a kid in my twenties, I longed for the biker lifestyle. Easy Rider Magazine had just come out and looking at the pictures and reading the stories seemed like only something to be dreamed about.
Being brought up by a single mom in the sixties did not lend itself to the guy things that boys are typically shown under the hood. Any tools in the house were what was available in the kitchen drawer.

When the time came, all my saved money went towards the only bike I could afford, a new Triumph 250 all purpose bike. A kid down the hall took pity on me and got me on the road enough to pass my license exam. I wanted to know all there was involved in maintaining the bike.

A couple of years later with money saved a decision had to be made. Either buy another bike or learn how to fix the one I had. I went to motorcycle mechanics school during the summer. The theory came easy. The real stuff not so much. "Put more torque on that wrench," he said. "I don't want to break it," I thought.

A couple of bikes, a long break to raise a family, and decades later, I am back on a bike. Now an old man, what keeps me going is the dream of the super trip, months of heading south, on a dual purpose bike. Just when obligations and financial obligations are met, Mr. Health rears his ugly head.

Most of us guys get to know our prostate at one time or another. Sometimes in the most unpleasant of ways. The damn thing can get so big that that it blocks off the bladder so that it backs up the kidneys. Who knew? Not good. So, a tube called a catheter is inserted to relieve the pressure until surgery. Most unpleasant. Three weeks without riding is torture when bike and weather beckon. So this one time, no ATTGATT 'cept for a helmet, I saddle up packing with the bag drained. I go for a ride, a short ride.

I never did achieve that bike lifestyle, so dreamed about from the magazine. However, some of that craziness from the magazine might have been contagious. Maybe, maybe not.
Now am I loco enough to actually post this??

Hi David


Your first post is a start. You can do it, this is not someone on a key board saying it can be done with out knowing what's going on. Me like you have more or less the same. Waiting for a tube to be inserted. Look's like it could be some time next month. Open heart surgery. Took veins out of my leg's. Now they don't work, So I'm on stick's.


The up side is I live on my own. So the world is my oyster. Not long been back from two month's out in to Spain and Portugal. Go there every year. So if I can do it so can you. Just do one bit at a time. Make the plans. Pick a route. Pick a time. Book a crossing, and you will be on your way.


The first day out you will be thinking what have I let my self in for. But as the day's roll's by, as long as it don't rain. It will get better and better.


Wish you well.
John933

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To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.

G'day birddogvet, nothing wrong with sharing your thoughts

Sometimes dreams just cannot become a reality for some. Sadly, life gets in the way, whatever the reason
My circumstances got changed recently & plans have to change.
Achieve what you can & celebrate it

Through some of the ride reports in here & elsewhere, I manage to achieve 'pseudo travel' that I can enjoy, through others accounts of their wondrous fortune in travel

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My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon

I know where you are coming from BirdDog, from two perspectives.

First, as a sextagenerarian who suffers from the problems you have related; and second, as a healthcare professional who works in an operating theatre supporting urologists who perform multiple forms of prostrate surgery (and for John, supporting cardiac surgeons performing bypass surgery).

Unlike yourself, however, I have not put off international travel and have been on (and off) the road for the last 40 years.

So, what I have to say is very simple.
A. You have one life, and only one life to enjoy - if you don't do it now you will most never do it and live to regret it.
B. Most surgeons are only looking after lining their own pockets. Avoid them if you can.
C. Head down to Mexico and continue riding. Heck mate, I left Australia in my teens and at twenty years of age I bought a bike in New York and a week later I was down South with nothing stopping me. The only thing you have to lose is the experience of not having done it, the health outcome most likely won't vary either way.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

There are people riding around the world, fulfilling their dreams and fantasies in all kinds of physical states.

People who are going blind, people with prosthetic limbs, people who can barely walk but gain freedom on two wheels.

You're never too old or too broken. It just might require a bit more imagination, determination and planning.


You will never again be as young as you are today. Tomorrow isn't going to be any better.

So get on with it. Because one day it will be too late. And you will have no one to blame but yourself.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I had a similar problem and it was solved by a "TURP" procedure. Not sure what the formal name is, but my doctor said it like a rooter rudder done on your uretha tube(sorry for bad spelling. They removed enough tissue to make a hamburger--the surgeon's comment. I can now go 5 hours without a visit to the john. I also have a defibulaotr. What I really lack is money. I would suggest you go to several doctors, explore your options, and travel if you can. The tombstone should not read "wish I had ridden".

TURP is a Trans Urethral Resection of the Prostate, it's funny you mention hamburger as I distinctly remember one Italian patient looking at the 'diced ham' as he called it, and asking if he could take it home to spread on the top of a pizza. most patients are awake during the procedure (under epidural anaesthetic) and I often set up a second monitor so they can watch what is going on.

Basically, they remove the (majority of the) prostate from the inside out by using a high voltage electric loop to cut out the gland. Large volumes of Glycine are pumped in at the same time to flush out the tissue that has been removed.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

Any indecision to post was not based on reluctance to make the trip. Just the opposite. If I can get on the bike and go for a ride packing a catheter and piss bag, a TURP procedure is a piece of cake, or was that ham salad?

Uncertainty came from not wanting to gross anyone out. Obviously this is not a squeamish group.

The only dilemma facing me, is how to repay all of the invaluable advice and hours of pleasure reading.

"Me like you have more or less the same. Waiting for a tube to be inserted. Look's like it could be some time next month. Open heart surgery. Took veins out of my leg's. Now they don't work, So I'm on stick's."

As in the Riddle of the Sphinx, all of us will end up on sticks given me make it that far. Having thought on the subject.... here is a suggestion.
1. Place a chair in front of a monitor or television set.
2. Place a fan behind the monitor towards the chair.
3. Purchase a vibrating massage pad preferably with build in speakers.
4. Turn to the travel channel, tune into your favorite road music, and go for it.
Not quite the same but 'reality' is what we make of it.

Thanx All.

Thanks for the post, birddogvet, it's nice to see folks with all levels of ability make their attempts at adventure. I'm convinced that adventure is what you make it, and doesn't have to be far from home. I was riding yesterday and got in a soaking downpour in the mountains near home -- foolishly left my rain gear behind because I "knew" it wasn't going to rain -- and voila! Instant adventure. I got soaked, but learned that wasn't such a bad thing, especially in beautiful mountains.. After another 30 miles in dry weather I was dried out and ready for a chile releno at the nearest Mexican eatery. It wasn't exactly Prudhoe to Patagonia but it was fun and new and unpredictable and I loved it.

Ride on, brother, prostate be damned!