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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> A last Big? ride. /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1308623073 Message started by Boofer on 06/20/11 at 19:24:33 |
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Title: A last Big? ride. Post by Boofer on 06/20/11 at 19:24:33 I am thinking of a 300 mile two day round trip. I have been mostly in bed or horizontal for over three weeks. My doctor likes me riding, because he wants me to keep my mind hopeful and not get depressed from chronic pain. If I can improve for the next couple of weeks I may ride to wife's cousin's lake house. It's up by MM Ranch's territory. Her family meets every year with grannies, babies, cousins, skiing, eating, no drinking,lake watching. I feel like I may not have many rides left after this last winter. It's a 3 hour trip by car and I know I can do it if I stop a lot, but I need to come back the next day. That's the catch. Four lane hwy, Natchez Trace Parkway, 2 lane hwy, Lawrencburg, Pulaski Tn, four lane hwy, two lane hwy, with a zillion curves and 2 zillion deer. You're there! Tim's Ford, Lynchburg, Tn. Just thinking out loud. Thanks for listening. :) |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by lukeduck on 06/20/11 at 19:43:37 Really like that your Doc says riding is good for you. My wife says riding does me a world of good. Lets see, 300 miles round trip, 150 miles a day, ride the way I do. Some days 150 miles between stops (not on Thumprat). Other days 25-30 miles max between stops. All depends on how bad the body hurts. Funny thing I always feel better after I ride. Be happy with your decision, what ever it may be---Luke |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Serowbot on 06/20/11 at 23:10:59 If you decide to do it,... ride your own ride... Stop when you want, for how long you feel like... Make enjoying the ride, the goal... not the destination... The destination will be there waiting, whenever... If you decide not to,... have a nice ride when you get back... It doesn't have to be chore... Happiness is a healing thing... All my best... PS,.. what's got you bed ridden for three weeks?... I was bed ridden for 2 weeks once, and it really weakens you... When I started back to work, I had to stop and rest, just getting from the parking lot to the building... |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Boofer on 06/21/11 at 00:07:17 Serowbot, I have had a bad back since high school. It never stopped me, just slowed me down. Neurosurgeons won't touch it. If I do more than I should, I have to trade it for a few days of being down. I am by no means complaining. But it's like having a baby. Everything I do, I have to ask myself is the baby going to behave. And I am all about the trip. I just need to stay one night and come home to take care of a couple of little knot head baby Joey Sugar Gliders. This has been a really bad winter for me, so I don't know if I can ride ten more years or two months. Worse off than some--better than others. Thanks for asking. Boofer :) |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by WD on 06/21/11 at 02:51:17 I feel your pain Boofer, literally. I am back driving big rigs (local only) and snacking on Flexerils. L4/5 and L5/S1 have had bone and disc pieces removed, sometimes I can feel stuff in there grating together. Both shoulders are bad, both knees are getting there. Docs gave me an 85% permanent whole body disability rating. Still have to work a real job and couldn't find a bike shop hiring. Sometimes I can't ride for months at a stretch. Four days post-op I was riding Lisa's Intruder around the condo parking area (surgeries performed in Wa in 2003 and 2004). She of course threw a fit... ::) First surgery failed after an allergy attack, sneezing blew the discs back out. I'm going to give my Savage another go once the repaint, re-peg, re-tire thing is completed. And after it cools off a touch. Memphis area to Reelfoot Lake ought to be a good shake down, couple hours each way. If my back can't hack the custom anymore I'll step up to a nice used 1500 Vulcan Classic or Drifter (better seat and suspension) or go for an "old man" bike (trike). The day my back makes me hang it up for good? I've got three classic cages to play with. 1949 and 69 Dodge trucks, 72 Super Beetle, looking at a couple mid-50s (Chevy and Plymouth) sedans to resto-mod for "Matt's Brats" (my little brothers triplet daughters). Lately I've been losing every Saturday, back just isn't what it used to be. