Cyclerides.com Weekly
Update
2/27/13
Greetings Riders,
Well, it looks like Mother Nature is going to give us a Chamber of Commerce
weekend that will be perfect for riding. Predicted highs of Sunny
and 82 for Saturday and Sunday. Sedona will even be a high of 68 and sunny so it
will even unlock the North at least for a weekend. But you better get it in this
weekend, because the forecast is showing rain and 64 next Saturday.
I might even have a totally different reason to ride this weekend. This Segway is a bit of a stretch, but it will let you know what I have
been dealing with this week, and maybe my motorcycle can fix it. Chances are
some of you have been through this as well. I awoke Monday morning expecting to
make breakfast for Mrs. C. as I do for her every work day. As I was getting out
of bed, I noticed that my right side and back was hurting, but that is not
unusual as sleeping on it wrong can sometimes be the cause. When I got up and
took about 4 steps, I literally went down to my knees in pain. It felt like
someone was holding a blowtorch with a point on it and jabbing it into to my
side/back. The pain was incredible and I had no idea what it was. Did an
appendix burst? Was there some infection? What was going on? It was totally
unexpected.
I got up and started walking around, drinking bottled water, trying to
figure out what was wrong. I couldn’t lay down or sit down. It
seemed all I could do was walk around in circles. Anything to keep moving. I ate
some cereal, but that was a bad idea. The pain was so bad that the cereal didn’t
last long. I downed 3 Advil and a bit later some more to try and knock it down a
bit. After walking around and moaning for a while, Mrs. C. asked me if I wanted
to go to the emergency room and I said yes. For me to answer yes to that
question was amazing as I would usually just try to gut it out, but this was
different. We got our stuff, got to the car and whatever was going on started to
subside a little, the Advil must have been kicking in.
So we went back inside and she called my primary care Dr. and made an
appointment for 3PM that afternoon, which seemed like an eternity
to me. By about noon the pain had subsided enough where I could function almost
normally. Now I am wondering what the heck is going on here. 5 hours ago my best
position is on my knees leaning over the hassock, now I feel pretty good. I had
a long standing appointment with my dermatologist at 2PM that I decided to keep.
From the “when it rains it pours” chapter, as luck would have it, she finds a
couple of spots that need to be cut off right then for biopsy.
By the time I get to my Dr. I had red spots all over my face from her
freezing things and a band aid right in the middle of my forehead. He must have thought I had been in a cage fight or something. After a lot
of questions and a urine test, where he found blood, he finally narrowed it down
to being a possible kidney stone. Great, now at least I have some idea what has
been kicking my butt all morning. I walked out with an appointment for a CT Scan
of my kidney that would happen the next day and a welcomed prescription for pain
killers to have on hand in case this flairs up again. Keep in mind, that in all
of my years, I have only taken one prescription pain pill ever, usually trying
to stick to Advil as a remedy. But after my experience of this morning I wanted
the most effective I could get.
Sure enough, kick my butt round 2 reared its ugly head at around 11PM
Monday night setting me up for a very difficult night and little
sleep. The aforementioned pills did their job and at least curbed the pain
enough to finally get SOME sleep. Tuesday morning I woke up and felt about as
close to normal as I could feel. What the heck is going on here? Did I pass it?
Am I all good? So I went ahead and kept my CT Scan appointment, even though I
was convinced it was gone. “Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full”, it was
still there and just taking a break to gain some more steam. About 7PM it was
round 3 of major discomfort and another bad night.
Wednesday afternoon I got the call from my Dr. letting me know that I was a
“stoner”. Yep, I was the proud owner of a 4 mm
kidney stone
with little crystal barbs all around. It was rolling through my kidney almost to
my ureter. That just doesn’t sound good, no matter how you put it. Other than it
finally getting out, I’m definitely not looking forward to the exit, if you know
what I mean. My Dr. said that it should be exiting soon, but if it hasn’t in a
week, to come back. The crazy thing about these stones are when they are not
moving, you feel fine. But when they start moving, those jagged edges rolling
around in your organs really cause a lot of pain and make it very difficult to
even catch a deep breath, especially when laying down.
