to head home after a couple of after work pints and plow into me.

so my question to the people that have been or are in the same situation as i am, what have you done?
Click to expand...

I ride because I use the bike to commute to work daily. If I was not doing this, it probably would get sold. Thinking of the smiling face of your kids and that puts things in perspective and helps keeps you straight mentally when deciding whether to put your self in danger by going through the upcoming intersection when its yellow, or riding beyond your abilities.
I try to lesson the chance of accidents

By wearing hi-viz this summer, I have seen a HUGE improvement with other vehicles around me. Definitely less cars pulling out in front of me. Also applying defensive riding techniques and always suspecting the other drivers/riders cannot see you.. always expect the unexpected.. (like that dang squirrel who nearly got under my tire mid way on a 70km corner! yikes)

But Definitely less weekend riding these days. One PA weekend trip and 2 day rides locally is all I have done this summer, as weekend priorities change.

Don't panic and see how it goes... and congrats on the upcoming baby :) thats some good news to read here for a change!
 
My daughter was born 1 month ago and my son is almost 2. I ride a lot less often than I used to. I ride a lot more cautiously than I used to.
It is important that I get home safe after every ride to be able to get home and take care of my family.

I have never ridden track or dirt. I use my ATV and sleds for trails and dirt. I ride these with a lot more care as well.

Do what you feel is right for you. A lot of people put their riding on hold when family calls. I am doing my best to balance riding and family time/responsibility. It isn't easy at times but I am grateful for the life I have.

I keep thinking about what will be the first bike my son rides. As soon as he's ready he's be on 2 wheels. Life is better on 2 wheels, we all know it!
 
I had my first child a few years ago... after her birth, I went to the track and went down. Came back home pretending that everything went OK, didn't tell my wife. I was limping a bit for a couple of days, but not in front of my wife. I would have never heard the end of it.

So, you want to take it to the track? Accidents still happen. People have died at track days.

I ride less now... not because my wife opposes it, or because I am bored. I just don't have time, most of my free time is spent with my children.

I just sold my bike and got a 500 cc scooter... insurance is much less so I do not feel guilty of not riding much and still paying insurance. Also, my commute changed to go to downtown Toronto, and the automatic transmission is better for the crazy-stupid traffic in downtown.

Do I love my children? Of course, like you (still) have no idea.
Am I afraid of killing myself in an accident? Yes, I am absolutely terrified.
Will I stop riding, because of the above? I think I will ride forever

Is it a contradiction? Maybe
 
Katapult said:
My daughter was born 1 month ago and my son is almost 2. I ride a lot less often than I used to. I ride a lot more cautiously than I used to.
It is important that I get home safe after every ride to be able to get home and take care of my family.
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Congrats Steven! and congrats too to the OP
 
It is really a personal decision....i started riding when my kids were five and four. It was something that I just HAD to do....I have never looked back and thought of not riding because of being a dad. I make it as safe as I can...
Wear proper gear ALL the time....
No weaving or being stupid....
No night riding (first thing the instructor said was don't ride at night if you want to live.....)
Give away the right of way if a cager insists on taking it....
No music....
No alcohol....
My kids are now 20 and 19 and they (and my wife) don't give it a second thought when I go riding because they know I do it right.... My $.02.
 
I have a five year old and only started riding this year. I think my kid probably factored into my decision to buy a small bike. But mostly it was inexperience.

Like others have said, I try and take every precaution possible, wearing hi-viz, I don't really ride in traffic or busy streets. No booze, avoid night riding.

Accidents can always happen though.
 
kiwi said:
I ride because I use the bike to commute to work daily. If I was not doing this, it probably would get sold. Thinking of the smiling face of your kids and that puts things in perspective and helps keeps you straight mentally when deciding whether to put your self in danger by going through the upcoming intersection when its yellow, or riding beyond your abilities.
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Me too. I've been riding since long before the kids were born, and I have an 18 year old and an 11 year old. None of us are invincible, and we all have different thresholds and risk tolerances. Reminding yourself that you have more to live for than a 3 second thrill or one minute shortcut is important. Do whatever you can to keep your skills sharp. This is my 24th year teaching - and I'm still learning.

Our graduated licence system isn't perfect, but it was huge step in the right direction. Except for those that look for shortcuts to pass an M2 Exit test (ie, exhibit the desired behaviour for the duration of the test only), riders have to focus more on defensive riding techniques. Before this, new riders simply had to demonstrate they could exhibit basic riding skills and they would have their licence for life.

For me, the introduction of this program had a significant impact on my own riding style, skills, and attitude. I've been teaching the M2 Exit program and conducting examinations since the first program was launched by a college. I've been a demo rider for the training program at the MTO for the past 3 years. I practice specific skills whenever I can, and look at every ride as an opportunity to learn and improve. I know lots of riders that are more skilled than me, and lots of fathers too. That encourages me to be better on both fronts.

I commute, and that's 90% of my riding. If riding is more recreational for you, you will probably ride less when the baby is younger. There are a lot of new responsibilites. You can, however, be a responsible parent and a rider. Riding a motorcycle is not irresponsible, unless you ride a motorcycle irresponsibly.
 
I always said that having kids wouldn't change my riding schedule ... I love to ride

But I find that each summer I ride less and less and it just came about naturally.

