cowpuc

INDEED XV - what an amazing story this has been!! THANK YOU for allowing us the honor and privilege of following along with you!! WAYYYYYY COOL STORY AND AWESOME 's!!

Thanks for prayers Jeff - ALWAYS GREATLY APPRECIATED BROTHER!! Indeed this stuff is amazing,, wouldnt wish NONE of any of the things any of us CTMFW folks are going thru (yourself included) on anyone BUT, none the less, it is indeed VERY fascinating!! I will try and touch base in Chat tonight as I would LOVE to hear how you (and others) are also faring!! What do you say, 8 pm ish?

OH yea,, thats GREAT Middy!! Sure brought back some great memories.. Back when I spent some time riding back there I always preferred the Siamese Twins method - lot of benefits to that one.. I remember riding backwards on my buddies little 50cc Yamaha Moped (looked just like a Honda Passport only always sounded like a cucumber cause it was a 2 stroke).. My most memorable experience of riding Siamese Twin came about when our local hobby cop came ripping up behind us to within a couple feet of the scoot while we were crossing the High School parking lot, I was holding on to the tail light with one hand and waving to him with the other.. I can still see his face plastered against the windshield of his 426 Hemi Magnum Superbee (he was a hobby cop with the COOLEST personal "police" car. Funny thing was,, as I remember he wasnt :big-grin-emoticon:ing like I was!! They didnt cover this method but this is more current in my life.. Last year a friend and I were out for a ride, didnt have Tip on the back of Tweeks so as my buddy and I rode down 31 we both slipped back on our open rear seats, set the throttles and just sat back and enjoyed the ride.. Afterwards I was telling Dave (he rides a 2012 Ultra Limited) that it occurred to me how much fun it would be to get one of those blow up dolls, blow her up, tape her hands to the bars and then sit on the back seat like she was driving and we were riding:big-grin-emoticon:.. We never did do that but I still think that would be fun...

Just got a return phone call from the Urogoligist, apparently the viewable blood in the urine after a prostrate biopsy can go on for quite some time, even several months, and not a major concern. Kind of made had me a little concerned so that info was/is comforting.. He also mentioned that any strenuous activity (we walked 4 miles yesterday) would certainly instigate such an outcome but that is no reason not to stay active.. I didnt tell him about our plans to ride to Sturgis in a couple weeks,, I just filed that under the "ok to stay active" personal file protected under the reverse hippa laws Hope I aint boring you lopped eared varmints with all this stuff but certainly appreciate all the thoughts and prayers AND hope that maybe it will help one of my family members here should they ever find themselves in a similar situation:thumbsup: Stay tuned for more CTmedicalFWing, not that much fun, stuff! Heyyyy,, you gear heads types,, I may very well be coming into possession of my original microscope slides with actual pieces of my prostrate in them.. Just to stay on top of the unspoken:worthless:rule and to just a little, I will post some pics up, if the Mod's will allow such ickyness on our PG-13 rated site:doh:!!

Ohhhh heck YEA!! Tip and I would be happy to do some advertising for your local BBQ Shop Mike - count us in!! Hope doing so does not back fire on the establishment though!! Lets see,, your in Iowa arent you (assuming the BBQ joint is also in Iowa?),,, hmmm,, we pass thru Iowa sometimes when heading west,, after wearing their shirts around Sturgis - harrassing the Harley guys and having allll that fun wearing that shirt may just be reason enough to cause the three of us (Tip, Tweeks and I) to just HAVE to force the front wheel to go find a BBQ in Iowa!!

