Crawford Boyd

Me, My Bikes & My Prostate!

I’m riding at the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride for prostate cancer on 19^th May 🤞and I would love you to share, like and donate.

https://gfolk.me/CrawfordBoyd559604

I have wanted to ride from  a very young age, and when I was in my teens a number of the boys I ran with had bikes and I was always in awe, especially of the early entrants with their Yamaha 50cc starter bikes and the older boys' Suzuki 250s. I had so many shots of one particular lad’s white Yammy, but I never quite mastered the one down four, maybe five, up.

Things took a turn and I met a girl and we bought a car, it’s 37 years since we bought that Paris Blue Ford Capri Laser, we bought a silver VW California Ocean just last month so no regrets.

But it was an itch and after moving to Edinburgh South I decided to scratch it, the fantastic Two Wheels of Edinburgh were pretty much on my doorstep and I made that call in December 2022.

I sat my CBT in January 2023 in the January snow, doing my road test in icy February, I bought a smashing little Honda CBF125mm to rack up the experience miles, the memories of the roundtrip from Oxgangs Road to Carluke via A71 and back the A70 will live with me forever.

I sat and passed my theory in August, and bought my first big bike – a Triumph Tiger Sport 660 – ready for delivery as soon I was the holder of a full motorcycle licence. I did my DAS training in the monsoons of October. Passed my MOD1 mid-October and on the 6^th November I passed my MOD2.

On the 8^th of November I received a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Apparently too much testosterone – who knew!

I spotted a little bit of blood in my urine just after our annual pilgrimage to Iona in July. I bought a pack of Icle tests (guys get some and test yourself - https://www.icletest.co.uk) and it confirmed the presence of blood. Despite my inner macho self telling me there was nothing wrong I made an appointment with my GP.

I attended the Western General for a cystoscopy (don’t Google it) and whilst my bladder was clear, during the procedure, they observed that my prostate was larger than it ought to be for a man of my age.

An MRI, an ultrasound and a biopsy later, aliens in the mothership was diagnosed.

The good news is that it’s been caught really early and it’s probably not going to kill me. I’ve completed the course of testosterone reducing drugs and start radio therapy on Tuesday the 2^nd April. I'm to attend the Edinburgh Cancer Centre daily for four weeks, after which, hopefully, the aliens will have been completely zapped. Kale and avocado and a more relaxed life style (with a bit more exercise) will hopefully prevent them returning.

The advancement in the treatment for prostate cancer in recent years has been miraculous, and more investment will advance research – boys it’s a killer, GET YOURSELF CHECKED, a simple blood test can measure your PSA levels and give a clear indicator to potential problems. The earlier it's found the better the outcome is likely to be,

So all things being equal, on Sunday the 19^th of May 2024, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember. Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. So, before I press my tweed and polish my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for this meaningful cause and to help the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.

Please help, share, like, donate - every penny counts!

https://gfolk.me/CrawfordBoyd559604