I dont want the game to end.

Well I did go and have the blood thing done as suggested and it came back ok-ish, I mean except for the usual hob nailed liver of someone in their mid sixties things are fine.
One thing was noticed, looks like I had a mild Malaria at one point, many years ago, probably from getting bitten in some god forsaken sub tropical harbor when Slammer sailed the seven seas as a ships cook, smuggler and one time pirate.
(true story)
Also I must have caught something virus-y and endemic from living south of the European 40th parallel and eating what the natives eat, I spent over six years living on Malta, so that would explain that little surprise and who knows what I picked up from living in Mexico City for a few years.
All in all, nothing to worry about blood work wise, and it was suggested to crack on the way I am already doing. I was just astonished that the doctor could make an educated guess where I have been from a blood sample....
For instance, came back from a few months in Russia and had a blood test, this is a few years back and the doctor asked me if I had been further east than Warsau? "Because this little spike here, pointed to the read out, is Vodka."
It does seem that I have simply gotten older in one fell swoop.
 
Slammer said:
It does seem that I have simply gotten older in one fell swoop.
Click to expand...
The wife noticed that my left foot had a blue color. My doctor sent me to an imaging lab. They in turn sent me to the ER because they found a blood clot in my leg. Further tests revealed that it was probably two years old. About two years ago I noticed swelling in both of my legs. I started going to the gym and lost a stone. While my legs weren't perfect the swelling was better. The doctor grudgingly admitted that what I had done was correct. But from that moment on I have gotten older in one fell swoop. I am only 65 but now I feel older. My knees lock up when I stand around. The muscles in my legs hurt when I hot-rod them around. I played a LODD funeral that involved marching and standing yesterday and I am feeling the effects broadly today. I told my wife that in times past I didn't even have to think of these things!
 
Slammer said:
Well I did go and have the blood thing done as suggested and it came back ok-ish, I mean except for the usual hob nailed liver of someone in their mid sixties things are fine.
One thing was noticed, looks like I had a mild Malaria at one point, many years ago, probably from getting bitten in some god forsaken sub tropical harbor when Slammer sailed the seven seas as a ships cook, smuggler and one time pirate.
(true story)
Also I must have caught something virus-y and endemic from living south of the European 40th parallel and eating what the natives eat, I spent over six years living on Malta, so that would explain that little surprise and who knows what I picked up from living in Mexico City for a few years.
All in all, nothing to worry about blood work wise, and it was suggested to crack on the way I am already doing. I was just astonished that the doctor could make an educated guess where I have been from a blood sample....
For instance, came back from a few months in Russia and had a blood test, this is a few years back and the doctor asked me if I had been further east than Warsau? "Because this little spike here, pointed to the read out, is Vodka."
It does seem that I have simply gotten older in one fell swoop.
Click to expand...
Drink a teaspoon full of baking soda/bicarb in a glass full of warm water first thing in the morning after waking up EVERY morning!!
 
