Selling up and leaving the hobby - Your failure experiences?

[electronicaeric]

Having space is more of an issue these days . I want to get into woodworking (only with cheap recycled stuff as the timber is far too expensive). Every time I want to get to a bench, I have to move stuff and it's getting on my nerves now. But I kniw what will happen , I will sell it all on, no doubt at a loss, and then regret it a few years down the line. I regret a lot of the cars I have sold over the years, Escorts Capris etc etc and now I have no chance of affording such things now.
Guess I will just have to keep moving stuff about.

 

[widowmaker]

Space is at a premium with me, now that one of my parasites has moved back home along with a house full of stuff. Sorry I meant children

It seems drastic but i have a wooden bike shed that I am dismantling tomorrow. Then I will have 2 days to thin the fleet by 4 bikes.

A nice bit of time pressure never hurt.

 

[Yetichaser]

I’ve only got 8 bikes and 2 of those belong belong to my children.
However, they are not garage queens although some look as those they could be.
I enjoy seeing them being used (when time permits).
With classic cars, I hate the whole low mileage garage queen thing, talking about investment pieces and showing off immaculate examples at car shows. Ferraris are the worst, Porsche not far behind.
My 993 has virtually done 1,000 miles in the past 10 years since my children were born and I couldn’t justify taking it out.
This year, i’ve made it a point on using it. Did a weekend trip to the Le Mams classic with the family and it was brilliant. Lots of interest from other like-minded enthusiasts, great racing, and the atmosphere around Le Mans is fantastic. A real buzz around the town. Will definitely be going back.
I’ve also got so much more respect for the owners who are racing the historic cars. More tricky to drive, and if you crash it, its going to be difficult to restore it. But they look and sound incredible on track and so much more emotive than looking at a parked garage queen at a classic car show.
Back to bikes, i’m building a Yeti Pro FRO for my son’s next bike. My hope is for him (possibly me) to ride it at next years Malverns Classic for the XC and possibly downhill.
He won’t be quick but its great seeing these bikes being used. And i’m hoping to have a Tioga disc drive on it. Hopefully its safe enough to use.

 

[ishaw]

I've tried and failed a number of times. Not to sell up and leave the scene, but attempting to downsize as it's a space issue for me. I've tried to let go s few builds, frames and parts to clear space but it rapidly gets replaced. I counted at least 19 bikes in my shed, some built, some frames with parts to go, and there's at least 10 more in the garage.

I enjoy the build, the hunt for parts, and the community, so it's something I'll not leave any time soon, but I do need to get ruthless on a downsizing mission and sell all but bikes and builds that don't hold the nostalgia or sentimental feelings and just keep those that have they, or will be hard to replace.

Good luck in your decision, if space wasn't an issue I'd not even consider selling most, there are a few I simply should just let go, maybe typing this will spur me on.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Why is time against you?

You're still not halfway through and average life, not even a third through your adult life.
There is loads of time*,

*On average.

 

[d8mok]

Why is time against you?

You're still not halfway through and average life, not even a third through your adult life.
There is loads of time*,

*On average.

3 year old daughter , Own business , riding , gym and frequent trips abroad with a split family set up as wife is Spanish

 

[FluffyChicken]

3 year old daughter , Own business , riding , gym and frequent trips abroad with a split family set up as wife is Spanish

Many of us have managed that and are at the children are now adults or almost adults.
Still I have plenty of time left...

Just slow down what you do, miss a few months of old bike (or years in my case) still here and living.

The next 15yrs will fly by with children, but you'll still only be 55 and have loads of years left.

I'm not saying don't get rid, you do you, but it isn't time that is against you, more like your thoughts/worries are against you.
There will still be old bikes in 15 years time.
Another hobby will still take all that time so don't bother with it, just set it all aside, potter every now and again, enjoy it with you family and developing your business.
In 15 years time you may to may not be in Spain, you may are may not have sold you business, you may or may not have many nice bikes locked up in a shed(s)/ basement floor it is ages away in reality.

 

[Takingabreak]

I've actually been having similar selling up thoughts, though my stash of bikes is not in the same league as @d8mok

I am a bit older, late 50's and have been thinking that this bike hobby has been done for me for a while now and seems to be dying a slow death.

My view of the bikes and the associated spare parts has changed from "look at those beauties" to "why have I got these piles of old junk"

To say my enthusiasm has waned would be an understatement.

But, I still don't think I'm ready to get rid of it all just yet as the enthusiasm might return but I am ready to take the collection down to the bare minimum.

As for the next hobby? I'm thinking slot cars... https://www.pendleslotracing.co.uk/

 

[d8mok]

Many of us have managed that and are at the children are now adults or almost adults.
Still I have plenty of time left...

Just slow down what you do, miss a few months of old bike (or years in my case) still here and living.

The next 15yrs will fly by with children, but you'll still only be 55 and have loads of years left.

I'm not saying don't get rid, you do you, but it isn't time that is against you, more like your thoughts/worries are against you.
There will still be old bikes in 15 years time.
Another hobby will still take all that time so don't bother with it, just set it all aside, potter every now and again, enjoy it with you family and developing your business.
In 15 years time you may to may not be in Spain, you may are may not have sold you business, you may or may not have many nice bikes locked up in a shed(s)/ basement floor it is ages away in reality.

I’m more referring to free time than time left on earth. I’ve no doubt that people have far less time than me too. Since I can if I wish simply not work and let others deal with it. But the ongoing growth / battle to stay In business does require as much time as I’m happy to allocate to it.

If my interest has truly gone (still to be determined) , and time at a premium it’s logical to move the collection on sooner than leaving them sat for 15 years. May as well get half decent money for it all and spunk it on something else no doubt.

Plus the fact I hope to be making progress with the Spain plan in 5 years whether that be a second home there or complete move.

Of course if I fall back in love with the hobby I will simply take the bikes with me to Spain or keep them in the UK.

Short term I’m definitely going to see how the next 6 months go and if I miss the thought of leaving the scene and selling up.

I’ve got a Dekerf away at paint so when that comes back I really hope it sparks my interest again.

 

[Yetichaser]

I've actually been having similar selling up thoughts, though my stash of bikes is not in the same league as @d8mok

I am a bit older, late 50's and have been thinking that this bike hobby has been done for me for a while now and seems to be dying a slow death.

My view of the bikes and the associated spare parts has changed from "look at those beauties" to "why have I got these piles of old junk"

To say my enthusiasm has waned would be an understatement.

But, I still don't think I'm ready to get rid of it all just yet as the enthusiasm might return but I am ready to take the collection down to the bare minimum.

As for the next hobby? I'm thinking slot cars... https://www.pendleslotracing.co.uk/

Oh no, now you’ve got me interested.