Featured Rideout Thanks To Speedy I'm Back In The Saddle Again!

Thanks to my Speed Triple RS--the light clutch pull and the quick shifter in particular--I'm back in the saddle again after a four and a half week layoff. I had carpal tunnel and trigger finger release surgery on January 11th and have been counting the days until I could ride again ever since. So yesterday (Sunday) morning I was very happy to be back out on our weekly group ride. While it was quite uncomfortable and difficult to use the clutch, it was well worth it to be back sailing along on Speedy on a gorgeous sunny day with my riding buddies! We rode up and over Gates Pass, one of the most beautiful rides near Tucson in my opinion, and headed to Coyote Pause for breakfast on the patio.





There were seven of us to start with but Ron, who was out on his new BMW R1250RT, had just come out to say hi and show us his new bike. He was just getting over Covid and felt good enough to ride but not good enough to be around the breakfast table with other people.Of the seven who met up at the QT gas station, three were on new or new-to-them motorcycles. Kelly on a 2023 GISX-R, Ron on the beemer, and Randy on a 2021 lightly used Street Triple RS. Two of the other guys had recently gotten new or new-to-them bikes, too. Russell a new 2022 Harley Street Bob and Chas a 2005 Harley CVO V-Rod. I think there must be something in the water! Unfortunately I didn't think to get photos of the other bikes so I could share them with you. Next time!



All through Covid we sat out in the courtyard but we'd started sitting indoors about six months ago or so. However, today the weather was so wonderful that we opted to eat outside again.



My hand felt pretty good when I wasn't engaging the clutch. And today (Monday) it felt like the "workout" I put my hand through was actually physically therapeutic. I do know for sure that the ride was extremely mentally and emotionally therapeutic!

Today....



The day after my surgery on January 12th...



Breakfast was a good as ever...perhaps more so. But maybe I just enjoyed and appreciated it more after being relegated to healing at home the past four Sundays. I had "the usual"--the Southwest Scramble with home friends and one giant mesquite pancake with real maple syrup.

Some of the guys went the long(er) way home through Saguaro National Park West but I opted to ride back the way we came with Mr. Sandi which cuts mileage by about 20 miles or so. That normally doesn't sound like much to me but my hand (and ONLY my hand) was happy when I pulled in the garage. The rest of me could have kept riding for a couple of hours! So I started back with a nice little 37 miles on a day that made it into the 70ºs F.



I'd say the next few Sunday rides will continue to be on my Triumph. I'm still unable to pull in the clutch on either my Fat Boy or my Street Glide Special with their heavy clutch pulls. In the meantime, I'll be riding Speedy with a big smile on my face!

 

Thanks, Dawsy! I did smile all day long. And while I was riding and think I was even giggling in my home with the whole time. There's nothing quite like not being able to ride your motorcycle that makes you truly appreciate it when you can.

 

Hi, @Linx. Thanks for your nice post. In answer to your question, I can use my fingers pretty well--close to normal. And I'm regaining the sensation in my finger tips! The trigger finger is still rather stiff but getting better each day. What's taking time is regaining strength in my fingers and hand. And the incision areas from the carpal tunnel surgery are right where all the pressure is when I pull in my clutch and that's pretty ouchy. I still can't pull the clutches in very easily on my two Harleys--not yet well enough to ride them. But i can ride my Speed Triple and I'm getting closer to being able to ride my Street Glide and my Fat Boy. Thanks for asking!

 

I’m with @Bikerman, @Havit. Would you please check into this and work whatever anti-spam magic you and @Rob did before? Thank you.

 

@Havit

Thanks, Wayne!