Upt' North said:
@Slammer it's a bugger getting old, it's not for cissies. But Ferret raises the issue of bike type.
It's a biggie.
I bought the VSTrom about two and a half years ago, it was very much a suck it and see purchase and I kept the ST to start with anyway. I fully envisaged the VSTrom would be moved on sooner rather than later because it wouldn't quite cut the mustard. In short I was wrong.
The initial process started when Er'Indoors commented I was struggling to move the BeaST around in the garage or when parked up in some places. I obviously chastised er accordingly but it got me thinking.
When I got the B home I put it on the centre stand and almost threw it through the back wall of the garage. It was about 100 kg's lighter than the BeaST.
We rode it, I say we because it nearly always is and we were mightily impressed. It felt just as quick as the ST11 and cornered and handled much better. Once enough adjustments were made to the seating position and luggage etc it became a better tourer than the BeaST ever was. More economical by far, comfier, less tiring and way more relaxed. The only downside was it revved a bit higher, but the gearing has now been changed so that should be addressed too.
A decision was made to move the ST on and before it went I took it out for one last ride. It felt like a dinosaur, slow to turn, slow to accelerate and it felt as small as a sports bike, just like a CBR600 would but with no get up and go. Weird.
I'm not trying to sell you a STrom, you're a big lad you'll work it out. But the problem may not be you.
We've just been to Sicily on The B, other than the oem chain deciding it had been abused enough it was faultless and all day comfortable. I don't know if we were near to you at one point, we rode from Luxembourg down to Freudenstadt through Germany.
Don't be afraid of trying something else and the beauty of newer stuff, like the very popular STrom is custom stuff is readily available unlike ST's.
Good luck.
Upt.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, I had a bit different experience with the Strom. To me it felt tractorish and slow. Nothing to it just MO.
Yes, the ST13 is a bit heavy but between my other bikes Bandit 1250 and GL1800 it feels right in the middle. The ST would be priceless if had a reverse gear.
It is fast enough. On the straight or declined road I start in 2nd and leave everything in a distant past of the rear view mirror. Not a 1000cc sportbike fast but fast enough for us over 40.
 
Last edited:
FastST said:
Hmmm, I had a bit different experience with the Strom. To me it felt tractorish and slow.
Yes, the ST13 is a bit heavy but between my other bikes Bandit 1250 and GL1800 it feels right in the middle. The ST would be priceless if had a reverse gear.
It is fast enough. On the straight or declined road I start in 2nd and leave everything in a distant past of the rear view mirror. Not a 1000cc sportbike fast but fast enough for us over 40.
Click to expand...
Fast Lad, I was comparing it to a ST11, I think I put that. The 13's from my own experience are a little more sporty than tourer compared to the 11.
But please don't think I'm slagging off the 11, far from it, whilst it was our touring bike it took us to Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Slovenia etc. It was a great bike and did it all well. Except for tyre wear, but that's another thread.
But when jumping back on it after riding the STrom I knew it was time to let it go.
No complaints here.
Upt.
 
Slammer said:
I am on the cusp of becoming 64, just another few weeks and then I´ll be singing...:

"When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a Valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine."

Well the getting older has happened and now here I am. Recently over the last few years I have noticed that I hurt after rinding, knees for one, but who needs knees on a bike? More worrying is the thumb saddle on both hands. Arthritis is showing me my limits
Click to expand...
I'm 75, and (so far) no arthritis. However, my wife is 82 and has pretty severe arthritis in her hips and knees. But we found something that has made her nearly pain-free:

DMSO gel (70% solution)- I rub it on her, wherever it hurts, in the morning. Within an hour or so, her pain is all or mostly gone. It will cause itching for awhile but that only lasts an hour or so. I wear rubber gloves when applying (so I don't itch).

MSM Powder [ Methylsulfonylmethane ] - 1/2 teaspoon, 2 or 3 times a day, mixed into juice, milk, etc. ( MSM is an oral form of DMSO).

The DMSO gives relief in an hour or two, and we were doing that every day. But after her taking the MSM for 2 or 3 weeks, she doesn't need the DMSO as often so it's obviously working.

Can't promise it will help in your case, but maybe worth trying. Both are available on Amazon.

Maybe this will help you stay in the saddle. Good Luck...
 
Age and issues are all in your head.

I'm 61. I can't ride motorcycles anymore and I've recently retired the power tools. I don't remember much of anything and I move pretty slow. But, the grandkid thinks I'm terrific and my few friends laugh when it is appropriate. And most importantly, Spousal Unit is still my #1 fan.

I'm fast trackin' an early check-out so I don't have time to complain about things. I have only so much energy at the beginning of the day and I make sure that can is empty before I say "goodnight". Living a friendly and loving life is its own reward. Focus on the good. Be around those who appreciate you and waste no time on the doom and gloom'rs.

Tomorrow is a myth. Now is all we have.
 
Capt_Gruuvy said:
Age and issues are all in your head.

