It was just about a year ago that I started to experience horrible pain in
my upper back. It became the worst after riding a new 2012 Daytona R 675 all of
82 miles, and just the thought of getting on it again was too much to think.
Having ridden on café style bikes for almost 40 years, I was very comfortable
with the riding position, and just a year earlier had put over 1000 miles on a
Daytona in just over a day. But the pain was excruciating, and so I called Mick
and ended up taking the bike back in the truck. Not at all my plan, and not at
all me. But the pain was to worsen, and after being misdiagnosed as having a
pinched nerve, I finally ended up being life flighted six months later and
having open heart surgery. The pain was from a combination of problems, among
them a staph infection filling my pericardial sac, and an aneurism on my aorta,
that finally caused my aorta to explode. AAA in doctor talk, no one survives
it, but I did. I am a miracle. And early on after my surgery, never thought I
would or could ride again.
But my healing became even more miraculous, and at seven weeks
after surgery, I began riding again on my Bonneville. No endurance at first,
and a 30 mile ride would wear me out. But as I improved, I finally rode all my
own bikes, and by November, at five months after surgery, was again riding my
first 2013 press bikes, first an Explorer, then a Street Triple. My confidence
was rising, as was my endurance, and the miracle healing was to continue. And
then in January, I was to ride my first 3000 mile month-I was better, but not
quite there yet. Whereas 500 mile days used to be the beginning, 300 put me to
bed early. But with new bikes to ride, I found the enthusiasm and the strength
to ride six new bikes in the first two months this year, with an America, a
cruiser style bike my ride until yesterday. Not my style, and after a 700 mile
week, I was heading out and then the winds hit. Combine that with how
uncomfortable it is, with no power, and add wind, I decided to take it back
early-usually 1000-1500 miles is my goal. And I was looking forward to riding
my old GS1000, which has been sitting at Mick’s since before Thanksgiving. So
as I rolled in, I was glad to see Ray, who I hadn’t seen before my surgery, and
hadn’t heard about it. We visited, caught up on each other, while Mickey dynoed
a bike for David Searle, editor of Motorcycle Consumer News. We all got to
talking, and Mick introduced us all, giving us all a hard time, as we are so
old. Ray is almost 70, we should all look so good, and still very fast. Still
looking for more power for his 167hp on the dyno B King. Mick is the kid at less
than 50. Almost as fast. But as the three of us talked, Mick rolled out a 2013
Daytona R 675. This is all I have, if you want it. Do I want it? After his
intro of me of how I rode more miles than anyone else, and would ride anything,
I decided I had to. At least let me try. And it was with a bit of excitement,
tinged with apprehension that I sat on it. What a bike! I had gone from a
horrible ride to the best of the best! But how would I do? Could I handle the
extreme riding position? An hour and 82 miles later I called him to ask how to
adjust the shift light. A full on race bike for the street. I was back!
I started by praying a version of Ephesians 2, thanking God for
the good works He has for us, I took off. Immediately both hips started to
hurt, but that I would overcome in a few miles. Call them birth pangs, are
rebirth pangs. I had gone from riding in a birthing position with feet forward
to a fetal position, tucked in. And I was riding, and it felt good. And I had
no pain! I was back, and had come full circle. The Daytona was just the thing
I needed, and God had it ready for me to ride that day. Unplanned by me, but He
knew just what I needed, I didn’t realize how much it meant to go back to where
I had left off. I was healed! Amazing! And after putting only 100 miles on it
riding home and church, I can’t wait until today. Just as God gave His very
best in Jesus, He provided Triumph’s very best in the R model. Something I
never would have wanted to attempt again, the memory of pain was that intense.
But God has given me a passion to ride, and fulfills it in ways no one else ever
could. We are more than overcomers. And today I shall again resume my rehab,
on the Daytona. He keeps me in the loop with great bikes to ride, and I
continue to marvel at Him and His love for me.
Being in the loop is a way of saying we are kept abreast of
things. Knowing what is going on, and being kept up to date. It is almost
essential in today’s business world, or even in social texting circles. But God
keeps us in the loop via His spirit, and He calls it grace. His part is
providing it, ours is accepting it. I ask people how many sides does a circle
have? The answer being an obvious two-an inside and an outside, and it is
better to be within God’s circle, in the loop. To be in His grace, as His plans
for us are always better. But we have to trust and obey to see grace, and that
is not always easy. It takes a step of faith, or in my case yesterday, a ride
of faith. And while singing praises to God all the way home, I still marvel at
His plans for me. And I can never be thankful enough for Jesus in my life.
Whether working, playing, riding, or sleeping, He never leaves us, nor forsakes
us for others or other things. And provides things in our life for our
enjoyment, to show how much He loves us. But He is not only a benevolent
Father, but the ultimate healer, as He healed me, and now has brought me full
circle, back to my pre-heart surgery riding level. Almost, I need more seat
time. Which is sitting in my garage waiting for me. Truth is, I am in fact
better than ever, as now I have an even better appreciation of Him. Times of
trials will do that to you. Where you turn in that trial determines how you are
blessed. Are you building a testimony or offering excuses? And quite frankly,
I don’t want to miss any blessings or testimonies, for you either.
To some it is just a dream ride, to me a reality. To the
jealous a spoiled child, to God a blessed and loved one. To some an act of
faith believing, to others a stumbling block. How you see Jesus is up to you.
If in doubt, try trusting Him today. He will not let you down. But do it His
way! Life ain’t Burger King. Long after He gives you the desire of your heart,
He will continue to be the desire of your heart. From intense pain to intense
joy, that is the ride many of us enjoy with Jesus. Stay in the loop with Jesus,
pray daily, and think of Him during the day. Sing to Him in praise and worship,
and if inside a full face Arai, well the joy is that much better. And although
the circle may have two sides, the best side is still the inside. In the loop
with Jesus. Banked curves when you need speed, and an infield to pit and rest.
Let Him complete your ride today. Spend some time in therapy with Him today.
Getting better never felt so good.
love with compassion,
Mike
mathew25biker.blogspot.com