Short: It’s been a while, but it’s time for another one of these rides. Dotwatching here – https://renegadesmuster2021.maprogress.com/

Long: Riding new places and the chance to see plenty of good friends, such opportunities are not to be missed while they are there. Whether I should be embarking on such a multi-day ride at the moment, I’m unsure as I learn more about what a recent haemochromatosis (iron overload) diagnosis means. I’d not previously heard of it, and I’m unaware of anyone else in my family having it, but mine is hereditary.

Excessive absorption of iron so far manifests itself in getting very tired, achy joints, abdominal aches, and just not feeling well. Thought I was just getting old. I’m hopeful that it’s been diagnosed early enough that with the simple treatment (venesection), damage to organs from iron deposits can be avoided. Therapeutic venesection (blood-giving) is initially done weekly to purge the excess iron and reduce levels suitably, and then less-frequently to keep them there. My first venesection last week went well, but completely wiped me out for the rest of the day. The second session today may not be ideal preparation for days bikepacking, but it went ok and I haven’t been as exhausted, yet…

Oddly, I feel best and most myself when active (although motivation to get out and do things is far more difficult to find with the lethargy) – so at least the first day’s riding should go ok. After that, I guess there’s only one way to find out… I suspect I’ll be even slower than normal, but as always – seeing new places by bike is the main motivation. Clearly this has been building my whole life, only just reaching the point where the effects became noticeable and a diagnosis was made – so I’m optimistic that bringing my iron level down will get me back to some sort of normal that I’ve long forgotten. Remains to be seen though.

In the meantime, there’s the opportunity to get outside on a bike with friends somewhere new – I can’t miss that.