(Written August 20, 2025)

I told you all about getting a device implanted in my back a while back. It’s a spinal cord stimulator. It puts a mild current into the nerves in my lower back and carries down into my thighs.

I really never feel anything and the doctor and technicians have said that’s the way it works. The last tune up I got on the device few weeks ago, the Tech assured me it’s working currently.

As a matter of fact, I haven’t had the intermittent hurting and aching that I’ve been accustomed to over the past few years. So I’m convinced it’s doing some good. But it’s all so subtle that it’s hardly noticeable. In my mind, over a few days I decided that I’m really just about back to normal.

I had a Honda Gold Wing that I rode from 2006 until selling it about 4 or 5 years ago. My back hurt and my legs just didn’t feel steady enough to safely ride it, so selling it was the most reasonable thing to do.

But now that my legs were doing so much better, my mind started crying out that I needed another motorcycle.

Now here’s the deal. My wife went off to Colorado in the motorhome to find some cooler temperatures a few weeks ago. My yearning for a new motorcycle coincided with her being out of state. First one thing, then another and I was riding out of Austin on a new Indian Pursuit Motorcycle.

It’s been really hot lately, being here in Texas in July and August. But I pushed ahead and rode most everyday getting used to it and breaking it in.

My new purchase didn’t stay a secret from my wife for very long. I have too many offspring’s surrounding me that may have as much or more loyalty to their momma as they do to me. Besides that they relish any opportunity to get dad in trouble. Hence the old girl was well aware that there was a new motorcycle on the place.

She came home last week. With technology being what it is, I was able to time when she’d be home that afternoon after a layover in Lubbock the night before.

When she was in Brownwood, I saddled up on the motorcycle and rode to Lampasas. After a stop for an ice tea I journeyed on out toward Lometa. I pulled off at a wide spot in the road at the entry of a county road. I waited. A few minutes later she appeared over the rise and continued toward me.

Thinking I was being sly, meeting her like that, I was shocked when as she passed our eyes met. We each waved. Perhaps the tracking deal works both ways. I followed in behind her.

She continued on a couple of miles down the road where she could safely pull off. I rode up and we had a very welcome embrace we had both longed for. I suggested that we hit the road and she could follow me.

The traffic was getting heavy. It was that time of day. Several 18 wheelers were in the procession. I was behind a truck, with her in the motorhome next in line behind me. We made the start and stop move slowly getting through town.

At the third light, the 100° temperatures and stress of balancing that motorcycle, even heavier than the Gold Wing I rode so many miles, was taking a toll on me. The truck in front of me started off and I followed his move. Then suddenly he set the brakes. I did the same, but my tired and out of practice legs didn’t allow me to get my right leg to the pavement in time.

That new bike was laying on its side, right in the middle of US 281. I was fine. By the time I got to my feet my wife was standing right there with me, making sure I was alright. Within seconds, there were three fellows helping me get it back up. I thanked them all and soon we were headed on toward home.

It’s always gut-wrenching when something new gets scratched or damaged. Riding along I able to see that the end of my brake handle had broken off as it contacted with the pavement. After I was home I discovered a few other scratches that won’t buff out. So at some point, it will require a trip to the shop to completely make it right again. But that can wait.

After we were home my wife said “I bet you wish I hadn’t been right there watching that incident unfold?”. Or words to that effect.

I told her that I actually saw it as a true blessing that she was there and witnessed it all. That way I’ll have her complete encouragement to go get rehab for my legs or do whatever it takes to regain the strength it will take to handle riding that bike. If not for her being right there, I’d probably just make some lame excuse for what had happened without being fully accountable. This way there is no denying anything.

While I’m sure she is disappointed in my latest purchase, she said “I’ll just put it all in God’s Hands”.

Update: It’s now November 23, 2025. Several things have happened in the motorcycle saga.

I started doing rehab to make my legs work better. I went to physical therapy 2 to 3 times a week for most of the past 3 months. My leg strength did improve tremendously.

I went on a diet and lost around 30 lbs, but I’m trying for another thirty.

Even though my legs are much stronger, I still don’t think feel completely okay with riding. I think dropping that bike caused me to lose confidence.

I took it into the shop and got most everything fixed that had gotten screwed up. Had them put a different exhaust system on it that makes riding much better. Or it should anyway. It should be much cooler to ride as it doesn’t build up so much exhaust heat directly beneath the seat. If not for government regulations, I think the factory would make them this way.

The sound is much better coming out of the end of those twin pipes. For now I am just starting it up and listen to the true motorcycle sound, while it’s parked.

I considered my next move. I found a Honda Gold Wing Trike that I really liked. It was slightly used with low miles but was a lot of money.

Then I started thinking about having the Indian triked out. I contacted a company in Minnesota that would make it look similar to the one below, except for the color.

The cost and the almost 3 months it would take for the conversion didn’t work for me.

I believe I have found a solution with Legs Up Landing Gear, a company in Florida. https://landingear.com/

It’s a much better solution cost- wise and practicality. I’m in talks with them and hopefully within a few weeks I’ll be out enjoying some trips on the open road, or perhaps freezing my butt off on it until next spring.

Yes, there’s a hurdle to get over going back to riding with “training wheels”. But I decided I’m old enough to not have to worry about stigmas. BTW; it’s pretty damn stigmatizing to drop a new bike right in the middle of Lampasas, Texas and have to get volunteers to help you get it upright again.

As I told my brother in law; I thought about the stigma of riding around with training wheels, but considering the alternative was converting it to a trike at approximately 8X’s the cost !!!

Then I realized kids start out on a tricycle, then move up to a bike with training wheels.