Well, I've decided to bite the bullet and go ot for a little ride today. I'm a bit nervous about it, but now seems as good a time as any! Oh, and I've decided to keep the bike in it's stripped down guise, so no bags ad no fairing. Its one of the four ways to ride it (stripped down; fairing only; bags only; bags and fairing) that give the Sport Glide it's amazing adaptability.
Well, it was an absolute joy to be out and about, if only for half an hour. The Harley was completely manageable, but I should caveat that by saying “in normal circumstances”. I am very weak at the moment and I was certainly conscious that my ability to deal with unexpected situations will undoubtedly be impaired until such time as I regain some strength. Still, at least I got out there! I did feel quite vulnerable tbh, but I need to see this as a challenge that I’m determined to overcome. At the same time, I’ll need to ride more carefully/defensively for a while. (In a weird way, riding a cruiser suits that style of riding more than other genres.) As an aside I’ve also started using my weights again. Sadly where I would do 40 reps previously 10 is hard and 20 a real struggle. Hopefully some of the strength will return over time, though.
Well done! So what if it was a short ride, you were out there, riding within your limits and enjoying it. So long as you ride according to what you can cope with mentally and physically at this time you'll enjoy it. Try not to focus on what was but on what is and get the most out of it. We're all thinking of or praying for you. Stay safe and enjoy the ride.
Nice one mate and fair play to you too, them H.D.s sure are heavy even without the excess parts. So it was only a half hour run, what does it matter, you got out there and what's more, you enjoyed it. I'm sure you will get your strength back, hopefully in time for the better weather. Take care and stay safe.
Thank you, and yes - with a full tank the bike weighs 700lbs, so it's a bit of a beast. (To be fair, I doubt I could have lifted it without help even before my illness.)
learningtofly, I`ve just read whats going on with you ,blimey you`ve been in a pickle! So pleased to read you got back out on your bike again. I bet you forgot all your trouble`s once you got going ! As already said, keep a positive frame of mind & think of summer coming for getting out on the bike. I wish you well mate . All the very best to you!
@learningtofly I haven't been on the forum for a bit but hopped on tonight to see how you are doing and get an update. Imagine my surprise--and delight!--to read that you rode your Sport Glide on Saturday. I am SO glad to know what joy it brought you, even if for only a half an hour. I understand being weak and feeling more vulnerable and cautious as a result. You have a great attitude in seeing this as a challenge, and both the riding and the weights can give you goals and motivation. Just take it day by day, as you yourself said in another post. Patience is (well, can be!) a virtue. How are the biologic infusions going? Thanks for sharing that photo of your bike. It looks great stripped down. I was at our local H-D dealership on Saturday at a demo days event and saw someone on a Sport Glide and thought of you! I'm continuing to pray for you and am sending healing wishes across the pond.
Your comment about doubting whether you could lift your bike without help even before your illness made me laugh. Over the years I've had lots of folks comment on my Harleys with statements such as "That's sure a heavy, big bike for someone your size". My usual response back (delivered with a laugh) is "Well, I don't intend to bench press it." The other thing people often ask is "How do you hold a big bike like that up?" My one word response...."Balance". Honestly, I'd have a hard enough time picking up my (relatively) lightweight Speed Triple! And even a Honda Rebel 250 weighs WAY more than I can bench press. So I think you're right about lifting that Sport Glide. But 99% of the time in a pinch there's someone around to assist.
As always, Sandi, thanks for your kind and empathetic words. Whatever you're doing, I think it's working
Well, I ventured out for another half-hour ride on the Harley. Felt much more confident and opened it up a little bit more this time. It's going to piss down for the next few days so that'll be it for a while.
I'm so glad that you got out again on your Harley and felt even better this time, @learningtofly! Moto therapy.
Well, I've decided to take the bull by the horns! I've been thinking of taking the bike down to Lymington for quite a while now so I can spend a day or two enjoying riding through the New Forest (as well as taking advantage of Lymington itself). It's a 3 hour journey each way, which seems doable given the slow but steady progress I'm making, coupled with the fact that I'm due another infusion in two weeks time. Anyway, I'm now fully booked here for the last weekend in April. I can cancel at no cost up to the day before departure too, which means if I'm having any kind of flare-up I just won't go (although I'm hoping that's not going to be an issue, of course). Just to add, I'll be at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum on the morning of Saturday 29th, so if anyone fancies meeting there and then going for a ride through the New Forest let me know. Oh, and I’ve also booked another long weekend in early June, this time in the iconic biker destination of Bala, North Wales (I’ll actually be staying in Bala town centre, which once again is about three and a bit hours each way). I’ll be meeting about four biker mates who live in the area, and it’ll be an absolute blast, all being well - obviously the same health qualification applies, though. I do understand that it may be a stretch, and I'll be monitoring my health/symptoms carefully. However, I feel like I've lost 3 months of my life, and now I want something to both aim for and look forward to.
Good for you for planning some Jones on your bike, @learningtofly! There are multiple paths to therapy, and they’re not all physical nor medicine. Motorcycles can be great therapy, too! Fingers crossed that your health continues to improve when you can do both of those trips. They sound terrific!
