REALCLASSIC READS

Nick Adams emigrated to Canada in 1977 to work as an archaeologist. He is known to RC readers through his writings about long distance rides on his 1970s Moto Guzzis. I have always found his articles to be well written and easily readable. This book is about his trials and tribulations that began when he found he was beginning to have trouble with long distance walks, which was then diagnosed as heart trouble resulting in a bypass operation and his subsequent rehabilitation.

A medical test in April last year indicated that I had a heart murmur, which resulted an aortic valve replacement in December. I found out about Nick’s book, ‘Beyond The Bypass’, in RC and appreciated its lurid title. I decided I should read it to see what might be in store for me.

Both Nick and I came to the same place from different experiences. He was beginning to find walking difficult whereas I had a pulse rate of 40bpm and low-ish blood pressure measurements because of daily swimming, hence I was rather shocked to find I had a heart problem.

The first three chapters concentrate on the hospitalisation process, including the operation. The next chapter follows his acceptance of the advice to walk, walk, walk, which is identical to my experience and posted throughout the recovery ward with posters saying, ‘Have you walked during the last hour?’

After this introduction, the chapters lead into Nick’s narrative of continuing his work as an archaeologist and riding his Moto Guzzis. His writing flows easily and is a pleasure to read. The book took me three reading sessions, the first four chapters before my operation, and the rest afterwards.

You do not need to have a heart condition to appreciate this book. There is nothing squeamish to be read, but it is one person’s experiences that have appeared in print.

Thank you Nick, I enjoyed your writing and the stories of your riding experiences. I am now well after my open heart operation and was walking 1.5km in the Savernake Forest after just five days after being opened up. The new valve has been lapped in and will take unleaded and there is no sign of a fault. I am nearly ready to haul a motorcycle off of its stand and ride locally again. Thank you to all at the NHS John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Reg Eyre, member 903