I've not ridden a bike since lock down began.

[chris-red]

It seems odd to me. I've been riding for 15 years, in that time I would say I have averaged 8-10k miles per year. The longest I hadn't ridden in that time was 3 weeks when I went to Canada for a holiday. I have commuted for 12 years. I always saw myself as a 'proper' biker, out in all weathers loads of miles etc. The last few years however I barely do any 'fun' rides. I still do the odd biking trip, I went to the TT a couple of years ago and spanking the bike over the mountain was probably the best experience of my life. But not long after lockdown my Tax and MoT was due and I didn't bother. I have been working from home since all this began. I've also had lots of other stuff going on work is busy and I got married. Now the bike has just been sitting for all this time.

The strange thing about it all is I'm not sure I miss it. Part of that could be getting a quick car, It can beat the average 600 rider in a drag. Maybe I'm getting my speed kicks from the car now.

Not really sure what I want from this thread. But I'm feeling weird about getting the bike on the road again. I'm slightly apprehensive because I wonder if I have gotten rusty and that my talent has dropped off while my perceived talent would remain the same. I also feel like I only want to get the bike back on the road because I feel I should rather than that because I want or need to.

If I get told I have to go back to the office I'd sort everything out and jump back on in a heartbeat. But until then I don't seem to have the interest. My insurance is due soon and I am wondering about letting it lapse.

As I said not really sure what I want from this, it's more of a brain dump than anything. Anyone else had anything similar?

As a sidenote I am noticeably weaker in my upper body never realized how much of a workout daily riding a big bike through London is!
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[MarJay]

I had this a few years back when I had an accident. It either passes, or you sell the bike it seems.

Knowing what I know about you from the forum, I expect it'll just pass. Once you get back into the swing of it, get a bit of biking confidence back it'll be like you never left. There's something about motorcycling that just can't be replicated by driving a car, even a quick one.
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[chickenstrip]

I've never had this. After a long lay-off from riding, I'm always pining for it! I can't ride at the moment and it's killing me if I let myself think about it...thanks, now I'm thinking about it

After such a period away from riding, one thing that always fires me up again is seeing lots of bikes out on a warm, sunny day.

As a long term rider, you'll soon find the rustiness falls away when you get back to it. I once had a very long lay-off from driving cars, a few years, and was so concerned about getting back to it, I got my brother to drive me to a large, empty car park so I could see if I'd have a problem, in a safe environment. As I pulled away for the first time, I instantly wondered what I'd been worried about, drove it out on the road proper, and had no trouble at all.

Rustiness after a while away from it tends to affect the finer points, so just take it easy for a bit when you first get back on, allow yourself to get back into the swing of it naturally, pay particular attention to being safe and smooth for a bit.

Since I've had a few enforced lay-offs from riding over the years, I now know that getting back on is no problem, as long as I start again gently (that's usually gone out the window before I get home again, and sometimes before I've even got out of town! ). You're a long term rider - you know how to do this. Be confident but careful.
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[c_dug]

For what it's worth, London wise you're not missing much. There's way more bikes than usual which means every set of traffic lights has about 20 bikes at the front.

On the A13 you're pretty much guaranteed to get stuck behind a 10 bike centipede whilst the person at the front gently wobbles along unwilling to pass between two cars, blocking the way, and not daring to check a mirror and realise they're creating a rolling blockade.

On top of it all, I've seen more police speed checks this year than ever before. I guess funds are a bit tight at the moment.

Back in April I hadn't ridden for a good 6 weeks or so, my neighbour convinced me to go for a ride up to Finchingfield with her one sunny morning, my first "fun ride" in a very very very long time. I was very glad I did it, and in fact did an even longer ride all the way up to Newmarket and back on country roads the next weekend.

I'm back to commuting now, so like you, I pretty much never ride for fun, but I'd recommend at least having a go before your insurance runs out. I suspect it'll be better than you're imagining.
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[chris-red]

[stinkwheel]

Go out on a 125 for a bit and remind yourself what it's all about. then get back on a bigger one and remind youself why you stopped riding a 125.
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[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

often the thing with riding is that the less you do it, the less you want to do it...but conversely the more you do it, the more you want to do it
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Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Bhud]

Wrong roads

[wr6133]

Might be the wrong bike.

I thought my GSXR and ZZR were all I needed but last year of a combo of needing a car to commute, being busy and lazy meant I did very few miles. I sort of realised it was because when not using those big bikes as actual transport the "opportunistic", rides, (sunny evenings, etc) did not range far enough to find roads where I could really wind a fast bike on.

I bought an Enfield in February. Straight away started racking up the miles and all the little rides locally on that made me want to adventure further afield. Or interesting twisty bits I found on the Enfield made me want to throw the GSXR through them the next day.

TLDR - Try a crapper bike.

