Life was good, it was the end of February 1996 and I was coming to the end of my winter's training programme for the triathlon. I was fit. My daughters were growing up fast and my wife was as supportive as ever. I was looking forward to the spring, the brilliant sunny mornings and drying roads that are just made for hiking! At this time I was riding a Yamaha 600 Diversion, not a particularly sleek machine but an okay all rounder and perhaps more importantly it was within my budget, (or the budget that my wife allows me to have!)

When I was at school the only thing that I wanted to do was join the Police Force, and having joined the Police Force the only thing that I wanted to do was to join the Traffic Motor Patrol. Something about boys and toys here I think, great cars to drive and even greater motorbikes to ride. At this time I was primarily riding a BMW K1100cc machine at work, which was fine by me. Anyway cutting a long story short I was viciously assaulted whilst on duty and sustained serious left leg injuries. There then followed long periods of sickness from work along with a series of operations. My own motorcycle was sold as I didn't envisage ever getting back onto 2 wheels and my fitness was now non-existent.

Two years on (so we are now into March 1998) and things were beginning to improve, so much so that I was eager to return to motorcycling. I was still having extreme difficulty with my left leg and especially the knee joint, which was unbelievably unstable and would only bend now to a maximum of 90 degrees. At least I saved myself a fortune on alcohol as I now didn't need any to make me fall over, I just didn't wear my knee brace!

I started trying bikes for size, my days of riding sports or even slightly sporty bikes were over and no offence to all you easy riders out there, but it wasn't for me just yet. I then came across the BMW R1100RT with an adjustable seat and an adjustable gear-changer. Absolutely perfect because with the two adjustable items I was able to set up my own riding position to suit my leg. Well that's the story I used to convince my wife anyway! Although my competitive sporting days were over I still had a fantastic family and now I was back motorcycling, I just had to remember that whenever I stopped I wouldn't be able to rely on my left leg holding the bike up. It was absolutely fantastic being back on 2 wheels, my wife would join me on occasions riding pillion and if she couldn't my two daughters would fight it out between them to have a ride out with me.

Another two years on (so we are now into March 2000), I am still motorcycling but unfortunately still undergoing re-constructive surgery to my left leg and it is now quite apparent that I will never make a full recovery and so I am retired from the Police Force. After yet more surgery I am now able to measure my recovery by sitting on my motorbike in the garage and trying to operate the gear-changer. After what feels like an eternity I am able to operate everything and get back out here, oh boy what a wonderful feeling to be free on the road again.

This year just when I thought that things surely couldn't get any worse I had another two serious operations on my left leg and knee. I was still suffering with incredible left knee joint instability. The latter of the two operations unfortunately didn't go quite according to plan as during this operation the lateral popliteal nerve was damaged resulting in the loss of feeling and movement to my left foot. To say I was mortified is an understatement. EMG studies have been conducted on the nerve and muscle tissue and show no sign of life. I still went through the same routine of measuring my recovery and progress by sitting on my bike in the garage, but deep down I knew this time that I wouldn't get back to riding without some form of drastic action being taken as I couldn't operate the gear-changer at all.

Having lost my competitive sport and the occupation I always wanted I didn't now want to lose the freedom my motorcycle brought me. During this particular period of convalescence the family and I spent a long weekend in the North Yorkshire Moors. Whilst hobbling on my crutches in Robin Hoods Bay I saw a man wearing an NABD T-shirt. In my ignorance I had not heard of the NABD before and so I spoke to this gent to find out more. I must apologise because I don't know who he is, but he took the time to engage in conversation and fill me with hope, and for that I will always be grateful.

Having returned home from that weekend away I immediately got my computer kicked into action and began surfing the old web. I soon found the NABD web site and fired off an email to Billy Big Beard. A reply was received forthwith and my membership documents dispatched after hastily filling them in. Billy informed me of the grant scheme in operation with the NABD which put the wheels in motion for me to contact Kliktronic to see about having one of their electronic gear-changers fitted to my bike.

Bob and Keith at Kliktronic have been fantastic. They hadn't fitted one of their gear- changers to my model of bike so they readily accepted the challenge of being able to do so. It took a little bit longer than anticipated to get it fitted and working correctly, but I must say what a fabulous job they made of it. Before I trundled down to meet them to collect the bike I rang to see how they were getting on and Keith said that Bob had just returned from taking my bike out for a test ride and had come back grinning from ear to ear! I take it from that/that he had obviously enjoyed himself. When I did collect my bike once again they couldn't have been more helpful or welcoming. After Bob and Keith had done all the hard work it was now down to me to take it for a spin. Having not ridden since my last surgery about 4 months ago and now faced with changing gear with my hand I was a little apprehensive to say the least. But boy what a feeling to be back out there riding when I genuinely thought that this time my hiking days were over.

What an outstanding organisation the NABD is, like so many of you have already stated to simply say thank you doesn't really sum up the enormous feeling of gratitude that I have.

Through the continuous support of my wife and children and now the NABD and Kliktronic I am once again in a position to be able to enjoy the roads for their true purpose - that of motorcycling. I will never be able to thank you all enough.

Keep it shiny side up and dull side down and you'll ride forever! Yours eternally grateful

Paul

(I wish all submissions for Open House were this well done....cheers Paul, and to the guy in Robin Hoods Bay, whoever you are, keep up the good work............Rick)