I rely a lot more on my iPhone 14 now for good 4K footage. But there is no comparison with the sound quality difference and flexibility of the DJI Mic 2 versus my AirPod Pros. Sound was long a pain in the butt. The DJI mikes make life much better and easier.

Paul and I are discussing new motorcycles now. His collection is fluid. He buys one and sells one. He doesn’t amass a collection at once. Only in the aggregate over time.

Oh that made me smile, then laugh!!

A drone… yes I have thought of that often. When I do get back to videos (you are right, they are fun, like 1,000 piece puzzles of clouds or beach sand) I am planning to try using my phone, a simple tripod, and my AirPods rather than a ~$500 DJI mic. I ran a little test and the AirPod lets me get far enough from the phone to suit me. Time will tell.

If Paul does get a new bike, you should do a video on his collection.

COVID. I forgot about that. I stopped riding much during the pandemic too for the same reasons. Our ER was jammed and I didn’t want to end up there either.

Karma does have a way of helping us along. Even though your scooter is gone perhaps you can sneak a little ride on your hubby’s scoot from time to time.

I will continue to ride. I’ve made some changes and modifications to my approach and now I expect to go on until some health event sidelines me.Kim just edited an article I wrote about when you know it is time to stop riding. Not once did she suggest I should stop. So I guess her half-vote is to keep going!

Aging is indeed inevitable. And different for each of us. Some seem young at 90 and others old at 60. Our behaviors play a role as does genetics. I tend to forge ahead in moderation of all things and just accept what comes along.

I used to commute to work on my still in the garage 1979 Schwinn mountain bike. Every few years I still get on it thinking it would be great exercise but all I get is the screaming from my joints — shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and lower back. The pounding without any suspension system is rough. There’s a new bike shop here in town. I should probably look at something 40 years newer. Maybe they’ve made advances.

There’s is an iPhone 14 in my pocket now and I’ve run the demo and satellite connection check and it appears to do what I need it to do in terms of calling for help when there is no cell coverage. But a better option still might be to not ride in remote areas alone. Remembering Bob, I learned a lot from him. And he is responsible for the exquisite carbon fiber tripod I still use while riding. He was a thoughtful rider when it came to figuring out how to deal with challenges.

My blogging has slowed considerably. Mostly because I’m not commuting anymore and have less to write about. And it’s your fault that I started making videos. You kept telling me I should try it and when I finally did I found the entire process from planning to posting more fun than I could have imagined. The only downside is the technical challenges and desires escalate in a manner than wasn’t there while blogging where I just needed a little pocket camera. Now I have multiple action cameras, 360 camera, video camera, wireless mikes, gimbal, tripods, extension poles, and on and on. And now I’m fighting the irrational desire for a drone.

But I’m still smiling and excited to ride and make content like I’m a kid!

I’ll say hello to Paul. He’s probably out shopping for another motorcycle!

I still ride, but I no longer ride Vespas or motorcycles. I ride a bicycle.

I agree with modification as a key part of the answer to the questions that aging poses.

I love being on two wheels. Whether I have a motor or pedals propelling me, doesn’t really matter. It changes the experience, that’s certain, but in some ways I prefer pedalling in my very urban environment. It’s just a better fit.

I think that if I lived in the Sticks, with very few competing vehicles on the typical rides in your neck of the woods, I would still be riding my Vespa. Particularly if I had a chance to ride with you to provide that second rider support in the event of misadventure.

My decision to stop riding motorbikes was based on risk, pure and simple. Riding safely in Toronto, recently rated as the third most congested city in the world, requires a degree of alertness and motorcycle riding skills that can only be achieved by regular and frequent rides. That’s what I was missing, and the perceived risk of infrequent riding made the decision clear and simple.

One way I suggest to mitigate the risk when you are riding solo with poor to no cell coverage, is to carry an emergency satellite communicator (such as the Garmin inReach Messenger and there are others). Our late friend Bob Leong never undertook his long moto travel adventures without an emergency satellite communicator. I think I would feel safer in the Pennsylvania countryside with a means to reach out to people that didn’t rely on cell coverage. If you went that route, the good news is that if you decided to start climbing mountains, or trekking in deserts, or paddling to Europe or Africa, you’d have emergency coverage there too.

Another possible option is simply to upgrade your phone. On iPhone 14 or later, you can use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services when no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage is available. There are also many other SOS features that communicate autonomously in the event of a fall or crash.

Whatever you decide, I plan to follow on your blog and YouTube channel. You have been a key source of inspiration for me from the moment I stumbled on your blog.

Safe travels Steve, and say hello to Paul for me.

By the way… your videos just keep getting better and better. I am considering returning to video production this year, as I wind down my practice. We’ll see how that goes.

But what if I want to ride and I can’t because of a health or external reason? Then I’m left dreaming about something I cannot have…

Mais que se passe-t-il si je veux rouler et que je ne peux pas pour des raisons de santé ou une raison externe ? Ensuite, je me retrouve à rêver de quelque chose que je ne peux pas avoir…

I have a similar thought process related to continual downsizing. At least if I am otherwise able to ride and weight is the only issue. The ET4 may be the last ride in the garage as it is currently but I’ve already visualized a 50cc Honda Ruckus in my future. I don’t see a trike or side car rig though. They just don’t possess the required ability to stimulate the sense of flight. I’ve ridden both and at best they were sort of boring for me to ride so it is hard to see them in my future. But who knows, things change.

I get that way when I’m in a hurry. When I’m relaxed and going slow I seldom forget anything.

Thanks for the messages about hearing aids. I am already a believer. I hear so much now.

Modification of my approach to riding is a good term to use. I’ve already modified some things. Like downsizing from the BMW to a more manageable Himalayan and W650. The scooters are both still fine in terms of weight.

I’ve not made a decision yet about riding alone. I’m not concerned about being alone on paved roads but some of the riding in dirt in remote places is troublesome. I think riding with a partner makes great sense.

I hope to stay in close touch with my body and keep riding until I finally hear it tell me that it is time to stop.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject. I appreciate them.