First Ride in 50+ years: 2023 Update

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, He "scooted"!

Clancy's right, this is like the stories I hear on NPR on This American Life and such. Very heart warming. Keep it up.

 

[jaysmo]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, you never forget

Great story , Thanx for sharing

+1 have peanutt buster parfait for me on the next trip!!!!!

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, Model T and Bike Polo

Thanks for the responses Guys!

This is a great. I feel like I am reading a movie script.
Kudos to you for getting him out riding and remembering. Cross body movement(like biking) helps keep the brain and body active.

You are so right about biking and brain connections.
He seems to repeat things less lately and seems, in general, happier which helps out my wife who takes care of him and her bed-ridden Mother.

Clancy's right, this is like the stories I hear on NPR on This American Life and such. Very heart warming. Keep it up.

Thanks IIFIFM. It's kind of a tough time with my wife's Mom's very slow Alzheimer decline.
We've had to try to make new initiatives to keep from getting too down.

+1 have peanut buster parfait for me on the next trip!!!!!

I looked at one of those today (yum) and so wanted to get it but at the rate my FIL eats his cone (~3 minutes),
I'd probably have to take it home on the bike before he got too bored :lol:

We got out today, What fantastic weather: 70F, sunny, light wind
He had a med cone (no dip this time hmmm...) and I had a mini blizzard Georgia mud fudge-tasty
There was a 1921 Model T at DQ and he seemed to like

Stopped at Longfellow Park and watched 2 guys practicing bike polo
Turned out to be pretty cool dudes (Jeff and Aaron) and explained a bunch about the game
Told them I just got some Chukker rims (they were running Deep Vs) and they said "Oh Yeah"
They showed us some of their moves and posed for a pic (Thanks Guys!)

We had discussed some changes to his bike so I brought over some parts for afterwards
I put this kinda crazy tire/wheel combo and asked him about it, He said "That's Different".
Now for you non-Minnesotans that's about as strong of a negative Scandinavian response you can get :lol:

I pulled out 4 set of grips with different characteristics and he started laughing when he saw how many
If he only knew how many where left at home :lol:. Realized I had the left grip flipped 180 (Oww, sorry)
We settled on some Schwinn air cushion grips that should be more comfortable and match the seat better

Found a light bracket and am now looking for a light (he approved)
Asked him about whitewalls but he said in his Scandinavian diplomacy "I like the black ones"

He mentioned his double hernia from weight lifting several times today and how he shouldn't jump off the seat like a girl's bike (Oww)
So I think I find some padding for the bar before next week's ride

We both had a good day. Thanks for looking
Steve

 

[aka_locojoe]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, Model T and Bike Polo

Cool stuff as always. Like the polo guys posing. Kudos to you for going the extra mile for your FIL in trying to make it enjoyable and comfortable. I like the red walls.

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, Model T and Bike Polo

Cool stuff as always. Like the polo guys posing. Kudos to you for going the extra mile for your FIL in trying to make it enjoyable and comfortable. I like the red walls.

Thanks Randy I want him to be comfortable with it so he enjoys it and it's not only a vehicle to DQ

It was a bummer last weekend, with rain and a graduation, we missed our DQride
But we got out today 90F and breezy. he likes the new grips, "not as sticky", and bar pad

Going up to the order window and my FIL says "Maybe I should ride that one home"
He was talking about the bike shaped bike rack, I laughed
He had a Med Cone and me a Reese's peanut butter cup mini blizzard (mmm)
Then I asked if he wanted to make a funny picture of him trying to ride the rack
He says "Yeah!" with a glint in his eye :lol: No coaching needed, he's a natural

So we change up the routine and stopped at the hardware store on the way home
Got a propane tank and a small rosebud tip to gun blue the JUP
Talked about tools but think he got bored

We need to slow down for 16 blocks down to DQ and 16 back so it's a lot of explaining and hand signals when to go through the intersections
But he is getting really good about riding really slow without putting his feet down

He hates wearing the helmet and so applies "kid logic" to it :lol:
"I didn't have to wear a helmet when I was a kid"
Then I try to explain that it's because of his age and newness on a bike
He says "Then you are going to start wearing a helmet when you turn 65?"
"Yes, I will", it's easier to say then trying to rationalize again and again
and I don't feel obliged to be a good example

