Motorcycling post op….easy rider?

What do you think the chances are that the nurse has recorded on your notes that she recommended you don't go?

Is this going to be a Harley D trip? The average Harley weighs 300kg which brings a new perspective to the idea of being able to do normal activities at 6 weeks. There is a hell of a difference between 20 minutes on a treadmill and having to take the weight at starting & stop or when correcting an over-lean. Massive strain on your abdominal muscles which have been cut and will still be meshing back together - no problem for your recovery from op perhaps but men post RP are already at higher risk of hernia even without half a ton of emergency stop. On a smaller lighter bike it may be completely fine. John had his op at the end of the January but couldn't manage the bike before about April / May.

If you did go, I would stick with the 9th for blood test as any earlier might not give a reliable result and could lead to unnecessary angst. Results after you get back - no problem as you will be lovely and relaxed 😎

Edited by member 23 May 2014 at 23:27  | Reason: Not specified

You are making good progress, really pleased for you.

Regarding insurance, you have an obligation to inform your insurance company of any material fact that may affect your insurance risk. The term is double indemnity. If you withhold, and that includes not mentioning, even if it is not asked for, something which later may become or be made to become a material fact and as a result of that there is an incident then you may expect your insurer to refuse to pay all or part of any claim, and unite rightly.

For example, if you have limited vision and, just because your insurer do not ask about it, you do not tell them, they would have the right to refuse cover in the event of a claim. I do not know a lot about PCa, thankfully, but I know a bit about this topic.

Your choice though.

Regarding whether and when or not your are competent on a bike? Only you can really know that. And that would be best established by trial and error. Have you been on any short trips? Are you able to handle the bike at different speeds? Can you put it on a stand okay?

The "six weeks" quoted is not a line that you cross, suddenly over night you become safe and competent. Whereas at 5 weeks and 6 days you are nit safe, and without knowing what criteria it is based on, you do not know if it applies to you or is worth anything other than it is someones view of Mr Average.

IIWM I would be concerned about being safe so that I come home in one piece, and being safe so that I do not cause any harm to anyone else. Proving that to a 3rd party in the event of an incident may be your problem, and if you can prove that you were safe etc, you may go for it. But don't be tempted to hide anything, even if not asked for.

atb,

dave

Edited by member 24 May 2014 at 07:52  | Reason: Not specified

What I was trying to communicate was that he would have to check his insurers are willing to cover him 6 weeks post op. That is a specific and material fact. I suspect his insurer will ask whether his medical team has cleared him to go and he cannot lie but it depends how they word it doesn't it. Are they likely to ask "and what did your nurse think?" or just "has your doctor said you are fit to go?" In this case the answer to the second appears to be yes so why would he add "but the nurse wasn't so positive". If the discussion with nurse was formal then of course he would have to say so to the insurer.

When John went to climb Kilimanjaro we were asked specifically whether the consultant had cleared him to go. At that point we had only asked the GP so it was a big mad panic trying to get email /phone agreement from Mr P in time.

Lyn,

That's not quite the case. The general travel insurer (medical etc) will not cover me for prorate related issues but the bike insurance has not exclusions as far as I know. It would be very difficult for an insurer to argue that an accident was prostate related but I do take your point and I will check everything thoroughly before making my final decision.

Hi Lyn,

I didn't doubt what you meant for a moment. ;-)

Regarding "PCa related", I would clarify that inclusion or exclusion for cover. I have no idea what complications you may encounter 6 weeks post surgery apart from UTI's for which you will need a test and antibiotics, is that to be excluded?

Any incident would have to be clearly and demonstrably not as a result of your op to ensure cover.

NG - I am sure you will be safe and sensible and return fit well and tanned, if somewhat bandy legged from all those thousands of miles in a straight line on your tractor? ;-)

ATB

dave

Edited by member 24 May 2014 at 17:32  | Reason: Not specified

Omitted to say in previous post I take no pleasure in watching accidents included in the video link I gave and as a several times visitor to the IOM for the TT am well aware of the heavy toll of riders who have been killed and injured there.

Hi, Nick.  As an avid (some say addicted) biker, I can add a bit of personal experience.  First, since I live in the states, I'm curious where your tour will take you? There are so many wonderful areas, each with its' own unique attractions.  The BMW is a great choice, both for comfort and durability.  I ride a Honda VTX 1300, about 360kg.  I rode again 6 weeks post-surgery and the only Pca related difficulty was the occasional added "dribble" caused by a form-fitting seat.  The pressure on the perineum was the culprit, I suspect. I had the same problem in my car and on my lawn tractor.  Flat seats... no problems.  Form-fitting seats, some additional leakage.  When I asked my surgeon when I could safely ride again, his reply was, "never".  I believe that his concern was more about motorcycles than my physical ability to ride.  Any concerns about additional straining due to the weight of a large bike are, in my opinion, misplaced.  Except for the unavoidable (usually slow speed) mishap, bikes are a function of balance, not strength.  Lots of small women riding very big bikes around here.   Enjoy your holiday.

Lawrence

Some wonderful trips you have made but I take my hat off to you for doing mileages of up to 700 miles a day on tours. Did 700 miles on one occasion on the UK National Rally about 1960 riding day and night only stopping for fuel and a sandwich. Went with a fellow clubman on a 650cc BSA Super Rocket and took it in turns to be pillion. Found BSA deserved it's reputation as representing Bl**dy Sore Ar*e. After riding about another 120 or so miles home fell into bed and slept the clock round. So I vowed never to attempt such mileages on a bike again though I envy those that do. I expect seats are better now and I know some fit gel inserts into them.

Interesting you know and keep up with Nick Sanders. Met him once many years ago at a presentation and chat session at Carl Rosner Motor Cycles at Sanderstead, South Croydon - what a character! I seem to remember he had a partner and maybe a child but I believe they broke up. Certainly at one point he had a motor cycle combination. Has he since found a woman who can tame him I wonder?!!

Have a great time.

Hi Lawrence,

We haven't worked out the tour yet. We start from Seattle and want to take in Yellowstone, Montana and the Rockies. We may start by heading south down H1 to SF and then work inland. I think the RT seat will be fine. I haven't had any 'dribble' issues when driving at all. As far as the bike weight is concerned the only likely strain would be using the main stand and if that's necessary I'll get one of my riding colleagues to do that.

Thanks for your encouragement.

Keep your knees in the breeze!

Nick

I see another PCa motorbike ride-out coming on. Last couple were to the Ace cafe and before that to Skegness but that was a couple of years ago.

Could post a call out to the other riders once we are all back from our trips?