Growing Old Disgracefully - documentary film

In the tradition of the 20th century classic novel 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance', GROWING OLD DISGRACEFULLY is a biker documentary about a son's struggle to understand his father five years after a family break-up. Riding with his dad and the Ulysses club, we trace a motorcycle adventure across the southern Australian landscape, and the emotional terrain of family relationships.

[@Meriwether_Biker]

Life ain't easy, all we can do is try our best. But thank heavens for motorbikes, they are a great source of pleasure.

[@MrBrentles]

Glad I'm glad to be an Australian. Something so honest about our mob. Especially being from Victoria. Thanks for such a real docco.

[@naphza1]

A very poignant and heartfelt story. I wish I had had that very conversation w my own father but he died when I was 26. I am now 73. I used to ride all kinds of bikes from HD to sport bikes but a stroke has removed that from my life and so sometimes I watch videos like this. Thanks for sharing.

[@juanwatson9153]

Instablaster.

[@Mercy-lb5rq]

As long as there's is life there's is hope

[@raymccabe8102]

Dom this still a story that resonates. In lots of ways this was and is still a brave film. I'm glad it's surfaced again. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@edwardherbst2017]

Greetings from us disgraceful lot in South Africa . I have been a member here for a little over a year . Fantastic Club and camaraderie. Keep the wheels turning! 😎

[@unknownledgend1]

There are no finer people on the planet than ( True ) Bikers , this is not available to all humans : ) - for real !

[@sandmanbub]

@Whoop!

[@michaelsmith1094]

Growing old for me is a royal is a pain havent owned a motor cycle i 25 yrs. Waiting to die, I am going to get a bikr and ride Lord willing

[@pjeffries301]

At 61 I was self trapped. Got a Yamaha t700, and now 2 years later literally everything has changed. Everything. You don't have to wait to die, f-it, live brother.

[@DmacDomage]

Hope you ended up getting back in the saddle. 😁

[@blacksheep6888]

Trouble with the Ulysses club is that if you pull a wheelie then you get an email telling you not to be disgraceful, to much political crap, that's why I left the club, they even had a go at my Biker name Tongue that was given to me by a member of the club years before I joined. I'd rather be independent.

[@shanetowne6530]

I'm a father who rides and the last few minutes got me. I've had similar issues in my life. Coming to terms with the monster we can be and the person we are is one of life's great lessons.

[@jamieh4523]

Yeah, I felt like the father and the son in that scene

[@juhansuits6555]

That stupid seal wandering out of the bush at 48:32 - right at the most heartbreaking moment of the whole film... That's exactly what life is.

[@jamescantlin1072]

Be thankful you got to know your dad my real mom did not want me and my real dad died before I noed who he was I'm 59 now and still struggle with it injoy your dad the way he is .

[@natanpierce495]

Nice min film...much in common here. I am a minister, who loves riding. Been riding since I was 7. Raced, had fun, = love with being a musician. But my family split when I was 17. 2 selfish parents who couldn't see it to stay together. Now- at 55+, my daughter gets the leftovers of blended families. Cause my dad married 3 times, and mom married 2 times and lives with another. My daughter gets nothing. Hardly phone calls, visits, and affection...only what is left over. My wife of 31 years and I try to do the best we can, but we still feel the ripples of the split. My daughter got married last month. Dad came with his wife, but my mom did not attend. My brother is on his 3 marriage too, and has 4 children who we are not even close to. All of us live in different states, very far away. So sad. But God is good. I am still a minister and just see the broken-ness from fabric of family that breaks up. Messed up society is the result. But I do enjoy my motorcycle club because it is a bit like a family. And maybe that is why motorcycle clubs are growing and growing. Sad, but needed.

[@christopherhughes8402]

I'm sorry but the way you say..but god is good , is the same way I hear abused women saying...but at least he doesn't hit the kids?! Its genuinely painful to hear what you've been through and the obvious pain it still causes you. My mother has been married 6 times, i think. my father died on the phone talking shit on my mother and little brother during a phone call with me. what i have learned is family is who YOU choose them to be. my parents are just the same flawed humans as i am, no less, no more. god is a creation of man and not the other way.

[@danielhayes-domore]

Good on you Terry !! Danny Geelong

[@raymccabe8102]

It's a small world. I remember when this film first came out. I hope I'm getting this right but I worked with you for a few months in the late 90's at the Essendon District Memorial Hospital. I had wondered if this film ever turn up and I'm glad it has. Cheers.

[@DmacDomage]

When was this doco made? I know one of the fella's was the president of The Western Suburbs M.C. that I was a member of.

