Dave & I are lifelong bikers. In 1994 we got together & he bought a brand new, bright yellow Triumph Daytona 900. After our wedding in May 1997 we rode 5037 miles around Europe in a month on that bike. Three months later my arms started to hurt, and that was the start of our fibromyalgia journey-about five years for the pain to spread throughout my body, and three of those to put a name to it. 
Over the years I've had times when I could ride or go pillion, we even bought a sidecar once (scary!), and I also had my own Triumph converted to a trike. We have owned and built many bikes but the one constant has been the yellow Daytona, which has now done over 150,000 miles.

Four years ago I finally had to admit defeat apart from occasional short pillion rides. Of all the things fibro has taken from me: career, social life, self-esteem, riding a bike is what I miss the most. Dave has been the most incredible and patient support, but now he has to do those bike holidays alone or with friends and I have to watch him go. 

Fibromyalgia is a recognised chronic condition of widespread pain and profound fatigue. A common illness with an est. prevalence of 2.9% - 4.7%. The pain tends to be felt as diffuse aching or burning, often described as head to toe. It may be worse at some times than at others and may also change location, usually becoming more severe in parts of the body that are used most. Add. symptoms often include: unrefreshing sleep, headaches, irritable bowel, cognitive disturbances, clumsiness, dizziness, allergies, sensitivity to environmental changes.