When we got home, we parked the bikes and did my favorite thing, talk bikes

Seems he remembered about bluing a gun, he was a paratrooper in the Korean war
Hard to tell if he got it or not but I'll show him and see what he thinks

He says to me while I'm leaving: "So I'll see you later on" I said "I'll see you next week"
"Next week?" and laughs
but talking with my wife, he wishes we would be going to DQ again that day
My wife says he asks to ride there almost everyday now
Don't we all wish we could just eat DQ? Oh well

Thanks for looking
Steve

 

[kingfish254]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, The Jokester

I love reading this thread. We are lucky to have all of our parents, but with FB it is all to frequent that we learn if people that don't.
Heck, I still have a grandmother. With FB ot is all too frequent that we learn of the passi g of a friends relative. Keep on doing what you're doing.
Cheers, KF

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, The Jokester

I love reading this thread. We are lucky to have all of our parents, but with FB it is all to frequent that we learn if people that don't.
Heck, I still have a grandmother. With FB to is all too frequent that we learn of the passing of a friends relative. Keep on doing what you're doing.
Cheers, KF

Hey Kingfish,
Thanks for your response and compliment. You're right about parents. It nice to connect with my FIL now that my parents are gone.
Great that you still have your Grandmother, sure she has some good good stories

Wasn't sure if the weather was going to hold out but it did thankfully
He helped my pump up the tires by working the valve caps
He remembered putting his hat in the front rack, so that's great

He really took off fast today, he was bookin'! After the DQ too :lol:
So he got something different today, a med strawberry sundae and fudge mini blizzard for me
My wife knew he had got a strawberry because he used to buy them for my MIL, back in the day
He wolfed it down pretty good, who wouldn't :lol:

He says when leaving , he says "Guess I can't forget my Crash Helmet", and laughed :lol:
We stopped on the way home at the local park. He used to coach my wife and younger sister for Broomball there.
He still keeps the big trophy in the living room

Say a older guy and teenager practicing frisbee golf (got a course a couple of miles away)
The older guy out threw the teenager buy about 50-60 feet, Awesome!! Had to congratulate him :lol:
My FIL was impressed too.

Asked if I could take a shot by the bikes and my FIL said "Sure!"

There was smile in there somewhere, I could tell

Think we both had a good ride and good treat
Thanks for looking
Steve

 

[yoothgeye]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, the switch up

Everyone with aging parents, grandparents, in-laws should be reading this, it's amazing how time slips by and how quickly age comes into play. Thanks for doing what you are doing!

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, the switch up

Thanks Youthgeye! You are so right about time slipping away.

Well bad weather and conflicts meant we missed one week but drove the next.
Had to diverge a bit so I drove my FIL to the "Back to the Fities" Car show
(Too far and too many hills to ride )

I think he didn't quite understand where we were going but the promise of DQ on the way home helped :lol:

Think he had a good time. He wasn't too talkative today.
Would tell him about the years and types and he would say "Uh huh" :|


Saw some crazy low Rat Rods that made him laugh though
This one had a V12 Allison (I think)

This one had a 4cylinder turbo Diesel

He like the tailfins on this 60 Plymouth. He's getting used to posing now :lol:

One of the baddest Mammer Jammer Rat Rod I've seen: Blown Hemi + 4 spd!!!

Sweet Bare Metal Rod!

Tough Chevy

He would look at the full fendered cars from the 30s
and say that he used to ride on the running boards and hang onto the headlight :lol: :lol:

We must of walked at least 2 miles and he was a trooper in the heat
Had some really good cookies and water to sugar up and keep hydrated

Of course we stopped at DQ on the way home. Man, did that hit the spot!
Next week, WE RIDE! :lol:
Thanks for looking
Steve

 

[aka_locojoe]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, the switch up

He's getting used to posing now

That's funny.
Cool pics/cars.
He may not have shown it on the outside but I'm sure the old cars stirred up something on the inside.

 

[kingfish254]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years,No Ride but Carshow w/pics

What a great break from BO7 threads.
Awesome cars and the story remains so cool.
Love this thread!

 

[CRASH]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years,No Ride but Carshow w/pics

Great story!!

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years,No Ride but Carshow w/pics

He's getting used to posing now

That's funny.
Cool pics/cars.
He may not have shown it on the outside but I'm sure the old cars stirred up something on the inside.