Well, more good news from my daughter,, it appears that the cancer may be of the type that is of a lesser aggressive type. She is on her way here so she can consult with the Urologist on the 15th (my follow up) as to how to approach it long term. She mentioned that it may very possibly be just observation over the next few years. Apparently it only involves a small portion of my prostate.. There were other things that were looked at (bladder, kidneys) during the exam that revealed the cancer that we will also find out about then too.. Thoughts and Prayers Up greatly appreciated for that day too PLEASE.. Oh yea, before I forget,, I am still getting blood in my pee - was suppose to stop after 48 hours,, trying to get ahold of the Urologist to find out what that is all about, should know more today,,, just like a long CTFW road trip - something new around every bend in the road.. Back to the Endo Doc. He talked a lot about how me currently being on Pred makes his job a little tougher because apparently the Pred makes the pituatary send mixed signals to the Adrenal Gland, or no signal at all, because the body has a "false" supply of adrenaline.. He mentioned that I may have to wean off the Pred in the future to test my system - which will probably lead me back into a non-functional zone like I was last winter - blahhh.. He did have blood drawn to check on several items now though with the results giving him something to start with. Earlier tests did reveal I have low sodium that does tell him that something is possibly arry in the system (no idea how all that relates, also NO idea why I had low sodium in the first place cause I like seasoning my food).. He felt it possible that there could be some association with heart rate and blood pressure. He mentioned that, get this, that one of the primary pituatary/adrenaline system functions is tied directly to BP control - weird eay.. The human body is an AMAZING thing!! The Endocrine Doctor seemed very knowledgeable and VERY concerned so he gained high marks in making me feel like he is totally on board with joining the lets go CTmedicalFWing with Tip and Puc. Thanks again for ALL your thought and prayers guys - they are ALWAYS appreciated!!

Thanks for all the support gang!! THAT was interesting!! It turns out that it is very very unlikely that my prostate cancer has anything to do with what the Endo Doc believes to be Adrenalin Deficiency.. More to come, Tippy just started a conversation on the phone with my Pathologist daughter who has an update about viewing my cancer slides.. This is beginning to remind me of getting lost in Chicago - busy busy busy.. Be right back..

Frodo,,, I personally have never seen a wheel set up that uses the seal surface as part of the bearing/axle capturing alignment "squish" in any of my days of working on bikes or cars. Normal squish seems like it should be bushings - washers, (or caliper axle surface) directly onto the outer face of an internal bearing race - then when you tighten the axle nut it draws it all together.. I have ran many many miles with that outer washer out of place before I discovered that the previous owner had done so.. Screwed up a set of pads but didnt cause any internal bearing damage. If it were mine and as long as it was obvious to me that the bearing itself was still usable, I would hand pack the area with grease (gotta be a Walmart or somewhere down there to get a tube of grease), take an old plastic oil bottle/milk jug or some other fairly firm piece of thin plastic material and I would hand cut a new dust cover/seal with my jack knife so I had a way of containing the grease - what the heck bro, where there is a will there is a way!! Then I would just keep an eye on it -- certainly would never let a dust cover stand in my way of enjoying my road trip bro!!! Now if ya got a bad bearing,, different story!! If that were the case I would find the nearest bearing supply house and see what they could come up with BUT - I would be surprised if the bearing is shot unless you ran it dry...

Just joining your thinking here this morning Bill, I have always liked the looks of those big ol cushy pillow tops,, seems like they would be just ticket for resting a bottom full of hot dogs on after a long day of riding.. On the same token though, I have never ridden any miles on any of the seats you are talking about so you best take that in consideration

Rise and shine ya bunch of lop eared varmints, it's Endocrinologist day!!!!!! :dancefool: This is the day that the Gland guy gets a visit from Tippy and Puc, a day we have been looking forward to since that ER visit on 4-25-15 when, for some reason, my crazy body finally responded to something in a positive way. That something being a dose of Prednisone. Not long ago I was diagnosed with Sic Sinus, a weak signal to the bottom of my heart, which the Cardiologist does not feel is bad enough to warrant a pace maker. That Cardio guy could not (or would not) answer the question of whether adrenaline (thats what Prednisone is) would effect the signal.. A question for the Endo guy. Since that time and as noted in this thread, the discovery of my prostate cancer brings about a question or two also. For instance, we are now curious to know how the discharge of PSA (or what ever that enzyme is that is read in a PSA test = mine shows elevated) may or may not effect other glands like the adrenaline gland.. If nothing else, this may prove to be a very interesting part of our CTmedicalFWing - a strange form of CTFWing that, quite honestly makes me really long for the traditional type that we all love so well:crying: Truthfully, I hope no body is around to read this message and that all of you are out sucking the life out of your day by chasing the front wheel of your very own bike - be it a 1st Gen, 2nd Gen, Wing, Harley, Victory, Suzy, Spider, Slingshot, Guzzi, Lambretta or even an old Sears Moped.. For those who aren't and happen upon this post, any form of thoughts or Prayers Up today would be greatly appreciated!! Gotta head that way - will let you know what we find out:thumbsup2:

