Hi all... not been around of late so thought I'd pop in and explain why. In February I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (very severe symptoms). I was put on oral steroids and the standard drug to counter (Octasa), but the steroids didn't help and I was admitted urgenty into hospital a few days later. The steroid dosage was multiplied by a factor of 10 and given through an IV, but still I was getting worse. On day 5 they gave me my first biologics infusion (save for surgery and everything that entails, the only other option if steroids are ineffective), which please god will keep the disease in remission going forward as the load in my body builds up through regular treatment. It'll be a life-long programme of care, of course, and it may or may not prove to be effective. (I have my next infusion due next Friday.) I've lost about 50% of my muscle mass, feel horrible and am suffering badly from water retention in my legs. I'm pretty depressed and have no idea what the future holds. All I want to do is ride my bike and go to football, and right now I can't do either. I'm not even sure if I'll be able to continue riding my Harley, given the state of my physique compared to just a couple of months ago. Life can be a bitch sometimes.
Really sorry to hear this bud, sometimes life can be very cruel. Fingers crossed that the treatment starts to work and you can get back to some sense of normality. Try and keep positive and do all the things you can that make you feel happier
Best wishes for a recovery and getting back on your bike. I know myself how health issues can turn your life around in an instant.
Jeezuss mate you have been through the mill. Last year was a biggie but you have gone and trumped even that. Hope things take a big turn for the better and you are back on the bike (even tho it is a Harley) and/or down at the footie very soon. Take care and get well soon.
@learningtofly so is this along the route of Crohns disease? My eldest has that and has to have periodic injections to control it. Hopefully things will settle down, once the appropriate medication is found, and some sort of status quo will be resumed allowing you to continue your life with football and Harleys
Bloody hell, Tony, I'd not realised that things were anything like that bad. Really hope that things improve and improve quickly. It does sound like you're getting good care and treatment though which is very good news. ...and at least it saves you from the embarrassment of riding a Harley. Get well soon, mate.
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I think the important thing is to maintain a positive mental attitude, so I'll do my best. Anyway... I've been dwelling on my riding future, and contemplating not being able to ride the Harley again due to its (700lb) weight. Very depressing, but I just looked at a potential alternative in the Bonneville T120 Black. With some customisation along the lines shown below it would be lovely, and it would also be about 200lbs lighter (so could well be more manageable for what's left of me going forward). What do you think? Another alternative could actually be the new Ducati Monster... literally half the weight of the Harley, but moving away from the modern classic look, which I prefer.
Two things to say, here, @learningtofly - first, it's saddening to hear of the condition and its effects on you and I really do hope that you can come out of the other side of what must seem like an eternally dark "tunnel" much sooner and much better than you might be thinking right now! Second, I'd say that it would be a really sensible plan to move the HD on and get something lighter and easier to manage. That weight difference could make a big hole in the lay-off period that will almost cerainly be required for your full recovery. That T120 looks the 'dog's danglies' (save for the brown saddle .........) and, from a forum point of view, would, I think, make more sense to most of us here! I have a friend who had a hankering for a Dook Streetfighter so he scratched the itch with a brand new one after part ex'ing his Thrucky. He - and his wallet - is now recovering well from the ownership experience and he's back on a Thrucky with a much wider smile .............. and a healthier bank balance! Good luck with the recovery and with the decision on the bike choice!
I think that it is a very pragmatic approach to take - and I am sure it will be far more positive for you to keep on riding on a lighter machine than having the HD and feeling miserable if you're unable to ride it. The Bonnie looks lovely and riding it must surely represent gaining a little of "yourself" back again, there's so much to be said for the mental process of acceptance / recovery I think. I cannot pretend to be able to imagine what you are experiencing, but have had a serious injury in the past with a huge period of uncertainty over what function I would be left with or regain after rehabilitation (I was fortunate - remarkably so - as it turns out) and having a sort of recalibration and adjustment of expectations did actually go some way to regaining a feeling of control over things, rather than my situation controlling me, if that makes any sort of sense?
Thanks again for the comments above, everyone. Some wisdom in there for sure. Anyway... A further morning of thought has ensued. I've probably made up my mind that if I have to move to a lightweight bike there's only one real contender. Unique, British, hand built to spec, and entailing real pride of ownership. Something that will make me smile every time I sit on it, and won't feel like a compromise in terms of style. I nearly bought a CCM a year or two back, and went up to Bolton for a full factory tour and a talk to the owners. Remarkable machines, and they're so light that the power to weight ratio is outstanding, even though it's a single pot motor. As for the sound... I reckon that's job done, if it comes to it.
The CCM makes sense and also provides some inspiration and target to aid your recovery. I quite fancied one of these myself, and they could be seen as an investment, with them now commanding a better price than when they were introduced.
Really sorry to hear about your health, much positive thoughts, prayers etc for your recovery. As others have said, anything that helps a positive mentality, thinking about what you can do rather than can't, will surely be a good thing. The CCM is a lovely bike (though I've never ridden one), it reminds me in a way of the Yamaha XT550 and then SRX600 bikes that my brother owned in the '80s. Great bikes and the bark and grunt of a large single is quite intoxicating. I had the loan of a T120 Black yesterday, it looks great, the riding position was comfy and commanding, and the bike's easy to ride as soon as its moving; but it is still a heavyish bike to push around and hold up when not under power. Obviously take medical advice about riding safety while you're ill, but the Harley may be worth sacrificing if it helps you say positive and on the road. Get well soon and stay safe.
Another option in a similar vein that you may or may not have seen or be aware of is the Fantic Caballero Flat Track 500
Thanks, but that one's not for me. I've also now discounted the CCM, as the ride is just a bit too brutal to be an only bike, and its also unsuitable for motorways/fast A roads (I've ridden one). I've now narrowed any choice I might have to make in the future to three bikes: T120 Black (perfect when spec'd up) Speedmaster (probably more comfortable, but prefer the T120 Black looks) R9T (owned, loved, and a fair bit lighter than the other two)
