BobE

Say Lowell, Are you going to be able to keep the front fender attached to this Voyager? Speaking of that, did you ever get the fender re-attached after the Adirondack Ride-In last year?

Folks, I think (and who cares what I think but me, but nevertheless...) that the point is being missed here. It's not an issue of whether WE like loud pipes or not, or they are safe or not....it's an issue of the majority, non-riding public's contention, for the law-making politician is going to listen to the majority, non-riding public. And the majority, non-riding public is saying "Enough with the racket!" and, in turn, the law is reacting accordingly. The majority, non-riding public don't care about us, they don't care whether they should hear us on the road or not, they just care that loud noises of any kind are disturbing their world, whether it be bikes, cars, trucks or planes. It is easier to "control" the bikes because there are fewer of them and they don't NEED them, or their usefulness, like they NEED planes, trucks, and cars. Therefore, they will legislate noise on bikes however they can, such as banning motorcycle events (Myrtle Beach...) or running exhaust checks at events (Americade) because it is easier to pick on the bikers than it is anyone else. Now, for the record, I do not subscribe to the loud bike theory, i prefer to control my own riding destiny by driving defensively and not depending on the majority, non-riding public to acknowledge I am there and therefore MUST drive safely, for they are living in their own little world, don't care about yours for it's your problem that you chose to ride a "death weapon" (as I heard on one newscast) and will only react to something that can really hurt them, like that Peterbilt bearing down on them in their rear view mirrors. As for those with loud pipes, the only ones I find annoying are the throttle-rappers, mostly because they think they are pretty cool sitting there being obnoxious, dressed in all sorts of leathers but no helmet ("for safety, for safety!"), then they drag their feet for a 1/4 mile up the road before finally putting them where they belong, on the pegs or floorboards. They don't realize just how moronic they look to everyone else. Louder pipes (not straight pipes) can easily be quiet, as the original poster was implying, but can be helpful in certain situations when the rider is caught not paying attention to what's going on around him and has to react fast. Okay, that was a little more than I planned on espousing...sorry.... Back to you! BobE

Hi Don, Just logged in tonight to see if anyone heard from you, and I find this thread is on the second or third page and overrun already by other threads! Sounds like you got good things going, although I cannot imagine what a burned eye feels like. I just started my fourth round of chemo, which will end Sunday evening when the visiting nurse pays a visit to my house to unhook the pump. Our prayers are still going forth for a successful-as-it-can-be outcome to your treatments!

Hey Don, Glad to hear you treatment went well. If radiation is anything like chemo, though, the fatigue and any side effects may be cumulative, meaning they will manifest themselves more with each treatment. But it's a small price to pay to make yourself better and hopefully some day you won't need them anymore. BTW, just want to thank you so much for sending Dan Lowery the word about me. I was pleased and very excited to get a phone call from him this morning! We had a great conversation and it was sure good to hear his voice again! Typical Don Nelson...even when he's got big problems of his own he's helping someone else out to make their lives better....

Don and Eileen, Drive safely and you folks will be in my thoughts and prayers for your first treatment. I am looking at my fourth round this Friday, but I don't need to travel halfway across the country to git-r-done like you have to. With all the prayers going with you, the treatments can do nothing but help you! In regards to the subscription issue, the two issues we found over at The Venturers with our 2-week trial is that some people would misunderstand that they were on a two-week trial and become angry when their access was shut off after the trial had ended. The other issue is monitoring is required to keep track of the trials and to notify them when it's up. If you can create an automatic way of doing all that, and I'm sure you'll figure out something, then that little problem is solved. The main issue is making sure the people FULLY understand it is a two-week trial, after which they will be denied access unless they pay. A bit too stressful for my tastes these days... If you want to make folks want to join, I personally think limited access right up front is better, maybe making a couple of topic areas viewable to the non-member so they can see the personality of this group and will want to join to see more. That way there is no misunderstanding, and you can use your considerable sales experience to laud what's available on the rest of the site to paid members. Everything is stated up front with no misunderstandings, no ill feelings. A lot less stressful...and stress is definitely one thing you don't need right now. Just my thoughts from a newbie.... May nothing but good things come to you in Boston!

Hey Ron, Just read your journal....I am also taking Avastin and those "flare-ups" happen for a couple of days after misery begins, but then it goes away until the next round. I will keep an eye on it and inform my doctor. Unlike yourself, I never had the problem until now, so I am hoping it is not an issue. I have been through all the emotions you mentioned and then some. I even wrote about a day at Chemo for The Venturers who have never spent a day in chemo to digest. I can send it to you if you are interested. I gotta admit, Ron, how many people would have a female doctor named Swallow....you are a unique case, my Friend!

Thanks for the support, Ruffy! Ron, my cancer is a rare form of liver cancer that started in the bile ducts and spread from there. I had back-to-back endoscopy and colonoscopies done and I am clean in those areas, Praise the Lord! I just finished Round 3 of a 6-round initial treatment, after the 6th round they will do the tests and scans needed to see how I am doing. They tell me the same thing about the different formulations of chemo, and so far it appears the one I am on now (a new one) is working well, despite the little side effects that is a small price to pay. My cancer is incurable, so as you well know, that means the best I can achieve is remission, but a cancer of some flavor will return in the future. The place I am going to here in Rhode Island is great, the people are great, and they all have a very positive outlook on making remission. I have absolutely no problem talking about my cancer, most people seem to think I am unusual because I am so matter-of-fact. The main reason for that is because my Father died of a rare form of liver cancer, my mother died of a common form of liver cancer, my uncle died of some form of liver cancer I'm not sure of, and my wife's first husband died of lung cancer, so we've both been there, done that. That was back in the early 80s, this is now, medicine has progressed since then (it better, I'm spending enough money on it!), so hopefully things will get better. Because this is incurable, I have been placed on permanent Social Security Disability, although that doesn't start until September (5-month waiting period). I no longer have a job and at 51, a diabetic, and now cancer in my history, fat chance of me getting a job. Anyway, in regards to my bike (The Old Coot), it's a full dresser with all Yamaha tupperware, kind of was the Venturer before the Venturer came out in 1981 from Yamaha. It needs a lot of fix-em-up, but I neither have the energy, knowledge, or the urge to do so right now. I used to have an 83, 93, and 05 Venture, as well as Gold Wings, among many other rides, but I imagine the Old Coot will be my last rig, unless I can afford a trike someday (fat chance of that ever happening). Such is life. I put a period on this chapter and go on to the next chapter in my life. It's all we can do, just keep calm on the surface and paddle like hell under water. Take care, and I'm heading over to your website right after this! BobE

CanadianRider, I too am dealing with Stage 4 Liver Cancer and some has spread into the lymph nodes outside the liver. My blood is good for the moment. I am in chemotherapy (not fun), been through three rounds so far, right now dealing with bloody noses and diarrhea, as well as dizziness and fatigue. When I get a chance I will check out your website. While I would like to see this movie, I don't know if I could emotionally do so at this time. I'm trying to maintain a positive outlook and so far it's working, so I don't want to take an emotional dive at this time. For the past 10 years my wife and I were making a major bike trip each year to a different part of the country because of her heart condition, as she wanted to see as much of the country as we could while she was able to. Well, it looks like it may be me who may not be able to, so we're glad we got the tours in while we could and while we had money! Good luck on your ride and my thoughts and prayers are with you! BobE