8 YEAR OLDS SCHMEIGHT YEAR OLDS,,, YA DONE GOT THIS 60 YEAR OLD GRAMPA LOOKING GEEZER JUMPING UP DOWN TOO NOW YA LOP EARED VARMINT!!! NOW GET OUT THERE AND DUMP THAT SEAFOAM IN BIG LOVERS TANK AND TAKE THOSE 8 YEAR OLDS CRUISING BEFORE I POKE YOU WITH THIS STICK I GOT ALL SHARPENED UP!!!:big-grin-emoticon: THAT is sooooooooo awesome Mark!! :thumbsup: All the best to you and your kids on such a memorable occasion!!

That said,, does that make you an intermittent jerk?

You really did bonk something pretty hard Dan:doh:,, that was actually me, the real Cowpuc helping someone called Yammer Dan trying to find Yammer Dan in a crowd of people who, by the way, were of no assistance...

Now your talking Bill,,, pack them dogs in there,, smother em down with some of that relish, bite em in half, wash em down and start over:fatsmiley: Definitely worth the trip!! :thumbsup: Hey,, remember that kid who we video taped?? I seen him the other day,, called me "video man":rotf::rotf:remembered us really well :guitarist 2::happy65:

:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::dancefool::dancefool::dancefool: :clap2:TOTALLY AWESOME MIKE!! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Now THAT:yikes: seems like a major no no!! Hey bro, are they all pretty much on one side? Maybe put your bed against a wall and pack pillows around you so you cant roll over,,, sheesh that had to hurt!! Still Prayers Up and Blessings Down my friend!!

I like that Unc!! :thumbsup:

Goodness Blue, NOTHING to apologize for my friend - THANK YOU for giving Tip and I the pleasure of getting to know you folks!! Not so sure where the "famous" fits into this,, should maybe read something like "that infamous Cowpuc,, gotta be careful where ya step if your gonna stalk that lop eared critter" Tell ya one thing, I thought that was sooo cool having the door bell ring and have one of my Northern Neighbors standing there with his wife, look out and see that Venture sitting there and then to have you tell me your story about how easy I was to find:thumbsup:.. THAT was GREAT Blue!! Well thanks Unc,, that path goes both ways you know!! Come to think of it, I met a WHOLE bunch of folks that day who that path goes both ways on.. Come to think of it,, I dont think I have met a VR member yet who that path doesnt lead to.. Well,, maybe some of them like @billmac who go up into the wilds of Michigan where countless cool animals live and play and then come on here to tell us about it but then dont give us :photographing::photographing::photographing: loving folks even one little picture of even a squirrel or something.. :rasberry::witch_brew: Guess I better shut up though cause I did lose 4 gig of great pics of the folks at Don's MD so I probably am no better off,,,,,,,,,, hey,, wait a minute,, at least I TRIED:witch_brew::witch_brew::witch_brew: Get to feeling better I guess I am gonna have to have another one of Puc's Infamous Greet - Meet and eat Meat's pretty soon - get a chance to fill another 4 gig or so while the Hot Dogs, CHips and Pops disappear!! What say you @billmac you lop eared varmint you? Will let that @bluestar99 also know about it so he has a chance to meet some of you lop eared varmints!!

BEAUTIFUL BREN - JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!:clap2::dancefool::thumbsup: Thanks a gazillion!!! I personally LOVE the sound of BOTH of them but, truthfully (maybe an age thing) I like the quiet humble rumble probably best.. Makes me miss Olivia even more:bawling: Concerning the trade idea,,, ooppppsss,, door bell,, back shortly..

