February 27, 2012 5:07 AM PST
I also suffer from chronic arthritis pain,its no picnic.Last year couldnt ride for 2 months the pain was too intense,only made tolerable with lots of advil n muscle relaxers.Tumbles had some good advice on another way to deal with the issue,try some supplements for it.Started taking some myself,and have noticed some improvemnet in my bouts ,yet according to the doc it aint never going away,after about 50 miles my shoulder starts crampin bad down into my hands where its becomes crazy painfull,I just pull off n relax till it goes away,or pop a few advil they seem to lessen the pain associated with it.Your seating should be super plush on the Vulcan,add a throw over gel pad,my buddys wife use's one on the pillion,says it helps her a lot,she had injured tailbone from skiing.
Have a great trip no matter what your body tells ya
!!!