Thanks for using my suggestion, Pat!
Last year my husband and I went on a trip back east from WI to Ocean City, MD on our Harley Davidson bagger. I was only able to go on this trip because the day before I got a "cortisone" shot in my hip (I know they don't use cortisone anymore, but I don't remember the official name). And because the pain from the shot was pretty bad for the first 24 hours, I also got a prescription of Vicodin. I made the ride with my hip as it was, but I knew then I had to get something done if I wanted to continue to enjoy our rides.
I had my hip resurfacing done on Jan. 22, 2008. Probably went on my first short ride in April. We then took another trip on the bike out west this time. We drove from WI to Yellowstone National Park in WY and MT. The trip went great! No hip problems except for the cold. The cold, when on the bike, still bothers my hip. We were out there the first week of June and there was still lots of snow in the higher elevations. Crossing Wyoming in the evening was very chilly and that's when I realized my hip doesn't like the cold! I think it's because my muscles are tensing up from being cold and that causes the aching. I made sure I layered up after that (long underwear, jeans and rain pants to cut the wind) and I did fine. It was an awesome experience! Especially when we drove through the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone and had to stop for the buffalo to cross. They were like 5-6 feet away from us! I was a little nervous just because they were all moms with their babies. And we didn't have the protection of a vehicle surrounding us. But they went on their merry way. I know we had quite a few funny and curious looks from other tourists when they saw us on the bike with the 30+ degree weather and snow on the ground! But, we also saw others on their motorcycles, so we weren't the only crazy ones out there!
Anyway, I was very glad that I was able to go on our motorcycle trip at 4+ months post op! I still don't get off the bike very gracefully, but at least I can do it!
I also ride my 250cc Scooter to and from work most days.
This surgery was a blessing and I am so grateful I went through with it! Now and again, I will have a weird little pain in my hip area if I turn my leg funny or if I worked a little too hard out in the garden the day before. My funny walk is at a minimum now, too. And I'm not always stiff after I stand up from sitting awhile. Somedays I still get stiff, but they are getting less all the time.
I felt this category should be added because, let's face it, you need to have working hips to get on and off the bike! It is something my husband and I enjoy doing together and I was getting very depressed when my hip was interfering with our time together!
I'd like to hear from any other "bikers" out there, before or after your resurfacing!