Thanks Randy! I think he sees how his grandson poses when people are always taking pics
I think it stirred some up too but he did seem a little more interested in the HD on the way in

What a great break from BO7 threads.
Awesome cars and the story remains so cool.
Love this thread!

Thank Kingfish!

Great story!!

Thanks Crash!

Hello All,
We got out for an actual ride yesterday
My FIL asked me if I thought it was too hot today for a ride (92F/Humid)
I said I didn’t think so and we would just take our time
He said “Good!” with a glimmer in his eyes. It funny how he talks more about the ride than DQ lately
My wife says she can tell when I miss the DQ because I get kinda cranky
Looks like my FIL and me are switching places LOL

That DQ really hit the spot (BTW: he wearing his new Twins Cap, nice)

He was scooting away to the DQ, My Sachs hub upshifted just trying to keep up with him :lol:

He brought up that he used to Scuba Dive, and he remembered doing it at Cedar lake when I asked where
I asked him if he used to be a wild man with his being a paratrooper, HD rider, weight lifter and now scuba.
He says, “Don’t forget the Arial Square 4”. :lol:
It checks out too, my wife says he used to be a kinda wild.
I guess the family Impala has a 4 speed stick shift 8)

He thanked me several times for taking him and I thanked him for riding with me
He said, “Its good exercise” with no mention of DQ. So I think he’s starting to enjoy the ride too
His balance and strength seem to keep improving so maybe we’ll start taking longer rides (when it cools down)

So my wife asks him later if he had a good time.
He says, “Yes! Its good exercise but not as fun as the Harley” :lol:

Thanks for Looking
Steve

 

[user 135]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, Riding with the wild man

I always enjoy the updates. I did google Ariel Square 4 and it came up a motorcycle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Square_Four

 

[largek9]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, Riding with the wild man

I really enjoy this thread , It's really neat to hear his comments and perspective on everything .I always look forward to reading your DQ ride adventures, Its a great thing that your doing ! FIL is 8) . Tom

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, Great Grandpa/Grandson ride

Thanks Clancy. Yeah, it was kinda a rare British 1000cc bike
There is a picture of him on his in the early fifties on page 3

Hey Largek9, thanks for the comments.
Glad to here your enjoying it. I'm learning more about him every time

Well we got in another ride today and with my FIL's great grandson!
My Wife's grand Nephew (and now mine ) got into town yesterday
I've been working on my Wife's Eliminator for him and just got it done
We took it slow because my nephew (in law) lives in a more rural area

It's so great to see 4 generations difference connected by riding
I can tell their related because they both are not the biggest talkers
Luckily I make up for it in spades :lol:
My FIL in front didn't last for long and they started challenging each other

Dairy Queen tasted great and hit the spot at ~ 85F
I got a shot with George and the glint in his eye, I knew he was up to something
I got done and then he showed me the face he was going to make and it cracked me up :lol:

We sat around a bit and I was telling my nephew about how his Grandpa used to scuba dive.
I found out a new twist about it from my Sister In Law.
He not only used to scuba dive but he did it in the frozen lakes :shock: 8)

We stopped off at the park and watched my nephew work on his maneuvers on the narrow paths
He's used to a BMX and the Eliminator turns kinda differently
He's doing great and getting his speed up

Got a great pic of Great Grandpa and Great Grandson
My FIL is being the jokester and showing off his cheesiest grin

On the way home they kept swapping leads, I'd say "Are you going to put up with him passing you?" :lol: :wink:
My FIL started playing and swerving back and forth like my nephew, think he was really enjoying it

So I asked for one more shot and so my FIL stands directly in front of his grandson
Always the jokester, We all got a good laugh and he moved over

It was a great day!!!
Thanks for looking
Steve

 

[Rat Rod]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, Great Grandpa/Grandson ride

Great stories...that Eliminator is very cool. :shock:

 

[kingfish254]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, Great Grandpa/Grandson ride

Now your FIL is gonna want apes and a nanner sissy bar.

 

[aka_locojoe]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, Great Grandpa/Grandson ride

That's great. I bet the Eliminator is way more fun to ride than the bmx.

So has the kid spent much time with his Great Grandpa before?

 

[yoothgeye]

Re: First Ride in 50+ years, Great Grandpa/Grandson ride

One of my favorite threads to read on this site, thanks for this!