Adrenaline & age does it affect you?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Even as a teenager I would always feel a slight surge of Adrenaline rush as I prepared to go out on my bike - it would always subside within a few yards of riding off - only returning if I rode too fast or had a rear wheel skid.

As the decades have passed with my bikes being more powerful I have detected a greater apprehension before I ride out - again I usually calmed down within a few yards of riding off.

After a fair gap between parting with my XJ900 (2009) and first riding again on my 400 (2022) I have detected a more severe raising of my anxiety levels - thankfully it does subside after riding a short distance as I ease back into the routine.

Is this me starting to loose my bottle at the age of 75 or just being more aware of the greater impact of injury not just due to more traffic, idiot drivers as well.

[Athame57]

Is it a good idea to tempt adrenalin at our age (well, most of us on here are grey haired at least!) I don't myself anymore, but I'm not on German driving school BMW R65.... they put you on a big bike from the very start and you stay with a driving school car in font or passenger until you get your licence, it took me three weeks from never having ridden bar a 15mph step through moped ('Mofa') to getting a licence, and I had to do an extra week because I flunked my first test so it could have been two. I felt weak kneed and sick in the stomach for the first week, the last time I felt that way was when being made to climb rock faces as a young soldier! My first rides onto the motorway with my first Suzuki RG500 had me feeling over supplied with adrenalin too.
Nowadays my relaxed rides on Elen, my CB400F don't bring adrenalin just pleasure.

[Oddjob]

Nope, don't feel much of anything when stepping over the seat, a little excitement TBH, I little curiosity I'll admit to as I ponder what sort of lean angles I can get this ride. I don't get anxious at all out riding, even when it's wet, I find it relaxing. I think I'm so concentrated on the road I tend not to feel much TBH except the thrill of getting the footrests grinding on the road, which is almost impossible on the 1300 and far too easy on the 500.

I've been riding on the road since I was 16, far too long to get worried about it. I did however feel apprehensive first ride out after getting my last 1300 written off, it had an effect for about a month and then I was ok again. 

[Johnny4428]

Used to lay up all bikes for winter, but now keep the Pan on the road over winter. That few rides in the winter keeps the spring time apprehension at bay. Works for me. Must admit quite relaxed on bikes, with a little excitement thrown in.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Interesting - I'm okay once I ride off it's just the apprehension beforehand.

I've have only ever  really had one accident on a bike when I was a pillion as a teenager that cost me three months in traction with a fractured left femur. Never been a pillion since.

 

[Athame57]

Is this me starting to loose my bottle at the age of 75 or just being more aware of the greater impact of injury not just due to more traffic, idiot drivers as well.

Never gave that bit enough attention! Yes, approaching side roads on main roads especially is what worries me, I've nearly got it a few times that way. I'm in east central London ( Tower Hamlets) and I know for a fact there are a lot of people here  who had someone else take their test, it shows. Many people here have that habit of starting to move forward as you approach as well. 

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I never liked driving in London when my Missus lived in North Finchley when she worked in London back in the 1990's. I used to go down for some weekends either on my XJ900 or by car.

[taysidedragon]

I think it's quite normal to feel apprehensive if you've had a long break from any acttivity that requires skill and practice and may carry a level of risk. When you've got back into practice  and ride regularly any apprehension should gradually diminish. The answer is to get out there and ride!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

That makes sense I've not ridden my 400 this year so I need to get out on it - I've prioritised working on my 500 plus stuff at home in a spiral of procrastination.

If the rain holds of I will be out tomorrow - assuming she fires up, put the battery on charge last night so no excuses.

[K2-K6]

I think adrenaline is amusing/amazing in its potency though, just when you realise you yourself are just about to completely balls it up, that cApow of adrenaline soon let's you know. Incredible how instant it is.

Trepidation, yes if you've not done something in a while. I feel like Ken says though, relaxing to ride a bike, any bike really.  Was riding my 750 home in the great storm of 87 ? and thought it was a bit "gusty"  had locked up the factory was running a shift on by about 4:00am as had to send staff home with roof flapping so much ! Couple of re routes because of road blocked, went home to bed and got up to the news of devastation.

[Laverda Dave]

Is this me starting to loose my bottle at the age of 75 or just being more aware of the greater impact of injury not just due to more traffic, idiot drivers as well.

Never gave that bit enough attention! Yes, approaching side roads on main roads especially is what worries me, I've nearly got it a few times that way. I'm in east central London ( Tower Hamlets) and I know for a fact there are a lot of people here  who had someone else take their test, it shows. Many people here have that habit of starting to move forward as you approach as well. 

Riding in London is the pits just as it is in any big city but London is full of idiots. So many times have I nearly been wiped out by drivers who just don't look or are on their phones either talking or texting. Filtering through traffic I see it all the time. Speed limits are also optional here with so many side roads used as rat runs with nobs doing 40 thinking it's normal. I no longer turn left to ride into London (including outer London) anymore but turn right to go into the countryside. I do sometimes get a little apprehensive as although I am IAM and try to anticipate all the dangers sometimes it is impossible to take into account the idiots who shouldn't be allowed in what is basically a potential murder weapon.
The best safety device a car manufacturer can place in a car is a big pointed spike mounted in the centre of the steering wheel one inch from the drivers chest, that would cut accidents overnight. Instead manufacturers install safety devices to allow drivers to do everything but look where they are going!

[Laverda Dave]

Adrenaline is indeed a wonderful natural drug. When I used to run I would be as nervous as hell before the race right up to the start whistle blowing but as soon as I'd taken a few strides the adrenaline took over and it was fantastic. Even when finishing a half marathon I'd still be buzzing for hours after. Same feeling when I used to race speedway. I think you do need a bit of apprehension at the start of a ride if you haven't ridden for a while, it keeps you safe and heightens the senses. It wears off as the ride progresses and you become more relaxed.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I think adrenaline is amusing/amazing in its potency though, just when you realise you yourself are just about to completely balls it up, that cApow of adrenaline soon let's you know. Incredible how instant it is.

Trepidation, yes if you've not done something in a while. I feel like Ken says though, relaxing to ride a bike, any bike really.  Was riding my 750 home in the great storm of 87 ? and thought it was a bit "gusty"  had locked up the factory was running a shift on by about 4:00am as had to send staff home with roof flapping so much ! Couple of re routes because of road blocked, went home to bed and got up to the news of devastation.

Well going back to the Caveman era it was designed as part of our fight or flight reflexes.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

As a result of an interesting conversation with my brother I'm reducing my Caffeine intake by switching to less Coffee & more Tea plus cutting back on Monster Energy cans. It might help.🤔

[Johnny4428]

As a result of an interesting conversation with my brother I'm reducing my Caffeine intake by switching to less Coffee & more Tea plus cutting back on Monster Energy cans. It might help.🤔

Better wean yourself off that hard stuff Ted! 🥹