After another sleepless night on Wednesday, as I write this Thursday
morning, I feel pretty good again. But I know that it is just a
matter of time till the next shoe drops. So to go back 5 paragraphs and explain
how my motorcycle could help, maybe I should head out on Cave Creek Rd. heading
North of the 101 and hit a few of those teeth rattling bumps and see if that
will jar it loose. At this point, I would try anything. I don’t want it in there
any longer that it has to be, as it is one of the most painful things I have
experienced, and has been the gift that keeps on giving. Hopefully it will go
away today and I will be done with it. In the meantime, the wait continues.
So for those of you that have gone through this, and I have
heard many stories worse than mine, I’m sure you have your own accounts and can
appreciate my experience. But if you haven’t, and these type of symptoms happen
to you, it might at least give you a clue as to what is going on. The not
knowing what was happening was especially concerning at the time, so I hope this
helps.
Tidbits and Updates:
Motorcycle Emission Testing:
Since February has rolled around, I have had a lot of inquiry about getting
rid of the emission testing for motorcycles.
The rumor was that it
was to go away in February of this year. That didn't happen. But when dealing
with bureaucrats, time tables are usually never accurate. A couple of days ago I
talked with Billy Larson, the MMA Designated Lobbyist. He said that it has now
been released to start implementing the program of no longer doing emissions on
motorcycles and that it should be a done deal by the end of April. You can reach
Billy for more info at lobbyist@mma-az.org.
Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night:
I would like to announce that we will begin the 2013 Spring season of the
Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Nights this year on Thursday, March
28th running every Thursday
through June 27th. We are already working on programming for bike night to make
it even bigger and better than in years past. I look forward to seeing all of
you on opening night, Thursday, March 28th. Save the Date! We have limited space
for vendors, if you would like to be a vendor, please contact me at info@cyclerides.com .
This Week
Friday-Sunday, March 1st-3rd
Checkered Flag Run. The
Checkered Flag Run is a weekend in Phoenix, Arizona hosted by Phoenix
International Raceway, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, and The Radisson
Hotel.
The weekend culminates with motorcycle rides to Phoenix
International Raceway to watch NASCAR Drivers tear up the track at the NASCAR
Subway Fresh Fit 500 on Sunday March 3rd, 2013. Tickets: Available for $25
starting February 1st, 2013 or while supplies last. Each ticket grants you
entrance into the block party and dance. Discounted Multi-cultural tickets to
the NASCAR Subway Fresh Fit 500 on March 3rd, 2013 at Phoenix International
Raceway can also be purchased for $35 from February 1st through March 2nd, 2013.
You may also purchase your Checkered Flag Run tickets and NASCAR tickets at
Chandler Harley-Davidson, Arrowhead Harley-Davidson, Chester's Harley-Davidson,
and Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation. After March 2nd, 2013, NASCAR tickets will also
be available at Phoenix International Raceway at the regular gate price, if
available. See web page for details of activities each day. http://www.checkeredflagrun.com/
Saturday, March 2nd
Inaugural
Tillman's Ride 2013. American Legion Pat Tillman Post 117 ALR Hosts Pat
Tillman’s Ride 2013.
Proceeds Benefitting - Military Assistance
Mission & Pat Tillman Foundation. Sign-in 8-10AM. Event Starts at: Chester’s
Harley Davidson - 922 South Country Club, Mesa, AZ. Event ends at: Toby Keith’s
for a Huge Party. Sponsored Stops for this event are: Rula Bula, Buffalo Chip,
Greasewood Flat, and Toby Keiths in Mesa. Pre-Registration On-Line at
MAD4VETS.ORG (starting 1/12/13) Or Day of the Ride Chester’s Harley Davidson -
922 South Country Club, Mesa, AZ. $20.00/$30.00 with Passenger. More information
at Tillmansride@gmail.com. Events and Raffles at Each Stop. End of Ride at Toby
Keith’s for a Huge Party Celebrating ALL OUR Heroes who have
served.
