My Theory
- Thread starter Asmodeus
- Start date
By "ride" do you mean ride on the back of Dad's bike, or operate their own motorcycle?
Either way, the answer is the same: if we are nervous about Dad's abilities, we sure as hell aren't going to let our child ride with him. And likewise, we know our kids and their limitations, impulsive behavior, lack of attention, etc, so clearly we are not going to let the kid who can't remember to unload a dishwasher ride a motorcycle.
My son is 29 and is now under his wife's jurisdiction. The only time I get involved is when specifically asked to. My daughter is 25 and, Larry will back me up on this, barely able to operate a car, let alone a motorcycle. I would object strenuously if she told me she wanted to get a bike.
Larry Gude
Strung Out
I, personally have just turned a huge corner in life now that my youngest has her license, a job, etc.
I'm really starting to relax from always being "on duty" for the first time since 1992.
I still cringe and get all :blahblahblah: though everytime my husband does something that could jeopardize his well-being and therefore our family sanity and security.
Last time I was at Tomahawk watching MX, this kid, maybe 12-13 or so, blew the huge double on the back of the track and came out of the sky like he fell out of a tree, splat. Landed flat on his back about 10 feet from me. I grabbed his bike (dirt bikes are never scoots) and moved it out of the way right away but, before I'd gone a foot with it this woman comes exploding in hysterics that her little Johnny is hurt. Pure luck she was nearby when he went down. She was FREAKING OUT. It is truly interesting seeing moms that allow their kids to ride MX and actually race. It is dangerous as hell and you WILL get hurt. Not maybe. WILL.
He came to and got up and was, I am sure, fine but, my gawd, she lost it!
Bet she can't wait until some chick comes along and takes him away so she can get a break.
Larry Gude
Strung Out
I see your view of her mad skills has improved. Dramatically. I've never once thought of it as actually 'operating' when she is behind the wheel. It's more a vague "Well, they did give her a license and she does have keys..." She is one of the reasons I think there just may be a God or some other sort of intervening spirit out there. No other rational explanation comes to mind.
kwillia
n/a
Is she the one that drove into a cow?I see your view of her mad skills has improved. Dramatically. I've never once thought of it as actually 'operating' when she is behind the wheel. It's more a vague "Well, they did give her a license and she does have keys..." She is one of the reasons I think there just may be a God or some other sort of intervening spirit out there. No other rational explanation comes to mind.
Asmodeus
....=o&o>
Their own... My youngest (now 17) has a TTR50 she's had for many years... She doesn't have a street bike... Just got her driver's license earlier this year (my law, no scoot license without spending a year on the streets as a legal cage driver).. My son (20) has a HD Vrod he rides all over England... My eldest (22) is a wife and mommy now... I think her non-riding now is more to do with economics than safety, but I could be wrong... So far I haven't gotten in trouble for the HD tricycles for the grandkids...
My ex pretty much had all those objections as I taught each child, at their request, the basics...
So far I'd say it is still a pretty valid theory here... With probably a differentiation between women who grew up in bike 'friendly' homes vs not?
I have heard mAlice story told many times over the years... Usually from the woman that is saying no to a scoot in the garage...
Larry Gude
Strung Out
kwillia
n/a
Timely find...
DEAR ABBY: My husband, "Chris," wanted a motorcycle for seven years. Last year I finally gave in, with the stipulation that he take a safety course and buy a good helmet and riding gear.
Two months later, Chris was in a crash and suffered several broken bones and a concussion. The hospital bill was more than $60,000. His accident was a reality check for me. Ever since, I have been petrified of losing him. Every time Chris rides I worry, pray and often cry until he returns or calls to say he's OK.
I have begged him to get rid of the bike. The stress is taking a toll on me physically and emotionally and creating tension between us. I'm afraid it would be selfish to insist he get rid of something he loves; on the other hand, I feel Chris is selfish for not taking my feelings into consideration. I'm torn between wanting him safe and wanting him to be happy. What should I do? -- STRESSED OUT IN PHILLY
DEAR STRESSED OUT: If his close call wasn't enough to convince your husband to rethink his motorcycle riding, and your begging and obvious distress haven't dissuaded him, accept that short of hog-tying Chris, you can't stop him from riding.
