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Gerrin' Owd
Blog Date - 13 March 2026
I'm 54.
It seems the majority of the folks that regularly comment on this here website are older than I. I do wonder if there are any younger readers out there, lurking silently but too cool to comment on a website that features no naked ladies, no tips on how to do wheelies, and no reviews of the latest KTM 1390 with knee down shots. When I switch my bike on I want the dash to read "READY TO BIMBLE" not "READY TO RACE".
More of a dawdler than a speed freak.
So compared to the commentors I'm a young pup. But I am 54. I'm statistically around 2/3rds of the way through my expected lifespan. I'm old enough to have lost friends to heart disease and cancer. I'm old enough the doctor wants to check my blood pressure and tell me to lose weight, I even get poop sample kits through the post. I've lost 3 friends these last 10 years at age 57 and 58. Death once seemed something that happened to old people, it feels a hell of a lot closer now.
I was talking to a work colleague about the current Iranian situation and I mentioned the Gulf War, I then realised he wasn't even born when the whole Kuwait thing kicked off. "You know you're getting old when the policeman looks like a child in uniform" is awfully real. I work in IT but all this new fangled tech is just starting to pee me off these days. I ride past housing estates and sigh - "I remember when this wur all fields..."
When Sharon and I were in our 30s we knew a delightful couple in their late 50s at the local biker hangout. They used to ride off for long holidays around The Med on their R1150RT, we'd listen enviously wishing desperately we could too. Well he got prostate cancer and while not terminal it's taken the wind out of his sails. They're still going and still happy, but the energy to do such things has left the building.
In 2008 we made it to Scotland - we'd have been in our mid to late 30s. (Check out the headlight.)
For eons I've always said youth is wasted on the young and age is wasted on the old. When you're young and fit and good looking you spend your days worrying about your hair and is your bike cool and is your jacket sexy, rather than having a bloody good time. When you're old you're not bothered about your hair and your happy if your jacket keeps you warm. Plus you can afford a nice bike and half decent holidays - but you're too bloody tired to be arsed taking them.
I'm already acutely aware that I have less energy than once I did. I'm happier to sit around and chill, I used to always have ants in my pants. I'm aware that in my 50s I'm running the gauntlet of heart disease. It feels like time could be running out. Admittedly I'm a bit late for a mid life crisis and anyway, I already have a motorcycle and a cute girlfriend.
Sharon is easy on the eye and comes with her own motorcycle.
So what should I do?
The real problem is I have savings, and therefore some options. But not enough savings to retire and go do all those things I'd like to do before I either die or can't be arsed any more. I have sufficient funds to take a year or two out and take a tour around Europe (subject to the $%&*ing 90 day limit due to £$!#ing Brexit). That's all very well and good but at some point I'll have to return to work. I have thought about selling my body but the only people interested wanted me to pay them.
Plus I'm 54, I might be 56 by the time I return to the workplace. I'm already blessed to have a job in IT at all at my age and no-one will want a stick in the mud Windows 95 type of dithering old biker trying to get to grips with AI and "the internet". Heck AI will be doing all the coding by then anyhoo.
What can an old fart with a gammy leg and a bad attitude do? I think my bricklaying days are long gone. I could do the gentler aspects of landscape gardening? Shelf stacking at Tesco? I'd be no good at selling motorbikes - "oooooh no, you don't want that one, waaaay toooo fast, here, the CB125F will be right for ya and give ya good fuel economy".
If I honestly could figure out what I'd do on my return I'd feel a lot more confident about taking a sabbatical. Fiscally the correct thing to do is keep on working, keep on pumping funds into the pension, and plod on until I'm about 64, 65 and retire well. But I might be diagnosed with cancer before then. I might retire well but have zero energy to do anything.
There's no right answers here. For every well retired pensioner there's another wishing they'd taken the goddam trip. For every well travelled rider there's another penniless before retirement. For every well retired pensioner there's another who died at 66 with a million pound pension pot. For every well travelled rider there's another rider who only ever went to Spain 3 times in his life and never got to Italy... or Croatia... or Poland... or Bulgaria......................
Maybe... maybe... but what do I do when I run out of wonga?
Reader's Comments
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Wonga. The route of all evil, maybe not?
You almost seem to be wishing your life away Ed, please don't. Every day counts and I think all you need to do is what you can, when you can. I was very fortunate to retire at 50, although that brings with it first world issues. You know, how long will the money last, am I too young to hang up my boots, will I be bored, etc. I was also fortunate that I had some skills I could utilise in volunteering and this I did for about the first 8 years or so.
