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[skull]

Well, the unthinkable happened on Friday.  I was out for a ride as the weather finally turned nice and about three minutes into it, I was making a very sharp left hand turn (as it is near my home, I have made it about 10,000 times) and I heard a grinding sound and the next thing I knew, paramedics were strapping my neck into a device and I was being carted off to the hospital.  My front wheel hit cinders and salt residual on the raod leftover from the winter.  I was amazed at how fast it happened.  There was no warning or chance for recovery once I it the cinders.  Well, my face is a mess as it slid down the road, and I broke my fibula (left leg) in two places, below the knee and the ankle.  

I will be going tomorrow (Monday) to have it surgically repaired.

All-in-all, not a fun day.  I am very sore and look worse than I actually am but as everyone so far has told me, "at least I am lucky to be alive"!

As the turn is very sharp, at least I was only going about 15 mph.

While in the ambulance, the paramedics told me that the bike did not look all that bad.  The tow yard is taking it to a Harley Dealership tomorrow and they will call with the assessment.  I am hoping for enough stuff to be damaged that they total it!

I can't believe my riding season started this way.  A long horrible winter and the first nice weekend of the year I encounter my first accident on two wheels!

Skull

[naitram]

that sucks man, but i'm glad to hear that you'll be ok

[WFP]

Get well soon...as you unfortunately have shown, this time of year can be seductively dangerous to bikers.

[Cabo]

best wishes to a speedy recovery.  I went down last stugis on an oil slick but was really lucky and me and my wife only had a few road rash injuries.  It does happen quick when it happens... Glad your sill with us.

[Bikrtrsh]

Sorry to read this report  bro. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
Heal quick my friend!

[110tHunDer]

Sorry to hear about your accident, Skull.  From reading your posts here I know how excited you were about your new bike and how much you couldn't wait to get it out this Spring.  These bikes are great and it sucks to wreck one, but the main thing is that you will be OK in time.

[psycho]

Hey Skull. Sorry to hear about your accident.  [smiley=oops.gif] Heal well and soon. I have been tempted to hit the roads as well these past two days--many many riders hit the roads this weekend in NH and Maine. However, much too much sand and salt on the roads up here in NH--especially with my newby status. The salt is so bad there is usually a white salt cloud caused by passing cars. This year seems to have been particularly bad with the salt and sand. There have been many occasions in which I have taken a turn (in cage) and found long lines of sand on the other side. On another occasion, I was coming down a steep incline to a stop sign at the bottom only to find the stopping area completely covered with salt and sand.  [smiley=nervous.gif] Just plain scary. I'm not gonna take the bike out until we get some good rain storms up here to clean things up and the roads start looking clean again.

So tell me--I picture you in the hospital with the body in traction and all to keep those bones in proper alignment, with a lap-top with wi-fi in order to get onto this site to check in with us! Let us know how you are doing!  

[Skooby]

Hey Skull,  sorry to hear about your troubles.  I hope everything goes well in your recovery.   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[skull]

Thank you all for your concern.  I guess withit being three days later, I am just in disbelief over the whole thing.

I go to the Orthopedic specialist today and they will determine whether or not I need surgery.  Chances are, I do.  

I guess I do need to focus on the positives and be thankful that a few broken bones is all that happened.  

Take Care all and once again, thanks for the warm wishes.

Paul

[JCZ]

What a drag!  I pray for a quick and speedy recovery for you Skull and that you're bike is totalled.  Then you can be the first to order an 05 SEEG. [smiley=laugh.gif]

Keep us posted.

[skull]

What a drag!

[psycho]

Hey Skull, how you doin? Haven't heard from ya lately.

[skull]

Hey Skull, how you doin? Haven't heard from ya lately.

Psycho, I am doing fine I guess.

[psycho]

.....Plenty of time to think though.

[skull]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Psycho.  I do understand that now is not a good time to make a decision, one way or another.  I guess the weird thing that keeps coming into my mind , I heard of accidents just like the one I had, I know people who have went down, and it is just a large part of the biking community.  Knowing this did not in one way make me even think that I should not ride, now it has happened to me and it is a big dilema.  I guess the question is... If knowing that it could happen at any time did not stop me from riding, why should having an accident?  It was not my riding that caused it, it was the conditions.  I have been in a few bad car accidents and I did not stop driving a car.  I have broken bones playing football from the time I was 6 years old through college and I never once considered to stop playing, and the list goes on an on with many things in life.  Why is motorcycle riding such taboo once you have an accident?  

The only logical solution that I can come up with is that everyone has responed with the same comment when they hear of my accident..  "wow, you are lucky, it could have been much worse".  I guess there is some truth to that.  My face got messed up with some road rash and a few stitches, and I broke my leg in a couple places and the doctors in the Emergency Room told me that my accident is about a "2" on a 1-10 scale for motorcyce accidents.  I guess they see a lot of bad situations during the riding season.

Well, your input has been greatly appreciated and I will cross the "decision bridge" when I get to it.

Thanks Psycho!

Paul