Sunday, February 23, 2014

Minor Mishap

An event happened yesterday.  I debated whether to mention it.  I decided not to.  Then I realized I should be open with you since that's our compact.  I tell you my crazy truth; you scratch your head and think, "What a nut!"  It's an arrangement that works for both of us.

I had a minor motorcycle accident.  An old geezer in a bigass Buick cut me off without looking and, while normally I could have braked in time, there was wet sand on the road.  It isn't riding season yet and the road-surface was treacherous, but I was eager to get back on my bike after two months of insane snow, so I took greater risks than I normally do. 

To avoid hitting the elderly idiot, I had to brake harder than I knew was prudent and lost traction by doing so.  The motorcycle slide out from under me and I landed on my right side.  The fall knocked the wind out of me.  For a full minute (which felt like an hour), I tried to get up but couldn't.  Then I caught my breath and was able to stand.  The old guy took off but a young man stopped and helped me get my bike upright.  It had broken pieces and wouldn't run but we moved it off the road.  After composing myself, I called and got a tow.

There's nothing broken in me and no permanent damage.  I'm in lots of pain though.  I feel like a wrestled a bear and lost.  My right arm, which I landed on, isn't really working but I know it's okay 'cause I can move my fingers and clench my fist.  A few days rest will bring it back to normal.  For now, it just hangs limp and hurts when I move it in any direction.  I sustained some abrasions on my knee and hip, but nothing serious; my gear absorbed the road-rash.  My heavy riding-boot lost a big chunk off the right toe; better that than my foot.  If you're going to ride a motorcycle, buy the best gear available.  I just ordered a new jacket to replace my ruined one; it costs $700 but is cheaper than medical treatment.

So... I'm fine.  I'm deploying that dogged attitude that's gotten me through life so far.  The first thing I did when I got home was go online and, with only my left hand working, I ordered a new jacket and pair of boots.  Nothing will stop me from being the crazy person I am.

I am reluctant to tell you about this incident because I don't want to turn you off to motorcycling.  It's a wonderful activity and usually safe.  I ride tens of thousands of miles every year and have had only a handful of mishaps.  While one can blame the old guy for "causing" the accident, I accept responsibility for riding on an unsafe road (wet; sandy; downward decline).  I probably should have waited for the street-sweepers to clear the surface next week.  I was just too eager and disregarded the risk.  Sometimes that works out; sometimes it doesn't.  Yesterday was the bad statistical blip.

I'm not going to glamorize this post by showing you any pictures.  My gear is in tatters but displaying it would sent the wrong message.  In the future, I want you to support my passion for motorcycling; I don't want to scare you about its risks.  Everything has risk -- but not everything provides the intensity of joy that I derive from riding motorcycles.

I hope your weekend was better than mine.  What'd you do?

45 comments:

  1. Man, than sucks, but I'm glad you're OK!

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  2. I'm glad you are okay, but sorry about the pain! I have been snowed in this weekend so no adventure for me.

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  3. Glad you are in one piece with nothing broken!

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  4. Sorry about the bike, but most important I am glad to know you're ok -
    I gardened on Saturday and then watched House of Cards most of Sunday. I am so hooked on that show.

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  5. I'm so glad you are safe, Ally! My dad was an avid rider his entire life, and ALWAYS wore proper padded leather gear and boots. I'm often horrified by the lack of care riders take when out on the streets - I've seen them in sandals!

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    1. It's insane to move at significant speed without protection. My gear literally saved my hide this time -- and in my only other serious accident, my helmet saved my life.

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  6. So glad you're ok. Motorcycles can be dangerous but so can jaywalking. You've taken the proper precautions and sometimes other drivers are the worst. I'm so glad that you're ok. Take good care of yourself.

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  7. My doctor always ends our appointments with a list of general instructions and the final sentence is always: "and live a good life". You are indeed LIVING your life (and I'm glad you're still alive to ride again!)
    But now insert raised eyebrow -- should you go see a doctor? You've got some new gear on its way that you're going to need to test out, so you want to make sure you're ready to ride as soon as possible!

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  8. I'm glad you're okay! Well...will be okay. I rode a big Vespa years ago and was in a crash when a car ran into me. My bike was hurt, I was fine, but I cried (!), horrified that I wouldn't have a way to get to work. Kept on riding though. Your precaution and positive attitude are great.

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  9. {{{Healing hugs}}} What a harrowing, stressful ordeal. I'm sincerely grateful that you aren't severely injured. Please rest, rest and rest some more - sometimes injuries that seem minor can escalate into more severe problems simply because people didn't let them (the injury) heal enough before getting back into the swing of things.

