I don’t know if anyone else suffers from r.a. (rheumatoid arthritis) but let me explain. Take a joint, today it is the hip, and imagine every time you move said joint there is glass in between the bones. That pain is what I experience every time I have a flare up. It is extremely painful and there is nothing but the passage of time that allows relief. Now, I do take injections to help with the flare ups, but that has been a long fight with the insurance company. Hopefully this will be taken care of soon.
Joint pain aside, let me tell you a funny story. As y’all may know I am going minimalist on this trip. There isn’t a whole lot that will fit in saddlebags. I had my backpack packed with clothing (1 pair of jeans, swimsuit, socks, bras or two, and 3 shirts). I also had a small, collapsable duffle bag for my riding gear, boots, and a few tools that every motorcycle mechanic/rider carries. Once I had the motorcycle picked out and paid for, I learned from my Aussie friends Graeme and Katrina, that bugs are an issue in the spring. Now, being from south Texas, I have had my fair share of bugs hitting my legs, chest, and arms, but it was suggested that I get a taller windscreen to offer extra protection to my face and neck. Suggestion heard and accepted. I bought a taller, touring windscreen to meet my needs. Guess who didn’t read the description. Guess who didn’t look at the height of the screen… this girl.
The windshield would in no way fit in the small duffel bag I was so proud of getting packed. Not happening. Colin came to the rescue again. In the garage was his old army Duffle bag. It has backpack straps! Holy moly, I can walk around with it on my back and once I stuffed my riding jacket with bubble wrap and stuffed the windscreen in it, I now have a bag to check. Everything in one very collapsable bag. Hopefully it will make it through the airport luggage line unscathed.