[garth]

Mix it up. Do a trackday, or an enduro. Buy a KTM. Go find that hedge.
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[kawakid]

Gosh, I’m the opposite, it’s been a fantastic if not the best year ever for. 2 wheel fun, both on the motorbikes and my mountain bikes.

Early June was the perfect time , my ride out is approximately 180 miles, Halifax, Hebden, Colne, Blacko, Hellifield, Ingleton, Hawes, Leyburn, Masham, Ripon, Harrogate, Skipton, Keighley and home.

I encountered the most perfect of conditions, this being in the evening, totally empty roads, not just England V Germany in the World Cup final, but really empty. Alongside the best spring weather ever known in this country. Everything felt awesome, but afterwards on reflection I knew it could never get better ever.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[smokin joe]

I got my bike in May after a six year lay off, and though it is only a 125 I was scared of it, wondering if I could even get out of my road without wobbling all over the place and falling off on the first bend.

The feeling lasted till I let the clutch out and by the time I got my feet on the pegs I was grinning from ear to ear. I was obviously a bit rusty and took it easy for a while, but it soon comes back. I'm willing to bet you'll be fine from the off.

[A100man]

[chris-red]

[chris-red]

[UncleFester]

Just put your gear on and go out for a mooch / pootle / extended trip .. whatever it is.

Fast cars are fun. Bikes are more focussed because you have to pay attention to everything. I wouldn't want to be without the choice of either.
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2017 Z1000SX

[grr666]

Mines sorned at the moment, did it a few weeks ago. Too much other stuff going on. Rode it last in July 2019.
It's going to seem like a friggin rocket when I finally do get it back on the road. Spent all my road time
in the van just of late.
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[Polarbear]

I haven't ridden at all during lockdown either. Mainly because my friends haven't been riding and I like to go out with a few people to somewhere and no where has been open.

I don't find much enjoyment in just going for a ride on my own anymore.
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[Wonko The Sane]

I likewise haven't ridden since March when we switched to working from home.

I've been out for a couple of runs on it but not for a while and it looks like I'll be changing jobs soon to be 6 miles away with 4 miles of that as motorway.

Is it really worth keeping it?

A car would be more useful if I'm going to be playing my part in ferrying the kids around while wifey is busy with work.

I could keep it for 'going for a run out at a weekend' last time I did that was 2007. My bike's commute only really.

decisions, decisions.
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[Enduro Numpty]

I've had bikes since my early teens. I had a few years of a break when my kids were young and I was too busy trying to make a living. I tried not to think about it too much but the yearning never left me. I did a few years off road riding and racing and by this time my son was old enough to ride kids mxers. Eventually I got back into road bikes and the older I get and the more I ride the more addicted I become. Having brilliant roads right on my door step does help and I don't use the bike for anything other than fun riding and touring. Most years I'll do 15-20k on the bike - likely to be sub 15k this year.

I've made the absolute most of lock down with long days out on completely deserted highland roads. That's all changed now, clogged roads full of mobile homes.

When I was bikeless I did try and buy slightly better cars but the novelty of that soon wore off.

I've no answer for your lack of enthusiasm, maybe you'll just decide one day that you miss it?

[winz]

I'm in a similar position. I hadn't been for a ride for ages, having a baby was certainly to blame.

When I decided to go out for a weekend blast a few months ago the bike would't start, I bought a replacement switch as that was the issue, but didn't get round to fitting it.

Since then it was stolen from outside my house and insurance are just about to pay out for a total loss. Not sure I really want to buy another bike for now, might wait out until next summer and see what happens and if I get any more spare time.
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[MCN]

[Arfa__]

Have been in a very similar boat, like you I was a hardened London commuter, riding into town every day whatever weather (not that it ever gets that bad in London). Have been working home since March lockdown and barely used bike.

Managed a couple of short rides to Finchingfield when things first opened up. Have popped into office twice, but yeah the A13 isn't very appealing...

What got me going again was two weeks in Wales last month. I have family in mid Wales, so formed a bubble and used their place as a base to explore lots of great routes, hills, various passes, the coast and whatnot. Loads of fun, even though weather was a bit hit'n'miss, and really captured my biking interest again. Was also able to get enough miles in under more relaxed condition to address my rusty riding skills and make me long for more time on bike.

So what am I saying here? Pick a nice day, get on your bike, point it somewhere nice, preferably with big hills and nice scenery and just enjoy it at your own pace. Perhaps book a stop over somewhere, Dartmoor, Wales, Up North etc. After spending a couple of days enjoying your bike, I'm sure it'll all come back.
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[Qyburn]

Similar to the OP, I've not been on the bike since lockdown aside from a short run up and down the track after I washed it. I only ride to commute, and while I'm working from home there's no commuting.
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Lord Qyburn

[hellkat]

Got to admit, have been kind of missing perving on your arse when you overtake me
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