INDEED Blue - VERY VERY NICE TO MEET YOU FOLKS TODAY!! Sorry we had to rush off for a doctors appt (not mine this time for a change) BUT it was really great getting to chat for even a few minutes!! By the way gang,, Blue and his wife ride a GORGEOUS 99 Venture.. Sorry it all happened so fast that I didnt get a chance at a picture (Blue and I were still yapping as Tippy dragged me into the car) but next time I will... So,, @billmac,, sounds like you two had a great ride - CONGRATS Ahhh,, you didnt go into a National Wildlife Preserve without a did ya? You just had to know that someone was gonna ask,, right?

Many years ago, probably before most of us were born, during the time that things like Gold Rush's and laying railroad track across America were popular, some ol prankster outlaw cowboy came up with a saying to try and trick unsuspecting easterners to ride their -3 Gen Ventures (aka horses) into unknown territories so he could horn swaggle them out of their belongings.. The expression that the old prankster had coined spread like wildfire and soon,, many people were taken in by the promises of wealth, fun and excitement hidden deep in the words of the statement. A number of years go by and, strange as it may sound, people like you and I are still responding to the lure of that arcane expression "Go west young man,, GO WEST" and we are still finding the lure intoxicating!! Thankfully, for the most part, following the lure now has more to do with fun and excitement and less to do with loosing all our earthly belongings to some quick drawing gun slinger.. Life has thrown some lemon's at the normal summer of straddling Tweeks saddle for weeks on end during the last year. That said, its understandable that when a small 4 day break came in the winds of recent medical adversity that we should seize the moment. The small break and the fact that my dear friend and cohort, FlyingFool, had finally gave up playing with his Wisconsin White Wash Machine's levers and knobs for the summer increased the lure all the more. The highway called and we would once again fall victim to heeding that archaic call.. As Tip, Tweeks and I pulled out of our driveway and headed west to make some lemonaid out of those lemons, I told them both that this would have to be a short one because a Urologist here at home was eagerly planning on knocking me out for some testing in just a few days. Tip laughed and Tweeks snickered as the words "don't worry - I am sure we can find plenty of adventure in 4 days" were spoken.. Being just as much a lover of the road as I - I KNEW the three of us were headed for both fun and excitement! We hadn't traveled very far, about 100 miles, and the fun began. As we pulled out of South Haven Mi after feeding Tweeks at the exact same fuel station that a couple weeks before I had parted company with one of my Texas Hero's and very good friend of mine - Squidley from Cleveland TX - that the fun began.. I had actually instigated this fun game of playing cat and mouse with thunder clouds because I had checked the weather before heading south to head west (gotta do that because of Lake Michigan).. As it were, I figured I would give those pesky Meteorologist one more shot at me before surrendering to an even more challenging culprit found behind the mask of a Urologist.. Yep,, I fell for it again.. As we pulled out of that Meijer's Gas station, it started sprinkling and before we could get back on the main road it started coming down pretty good.. Feeling the water lubricating Tweeks throttle brought a smile to my face because I know Tweeks would rather roll a little faster and stay a little dryer in the pouring rain, just like myself. Tippy moved into her heavy rain mode of touring as she slid her pretty face down behind my back until Tweeks could get up to the speed where her ability to protect all us effeciently came into the cat and mouse game.. The three of us have played this particular game many times in the past. The only difference in this one was, unknown to us, that the 20% chance of the mouse coming out to play in the greater Chicago area clearly should have been forcasted as 100% but, what the heck,, a person only making 120k a year for forcasting weather around Lake Michigan has earned his keep even if he is only correct half the time - I mean its only water right? Besides, playing the game thru Chicago during rush hour on a motorcycle is probably one of the highest levels of the cat and mouse game that Tip, Tweeks and I have ever had the pleasure of playing.. Thank you Mr. Weatherman - that was invigorating.. As we crossed into Wisconsin later in the day, the mouse finally gave up and went to find some Wisconsin cheese. At least momentarily, the warm Wisconsin sun welcomed us and my sweatshirt started to dry out.. Tweeks sounded happy to finally be out of her most recent bathing experience (she takes no pleasure in having the dirt she has earned from far off excursions torn from her grasp) and her 300k mile motor sang the happy tune of dry roads passing under her feet as Tip asked me once again if I had any idea of where we were headed. I had told her earlier about a place called Viroqua Wisconsin, which - at that time I smuggly pronounced "Vie - Rock" to show Tip that I finally knew how to pronounce a word that she didn't know how to pronounce - she is an English PHENOM and any time I get a chance to know something in the english language that she obviously doesn't I know I SEIZE THE MOMENT .. I also explained to her again that since she had missed Freebirds Maintenance Day in Ohio earlier