Next Week
Saturday, March 9th
6th
Annual Teen Challenge Bike Run. Since 1965, Teen Challenge of Arizona has
been combating the drug and alcohol problem
in our state with
amazing results... a documented 86% Success Rate! As a nonprofit recovery
program supported by donations from caring individuals, family members,
community organizations, local businesses and churches, we're also getting the
word out about substance abuse prevention and education. Bike run begins with an
8AM registration/Breakfast. 9AM ride begins. Start at the Greater Phoenix Teen
Challenge located at 1515 W. Grand Ave. in Phoenix. Ends at the Christian Life
Ranch located at 47819 N. Fig Springs Rd. in Phoenix. Cost is $25 (includes
breakfast, lunch and t-shirt). See flyer for details.
Saturday, March 8th & 9th
Ride for the Warrior.
Two-Day Motorcycle Rally & Music Festival featuring 7 bands.
BBQ from Whiskey Ranch and Up in Smoke, static display of military
helicopters including Apache and Blackhawk. By enlisting the caring power of our
community, our mission is to raise awareness and funds for our United States
Military Veteran organizations. Ride for the Warrior is a non-profit
organization under the IRS tax code 501(c)3 created for the sole purpose of
raising money for United States Military Veteran organizations. We are proud
that our organization is strictly a 100% volunteer based group, and that 100% of
the funds we raise go directly to the United States Military Veteran
organizations. The funds raised for our 2013 event will be split between
Operation Wounded Warrior and The Pinal County Veterans Memorial Foundation. By
enlisting the caring power of our community, our mission is to raise awareness
and funds for our United States Military Veteran organizations.
Take a ride and enjoy some wonderful music and food.
Starting locations will be at the Tucson Harley Davidson, and Chandler
Harley Davidson. Sign in from 8-10 a.m. $25 per bike (1 up
or 2 up). includes 1 pin, and admission to the event. Self guided ride,
route to be determined. Arrival time 1:00pm at the Ride for the Warrior Music
Festival at the Ed Hooper Rodeo Grounds in Casa Grande. For more information and
band information, check out our website www.rideforthewarrior.com
Saturday and Sunday
March 9th & 10th
Arrowhead
Harley-Davidson Demo Event. This is your chance to ride the brand new 2013
Harley-Davidson motorcycle FOR FREE. The Harley-Davidson
factory demo truck will be at Arrowhead Harley-Davidson from 9am - 4pm on March
9th and 10th to let you experience the ride you have been dreaming about. It is
always fun to see how the bike that you don't have would ride. There will be
Food vendors on site both days! And Raffle Prizes throughout the day. Must have
a valid motorcycle license and be at least 21 years of age. Arrowhead
Harley-Davidson is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria, AZ.
623-247-5542.
Upcoming Events
April 10th - 14th
Arizona Bike Week 2013. The
countdown is underway! Less than 6 weeks till the start of Arizona Bike Week
2013, and what a good one it is shaping up to be. If you haven’t made your plans
or taken your days off, you might want to do that now.
Go to
www.azbikeweek.com to see all of
the events. Feeling charitable? This year there will be 13
charity rides during the ten days of Arizona Bike Week! These runs are a great
way to meet new people, reconnect with old friends and see some great scenery,
all while supporting some very worthy causes. Not to mention that every ride
that occurs from April 10 – 14 includes admission to Cyclefest and that night’s
concert. You can check out the complete list of official ABW rides and get
registered at www.azbikeweek.com/rides.htm. Many of these rides offer preregistration incentives
such as discounted fees, t-shirts, pins, etc. You can get more details on these
rides and all the activities and events planned for Arizona Bike Week 2013 by
picking up a Guide to Ride or visiting www.azbikeweek.com.
Extras
Mid Week Updates will be made on
the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New
Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to
Cyclerides.com
Facebook. Over 4100 FANS! Take a look at all the new photos posted on the wall.
If you are not on Facebook, you can still view the
page, but
you will not be able to post. There will be a link there for you to sign up for
Facebook if you are inclined. Click the LIKE button!
Can’t
remember if I had this in the newsletter before, but it is worth watching again.
If you like to travel, you will enjoy this for sure. Click Here to
View.
This is one of the best slight of
hand magicians that I have seen. I have NO idea how he does this stuff. Click Here to View.
Video of the Week. All I can say is OMG! This is a
real pucker moment for this guy. Wow! Click Here to
View. Click on the Video of the Week graphic on the
page.
If you would like to sign up for the Cyclerides.com Weekly
Update Click
Here.
Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To
All,
Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com
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