You can, however, protect yourself from some of the fallout that might result from another accident. Tell Chris that if his heart is set on riding, you want him to buy a life insurance policy and sign an organ donor card, because healthy young men on motorcycles are the most desired organ donors -- a fact shared with me by a former executive director of an organ donation registry. That way you will be provided for in case of a tragedy -- and it will ensure that part of him lives on when he is removed from life support.
It's also important that you find ways to lessen your stress. So start making time for activities you can enjoy while you're on your own. It'll give you less time to worry and something else on which to concentrate.
DEAR ABBY: My husband, "Chris," wanted a motorcycle for seven years. Last year I finally gave in, with the stipulation that he take a safety course and buy a good helmet and riding gear.
Two months later, Chris was in a crash and suffered several broken bones and a concussion. The hospital bill was more than $60,000. His accident was a reality check for me. Ever since, I have been petrified of losing him. Every time Chris rides I worry, pray and often cry until he returns or calls to say he's OK.
I have begged him to get rid of the bike. The stress is taking a toll on me physically and emotionally and creating tension between us. I'm afraid it would be selfish to insist he get rid of something he loves; on the other hand, I feel Chris is selfish for not taking my feelings into consideration. I'm torn between wanting him safe and wanting him to be happy. What should I do? -- STRESSED OUT IN PHILLY
DEAR STRESSED OUT: If his close call wasn't enough to convince your husband to rethink his motorcycle riding, and your begging and obvious distress haven't dissuaded him, accept that short of hog-tying Chris, you can't stop him from riding.
You can, however, protect yourself from some of the fallout that might result from another accident. Tell Chris that if his heart is set on riding, you want him to buy a life insurance policy and sign an organ donor card, because healthy young men on motorcycles are the most desired organ donors -- a fact shared with me by a former executive director of an organ donation registry. That way you will be provided for in case of a tragedy -- and it will ensure that part of him lives on when he is removed from life support.
It's also important that you find ways to lessen your stress. So start making time for activities you can enjoy while you're on your own. It'll give you less time to worry and something else on which to concentrate.
Asmodeus
....=o&o>
My brother-in-law (who rides) is an EMT in Virginia... At work they call them 'donor-cycles'... Yes I have insurance and yes my license says harvest the organs...
Now why didn't Abby recommend she get involved with the bike? One of the biggest failures in my first marriage was she wouldn't ride with me after she got her driver's license (at 30!)...
Now why didn't Abby recommend she get involved with the bike? One of the biggest failures in my first marriage was she wouldn't ride with me after she got her driver's license (at 30!)...
I'd have taken every penny of that out of his ass.
Your motorcycle is so important to you that your marriage failed because she wouldn't ride with you? Are you serious?
Seriously!?! Priorities a bit askew?
kwillia
n/a
You fully expected her to "respect" your choice to ride, yet you couldn't "respect" her choice to not ride? Really?
Asmodeus
....=o&o>
Sincerely (but there were other issues as well)...
It isn't a car... It is a way of life... Whether it is charity rides, organized 'fun' rides, funeral rides, rides halfway (or all the way) across the country or just getting to and from work every day...
There are 'weekend' riders who just ride for the heck of it on weekends and nice days... They put their bikes away if it rains or when the cold weather starts... That's not me nor the guys I ride with...
Would you stay with someone who flat out despises such a large portion of your being?
Asmodeus
....=o&o>
lol... how much time you think we spent together after that decision? Not like anyone has ever been blindsided by me hopping on a bike... I was most probably on one when they met me...
How did you all manage to date and even get to marriage if you're on your motorcycle all the time and she doesn't ride?
I wonder if he changed his lifestyle after the marriage and disregarded her feelings on the matter altogether. If so, sounds pretty insensitive on his part.
Asmodeus
....=o&o>
She didn't have a driver's license when I met her... We went everywhere on the bike, including to work each day... She never said a word about 'despising' it... My job caused me to be TDY a lot so I made her get her driver's license and bought a truck so she'd have transport while I was on the road...
Day she passed her license test she never got back on... Next morning when it was time to leave for work (we worked in the same building), she said, "I'm taking the truck, I hate motorcycles"....
But enough hijack! lol... So far theory validated!
I bet that did wonders for her wardrobe.
Asmodeus
....=o&o>