in the year that we were going to make a stop at another VentureRider.org MD being hosted by some folks by the name's of Sharon and Orlin,, people who I had never met but had always wanted to. Orin and Sharon live in a region of Wisconsin that I had never Ventured into.. Tweeks and I have crossed into Minnesota from Wisconsin (and vice versa) in the La Crosse area many times while headed west and, from as far back as I can remember - have always been awed by how quickly the state of Wisconsin changes its terrain as we did so.. I have always wondered if there were not more to all that than met the eye and we were now on our way to find out - the PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR CTFWing FUN!! As the three of us got closer to where I thought Vie Rock should be located, I thought it best to stop and ask a local Cheesehead if they had ever heard of such a place.. The first couple people we talked to had no clue of such a town in Wisconsin.. For a while I thought this character named Orlin was playing a fast one on ol Puc - I have met a few Wisconsinite Venturerider.org members and they can be known for playing little tricks on fellow riders,,, at least that has been my experience.. Thankfully I can be pretty pugnacious at times (plus Tippy likes to know if she is lost and is not shy about asking for directions if needed) and the 3rd or 4th person we asked somewhere between Madison and the back road borders of Minnesota some nice lady Tippy was talking to corrected my pronunciation of the name of the town - it is pronounced VEER - O - QUAW (still havent lived that down). Shortly after the kind lady got us straightened around in both the proper usage of our English Language and got us headed in the correct direction, Tippy spotted a historical looking sign in front of a Cemetery - tapped me on the shoulder so we pulled in.. All three of us LOVE Ghost Towning out west, even heard what we thought may have been ghost's and Tip never seemed at all afraid.. After reading the sign (see pic and video) I figured what the heck, the rain had stopped - we were never gonna find Orlin's place before dark anyway, may as well go Ghost hunting... Never did find one but the history found at Dover Cemetery was pretty neat.. It was dark as we pulled out of the Boot Hill of Dover and it sure felt like water was again filling the sky.. That feeling proved correct because just as we rounded a corner near a place called Richland Center - the sky opened up in buckets.. Unfortunately, the road we were riding did not allow for the speeds needed to stay dry so we pulled off at a Bar and sat under their overhang (poor Tweeks - there was no room for her at the inn) until the rain subsided a little.. (see pic) It was well into darkness when we pulled into VEER-O-QUAW Wisconsin.. We stopped at a gas station, fed Tweeks and asked the attendant if she had ever heard of a place called "Orlin and Sharon's Campground".. She looked at us and then the bike and then shook her head in a side to side sway.. I looked out the window and said "this is Veer - O - Qwah isnt it?".. She was obviously impressed that I knew the correct pronunciation for the name of the town, then she asked if I knew what road the campground was suppose to be on. I said yea (I had memorized Orlin's address from a post he had made on VentureRider.org) - East 56 I told her.. She gave us instructions of how to cut across town, out thru a residential area, up a little hill and we would find 56.. We did and we did.. After following 56 a few miles I started looking for Orlins address that I had also memorized on the mailboxes.. We checked several mailboxes before it came to our attention that not one person had an address on their mailbox!! What kind of people are these Wisconsinites I asked Tip.. They are either super intelligent people with an amazing ability to remember addresses (cant imagine a postal worker being able to know where the mail has to go just by house colors or what kind of car you drive) or someone knew we were coming (we had told no one) and one of those lop eared varmints from the area had removed the addresses just to try and confuse us.. We did find a gorgeous farm setting with a house lit up and what appeared to be a house trailer setting out front, thought that may be it but I didnt see any motorcycles so we pulled back out and continued our search. A mile or so of riding what appeared to be an Appalachian mountain type setting (GORGEOUS - EVEN AT NIGHT) and I noticed a red sign with what appeared to be numbers on it set back from the road in front of someones driveway.. The three of turned around on that lonely roadway, went back and Tweeks shined her ever penetrating bright headlight on the sign.. Sure enough,,, those Wisconsinites had gotten away from putting addresses on mailboxes and gone ahead of the rest of the world and started making small red metal (assuming) free standing signs.. I also deduced from the friendly little red sign in front of us that we had actually ridden a smudge to far. We turned around, again, and headed back toward the driveway of the farm house that we had turned around in a few moments before.. As we approached that same farm house, the one with no motorcycles to be seen, we happened to notice a lop eared varmint dressed in farmer like clothing sitting on the foundation of an old barn not to far from the road.. We pulled back into that same driveway and had GREAT moonlit conversation with 2 of Wisconsin's finest people, PLUS - we also got to meet a couple of REAL lop eared varmints to boot!!!