I'm 61. I can't ride motorcycles anymore and I've recently retired the power tools. I don't remember much of anything and I move pretty slow. But, the grandkid thinks I'm terrific and my few friends laugh when it is appropriate. And most importantly, Spousal Unit is still my #1 fan.

I'm fast trackin' an early check-out so I don't have time to complain about things. I have only so much energy at the beginning of the day and I make sure that can is empty before I say "goodnight". Living a friendly and loving life is its own reward. Focus on the good. Be around those who appreciate you and waste no time on the doom and gloom'rs.

Tomorrow is a myth. Now is all we have.
Click to expand...
Well that went dark. I believe that it is not how long you live but how you have lived. In that respect I have been luckier than most as I have been able to travel the world and see with my own eyes this wonderful rock we call home.
Now at 64 I am two years older than my father who never go to see the turn of the century, never got to see his grandson and missed his great grand kids by eighteen years. In my family it is not the long exit, but short and snappy and I realize that it could happen to me at any time and any place. knowing this; every slight headache I ask."Is this it?"
Always at the back of my mind, always present.
 
Well, last year I turned 71 and still rode almost 9,000 miles to Alaska by myself (suffering two broken ribs in the process - rode 3,000+ miles that way).
I had almost 36,000 miles for the year.
This year I ran highway 93 end to end (about 7,000 miles) and back out to California to get another Russell Daylong Saddle built.
I'm already past 30,000 miles this year.
The 'game ends' when we either die, decide to quit, or are physically/mentally unable to ride anymore.
Health is a lot about heredity but then it is also like a bank account.
You make deposits in your 'health account' and withdrawals - when the withdrawals exceed the deposits your 'account' is closed.
I make lots of deposits - I still work out normally 5 days a week - not because it is pleasant but it is necessary if I plan to do something besides sit in chair til I'm gone.
But then I've made lots of withdrawals - anesthesia 26 times, 17 orthopedic surgeries and some more serious 'repairs'.
My goal is put another 1/2 million miles on my ST1100s before I check out (already appropriating parts to that end).
Will I make it?
I don't know but I have learned that he who aims at nothing usually hits it.
So I'm aiming for it and if I don't make it, I will certainly have a great time trying! ;)
 
I am now 75 and my riding career is starting to wind down. Not sure if I will break 10000 miles this year with three bikes in the garage. It is not due to my health. I am doing fine for a 75 year old. Not as spry as I was 10 years ago but can hold my own. My rides have been day rides of just a few hours. No more over nighter's or long multi day trips. Not because of my health but because of my wife's health. She is also 75. Shortly after I got back from my 2019 Euro Bike Trip she was diagnosed in early 2020 with what they thought was Parkinson's. (about the time of Covid, but that is another issue) Make a long story short she has since been re-diagnosed with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) with Parkinson symptoms. (google it) She has lost her sense of balance and is on her way to loosing her ability to walk because of it, She falls down a lot when she tries. She needs assistance to walk any kind of distance. She has good days and not so good days. So I need to be around to help her with normal every day life and any fall injuries. This of course limits any riding time. I am thinking about selling my FJR and my Versys 1000 SE and keeping the V-Strom 650 for the occasional two to three hour ride into the foothills. But it is difficult to let go after all these years of Motorcycling. We will see what this coming year brings in the way of motorcycling for me. It has been a great ride these last 42 years. Of course I have my Jeep Wrangler but the wife hates to ride in it.
 