I've never been bored but I do think about the wonga situation, don't we all, but I haven't been bored for a moment and I don't feel the urge to disappear for months on end to far flung places. In reality we have travelled closer to home and mainly by bike, we hadn't flown for 14 years until last autumns jaunt to Abruzzo. Long distance flights ain't cheap.
If I was you, would I do a Reggie Perrin with Er'Indoors and wander off for two years, no, but that's me. You probably won't die next week Ed, work won't probably be too bad, Sharon will still put up with you, but what I would do is consider my future carefully. Could you move on to pastures new, could you take a 3 month sabbatical to enjoy that long European ride, would it be so bad driving the Tesco grocery truck to get the savings back upon your triumphant return?
Whatever you do Ed, enjoy every day, they won't come round again.
Now where's my paint brush?
Upt.
16/03/2026 09:02:03 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The old "Live each day as if it's your last".
The philosophy is sound, the practice is much harder. You see if you said to people "you ARE going to die tomorrow" they wouldn't go into work, subject to the shock and terror of their impending doom most people would choose to have "a wonderful day". Go buy a fast bike and thrash it, sod the tickets and fines and points. Go punch that boss that annoyed you. Buy 20kg of chocolate and eat it all. Rent a Ferrari and dine out at some expensive Michelin starred restaurant/
The thing is statistically it's quite likely you're not going to die tomorrow. As such you'd then be facing being banned from riding, assault charges, obesity, and fiscal ruin.
16/03/2026 09:59:44 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
In other words, carpe diem. It is true that you don't know what's going to happen. I was a (relatively) fit 74 year old a couple of years ago. A bout of shingles left me with a post-viral fatigue state much like long covid which still persists. Hopefully it will ease in time but no guarantee. Recenetly twisting my knee only adds to the problems; that is slowly recovering but means I can't start the little BSA to sort out its charging problems.
While I can still do the things I want to I can't do them for anything like the length of time. 20 minutes using the lathe and I need a lie down and a restorative mug of cocoa. I can't see me making any more continental bike trips. But as long as I can still ride and do those other things, even if much less than before, I'm OK. As Upt' says, having enough income though far from being rich helps enormously.
My wife and I have a suicide pact and the means are in the garage just in case........
16/03/2026 10:10:26 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I would never live by the mantra of, "live everyday as though it was your last", you can't and it's a bit daft. "Enjoy everyday" is a very different philosophy, yes I know you can't actually embrace everything that happens in every day. When they were cutting a BCC off my head before Christmas I'd have to say it was difficult to see the enjoyment; but I made sure I had a damn good steak and a bottle of Italian red for dinner.
Making the money last is the hard one to get your head around but simple mathematics can help. I think the real danger is dying with savings in the bank instead of the other way round. What is right for one will not be right for the next man/woman/transgenderist anyway. My brother still works at over 70, loves it, can't stop. Pays well too. He enjoys life outside of work but can't wait for the next business opportunity to come along.
Plus don't forget the large elephant in the room, government policy on taxation, pensions, benefits etc.
Which brings us full circle, there are only two certainties in life, death and taxes. Avoid the first for as long as possible and minimise the second.
Upt.
16/03/2026 12:54:38 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Incase you're wondering I found my brush, matt white edging, dulux of course.
Plus the posties just been and delivered Bosch Longlife H7's and Capless, plus a standard H9 for the Strom. Spring must be approaching.
16/03/2026 13:00:36 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
For someone living each day to the best Upt' - you seem to spend a lot of time decorating. I hope you like decorating.
17/03/2026 07:54:44 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Love it. Not joking either. So far today, finished the white edging and will do behind the radiator after coffee, silicone renewal accomplished and a new kitchen cupboard door attached. Not bad before 11.
The day may get steadier from here, it may not.
I think you have misconstrued my views, which are, enjoy what you do. Although clearing the drains would be a push to enjoy.
Upt.
17/03/2026 11:05:06 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I hate decorating. Come to that I hate anything to do with houses. Whenever I start a job it always turns out to be far more problematic than it looked. Rotting wood, out of square rooms, rawplplugs that disappear into the wall, previously bodged (probably by me) jobs.
Fortunately I can afford to get a man or woman in for these things and save myself for knotty vehicular problems. Speaking of which, chrome strips are now on the sidecar and mudguard, lights fitted and tested and ready for assembly. When the chap who helps with the gardening* comes over on Thursday.
