Newly Retired, Newly Inspired - Colorado
 

Howdy folks,

60 year old dude and just got let go from the working world. Not as much money in the bank as the expert say i should have but I'm an eternal optimist so I figure it'll all work out one way or another.

I've spent the last 20 years acquiring and riding, (~100K miles), some bikes I thought would fill all my different styles of riding I'm after. Now that I've got enough (5) and nobody to answer to 5 days a week, it's time to hit the road. I think each of my bikes fill a different desire I have and allows me to take off on just about any kind of trip. I acquired them all used and a couple for free, (the most expensive way).
1) KLR650
2) R1100RS
3) Ninja 250
4) R100/7
5) TW200

I'm a bit apprehensive for a big trip but I've done a dozen overnight camping trips in Colorado, BDR, and up to Yellowstone/Tetons. So I've got all the gear and bikes I need and the only thing left is to load up and ride away from home. I've been listening to a lot of books and podcasts and videos trying to decide which direction to head towards in about 2 months when I'll be past a brief medical procedure us 60 year old guys often encounter.

I look forward to learning from and meeting with other riders and would like to find new riding partners. I'm grateful for HU and I've been living on ADVrider for last 15 years under the same user name.

See you out there,
Mike

Welcome to HU! And congratulations on retirement and freedom to go... anywhere!
And that's a good collection of bikes too.
The big question at this point is simple: where do you WANT to go - what EXCITES you?
Decide on which bike from there.
Try to get to an HU Travellers Meeting - that will be sure to inspire you and get you rolling :)
Enjoy!

Hi, Mike. I'm about your age but not retired. I took the summer of 2024 off to go riding and had the best time. I did as Grant advised and choose places to go and people to see. Then I created my route and itinerary. It took me months to plan the trip because I'd never done anything l like it before.

Attending the HU Virginia Travelers Meeting a couple of months before I left home gave me insights and perspectives that helped me plan and execute my trip. The attendees were friendly and encouraging.

During my trip, I kept a diary for memories and a spreadsheet for expenses. I cherish them both as records of my best ever solo travel experience. I've been able to post some of my diary and most of my planning on advrider.com. https://advrider.com/f/threads/four-...-ride.1742779/ The story isn't finished. I hope to do that by the start of summer 2025.

Hi
Congratulations on your retirement and welcome to the world of Moto travel.
Apprehensive about your first long trip?
My advice, for what it’s worth, is DON’T do any research or watch any videos about Moto travel.
We’ve all seen them:
Don’t do this
You need this, not that
5 mistakes newbies make
Or they’re ex enduro riders tearing up the trails on their back wheel.

When most people on this forum started, there was no internet, no dedicated magazines, no GPS, no adventure bikes - we just loaded a bit of camping gear on the back of the bikes we had a went for a holiday/vacation.

Everyone is different and everyone’s travelling style is too, so you need to find yours. You’ll do that by simply thinking about what you like and what you want, loading up your bike and setting off - that way you’ll find what’s right for you. Sure it’ll take a bit of tuning but you’ll have a lot more fun doing it your way.

The only thing I would advise, early on,is do your best to travel in kind whether.