    Thank you for confiding in us about what happened. I really hope it's the last motorcycle accident you ever have.

    ♥ Jessica

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  10. i´m happy that nothing is broken beside of some gear and bike parts. and this shows clearly how this hobby has to be done. because its no accident that you are got out of this with no serious injuries. wearing your expensive and SAVE gear saved you! and for that reason i love this post - we can learn from. if we want.
    cant say how often i talk my mouth in fringes to people who deny to wear propper hiking boots when out in the mountains with me. lately i draw a line - i take no one with me who do´s not wear save shoes.

    rub arnica ointment on your arm, helps me a lot in bruises.

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    1. Thanks, buddy. Your point is so true. Proper equipment protects us and there's no excuse not to use it.

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  11. Oh noes D: ! I hope you get well soon.. and is your bike broken beyond repair?
    I know people have prejudices about motorbiking as a hobby. I find it fun and there would be even less accidents if also car drivers had their brains with them!

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    1. My motorcycle can be fixed and will be. It's old (11 years) so I don't care about cosmetics, just functional parts. And I agree that more motorists should pay more attention to what they're doing.

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  12. I'm happy to hear you are ok but kinda horrified that the guy didn't even stop to see if you were alright :(

    Dont let that arm hurt for too long, if it's not getting better soon get it checked out, it may not be a broken but then I've known people who thought they didn't have breaks when they could actually move limbs. Please take care of yourself :)

    Lastly I'm so impressed with your attitude .. I'd have been cursing him every which way!! Well done Ally, I hope you are better soon and that you are back up riding as soon as the roads are better :)

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    1. Thank, Brenda. Actually he did stop -- but then chose to drive away without getting out of his car. He knew he caused the accident and fled to avoid responsibility.

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  13. I am relieved you are not seriously hurt, phew, the leathers did a good job - rest well x x x

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  14. I'm glad you are okay but I would still recommend getting your arm looked at. People break bones all the time and don't realize it. My husband broke his hand while he was overseas a couple of months back and now it has healed a bit weird. To get it fixed it would need to be rebroken now.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  15. Man oh man! That guy deserves to be caught and prosecuted! Were there any witnesses who could identify his car or him? What a jerk.

    Glad you are semi "ok". I think after reading this that I need to add some steel toed boots to my wardrobe. I've got all the gear but those. Just using hiking boots.

    Rest up friend and hit the docs if that right arm doesn't improve quickly...

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  16. All that matters to me is that you are ok my friend! I understand your passion and I won't say that you are nuts! Just glad you'e ok.

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  17. My other half is a biker. We call those motorists SMIDSYs Sorry mate, I didnt see you... Duhuh!!! Yes the road conditions were not good but equally the other chap was to blame. Hope the bike is fixed in time for the season. DO you wea a back brace?? Spine protector. Other half does. I ride pillion sometimes. Its great fun.

    Stay well and rest!

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  18. So glad to hear you didn't suffer any major injuries! I wish you a speedy recovery on your sore arm. My partner and I snowmobile and it can be a pretty dangerous motor sport as well and completely agree with your statement that you should buy the best gear available! It can save your life!

    I spent my weekend working in the theatre - 12 hour days on my feet running props and helping actors with quick changes backstage. Our show opens on Thursday this week. We're in great shape and all eager to have our opening night audience! My feet are killing me though! lol!

    Have a great week!
    Lisa.

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  19. Ally - It happens to everyone who rides at one time or another. Yes it is dangerous, but you do everything you can to mitigate the risks, but even walking down the street is not without risk. You did the best thing anyone could have done by wearing gear, just think how bad it could have been if you hadn't been wearing.

    How are you feeling now? Is the arm still hanging limp? I think you should go get yourself checked out. Please do that for me ok.

    D

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  20. GO TO THE DOCTOR!!!!!

    I don't care if you can move your fingers...if the arm itself won't move, you need medical attention!! I don't mean to be bossy or rude, but I care about you and would hate to see you get a permanent injury from this!

    (Oh and don't worry, you haven't turned me off from motorcycles :P I'm still itching to take my new (to me) scooter--aka baby-motorcycle--out as soon as the weather warms up.)

    And as for the jerk geezer? He has some MAJOR bad karma coming his way for cutting you off and driving away from the resulting accident. Not that I wish him any ill, but if he happens to step in dog poop and track it all over his white shag carpet, well, I won't feel bad for him, haha!

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  21. So glad you're fine!!! Accidents can happen in any situation so if not let it ouf me off! X

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  22. Whew, I'm really glad to hear you are ok. I wanted to try motorcycle lessons, but my parents were both so horrified they kept calling me incessantly to tell me not to do it, whereupon I told them I wouldn't if they would just leave me alone. Haha.