[@billmago7991]

I met two old blokes at the winter rally 1983, one i remembered in a russian hat,they were getting together like minded old blokes to start a club, they weren't interested in me but my old man he was in his late 40s, they were starting the Ulysses club

[@jakejaekels7991]

Only s--t! I think you just hit the avail on the head! You two remind me that I’m not alone with these emotions and problems. I think this is why I’m so attracted to cycles. Thank you much for this vidio!!!

[@benz201forever]

you, know what, I'm seeing myself in your dad in the future to come haha! but not yet too deep in to motorcycle clubs, I ride alone most of the time to have a better perspective on such breakups

[@Henry.58]

Your Dad Talking about suicide,Reminds me of Million Dollar Bogan,He is in your neck of the woods !

[@johnkranz2201]

Sir Al Alan Cougle RIP with Sandra Wilson at 4:00

[@grahamsmith8122]

Your Mum's sweet. She deserves to have a good man in her life.

[@MarcusBrownandTheSound]

fantastic and very gutsy love it great job

[@aaronharvey4966]

I was a student at moriac primary school and he was our principal, I had no idea he was going through all this. Such an amazing man and he came to my brothers funeral when I was such a young boy and I remember that day of his kindness. It must of been difficult to go through this with your family Dominic you are all amazing to be there for dad and your mum. My wife is watching this as I write this she is from brasil and I hope one day we can all get together for a feed. Love the docomuntary!!

[@Justaguyinnc]

Life is just life.. What happens between Parents has nothing to do with the love a parent has for their child. get on with life.. it's much to short... ride on...

[@suntzuwarsword1964]

Very cool excellent documentary. Life is a box of chocolates..you never know what ya gonna get..been riding bikes for 50 years..thanks for posting💯💯💯 there are no guarenttees or warranties in life... just live and learn thats all... that seals got the answers...

[@ChocoSapper]

Nice stone 70’s SPEFX. Cool.

[@wizdom2432]

Well spotted Liam

[@doncarlo5]

is he riding a Yamaha ?

[@chuckeelhart1746]

I think it’s a 920 virago? A V twin.., older model 1985 ish

[@TheKonaman66]

Was in stone the movie

[@hsntrkmnturkiye5326]

Harika bir video, işte yaşadığımız hayatın anlamı...🙏❤️🤟

[@mickcook9277]

Dom, this is like having my own story told to me only my parents stayed together. All happened at the same point in our lives though. I'm 52 now and have been riding for 13 years, Dad got his license when he was 75 and is now a Ulysses member. Mum passed away in late 2019 and now it is Dad and his 2 sons and we all ride. We haven't had the conversation yet and we need to. Thanks for this documentary, it was a very brave thing to do to confront a fallen superhero. When I get the chance I'm going to do it as we can't move forward in a meaningful way until it gets put to rest. I hope that your Dad travels safely, wherever he may be going. Incidentally, we were a Geelong family too!

[@Techoni]

This is awesome video. I would like to know songs used in it...

[@blaisemacintyre6674]

Just said an Ave for your mom. Beautiful woman :-)

[@cmhighway6215]

Same goes here in the USA. ( me) The Biker Dad.

[@cmhighway6215]

The Biker Dad.

[@joedavis7428]

May God bless and comfort each of you that experienced similar things with your parent or parents.I understand that hole in your heart as my dad explained how his dads drunk and abusive behavior was something my dad could never get out of his mind.Dad always had times of anger because of his dad.But you that have gone thru similar things have an added purpose and that is to share with your kids and use your wisdom to break that chain of behavior .Thanks for sharing this story.As I approach 70 I too use my motorcycle as a pressure release and I guess at times a cover.For me it is very therapeutic.

[@rahulwalia8618]

Did not feel this could be your 1st video

[@donnawells2442]

JUST TRY NOT TO SCARE THE LOCALS!!! RIDE SAFE!!!!!

[@jesam75]

Loved it! Thanks for this wonder!

[@robkeith1776]

Having been a member of Ulysses for many, many years I can vouch for the authenticity and camaraderie of a truly great social club for motorcyclists. With 130 Branches across Australia and 15 overseas ( eg New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, France, Great Britain, Vietnam, . . ) there is always a friend to help with your travels.

[@danmcelroy6584]

Good documentary

[@pippastone6018]

Thank you 🙏, awesome 😎

[@maxfield9873]

This is so good! I'd like permission to run this as part of a livestream. You can contact me..please???

[@wizdom2432]

No problem Max, go for it. Glad it resonates for you

[@maxfield9873]

@@wizdom2432 yes. Resonates more so than our American bike culture. Everything is different now anyway. Thank you. Hope to reach out to a couple of folks.