It's time for me too...

[Nordboy]

But not to buy a bike.

I'm hanging up the leather/ textiles. It's a massive, massive decision for me to make, especially work wise. After near enough 20 yrs of riding and instructing on police motorcycles, including VIP etc, my body has decided it's had enough.

Being quite short of leg, the big work bikes seem to have taken their toll on my body, mainly my hips. I can no longer do long days on the bike without causing myself a fair bit of pain, not necessarily when I'm actually riding, but more when I stop, and for many hours after. After a recent course I literally struggled to walk up the stairs when I got home.

Initially I was pretty upset, probably because my mind could still very much do what I needed to, but my body couldn't. I didn't really feel that I was finishing on my terms, more being forced too. Now, whilst it's still bugging me, I'm sort of coming to terms with it.

Saying that, I have put my order in for my spanky new '23 model Xmax 300 techmax, so i'll have to have some fun on that (and I haven't told the wife yet!!).

I haven't totally said I'll never do the bike stuff again, if I can sort out my hips, either through exercise or medical intervention and the pain disappears then I will go back to it.

Just thought I'd put it out there, more as a form of therapy for myself than anything else.

[wull]

Health comes first I suppose, that’s more important than anything.

[Horse]

Initially I was pretty upset, probably because my mind could still very much do what I needed to, but my body couldn't. I didn't really feel that I was finishing on my terms, more being forced too. Now, whilst it's still bugging me, I'm sort of coming to terms with it.

I always said that I'd only stop if a Dr told me to. When that time came, I'd already decided. To a certain degree, I'm glad that the decision was taken for me.

You'll miss it, definitely.

I have put my order in for my spanky new '23 model Xmax 300 techmax, so i'll have to have some fun on that (and I haven't told the wife yet!!).

Or perhaps not

[Rockburner]

Not good to hear. I take it you've spoken to physio and osteo types to see if there's anything they recommend to alleviate the issue?

[Scotsrich]

I had a mate who had trouble with his hips.

He tried an adventure bike to give a more upright position then as they got worse he got a Silverwing.

The only thing after that was 2 new hip joints. Drastic but completely changed his life.

But you’re probably not at that stage yet.

[Nordboy]

Initially I was pretty upset, probably because my mind could still very much do what I needed to, but my body couldn't. I didn't really feel that I was finishing on my terms, more being forced too. Now, whilst it's still bugging me, I'm sort of coming to terms with it.

I always said that I'd only stop if a Dr told me to. When that time came, I'd already decided. To a certain degree, I'm glad that the decision was taken for me.

You'll miss it, definitely.

I have put my order in for my spanky new '23 model Xmax 300 techmax, so i'll have to have some fun on that (and I haven't told the wife yet!!).

Or perhaps not

Thanks, I guess I'm in a similar position to yours. In a way, like yourself, bikes were not only a major part of my personal life, but also because of the work part of it, and doing things that most people would never get a chance to do (especially the VIP stuff), it's defined me for the past 20 yrs. Felt, and still feels, like I was losing that. May sound stupid to some I guess?

[Nordboy]

I had a mate who had trouble with his hips.

He tried an adventure bike to give a more upright position then as they got worse he got a Silverwing.

The only thing after that was 2 new hip joints. Drastic but completely changed his life.

But you’re probably not at that stage yet.

Maybe not yet, but it wouldn't surprise me for the future. I know of at least 4 police bikers that I worked with over the years, all now retired who have had hip replacements.

[Nordboy]

Not good to hear. I take it you've spoken to physio and osteo types to see if there's anything they recommend to alleviate the issue?

It's on my to do list, but as we're all aware, stuff like this is not high priority stuff for the NHS. Not sure I'll get to see anyone major before I retire in roughly 3 yrs?

I doing a bit of non impact static bike work to try and build some muscle in the lower body to see if that helps at all at the moment.

[Count Steer]

Initially I was pretty upset, probably because my mind could still very much do what I needed to, but my body couldn't. I didn't really feel that I was finishing on my terms, more being forced too. Now, whilst it's still bugging me, I'm sort of coming to terms with it.

I always said that I'd only stop if a Dr told me to. When that time came, I'd already decided. To a certain degree, I'm glad that the decision was taken for me.

You'll miss it, definitely.

I have put my order in for my spanky new '23 model Xmax 300 techmax, so i'll have to have some fun on that (and I haven't told the wife yet!!).

Or perhaps not

Thanks, I guess I'm in a similar position to yours. In a way, like yourself, bikes were not only a major part of my personal life, but also because of the work part of it, and doing things that most people would never get a chance to do (especially the VIP stuff), it's defined me for the past 20 yrs. Felt, and still feels, like I was losing that. May sound stupid to some I guess?

Doesn't sound stupid at all. 1/3 of our (working) life is work IYSWIM and some jobs are more part of life than others. Makes sense to me.

I guess that's why some find retirement hard too. It leaves a bigger gap for some than others.

[Cousin Jack]

I haven't stopped, but I have traded down to a gurl's bike. Which does everything I actually need. I can't reach silly speeds, but I really shouldn't be trying to at my age.

[Rockburner]

Not good to hear. I take it you've spoken to physio and osteo types to see if there's anything they recommend to alleviate the issue?

