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?