Part of it is schedule (I would rather take my kids to the park and ice cream) and part of it is not taking unnecessary risks because I have two people that rely on me.

My thinking is that it doesn't matter how careful you are, there are a ton of bad/drunk/distracted drivers out there who do incredibly stupid and irresponsible things. I spend a lot of time in the car throughout the day due to work and some of the things I see day in and day out blow my mind. There are a TON of horrible drivers out there that seem to have zero regard for anything. It scares the crap out of me

I look back at this summer and I have taken my bike out exactly twice ... even my wife has been getting on me to feel free to get out more (which would have NEVER happened 4-5 years ago) and I came to the realization that I just don't think about it or really miss it.

I won't be doing anything nuts like selling the bike (I have the good fortune of being able to carry the expense even if I don't use it), but I find that each passing summer, the fire to get out there and ride just isn't as strong ... and it all started when I had kids.
 
after more than 10 years of SS riding, cop chases, track days, group rides...I made a change so I can live

switch to DUALSPORT.....more relaxed....you actually get to see more...and your more removed from the rat race,

and you have many more options of places to ride...at a total lower cost as well
 
When your time is up....your time is up.

Seeing EVO/Gareth depart from us this year from a car accident not a bike one just reinforced that for me. :(

Finding the spare time to ride while raising a child is very difficult, especially at the beginning.
 
My kids are now adults. I didn't ride for much of their youth due to time constraints and the fact I drove for work and commuted and the last thing I wanted to do in my spare time was spend more time with a motor vehicle.

Now I have more time and I ride more.

If you are worried about the risk of riding, the fact you are a father should be irrelevant. Riding is either too risky for you, or its not. Are you also considering giving up other moderately risky behaviours? Driving, riding in cars, taking a train, flying, walking on busy streets, playing hockey etc.

Just because you throw your leg over a street bike doesn't mean you are going to die anytime soon.

Have enough insurance to provide for your dependants if you check out prematurely and otherwise, live your life.
 
I have a 10 month old daughter at home - having kids does change the way you ride. I used to do some good distance every year (30ish K), but the past year I've only done 10-12 and the main reason is that I would rather spend my weekend with my daughter than go out riding...

I wear full gear every time I ride, and have since before she was born. I have a responsibility to make it home to see her every night.

Riding to work this morning I was almost rear ended by a semi truck on the highway as traffic stopped abruptly - I quickly moved lanes to protect myself. The first thing that went through my head was my daughter smiling at me... it's pretty messed up how things change.
 
Griffin said:
My kids are now adults. I didn't ride for much of their youth due to time constraints and the fact I drove for work and commuted and the last thing I wanted to do in my spare time was spend more time with a motor vehicle.

Now I have more time and I ride more.

If you are worried about the risk of riding, the fact you are a father should be irrelevant. Riding is either too risky for you, or its not. Are you also considering giving up other moderately risky behaviours? Driving, riding in cars, taking a train, flying, walking on busy streets, playing hockey etc.

Just because you throw your leg over a street bike doesn't mean you are going to die anytime soon.

Have enough insurance to provide for your dependants if you check out prematurely and otherwise, live your life.
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nicely said....... People die from walking,mosquito bites, cancer ect ... when your time is up its up...never regret and live each day as if it were your last because tomorrow may never come....
 
Before I became a father I rode in my 20s but after two close calls, I used a baseball analogy "three strikes and you're out" to help me decide if I would quit street riding. When the third close call happened I sold the bike. 10 years later I moved to dirt biking and got my small son into it. Now as an adult he got into street riding and brought me back into it too.

Now close calls are rare and I really feel that the dual headlights on my bike have made a major contribution, as I'm much more visible than ever before.

Do I worry about life and limb? I'm concerned and try to make up by being more defensive, but being frozen in a kind of fear-of-death mentality will surely help get you there. Now I just pray daily and realize all of life is taking a chance, so choose what will make your life meaningful and enjoyable.
 
I started riding when my son was 2.5 yrs old. I think about him all the time and he is my #1 responsibility. I think riding has its risks and I don't need to add to that risk by riding stupidly in traffic, not being ATGATT and not making every attempt to make myself visible whether by passive means and/or actively.
That being said I have gotten carried away a few times and paid for it...lessons learned each time. The important thing is I am walking and healthy and have learnt the lesson and as others have said I ride with my son's face in my mind as a reminder.

If my son ever said to me that he was worried for me and he wished I would stop, I would. Yes it would suck but as I said before he's my #1 responsibility because I am a father first and a rider second.
I am sure many will disagree with this opinion but of course it's just my opinion.
 
HarleyHare said:
Now close calls are rare and I really feel that the dual headlights on my bike have made a major contribution, as I'm much more visible than ever before.
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There's a theory that twin lights make you more vulnerable. The theory is that oncoming traffic assume you are a car, very far away, leading them to make turns in front of you.
 
Griffin said:
There's a theory that twin lights make you more vulnerable. The theory is that oncoming traffic assume you are a car, very far away, leading them to make turns in front of you.
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And if the lights are stacked, they think you're a train and try to beat you. It's tough to figure out what works best. When I was teaching on the weekend we had a bike with the two auxiliary lights. I realized that from many angles from the front I couldn't tell if the signal lights were on because of the bright spots so close to them.
There's a difference between displaying a light in order to be seen, and blinding the very motorists that you need to see you.
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