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by babyhog on 06/21/11 at 05:07:23 I assume you would be making this ride alone? That's a tough call. I'd say prepare to do it. You can always cancel at the last minute if you aren't feeling up to it. But if you set your mind that you aren't going to do it, then you probably won't change your mind and ride at the last minute. So plan on it! My neice had a sugar glider. I kept it for a week while they were on vacation. Cutest little booger, and a real sweetie. I made pouches and hammocks and toys for him... but my doggies would never let me have one! |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by photojoe on 06/21/11 at 06:21:53 I have an assortment of herniated discs also. Some bad days/nights, and other tolerable days. I sometimes tell Shar that I need an adjustment, so I'm riding to find some potholes. Plenty of them here. 300 miles r/t means 150 miles one way. Go for it. Leave early in the A.M. and even if you ride easy, you should be at your destination in time for lunch. Do it on your own time, stop when you need to. Let people know the route you'll be taking and keep in touch via cell phone. Strap your bag on the rear seat and stuff it high so you can lean on it while riding. Enjoy your ride, and let us know how it went when you get back 8-) |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Boofer on 06/21/11 at 08:10:44 I appreciate the comments. I'm not complaining. Just thinking out loud. I have traveled the route in a car many times. I always ride alone, so no sweat there. When I have bad pain, my wife offers help then leaves me alone for a few days knowing I need to find my way back to walking and doing stuff. It's funny, but as I sat down to type this a story came on tv about a guy who robbed a bank of $1 and sat down and waited for the cops. He has two bad disks, no job, and wanted to go to prison to get medical help. Again, thanks for the comments. I'm not much on asking for help, but I appreciate the comments. I have a good friend at church who has a trailer. I will put him on standby where he can come and get me if necessary. He helps with the heavy work I can no longer do sometimes. He charges a reasonable rate, so I'll be covered. I made a hundred miles in May Relay for Life and just getting back to normal. I was reminded in a PM of something I typed: "I am fine except when I'm not. Then I am just waiting to be fine again." Thanks :) |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Serowbot on 06/21/11 at 09:29:28 Hey wait a minute!,... I'm a bit slow on the uptake, so I only just caught it but,... "Last Big Ride"?... Oh no, my nattering nabob of negativism... "Next Big Ride"... ;)... Remember that, "just waiting to be fine again" thing... |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by KristenAnn on 06/21/11 at 09:41:52 456868616275070 wrote:
That is an awesome quote. I love it. You can only do as much as you think you can. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by verslagen1 on 06/21/11 at 10:11:25 regardless of how you feel now, you'll never know how you'll feel in the future... Last Big Ride... naw... Last Big Ride this year maybe. Don't push yourself so that it is. remember... windage and elevation... keep your nose pointed in the right direction and your chin up. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Boofer on 06/21/11 at 15:39:25 79607B6166777C737C7C120 wrote:
That is an awesome quote. I love it. You can only do as much as you think you can. [/quote] Kristen Ann, I got this way doin' what I thought I could. ;D |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by WD on 06/21/11 at 16:55:35 Yeah, I used to think I could do a lot more than I should have... hiking, camping, backpacking, rigid frame customs for 1000s of miles at a time, riding roping horses, working cattle... You know, I've been known to carry my cane on rides in case my legs decide not to play when I get somewhere and have to stop. 2 years shy of 40 and I've been using a cane off and on as needed for the last 9 years. 2 hose clamps and 2 broom holder clips will hold a cane to a set of buckhorns or apehangers. Just wrap a shoelace or something on as well for extra security, the clips can vibrate enough to spit out the cane. My last 2 jobs I kept the cane between the Peterbilt seats. More than once had to grab the cane and butt bounce my way out of the rig. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by KristenAnn on 06/21/11 at 17:01:14 WD that is a marvolus way th do the cane. I would have never thought of a way to put mine on the bike. Now i feel as tho i could ride when i am having a weak leg day with the MS. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by kimchris1 on 06/21/11 at 17:28:49 Boofer, I agree with the others. Not your last ride, just maybe a little stall in between rides. I vote to go ahead and plan the ride. Your body just may need to be back in the saddle for awhile. This time, listen to the Doc. Ride that bike.. So what if you have to stop a few times to stretch and rest. No one's timing you on how long it will take you to get there. Ride, enjoy, ride, smile, ride, ride, ride,,, Hugs pal, :) kim |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Boofer on 06/21/11 at 18:31:02 I noticed you guys keep saying "plan for the ride". I will get up that morning and check the condition of the old vertabrae, get my Amtrak small duffle, one pair socks, drawers, tee, jeans, shorts, shoes, meds, toothbrush, soap, etc, charged phone, and regular pants pocket stuff. Bungee to sissy bar. Probably ATGATT. Check the Rotella T dino 15w45 (Did I say that) with telescoping mirror. I got gas when it was on mile ???25 so I'll check the miles, but that will change before then. You get the idea. Crank and go. I'll spray a little Fabuloso cleaner on it and hose it off the day before. What plan? I live a plan. I am the guy you want to camp with. ;D |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by WD on 06/22/11 at 03:16:10 Improvise, adapt and overcome KristenAnn. I'm not always a smarta$$, just usually... ;D Hate driving, love riding, won't give it up until I can't walk. At which point I'll track down a CB750A (automatic), build a trike and keep going. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by serenity3743 on 06/22/11 at 05:26:25 Instead of saying "It WILL BE my last big ride," keep on ridin' and let someone else at your funeral talk about the one that "WAS his last big ride." |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Arnold on 06/22/11 at 07:59:25 Your back started acting up in high school, due to an injury? |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Boofer on 06/22/11 at 12:00:16 Arnold, Yep. And guys, I did put a question mark on the Last Big Ride. It's not very big as rides go, and it may not be my last. All your posts are nice. I didn't think this would happen. Just saw my friend at church while sending his daughter and mine on a mission trip. He's fine with coming to pick me up if I need him to. Now all I got to do is get a little better. Shooting for week of the Fourth, but not on the Fourth. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Arnold on 06/22/11 at 12:16:59 darn, and "modern" medicine has not been able to help since? Surgery too risky? |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Boofer on 06/22/11 at 15:07:07 Correct. Had surgery, pain block shots in spine, Phys Therapy, Mri, Myeliogram, cat scan, chiropractor, osteo biflex (actually worked for about 2 weeks) Have not done accupuncture. We are so used to seeing on tv and hearing and reading about a cure for everything. There are some things that can't be fixed. Look at it this way. Me and wife never had children. Didn't find out why. Just couldn't. So in 2002 when I got on disability I was home all time and we knew people who had foster children. We took the course, background check, etc. Started keeping children. Finally ran across one we couldn't give up. She turned 14 last week. It ain't all bad. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by bill67 on 06/22/11 at 15:21:35 674A4A434057250 wrote:
Did you every try working out like at a YMCA Here I only pay $26 a month and You could be there all day if you wanted,You wouldn't do heavy stuff just very light stuff.I hurt my back trying to pull a small tree out of the ground when I was 26 years old,My back bother me a lot At 35 years old I started playing tennis with in a couple months my back quit bothering me,With something like tennis or light gym stuff your working the muscles but not straining them.Muscles is what helps hole your bones in place. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Arnold on 06/22/11 at 15:29:06 Yea, I hear ya. As you get older, you find that happiness is not always what you thought it would be. Also you take things with a grain of salt... |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Boofer on 06/22/11 at 15:36:06 I agree Bill, but degenerative disk disease is a hardening of the disks that causes them to be less pliable and slip or rupture. Most of my problem was caused by working too hard and just wearing out. I am pretty trim and have good muscle tone. I have not done the gym thing, but have plenty of room to walk and lots of work to do around here. BTW, I have a back brace I found on my own. It really helps when I hit a bump or hole on the Savage. It is a Bell Horn and cost around $100. Easy to adjust and looks like a woman's corset. Hard to wear underneath clothes, so I wear it on the outside. It may be helpful to some of you. Thanks Bill. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by drharveys on 06/22/11 at 19:30:38 153838313225570 wrote:
Yup, I had a bike like that once. The most important accessories were a cell phone, a Kendon trailer and a very understanding spouse! It was the old style Royal Enfield: http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/DSC00676-1.jpg I think it's main purpose was to make me appreciate the reliability of the Suzuki thumper! http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/DSC02028.jpg (Which is on the trailer only because we were taking it with on a summer trip to Colorado) |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Boofer on 06/23/11 at 06:53:56 382D3635353C2D3C2B590 wrote:
Sorry Arnold, Dr Little said no extra salt. ;D And I am such a dull person, when someone asks my wife where the spices are she gives me a look and says' "They're in the salt shaker." ;D |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by Arnold on 06/23/11 at 07:06:50 You know, I use salt sometimes when I cook something but I never add salt to my food when I eat. I've never missed it, I guess it's a habit for most. I like my pepper though and hot sauce. |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by joscswny on 06/24/11 at 09:13:19 McIlhenny & Co. Never ride alone! |
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Title: Re: A last Big? ride. Post by sluggo on 06/25/11 at 03:20:29 i havent gotten a ride in all year yet for the same reasons. eat the pills kill tje pain but then cant think properly. forgo tlhe pills cant ride due to painl i hate it |
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