Considering Hanging it up...but...what to do after scuba??

[Pressurehead]

Motorcycles are no more [for me], I hit 70 a few years ago and sold my last bike [HD Dyna Glide] , rode all my adult life and beat the odds [no major prangs], laid them down a couple of times, grew the extra radar etc.
I will stick with safe scuba diving.
Bikes and scuba started the same time, retired only one.

 

[NothingClever]

Motorcycles are no more [for me], I hit 70 a few years ago and sold my last bike [HD Dyna Glide] , rode all my adult life and beat the odds [no major prangs], laid them down a couple of times, grew the extra radar etc.
I will stick with safe scuba diving.
Bikes and scuba started the same time, retired only one.

Any cruiser has diminished responsiveness given the geometry, weight and seating configuration. I'm not saying that category of bike doesn't look or sound cool, just that super responsive braking and quick steering are not strong points. I agree that you beat the odds because a bike of that geometry and weight poses elevated risks around other motorists.

I ride with guys on the track who are in their 70s. In fact, my first track day was with a 72 year old and he was just crazy fast. It's exponentially safer on the track and that gentleman provided me a great example to emulate.

In the picture below, there are no cars, traffic lights, pedestrians, potholes or debris...just a clean track where the rider is the on board engineer modulating the inputs.

 

[Pressurehead]

Any cruiser has diminished responsiveness given the geometry

Yes, you are right, changed to cruisers about 25 years ago, I am amazed I survived the sports bikes I once had.
The 'tintop' drivers are more likely hear and see you, and I had mirrors to see behind unlike the ones on sports bikes.
You have much better roads than here , last time I was in the US, that was years ago, could have changed.
Now riding on other side of the road was scary and the first roundabout 'messed with my head'.
Back to diving [and on topic].

 

[RBrentSt]

Anyway, any feedback on what you did after diving that kept you sane, is much appreciated!! My best to you reading this

I actually got into SCUBA a little over a year ago after getting a bit burned out on cycling. I did time trials, 400+ mile days on 24 hr events, fun week-long social events like RAGBRAI, but it got to be a bit same ole' same ole'. However, it was definitely my "therapy" for many, many years. And it's a great activity that I highly recommend. I've never done significant overnight hiking, but I'm also currently researching/gearing up for a AT thru-hike (hopefully) in '24.

 

[Mrs. B]

I vote kayaking because of your location but you need a fast lightweight boat that is easy to load.

Also I second photography and maybe get a drone.

 

[Mrs. B]

Any cruiser has diminished responsiveness given the geometry, weight and seating configuration. I'm not saying that category of bike doesn't look or sound cool, just that super responsive braking and quick steering are not strong points. I agree that you beat the odds because a bike of that geometry and weight poses elevated risks around other motorists.

I ride with guys on the track who are in their 70s. In fact, my first track day was with a 72 year old and he was just crazy fast. It's exponentially safer on the track and that gentleman provided me a great example to emulate.

In the picture below, there are no cars, traffic lights, pedestrians, potholes or debris...just a clean track where the rider is the on board engineer modulating the inputs.

View attachment 750288

We used to spend the weekends in the RV at the California Speedway, I only warmed the tires

My husband loves it (more than kayaking ha ha)

 

[Mrs. B]

Now we are in to Overlanding, I like it more than I expected. Italian Alps.

The PNW is great for that. Also you can ferry up to BC so easily. Take the ferry up the Inside Passage, etc.

Everyone should do that at least once.

 

[Mrs. B]

This guy decided in the middle of lockdown, to leave China and drive through the ‘stans
to Italy
Sometimes a good hobby is just getting out there and talking to people!

 

[Jeff Thomas]

Been diving off and on since I was 17, just over 300 dives. Use to live near water in Hawaii so going for beach or kayak dives on any given weekend wasn't a problem (surf and weather permitting). Moved back to the mainland and now the expense of scuba diving (travel cost, food & lodging cost, etc) seems a little overwhelming for this recent retiree. Throw in a few health issues (stupid old age) and I've decided to hang it up. Been a fun ride thou...only injury in all those years was on a dive boat when a diver didn't secure his tank to the railing, it fell out of the tank clips and landed smack on the top middle of my right foot. Needless to say my diving for the day was cancelled!

 

[rx7diver]

... Throw in a few health issues (stupid old age) and I've decided to hang it up. ...

Reading this makes me a bit sad. I think that when the time comes, I will throttle down gently, over time--you know, return to diving very simple gear (e.g., small cylinder on a plastic backpack), shallow, local, rather than quit cold turkey. Snorkeling, but with a scuba cylinder.

rx7diver