ChucksKLRST said:
I am now 75 and my riding career is starting to wind down. Not sure if I will break 10000 miles this year with three bikes in the garage. It is not due to my health. I am doing fine for a 75 year old. Not as spry as I was 10 years ago but can hold my own. My rides have been day rides of just a few hours. No more over nighter's or long multi day trips. Not because of my health but because of my wife's health. She is also 75. Shortly after I got back from my 2019 Euro Bike Trip she was diagnosed in early 2020 with what they thought was Parkinson's. (about the time of Covid, but that is another issue) Make a long story short she has since been re-diagnosed with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) with Parkinson symptoms. (google it) She has lost her sense of balance and is on her way to loosing her ability to walk because of it, She falls down a lot when she tries. She needs assistance to walk any kind of distance. She has good days and not so good days. So I need to be around to help her with normal every day life and any fall injuries. This of course limits any riding time. I am thinking about selling my FJR and my Versys 1000 SE and keeping the V-Strom 650 for the occasional two to three hour ride into the foothills. But it is difficult to let go after all these years of Motorcycling. We will see what this coming year brings in the way of motorcycling for me. It has been a great ride these last 42 years. Of course I have my Jeep Wrangler but the wife hates to ride in it.
Click to expand...
That's tough when the spouse or other family member (like what Bug experienced with his son) has a health situation that is not good.
That's another 'factor' in the 'health' equation that usually ends up be a 'multiplier' instead of being 'additive'.
Good on you for being there for her!
 
Big_Jim59 said:
I thought I would add this here as it seemed appropriate. (I promise this story goes somewhere and ends in motorcycle relevance)

I play with a police pipe band and we played a Line Of Duty Funeral a little over a week ago. It was long. We stood in the sun. I got too hot, too dry and too hungry all of which put me in the back of an ambulance with a fainting spell. (if you are going to have this happen it couldn't be in a better place since fully half the crowd in attendance were trained EMTs.) I went to see our little Nurse Practitioner. My wife told her that she thought my right foot looked blue at times. The NP ordered an ultrasound on my legs also because I had been having a little trouble with my legs swelling (although it has not been as bad since I have been losing weight and exercising.)

I had the scan done today and they sent me to the emergency room! It seems that I have a partial deep vein thrombosis. The ER Doctor said that it was in my right thigh and he indicated that it was involved from the knee to the groin. I have been put on blood thinners (double dose for 7 days) to clear it out

It's been a long day. I kind of freaked out when they sent me to the ER but I guess these things are to be expected. The biggest thing is I have been warned off razors (electric shavers from now on) and I guess I am going to have to put my motorcycle away for a while. They said any kind of fall or head wound could be disastrous. I wear a helmet and all the proper gear but a fall is a fall and any kind of cut or scrape is possible. I feel like I am slowly falling apart. I have taken steps to ward this off. I do not want the game to end but that may be out of my control. I am going to go ride tomorrow before I start the meds.
Click to expand...
I was on blood thinners also for 6 years and was told the same thing about falls and moto riding. My wife was there when the Cardio Doc said "no more riding forever" As we left the doc office she said she was more concerned with my mental health than my physical health and just said to be very careful and minimize the risk and don't take any unnecessary chances when riding. The no riding bikes lasted 30 days and I said screw it. Got back to Colorado and the new Cardio Doc took me off the blood thinners as he said 6 years was enough. One only lives once in this life.
 
Andrew Shadow said:
No idea if they would help with your arthritis but another member here found gloves that were a game changer for his hand numbness. Maybe he can offer you his opinion about it.

I'll hit him up to get his attention for you- @MaxPete

Edit: Found the glove brand- ShockTec
Click to expand...

Yup - ShockTex gloves - all leather and quite nicely made (we are told) in the USA.

The HQ is in Detroit, MI and I have been there and dealt with the nice people. I cannot guarantee that they will work for everyone, but they do work for me and ShockTec is all I wear. I have two pairs of the summer "mesh" gloves and one pair of each of the 'tween seasons heavier ones and the cold weather HD gauntlet style and they have stood up to a lotta riding for nearly 10 years.

As for riding careers, I am 66 and going strong. I have five bikes and intend to ride them all at some point this year...or possibly next year (Canada in December ya know....). I am not fast (never have been) and if someone behind me doesn't like that - though sh!t.

I will stop riding when I decide its time for me to stop riding - and that time doesn't look to be too soon for me.

Pete
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom