Thanks Sandi - I'm hoping all goes to plan. On the matter of the various paths you mention, there's a body of evidence building that diet (particularly a Plant Based Diet, or PBD) can be at least as effective as a conventional drug-based approach. It can apparently provide a better chance of limiting relapses so I'll be looking into it properly going forward.
Lol… thankfully not though. With a plant-based diet, you can decide whether or not you want to consume animal products, but the focus is very much on eating mostly foods that come from plant sources.
I know you have your reasons for this research, but for now I’ll continue to let the animals do the Plant Based diet and I’ll add a couple of veg.. In the meantime I wish you all the best for the road trips; keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down.
I doubt you’ll find me stopping for grazing breaks, Rev Thanks re the forthcoming trips! Incidentally, I'm taking the Harley in for a service and it's first MOT in about an hour, and will be coming home on the T120 loaner from the Triumph part of the dealership next door. Looking forward to it for a number of reasons!
Okay… T120 test ride impacted somewhat by rain, but I’d already done enough miles on it to know that it would be perfect for me if I have to give up the Harley. It feels SO much lighter, and rides like a dream… a sublime bike that would give me a 200lb weight saving. Furthermore, I struggled manoeuvring the Harley where I wouldn’t have done before so a swap if things are no better in two or three months is very much on the cards. I had a long chat with the Head of Sales there for both Harley and Triumph, who I’ve known for about five years from when Triumph North London in Hemel Hempstead had the franchise through the Palmers group (in fact he’s the son of the guy that owns Palmers). I’ve already bought three new bikes from him either in Hemel or Watford too. He was really empathetic having experienced a similar situation himself - he was hospitalised for five months and could barely move by the time he was discharged. Anyway, he said that - it it comes to it - he’ll make sure I’m “properly looked after” given my circumstances.
Little mishap today in that I was doing a slow maneuver (parking up on the patio) and the bike started to drop as the turn was too tight. Thinking I was my old self I just pushed it up with my leg; however, because I'm presently so much weaker than I was the end result wasn't what I'd hoped. Fortunately for the bike, all 700lbs landed on my leg, leaving my precious completely unmarked; my leg wasn't so fortunate, however, and I'll be walking with a limp for a while. Lucky my neighbour was in the garden, as he provided emergency assistance
Thanks all. To be honest, the patio is tight and I remember doing exactly the same thing with my R9T; the difference, though, is that I could lift that. Anyway, I'm not going to be defeatist over it, despite a few bikers on another forum telling me "it's time to move it on"! No, I'm going to up my exercising, ride as much as I can so I don't allow myself to become intimidated by the weight of the bike, and review the situation in a week or so. My plan is still to go on my trip. I expect it’s going to hurt for a while, though
Well, dang, @learningtofly. I just saw your post about dropping your bike...on your leg. I'm glad that the outcome wasn't worse than it was but I'm really sorry about the whole thing, especially hurting your leg. But I admire your "can do" attitude! And @Dawsy's right. It happens to us all. (He's right about the brews, too!) And if a bike is going over--700 pounds or 500 pounds--it's going over. And it will still hurt any body part it lands on. Please keep us posted about both your leg and your trip. Glad the bike wasn't damaged, BTW.
Thanks, Sandi, and yes - I'm determined to win this one as I really do want to keep my bike. I guess it's a case of no pain, no gain! On the subject of which, it feels a little easier this morning; I was actually worried that there might be a hairline fracture somewhere but I think I can stop worrying about that now.
Well, I've been engaging with the Head of Sales for the joint Triumph/Harley dealership and have made a decision. This has been driven by: Availability of the T120 Black - there's nothing anywhere near me on the used market and Triumph North London are getting an allocation of 1 in May and then nothing until well into the summer. I've been done a real favour on the cost of change, as I was promised. It was probably fortuitous that I'm dealing with someone who was himself hospitalised for 5 months not that long ago, so the empathy was strong. My own treatment isn't going nearly as well as hoped, so it looks like my recovery (and hence an increase in my general strength) is some months away. Long story short, the cost to me was at the figure that I knew I couldn't turn down, so this will be mine in May. I'm sure i've made the right decision, although it's more than a little bitter-sweet if I'm honest.
Yes it is a bugger when health gets in the way of our riding enjoyment. I had to let my 1050 tiger sport go for a smaller lighter bike.
I know it won't be the same as your Harley, but from my very positive experience last month, of a 2022 T120 Black loan bike, sure you'll love it. It's a very easy comfortable bike to ride. For me 6' 2" tall, I found the bars a tad narrow and a tad too close, but that's all. Here's a to a happy new bike day and you’re still in my thoughts and prayers for a full recovery and being able to enjoy those trips you've got booked.
Congratulations on your new bike, @learningtofly. It is really cool and I'm sure you will love it. I know this has been a hard decision for you but from your post it seems as though this change is meant to be, even down to the empathy of your salesman. That said, I know you have loved that Harley and how it makes you feel. But nothing in life is ever set in stone. Who knows what the future may hold...perhaps even another Harley? I am sorry to read that your recovery isn't going as well as hoped and will continue my praying for your recovery and sending healing wishes across the pond. I'm glad that beautiful T120 will breath life into your riding days and provide some moto-therapy. And I hope that your planned travels work out! Thanks for continuing to keep us posted. All the best!
Hiya apologies I’ve only just seen this thread. What a rollercoaster of a journey you are having. Fortunately I seem to have caught it at the more positive end of things. So happy your health is improving and you have a new toy on the horizon.