My son was 9, maybe 10 years old on his first cross country trip.. It was Sturgis Rally time and we were riding our first 1st Gen (named Beeg) headed that way on our way CTFW westward.. He learned quickly the "correct" two finger down wave from watching other bikers and reminded me several times of the "proper wave" as I always had a bad habit of just waving.. The closer we got to the Rally, the more bikes we encountered and, bless his heart - the less response he got from the Harley crowd.. While camping on the backside of the Badlands National Park (AWESOME and DEAD QUIET) he asked me about the non-waving Harley guys (his words).. I told him that those folks had a "club of sorts" that required the purchase of a Harley Davidson as membership dues and that, even though we might not like it - there are many things in life like that that draw folks together that you have to pay an entrance fee for.. The next day, P-Dog (son), Beeg and I were getting close to Sturgis and we came upon a fellow biker with his Harley setting on the side of the road and he was walking in the opposite direction that his bike was pointing.. Of course, we came to a stop and I asked the guy if he needed help. He said his air cleaner had fallen and he was looking for parts. I offered our assistance but he said several of his friends were also looking but he greatly appreciated the offer.. We got a few miles down the road and my son inquired about the reason I would stop and help someone from a "club" that we didnt belong to.. I then explained to him the difference between being part of a "club" and living by a "code".. Personally Pat, I dont see you as a non-waving person riding a motorcycle as a jerk at all.. I happen to wave a LOT at all bikes, even mopeders cause I enjoy seeing people out sharing a like minded passion that I happen to have and I dont think I am a jerk either. My wife and I also really enjoy smilely little kids and old people,, we wave at them too,, and have boughten a fair amount of lemonade at lemonade stands and even candy bars at gas stations for the kids.. I never feel like a jerk for that either.. On the other hand,, if you would have come on here and stated that you never stop to help a fellow biker = a code violation,, then ya,, I would say you are probably a jerk

Hey Mike,, is your son on his own bike or is he younger and riding two up with you? I did Sturgis for many years with my young children and HAD A BLAST - LOTS OF GREART MEMORIES!! Tip and I are really looking forward to meeting you two!! THIS SHOULD BE A BLAST! THANK YOU for starting this thread @Mikealiasmike!!

Sounds AWESOME VF!! We are looking forward to seeing you again my friend! Hope you have a GREAT, safe ride up from California!! How you coming up Neil? You gonna ride Death Valley and up thru Vegas/Salt Lake?

:thumbsup: VentureFar... pie eater,, I think I will try and get there earlier in the day to make sure I get a piece of pie:stickinouttounge: By the way, THANKS for reminding me of the official dates for the rally Neil ,, 3rd thru the 9th,, got it Neil,, 3rd thru the 9th,, leave on the 1st,, got it!!!! Also, on my way to post our cell number in my profile my friend - if it weren't for really good friends like yourself ol Puc would probably be caught in some obscure CTFW mode in SD with no phone to be able to call out or in by. Your a keeper ya lop eared varmint!! Meet up at the pie place, 6 p.m., Monday,, sounds PERFECT!! I am still planning on being at the Yamaha Shop at 1 p.m. each day I am available (not lost somewhere out west), Tweeks knows her way to that spot - she likes the smell of her kind..