*Forgot to mention that gardening is even worse than houshold DIY.
17/03/2026 14:34:16 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Gerrin Owd Me Duck.
Sorry Ed, it's not going to help your dilemma izzit. I think Spring has arrived, the gauge on the four wheeled contrivance just told me it was 18 of your centigrades out there. Feels like it too. Time to scare the neighbours, Ethel! Where's me short troosers?
No long pants until October, except riding troosers obviously.
Upt.
17/03/2026 16:17:01 UTC
Glyn said :-
I’m with Ian all the way. I hate gardening and everything associated with it. Why then do I own 1/2 acre of the stuff? Mrs Glyn loves it and I hate her even asking me to help with this or that.
Although I built my own house 10 years ago I’m not in the least bit interested in its maintenance. Hours in the garage are far too short because I choose to go to work 3 days per week aged 71. Why! do you ask, and so do I? Lots of reasons really, my Dad is 90 now and would expect many more visits if I were fully retired. I also work for the money, whilst I do probably have enough of the stuff to see me out if I live frugally which we do not want to do. So we really enjoy going away a lot and can afford it. We have nice cars and clothes. I have to say that I work with some great people and get a tremendous amount of respect. There is probably more to it than that and all my early life I said I was going to retire at 55 but failed.
17/03/2026 18:32:15 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren , there's an awful lot there to take in , most of which I agree with, maybe a diet change , a sun holiday, plenty of omega 3 , vitamin D and Dark chocolate ( although 20 kg of dark choc would probably leave you with life threatening cholesterol levels) would boost your mood, failing that go bike shopping (usually works for me) or rent an allotment , getting back to nature handling soil is good for the soul apparently (Glyn and Ian excepted..)
Nigel
18/03/2026 18:43:10 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Well I'm glad I got you all thinking! It's got me thinking too. If I can at least make it till April then I'll have secured my state pension (only claimable in another 13 years (so far)).
Fear not nab301 it's not work that's putting me in a bad mood at the moment. It's trying to sell a 50% ownership bungalow...
19/03/2026 08:20:22 UTC
nab301 said :-
Good to know Ren, I was getting worried there! By the way , socks and sandals are a bit of a no no even for an ageing 54 year old! (at least they're not white socks...)
Nigel
19/03/2026 16:49:43 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Nothing wrong with socks and sandals nab301 - particularly in my predicament. With one leg shorter than the other I always have to wear some kind of footwear. With always wearing footwear my feet can't breathe much - except in sandals. As such I wear sandals a lot and if it's cold I wear socks.
I'm aware of the fashion faux pas but fortunately I'm handsome and stylish enough to carry it off. That's what I'm telling myself anyway. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
19/03/2026 17:51:59 UTC
Bogger said :-
I've been painting fence panels today. Mrs Bogger has been loading up wheel barrows with soil and moving it from one part of the garden to the other. I also hate any form of gardening.
Bogger
21/03/2026 17:04:54 UTC
Jim said :-
Do it while you still can is my motto now, Ren. I could have kept on working full time to boost my pension further, but realistically, how long to I expect to draw it? And how much income will I realistically need if I do get past say 80? My Dad died last year aged 99, and was in good health until his last few days. But even then, for the last 15 years of his life he had more income than he could spend. So I’ve set my affairs up so that I’ve front loaded my retirement to have enough to have some fun until the cash runs out, probably in my mid 70s. After that I’ll have to get by on my state pension and a modest works pension. You never know what’s ahead of you, so I’ll do one big bike trip a year and as many small ones as I can till the money runs out. Vietnam is ticked off, India is next. After that, who knows. So I’d go for it Ren, don’t look back and wish you had.
21/03/2026 18:02:54 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
You're right our Jim. By the time you reach 80, if indeed you do god willing, what will you need to get by comfortably. We've had several elderly neighbours reach a point where even though they've got money to spend it's increasingly difficult to do. Those that like cruises can't get the insurance, then there's the apparently constant medical appointments, that motorcycle is too big to handle, we can't buy the car we want because we can't get insured. 80 seems to be the point where life changes for many, if you're still above the sod of course.
I know one elderly man who pays as much for holiday insurance as he does for the holidays themselves, he can afford it, but it should make us all think on.
Upt.
22/03/2026 10:09:41 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
And now I'm depressed as I recently had a Birthday and I am one year closer to 80.
Pffffffftttttt.
