Back in the saddle

[Testarossa]

It's been almost two years since I swung a leg over a bike. After winterizing the bikes in October 2024, I was diagnosed with a tumor on my aorta. Chemo and radiation ensued, leading to radiation pneumonitis. Chemo wrecked my kidneys so I had treatment for that, and I resolved BPH by having the bloody prostate out. In the course of all this I lost 20 lb of muscle. Now I'm in treatment for degenerative arthritis in my neck and spine, and trying to rebuild my strength (and wind) so as to ski during the coming winter.

I do feel strong enough now for a short ride, so the inaugural outing will be to the MGNOC Rally in Hotchkiss, Colorado, beginning tomorrow (27 August). It's only eight miles and my friend Scott will escort me on his V7 850.

For the occassion I put a fresh battery in the 850T -- my favorite bike since 1983. Aired up the tires, checked compression (130 both sides, at 8600 feet elevation). She fired right up -- what a delicious sound. Two years of dust, caked into the oil stains -- we need a bath at the car wash before parading in public. Presumably my neck will tolerate a helmet. If not you may see the Bell rolling solo down SR 133.

[Dharma Bum]

That's great news,Seth 😀 See you in Hotchkiss

[guzzisteve]

Welcome back, I had a bout w/pneumonia & I was DOA when I got to the 3rd hospital. Operation on my lungs & 2 weeks in ICU w/garden hoses in & out of my side. 2 days in regular room & I got myself released, I refused to get back in bed & was out by noon. Drs lieing to me saying I had AFIB heart cause I had one w/I came in. Proved them wrong w/all their tests & monitor. Then I asked for my $200,000 cause I was smarter than the DR. I just got strong enough to get the EV on the centerstand. Was riding my sidecar rig to get my upper body strength back. COPD & 50% volume in lungs now.
Glad you beat it & are back riding!!!

[Dirk_S]

I’m pretty sympathetic and sensitive to aortic health issues, as my grandmother who raised me passed from a rupture due to an undiagnosed aneurysm (ironically somewhat, I recently helped in a Mongolian ritual goat slaughter in which, to avoid spilling blood on the soil, they reach into the cavity and tear the aorta so that the blood fills inside the carcass instead…but anyway…). You’ve been through a good bit in such a short period, and you have both my thoughts AND my admiration for battling through it, especially the chemo. I hear it’s a bitch. But keep going, and I hope you can ride again soon.

[RinkRat II]

  Glad you're on the mend and back here at WG!  After physical therapy, maybe look into Pilates for further strengthening of your
whole body. After all, that's what was invented for. My $.02

    Paul B

[Stretch]

Good on yer, Testarossa! 

If there are no further disasters with my shoulder, I'll
be back on a bike next spring.

Let us know how the trip goes.

                               -Stretch

[jcctx]

Glad you are on the mend; hope the ride is great and all continues to improve!!!

[SemperVee]

 Sounds like many of us, including me, are not going gently into the night nor giving up the fight lightly.  Rather we are managing our risk.

[Testarossa]

When I looked at my maintenance log I realized it's been three years, not two. Time flies when you're having fun. I put the bikes away in November 2023.

So I ran the 850T thru the car wash and we rode to the Delta County Fairgrounds in Hotchkiss for the MGNOC rally. About half a dozen bikes got there before us and their crews were setting up tents. I believe Karen is expecting about 60 for dinner, so maybe 45 or 50 bikes. I talked to guys from Arizona and Kansas and British Columbia. Arizona rode a CanAm Spyder to accomodate his wife; another fellow rode a Triumph Rocket 3 with a sidecar and trailer. My '74 T wasn't even the oldest Guzzi present -- that prize goes to a '73 Eldorado 850. Newest bike was a V100 Stelvio.

Anyway, my T ran well and I opened it up to 70mph briefly on the way home. The bar is flattish and the compromised spine is uncomfortable holding my head up; if I want to go any distance will have to change the bar.


Went back Saturday morning for breakfast. Final count was 56 riders.