Motorcycles don't do well when left sitting in a garage, unridden for weeks at a time. Old gas turns to sludge in the fuel lines and the batteries drain; ideally you ride for a minimum for 30-40 minutes at 45 mph+ at least once a week (for these reasons if you're looking to buy a used bike, a newer one that's got some miles on is better than a 5 year old bike with only 1500 miles.) It's also much better for your skills if you ride regularly.

Char and I both ride, but I haven't been on a bike since before her accident. Primarily, I didn't ride because the idea terrified our daughter, but she doesn't seem have have the same fears about her grandfather riding, so he took each of the bikes out for a long ride a few weeks ago, but yesterday I wanted to get them our and charged back up and wasn't going to call Brad to do it. Theresa was over and I was obviously not needed, so I took the chance and spent a couple hours riding.

I joked afterward that if Rachel noticed the bikes had been moved, Grandpa did it. Damned if she didn't go into the garage later and note the likely two inches difference in where I parked them.

So yes, I smiled and said that Grandpa had gone for a ride.

Technically, this was not lying. I am someone's grandpa after all, and it made her happy. I do have to get her warmed up to the idea that I am going to ride again, and chances are her mother will, too. Hell, we have to get all the kids used to it. They might not be interested in their dirt bikes anymore and that's fine, but Char and I enjoy it far too much to give it up.