loudest143
Insert sense of humor here---->
The Motorcycle Accident Club.
About a month ago, a guy did the classic 'fake left turn, balk like he saw me, then turn' move. It was on my daily ride to work, and I hit him in the right rear trunk area on his Corolla. I saw him, as I was on a downhill grade, and thought that when he stopped, he saw ME. I had braked when he balked, and twisted the throttle up to get out of his way, and hit him with the throttle open, without even a split second to grab the binders. Bike went sideways, then dropped to the ground, and somehow, I held on, until the bike went down. I let go of the bike, and remembered to do the relaxed roll, and came to a stop on the edge of the travel lane. I took a few more rolls into the grass, so I would be safe from other traffic.
My knee was severely injured, with trauma to both sides and a large amount of skin loss to scrapes and a 3" laceration to the front knee cap area. Road rash on my right arm from mid forearm to above the elbow. My gloves were shredded, my helmet had some scuff marks on the chin, forehead and back. My right boot was indented over my two smallest toes, which were bruised from the tips of the toes all the way up to mid foot. They would have been broken if not for the boot, I think. My hands would be hamburger if not for the gloves, and my face would have skid marks all over it from bouncing off the pavement as I rolled. I managed to NOT get a concussion, any head trauma, or any broken bones. (drink your milk kids!) The speed limit on that road is 45mph, and I usually run that fast on that stretch.
I had surgery this past Wednesday to remove debris from my knee wound, and have been in a leg brace to immobilize the knee for the last 2 weeks, and will be in it for at least one more week. I will have permanent scarring on my knee, and may have some on my arm, even though it is healing well.
The unseen effects of the accident: Depression.... I would like for each of you to think about how many nice days you've had in the last month to ride, and how often you go out to the garage to clean, wrench, or just whisper sweet nothings to your baby. Yeah, I got none of that right now. Back pain... Walking with a brace, crutches or cane, causes my back to go all out of whack, which is super awesome! Sleeping with a brace on is a task in itself.
I wanted to share my experience with my online forum friends, because each of you have people who care about you. I wear my helmet and gloves and boots every time I get on the bike. I try my best to ride defensively, and look out for people like this douchebag, and yet, I still had an accident. What I'm trying to say is, it can happen to anybody, and you never know when it might be your turn. I'm here to talk about my accident, a high school classmate of mine combined alcohol, high speed riding, and no gear, two weeks prior to my accident, and well... She left behind to colleged aged sons.
I'm hoping none of you experience something like the last month of my life. Fortunately, I'm here, and my wounds will heal. Ride safe DTT'ers.
Your internet pal,
Loudest143
Tim. Columbus, Ohio.
About a month ago, a guy did the classic 'fake left turn, balk like he saw me, then turn' move. It was on my daily ride to work, and I hit him in the right rear trunk area on his Corolla. I saw him, as I was on a downhill grade, and thought that when he stopped, he saw ME. I had braked when he balked, and twisted the throttle up to get out of his way, and hit him with the throttle open, without even a split second to grab the binders. Bike went sideways, then dropped to the ground, and somehow, I held on, until the bike went down. I let go of the bike, and remembered to do the relaxed roll, and came to a stop on the edge of the travel lane. I took a few more rolls into the grass, so I would be safe from other traffic.
My knee was severely injured, with trauma to both sides and a large amount of skin loss to scrapes and a 3" laceration to the front knee cap area. Road rash on my right arm from mid forearm to above the elbow. My gloves were shredded, my helmet had some scuff marks on the chin, forehead and back. My right boot was indented over my two smallest toes, which were bruised from the tips of the toes all the way up to mid foot. They would have been broken if not for the boot, I think. My hands would be hamburger if not for the gloves, and my face would have skid marks all over it from bouncing off the pavement as I rolled. I managed to NOT get a concussion, any head trauma, or any broken bones. (drink your milk kids!) The speed limit on that road is 45mph, and I usually run that fast on that stretch.
I had surgery this past Wednesday to remove debris from my knee wound, and have been in a leg brace to immobilize the knee for the last 2 weeks, and will be in it for at least one more week. I will have permanent scarring on my knee, and may have some on my arm, even though it is healing well.
The unseen effects of the accident: Depression.... I would like for each of you to think about how many nice days you've had in the last month to ride, and how often you go out to the garage to clean, wrench, or just whisper sweet nothings to your baby. Yeah, I got none of that right now. Back pain... Walking with a brace, crutches or cane, causes my back to go all out of whack, which is super awesome! Sleeping with a brace on is a task in itself.
I wanted to share my experience with my online forum friends, because each of you have people who care about you. I wear my helmet and gloves and boots every time I get on the bike. I try my best to ride defensively, and look out for people like this douchebag, and yet, I still had an accident. What I'm trying to say is, it can happen to anybody, and you never know when it might be your turn. I'm here to talk about my accident, a high school classmate of mine combined alcohol, high speed riding, and no gear, two weeks prior to my accident, and well... She left behind to colleged aged sons.
I'm hoping none of you experience something like the last month of my life. Fortunately, I'm here, and my wounds will heal. Ride safe DTT'ers.
Your internet pal,
Loudest143
Tim. Columbus, Ohio.
Aardvark, I was wearing jeans and a work shirt, all of which was cut off of me at the scene. Nothing like laying naked in the grass in front of strangers. Usually that's not a bad thing, but when there's blood involved, well.... Yeah. I agree that I was insanely lucky, fortunate, or just blessed on that day. The Big Boss isn't done with me just yet, I suppose.
