Since I don't have much else to do, I've been thinking about what life might be like in the future. I've read in a number of places that people who have had back surgery put rather severe restrictions on themselves in terms of what they even try to do. Given the risk of recurrence and also the fact that other options (disc replacement, fusion, etc) are much more invasive with a much lower probability of success, this seems prudent.
Which brings me to my idle musing. When I travel with the bike, I always say that "it's all about the first mile and the last mile". By that I mean that once everything is loaded in the car or headed down the luggage ramp at the airport it doesn't really matter how long the trip is. Likewise, once you arrive at your destination the only segment that matters is the interval between arrival and your final location.
When I travel for a long brevet, if I'm flying I typically have three bags: my bike, my luggage and a small backpack. The bike plus case usually just makes the weight limit of 50 pounds. The luggage varies depending on the brevet, the time of year, what other travel I might be doing, etc., but typically weighs 40 plus pounds. The backpack is usually in the 5-10 pound range again depending on whatever else is on the itinerary and time of year.
So a "deep dive" into the logistics.
Some of this can be handled with the suitable application of $$ but some can't. When I load everything into the car, I can have Marcia help so I'm only lifting about half the weight - 25 pounds with some associated bending and twisting. Likewise when she drops me off at the airport (assuming she's not coming with me). Alternatively, I can pay someone at the airport to handle my bags and take them to check-in. Money well spent.
But on arrival, especially internationally, I don't recall baggage handlers being able to be inside the customs area. Maybe they are but I don't ever remember seeing them. Let's be optimistic and assume there is someone to lift the bag off the luggage carousel at regular baggage and oversize and escort them and me to the customs area.
And then there are the occasional airport transfers. Arrival at LAX on an international flight goes: pick up your luggage, clear customs, haul it to the transfer area, put it on a luggage cart or carousel.
Then the vagaries of car rental or maybe even worse, being picked up by friends. Frankly, I'd feel like a total schmuck imposing on friends who've already driven to the airport to pick me up by standing by while they loaded my bags. So once again I'd most likely either help or do it myself. Likewise when we get to wherever we're going. I hate being that much of a burden.
Domestic rides are somewhat easier. I have only the bike to lift (no case) and can have help doing that if needed.
And of course if I'm riding a recumbent life gets even more complicated. Bike is heavier, doesn't pack as well, case is larger and therefore heavier, you get the idea.What does this all mean? I don't know really. Maybe the artificial limit I put on myself is just that: artificial and that with the appropriate post-Op PT and strengthening I'll be dead lifting VW's.
I know at this point, I find the prospect of further back injury pretty terrifying. I've read accounts of people that go through one surgery after another gradually working their way up their entire spine replacing discs, having fusions, etc., ultimately to no avail as they're still in pain. Obviously these are "worst case" scenarios that I hope to avoid with a reasonable amount of caution. This doomsday scenario also seems unlikely for me because other than the L5/S1, MRI's show my back is in pretty good shape.
Having said that though, the L5/S1 microdiscectomy has been the first step on a slippery slope for some people. They re-herniate the disc and aren't candidates for a disc replacement (various reasons for this) so they have a fusion. Because of that, they're less flexible and put more stress on the next vertebra. Herniate that, microdiscectomy->fusion-> and so on up the spinal cord.
So is air travel a thing of the past? Am I being overly paranoid?
Stay tuned!