22/03/2026 10:10:58 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I think Ren explained the dilemma very well in his last paragraph.
"There's no right answers here. For every well retired pensioner there's another wishing they'd taken the goddam trip. For every well travelled rider there's another penniless before retirement. For every well retired pensioner there's another who died at 66 with a million pound pension pot. For every well travelled rider there's another rider who only ever went to Spain 3 times in his life and never got to Italy... or Croatia... or Poland... or Bulgaria..................
Does the 80 year old Upt described feel happy he had planned, and now has the funds for a more expensive holiday, or does he wish he had more holidays earlier in life at a lower cost?
22/03/2026 12:25:38 UTC
Glyn said :-
I’m not sure that the honourable Up’t is actually 80 years old. I think he has merely alluded to being 1 year closer to it ans indeed we all are at each anniversary of our arrival except those that have actual passed aforesaid landmark.
23/03/2026 12:02:08 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Oops, should read:-
The 80 year old which Upt described.
23/03/2026 13:55:04 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren, this book was a reasonably enjoyable read,
Nigel
https://www.gillbooks.ie/biography/biography/from-tip-to-top#:~:text=From%20Tip%...
23/03/2026 15:57:55 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
That chap was 69 nab301. I have a friend who's 70 and still gets out and about camping and riding quite a lot. But - for every septuagenarian out there camping and riding I'd estimate there's at least 100 that are no longer capable or just couldn't be bothered with the hassle and discomfort!
It's piqued my interest ROD your comment about not needing quite so much income in your 80s. My dad has - errr - more income than he needs. When the holidays go from Caribbean cruises to 4 nights in a local cottage, when the car shrinks from an executive to a runaround, when you stop going to the theatre and become happy with the odd pub lunch... My dad and his wife haven't given up on life, far from it, but their world has shrunk. As long as they're warm and fed, the house is clean and smart, and their health is fair - they're happy.
24/03/2026 08:20:09 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I think you overestimate the lack of capacity of 70 year olds Ren. Most of my friends (the few that I have) are well into that age bracket and most still do things that are uncomfortable although I draw the line at camping! Rod is right to a point re needing less income although of course if you can do less for yourself then you have to pay someone else to do it. Through happenstance rather than good judgment both of us have decent occupational pensions as well as state pension so are able to donate substantial amounts to charity as well as enjoying full(ish) lives. The worst bit is that minor health issues that would have been shrugged off 20 years ago - eg my wrenched knee - take much longer to resolve. But I'm getting there.
24/03/2026 10:14:55 UTC
Glyn said :-
Well Ed I’m seeming aged halfway between you and your Dad and fully understand what you’re saying. My Dad is in his low nineties, still driving and enjoying life as best he can without Mum who died 18 months ago. He is in good shape both financially and physically. He also says that his income exceeds his needs. His experience with surgeons is minimal in comparison with mine. He always hankered after an Aston Martin and could afford it but he is over the moon with his Honda CRV these days and would never replace it. His main issue is loneliness and there’s not much respite from that as he has always been somewhat antisocial. He gave up daily jogging aged 75. I think he would tell you that life is great at 90 (if he still shared it with his wife). So it would appear you need to take good care of Sharon and watch the finances carefully as the government will expect you to live on about 50% of the minimum wage when you get to retirement.
24/03/2026 10:27:24 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
The one thing Electra (my wife not the bike) and I are concerned about is being left alone. Neither of us has close family and especially after Covid lockdowns etc we've been happy to live in a fairly small "bubble". So we have made sure that we have suitable arrangements to avoid that eventuality.
You occasionally see people "celebrating" their 100th birthday or whatever in care homes. A week in a place like that would send me demented if I wasn't already. More often you see them "enjoying" a singalong or a game of bingo. Shoot me first please.
24/03/2026 16:38:19 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
So the original point remains - I could live to be 99 and healthy, I could be crippled by some terrible disease next week, I might be rich in retirement but have dodgy hips, I might be poor in retirement but have dodgy hips, and so on and so on.
And who's gonna look after you lot if I go off for 3 months riding around Europe?
25/03/2026 07:49:04 UTC
Glyn said :-
Well if you do nothing you will end up like the rest of us; some rich , some poor, some in good health and some in a heap. My thought is that the current time of year makes us all feel a bit like this. Wait till the sun comes out and review your situation. Time goes by, you just need to think you’re living your best life. I’ve done a huge amount of varied things in my life, can I live on the memories? No, not really.
25/03/2026 12:33:59 UTC
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