My ruined 2015 riding season

Normal for me 25,000-40,000 miles a year-----2015 June returning from Ride to Key West, had to turn around and go home---Sick, really sick----was only to ride 100 miles a day---Motel 6 to Motel 6-----Bad water? Excessive heat? Bad Food? Virus?


Did get home, dizzy and really sick-----Did go to Dr---but medical in Chattanooga really bad----pills are their solution, never trying to find out what is really wrong---after 90 days being drugged and reduced to laying on the couch---most of the time, but I did continue riding very carefully shopping, etc.
took myself off the pills-----got some more expensive tests, at least know heart/lungs ok----but they never got to finding or really even looking for the real problem. In the south, over 75 you are supposed to die. Same VA----over 75 you can walk in and walk out=you are ok. End: I suspect Virus, that I suspect has gone away. Ok now

Don't miss destination of Key West---ridden there many times in past.

Sad medical is so bad in US---but most expensive in world. I lived outside of US 40 years so have some experience with other systems----US ranks 36th in world in quality of care.


Riding=will take some trips 2016---South not many places of interest to me----Ridden "Dragon" few times, Natchez Trace end to end, same with Blue Ridge Parkway. Maybe Canada/Lab/NB/Newfoundland?

Bike runs fine/is ready/at least 10,000 miles away from belt change/Fresh Tires..

Dang, that's awful... This country should be #1 in all things good.
Food poisoning would be short lived; a day... 2 maybe. Sounds more like a virus or some other pathogen maybe. They say what ever it is that doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. In some ways that is how it is with a virus. Once it has run its course, antibodies remain to fight off repeat infections. No guarantees that antibodies will completely stop it though, but might reduce symptoms... like it is with the common cold.

Immune system becomes more susceptible with advanced age too, so opportunistic pathogens can be aggravating. Good that you're feeling better though.

Been to Key West myself, though just briefly. Really would like to go back to spend some time. Restaurants, diving museum and just tooling around in a tropical breeze through and around town on a scooter.

I've not been to the northeast, (yet) but when I do, I think I'll stay on the US side of the border.

I didn't do much riding in 2015 either. Stayed home holding down the fort while the GF went traipsing around the planet with her old nurse friends. 2016 is mine this time for traveling.

I'm lucky here in Southern Oregon. This is a big retirement area and we have the hospitals and clinics to prove it. For a small city of 60,000 we have very good access to health care. I'm 73 and rarely have to wait for an appointment to see a doctor or for imaging, like MRI, CAT, Xray or ultrasound.

Maybe your body is telling you to slow down John.We all like to think we are 25yrs old,but, sometimes we have to face reality. Maybe just riding local for a while will give you time to re-energise, take it easy John think of all the great rides you have been on,maybe write a book,why not?.

John, back in the early 70's when I lived in upstate NY took a ride on my Norton to Canada . Got to Quebec City and my throttle cable started coming apart. Found a hotel and lo and behold found a motorcycle repair shop about a mile from hotel. Told the mechanic my plight and ask when he could fix it. The mechanic said it would be ready the next morning with an oil change. Next morning bike was ready and he charged me about $35.00 for the whole deal. With bike fixed continued on to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; had a wonderful experience with the people and scenery.

Mr Grinsel, I am sorry that your 2015 riding season was so disappointing. Mine was as well, but that's another story.

Have you ever consider that you may have contacted some disease staying at all those Motel 6s? Also having a tight budget, I use to favor Motel 6 as well, rationalizing that, 'Hey, it's a couple of steps up from camping'. But after seeing a couple of "how filthy is your motel" exposés, and considering the demographic location of most of those M6s along with the demeanor of the housekeeping staff, I've come to realize that many of them, not all, are one step away from the cess pool. I wonder when the last time those bed spreads were washed?*

So maybe you doing the Motel 6 hop exacerbated whaterver virus you may have initially contacted. And maybe you would have been better off burying yourself in the warm sands of Key West with a pint of Kentucky's finest or some of Mrs Goldfarb's penicillin.

Anyway, I'm sorry to hear of your illness, but glad that you are feeling well enough to complain to your friends about it.

Tim

*This rant is the personal opinion of the commentator and not that of the management or owner. May cause hair loss. Void where prohibited by law. Do not use if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. YMMV

:arrow: Thread hijacked. Please go to Grumpy Old Men in the General Forum to continue medical opinions & experiences conversation.

Tim