If you don't know what a UTI is you can probably stop reading here. I am wondering if long distance riding increases the chances of getting a UTI. In 2015 I was riding my FJR from Albuquerque to Hurricane, Utah, a distance of ~525 miles. I typically make this trip a couple of times a year. About 300 miles into the trip I got a bad case of chills and trembling. I stopped and called my Utah friends to come get me and then lay down in the dirt next to my bike. After a couple of hours I finally decided I could continue the trip. Omitting details I met them about 100 miles from their home. One friend rode the FJR while the other friend drove the truck and I rode passenger feeling quite sick. The next day I went to an urgent care center and was diagnosed with a UTI. I took anti-biotics and stayed in bed for 2 days before I could get up and do something. Fast forward to February 7th of 2020. My wife and I were having lunch at a pizzeria when I suddenly had chills so we went home. That night my wife checked on me and I was unresponsive so she called 911 and an ambulance took me to the ER where I almost died as they were having problems getting my heart started. I stayed in the ICU for 7 days as I had sepsis. The medical staff thought the sepsis was caused by a UTI. The sepsis ate a hole in my heart's mitral valve which caused me to have open heart surgery. I prefer to not have my chest cracked again so I am wary of UTIs now. I am wondering if my habit of 12+ hour days riding increases the liklihood of another UTI. I typically ride with a pad to catch any urine drips. That too might have an affect. So I would like to hear from other ld riders about their experiences with UTIs and if they have reason to believe that long hours in the saddle is a contributing factor.