It's time to give up and sell up

[Paul in NZ]

Look - dont take this the wrong way, I'm not a rude or bad man really and really if you want to sell the bike its really no skin off my nose but FFS... Harden up man! No, no physically but mentally and emotionally. Mate, lifes a shit sometimes and I really mean that, its complete crap but ya gotta punch through and sure - maybe the big yam is a bit much wood at the moment but dont give up on a dream that easy. Downsize to a lighter bike or even take on a project there is a way to get your fix, ya just gotta think outside the box.

Christ - I'm a type 1 diabetic and I'm getting older and its getting harder, in the last few years I've lost a testicle to cancer and copped a post op infection that nearly did me in. I've had a couple of years of misery until the doc figured out the gluten had after all these decades finally just about destroyed my guts and every day I struggle off to the gym to keep myself sane - now, all my tendons are unattaching and an old back injury has fucked up my hands which are constantly sore. I struggle to ride, kayak or fish but I'm fucked if I'll stop because a few months back, after yet another specialist appt and an afternoon off work I went to the gym to try and get my happy buzz back (oh - did I mention the gluten induced depression from lack of sleep and the rather embarassing posts I make occasionally because of it) Then I met Sarah...

Mate I felt bad that day - literally weeping tears of frustration and I was sore from head to foot literally grinding away on the treadmil wondering if I should just give up and go eat myself to a happy death... Then I clocked this chick. I've never seen such a fucked up body - mate she cant speak, walk or sit all from a car accident 20 years ago and you know what, she drags herself to the gym and is helped onto the bike and she counts it a major victory just to turn the crank once... I've never felt so ashamed of myself in all my life... Later, (like 2 weeks or so) I ended up running on the treadmill next to a guy with no legs (dont even ask I was too scared too myself)

I have promised myself i wont bloody give in - if life wants to take me its going to have to fight me for it. Ditch the big heavy bike and get a couple of tiddlers for you and the missus each and explore wellington on them. If you want, come up to our place and take my old triumph or wee suzuki for a spin and see how light and easy to ride they are (although kicking the trumpy might not be good at the moment eh?) - more importantly once you get over the fact that they are not huge mucho bikes you actually have a heap of FUN!

I stuggle with my Guzzi and the mo and its waiting to see how this works out - I'll probably sell it but the $$ will go on a project or a light bike (or another kayak - long story but make vanity dictates that Vicki cannot possible have a better yak than me...)

Mate - wellness is about doing what you want - you may have to readjust your aim a little but dont start giving up on stuff, not in your job, it will do your head in...

[sinfull]

+1 to Pauls post !!! If the finances say sell the bike then perhaps , but it aint hurtin it sitting in the shed waiting for ya !!

[mokomoa]

Paul very very well said m8.

[eliot-ness]

I agree with Paul. Though I can't claim to have gone through so much. I had my first illness 15 months ago after 55 years of trouble free riding. A stroke, made more serious than it should have been because I thought I could get through it without medical assistance, left me with an leg that was almost useless, an arm, totally useless, and almost total loss of memory and speech. Over 15 months I got most of my faculties back. The leg is good as new, I'm able to type an email, with much editing, and my arm is, although still weak, is getting much better. The only permanent problem is the loss of feeling in the thumb and two fingers on the right hand. And that was, to me, a major problem ,as like many riders, those are the two fingers I use for braking. After much serious thought I decided to give up the bikes, after 15 months without it wasn't so big a deal, and I went along to to the local dealer to see what I could get. This was where my plans to a U turn. A final look at the latest bikes had me thinking, maybe I'm giving in too easily. So, the reult was that I now have a brand new bike, and after what to me was a long layoff, I've ridden 600 Ks in the last three days with no more trouble than an aching forearm, wrist and fingers, and all it took was a new bike.
Simply put, you can do much more than you think if you put your mind to it, and as Paul suggested, try a different bike. It worked for me, and I'm hoping to get another 10 years before I pack it in.

[Smifffy]

While I agree to an extent with the "keep her in the shed, until you're ready again posts"

I have done that with a much loved older car before, I'm still of the mind, "get something suitable to ride now".

Whatever, good luck.

[toycollector10]

There's some real life stories on here. Hang in guys. All the best however it all turns out. Peace, Strength......