It's on my to do list, but as we're all aware, stuff like this is not high priority stuff for the NHS. Not sure I'll get to see anyone major before I retire in roughly 3 yrs?

I doing a bit of non impact static bike work to try and build some muscle in the lower body to see if that helps at all at the moment.

I assume you don't have private?

Sounds weird, but i found yoga to have a much bigger than expected effect on my general mobility (when i did it regularly!)

[The Spin Doctor]

We're all bloody getting old... my left hip's been playing up this winter. I've been doing some exercises to increase flexibility and it seems to have helped. Hopefully it'll be OK when the rain stops and I get out riding again.

Hope things improve for you Nordboy

[Taff]

Not good to hear. I take it you've spoken to physio and osteo types to see if there's anything they recommend to alleviate the issue?

It's on my to do list, but as we're all aware, stuff like this is not high priority stuff for the NHS. Not sure I'll get to see anyone major before I retire in roughly 3 yrs?

I doing a bit of non impact static bike work to try and build some muscle in the lower body to see if that helps at all at the moment.

you could take a look at the 'MTB Fit' for training programmes, it's only £13 P/M and most of the exercise is based around leg and core strength with a bit of upper body chucked into the mix. It's got home and Gym based workouts and is very flexible in so much as you can easily substitute in different / easier exercise.

https://www.facebook.com/mtbfitnessuk

https://mtbfit.trainerize.com/app/logon.aspx

[Skub]

Never say never again. Who knows how life may allow more biking sometime in the future.

It's a situation all of us will face sooner or later,all we can do is try to look after ourselves and enjoy it while it lasts.

Best wishes Nordboy.

[Nordboy]

Not good to hear. I take it you've spoken to physio and osteo types to see if there's anything they recommend to alleviate the issue?

It's on my to do list, but as we're all aware, stuff like this is not high priority stuff for the NHS. Not sure I'll get to see anyone major before I retire in roughly 3 yrs?

I doing a bit of non impact static bike work to try and build some muscle in the lower body to see if that helps at all at the moment.

I assume you don't have private?

Sounds weird, but i found yoga to have a much bigger than expected effect on my general mobility (when i did it regularly!)

No, no private. Not sure how acceptable it would be to hold off the dr's, take out a private policy and then try and get it sorted out privately? Not saying i'd do that obviously

I have a Peloton and they do have yoga classes on there so maybe i'll check them out. I guess my only reservation is that if it's a joint issue rather than muscular, then i may make it worse?

[Count Steer]

It's on my to do list, but as we're all aware, stuff like this is not high priority stuff for the NHS. Not sure I'll get to see anyone major before I retire in roughly 3 yrs?

I doing a bit of non impact static bike work to try and build some muscle in the lower body to see if that helps at all at the moment.

I assume you don't have private?

Sounds weird, but i found yoga to have a much bigger than expected effect on my general mobility (when i did it regularly!)

No, no private. Not sure how acceptable it would be to hold off the dr's, take out a private policy and then try and get it sorted out privately? Not saying i'd do that obviously

I have a Peloton and they do have yoga classes on there so maybe i'll check them out. I guess my only reservation is that if it's a joint issue rather than muscular, then i may make it worse?

Find a good physio!!!

[Buckaroo]

Life's all about going with the flow and exploring other opportunities and interests. I have to say that my vespa gts300 and now the mp3 have shown me how much fun a reasonably powered twist and go can be. I hope you have the same experience with your tmax.

My wife has a destroyed back, courtesy of a rowing machine. I got her an auvon tens machine and to say it helps is an understatement. Best £40 I've spent in ages.

[Nordboy]

Life's all about going with the flow and exploring other opportunities and interests. I have to say that my vespa gts300 and now the mp3 have shown me how much fun a reasonably powered twist and go can be. I hope you have the same experience with your tmax.

My wife has a destroyed back, courtesy of a rowing machine. I got her an auvon tens machine and to say it helps is an understatement. Best £40 I've spent in ages.

I do love a scooter, I had a C400GT last summer before I sold it to a work colleague. Rode it all summer and really enjoyed it, so I'm absolutely looking forward to getting it. It is a XMAX 300, rather than the bigger tmax though

[Taipan]

I got into my 50s without any real health problems,then it all went to shit! I had both knees replaced within 6 years. I still have arthritis in my hip and fingers which will only get worse over time, oh and a Plantar Fasciitis to boot. Physio and steroid injections didn't help me at all, but it definitely does some.

The thing with NHS treatment is you have to play the game by their rules and follow each step accordingly. I had to follow all the treatments and physio that didn't work for me, as it may, and does work for others. Eventually, the road will lead to surgery, but you need to be on the system to even be a consideration. So whilst you may well not need any surgery now, and everything is currently manageable, get on their radar now as you cant speed things up when you're living in pain bad enough to need daily medication.

I left it too long before getting my left knee done and what I hadn't realised is the damage that would do to the muscles attached to that joint. I'm paying for that now and have ended up in some discomfort whilst working hard to get everything moving again. Be smart, don't be me!

In the meantime, scoots are great fun if you see and enjoy them for what they are. I'm currently in love with my Hyper but I'll still, happily, have another scoot one day!

[Horse]

We're all bloody getting old... my left hip's been playing up this winter.

You need to do more exercise - Hendon Shuffle!