General Category > AN Issues
Motorcycles Post-Op
gunns:
Had surgery (retrosig) July 25th 2017 and I'm doing well. I'm SSD on my AN side (left). All facial nerve issues have cleared up. My face was sagging just a bit, my left eye wouldn't close while sleeping nor could I blink it shut. I also had what was suspected to be a CSF leak which has also stopped. So at this point the main issue for me is balance.
I'm very active even for a 30 yr old but I'm 69 and have been riding motorcycles, street and dirt, for over 50 years. Nothing turns a bad day into a great day like going for a ride on my Indian with my wife. It would also be nice to get back to hiking and backpacking the Sierras again. I'm almost two months post-op now and I'm back into my weight training exercising, walking 2.5 to 3 miles a day working on our property 10 to 14 hours non stop one day a week. I'm doing all of this in hopes of reprogramming my brain to do more with less. The balance nerves on the left were severed in order to get the tumor out.
I'm interested in hearing from those of you who ride. What seemed to work best for you to get you back to riding safely again? What were your stumbling blocks? My plan is to drag out my mountain bicycle and ride it for a while. If that goes well I'll move up to my dirt bike. If that works out then and only then will I climb back on my Indian. I won't ride two-up with my wife until I have considerable miles and time riding solo.
Your advice is appreciated!
PaulW:
Wow I think you are doing it the wrong way round...
If you survive the bumpiness and unpredictability of a bicycle, the Indian could be easy....
My Balance is pretty good these days. Road bike is the easiest for me, followed by the dirt bike...
Mountain biking remains the most challenging, especially going over rough stony ground for lengths of time.
CompassGeorge:
Gunnar, It's been a long time since I've been on a motorcycle. I don't remember how important one's hearing might be in knowing what's going on around you. I think starting off on a bicycle is a good idea and I may try that myself this week but it will be on a flat smooth surface. Good luck!
gunns:
--- Quote from: PaulW on September 21, 2017, 08:30:41 pm ---Wow I think you are doing it the wrong way round...
If you survive the bumpiness and unpredictability of a bicycle, the Indian could be easy....
My Balance is pretty good these days. Road bike is the easiest for me, followed by the dirt bike...
Mountain biking remains the most challenging, especially going over rough stony ground for lengths of time.
--- End quote ---
Ah...no. I won't be going off road with the mountain bike. I'll be staying on the pavement. Ideally deserted parking lots. I'll imagine a sort of visual obstacle course in a empty parking lot with a lot of head checking over my shoulders - right and left. The same motion that has kept me safe for over half a century of street motorcycle riding. I seem to have more balance problems looking over my left (AN side) shoulder. I'll be doing the same thing with my dirt bike after I feel comfortable on the bicycle. But you are right about the off road aspect. I use a three wheeler on our property while doing chores. I'm quite comfortable on the three wheeler and our property is bumpy and hilly. I didn't have any problems with the up and down motions. Because I was on a three wheeler I didn't have to worry about the balance issue. So... on the second week post-op, while doing chores, I tried putting the three wheeler up on two wheels (front and one back wheel) like I use to do and didn't have any problems so things are looking promising. I spent the day working on my Indian and I can't wait to hit the road.
My hat's off to you for your going off road on your bike. There's a lot going on while mountain biking. Uneven terrain and constant obstacles to maneuver around while peddling your way through it and all this going on at the same time.
gunns:
--- Quote from: CompassGeorge on September 24, 2017, 12:24:32 pm ---Gunnar, It's been a long time since I've been on a motorcycle. I don't remember how important one's hearing might be in knowing what's going on around you. I think starting off on a bicycle is a good idea and I may try that myself this week but it will be on a flat smooth surface. Good luck!
--- End quote ---
I agree with you about the flat smooth surface. For me it's deserted parking lots. As you know it's critical to have your head constantly on a swivel. I try to think of having a bulls eye on each shoulder and front and back and that everyone gets points for nailing me. I don't trust other drivers to do the obvious things. Let me know how you do on your bike.
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