    I hope your arm feels better soon; I've had a bad spill before and it takes a while for the muscle contusions to heal so that it's comfortable moving and flexing them again.

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  23. Oh my gosh! I'm glad you're okay :)

    I always watch for bikers on the road. Especially because my brother used to have one and I'd always think of him when I'd see one on the road.

    I have known quite a few people who have gotten into motorcycle accidents. Not all have been fatal. But the majority of the time, the people who are on the bike aren't the ones to blame.

    You seem like a responsible drive...so sorry to hear that your bike and gear are ruined. BUT...you're alive and that's all that matters :)

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  24. Thank goodness you are okay!! Motorcycle accidents are incredibly scary! My hubby rides and it's always a thought that's in the back of my head. My brother-in-law had a serious motorcycle accident a few years ago and it scared him enough to stop riding altogether.

    I wish you a speedy recovery!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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    1. Thanks, Sharon. Many riders stop after an accident, but I'm committed to riding for life. My earlier accident was much worse and, after it, I thought about how I want to live my life. I decided to live it fully. Riding gives me such intense joy it'd be wrong to stop.

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  25. i will always love motorcycles - and back in the day, i had a friend who told me, "there are those who have, and those who will (go down)"...that never deterred me from liking them! but so sorry, my friend! glad that it was minor and that you are ok. good thinking in that you shouldn't skimp on your gear.

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  26. doing what you love doing the the only right. You never know where you fall or get hurt.
    I'm very happy you don't feel stressed about the motorcycle, sometimes pain and fear brights to 'nonononever'

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  27. Glad you are going to be ok!! That gear was EVERYTHING!!! In Florida many riders wear practically nothing. Shorts, tanks, no helmets... Makes me nervous for them.

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  28. You are right not to stop because of this incident ... My hubby also LOVES to ride and has always had a motorcycle. Silly old fart of a man!!!! He is not going to rest knowing that he rode away from an accident he caused.

    I am happy that you are relatively OK ... as all the other ladies have said ~~ if your arm still hurts PLEASE go see the doctor!!!

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  29. I'm so glad you're okay! And I'm glad that you're going to continue to do something that you truly love. Motorcycle accidents are super scary, so I think most people wouldn't even go back out there.

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  30. Thank goodness for good gear! I'm sorry to hear of this and am glad you are relatively okay. Hopefully you mend quickly. I completely understand your reluctance to report to us on your accident. Non-riders especially are rather quick to bring up the "motorcycles are dangerous" theme. But we riders know it's inevitable. But I always say I'd rather die happy, doing something I love, than avoid riding because of the dangers. Sharing the news of an accident is even worse when you crash because you were being reckless. Not that I think you were reckless to ride on that day, I'm just sayin'...

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    1. Thanks for the concern, Kathy. And, yes, that reaction is the reason I'm reluctant to tell non-riders about this. I haven't mentioned it on Facebook yet.

      As you note, there is risk in everything. And, truth be told, I accept risks, even big ones, when I benefit from them. Going to the racetrack is a good example. It's a wonderful high, but with significantly greater risk. Here, I knowingly chose to ride in February, on crappy roads, 'cause I wanted to start my season early again. As I have for 15 years without incident.

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  31. I'm so sorry that happened to you, but I'm glad you're OK, more or less. I think we've all done things that might not be in our best interests when we're feeling impatient.

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  32. Oh dear ... glad it was not too serious. As the partner of a daily biker, I will continue to support both your and his madness ;-). Graeme getting on the bike is a daily stressor for me ... and he's had a few accidents which is scary.

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  33. I'm so glad you're ok and only have minor injuries. Your bike and gear can be replaced, but you my friend, cannot be. I would miss reading your crazy truths a lot :)

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  34. Really glad to read this didn't turn out worse. What really infuriates me is that the cause of your accident didn't hang around to see if you were okay. It's that kind of crap that's given me the overall extremely low opinion of humanity that I have. Glad someone did help out though.

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  35. Folks tend to have opinions on motorcycles. I like the but do not have a license or a bike because my wife has an irrational fear of them and sometimes I think I am pushing the envelop with my dressing.
    My older son is on his third or 4th motorcycle. He had kept them all a secret from my wife and figured that since neither I nor my wife are on Facebook he could make a post. My cousin saw the photo and she mentioned it to my wife. On New Year's Eve we had a few couples over, two of which guys are riders, one has seen the world on his bike. There was another mention of my son's new crotch rocket. I was caught with knowledge I would have rather not have had.
    Such is life.
    I am glad you survived and are back doing what you love.
    Pat

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