6:40am 2/13......
Heading into work -- as I have done at least 400 times in last 2 yrs. Road is paved with ground aggregate -- light in color rather than black and bonded by asphalty black syrup. One block away, I slow down to take the last right and bingo..... sliding on my back, watching bike ahead of me by 20 feet. I look around and see 1/2" aggregate all over the road -- a spill of someones gravel. I was going between 5 and 10mph. It was instantaneous. Not unconscious.... I sit up and lift my leg but, right foot does not look too good. My foot was dangling free. I set it down and was sure there was no standing. I laid down and waited for the routine actions of the police, paramedics and watchers.
In emergency room, it is clear the tibia is broken. X-rays show it broken with a spiral fracture from ankle to knee AND it is sheared right off -- perpendicular to the length. Yes.... time for emergency surgery.
Now, I am the proud owner of an approximately 20" length of 9.5mm titanium rod drill and installed the length of the tibia. It is held in place by 3, 5mm bolts. the fibula is sheared off at the top near the knee. They leave that alone saying it will be fine.
Surgeon says I'll be off walking for 4 weeks minimum and that it will take 12 months to fully heal.
I thank God I have my foot.
I wear leather jacket, gloves and chaps. No boots and a half helmet. Jacket has a hole sanded into it on right arm, shoe is sanded down, chaps are sanded about 90% on right kneed -- inside nylon just melted, helmet is gone.
Bike, 2011.5 CVO Ultra..... has $4500 damage. From 10', looks like there is no damage. Major components damaged is front fender ($1000), Outer fairing ($400), Lower fairing ($400), front crash bar, rear crash bar, latch of saddle bag, brake lever, mirror and a foot board. labor from dealer to fix is $900
All in all outcome is pretty good. Nice wake-up call from me. Been riding on the street for 34 yrs with just a few minor incidents here and there. Seems like a rookie mistake as I examine the situation. Just plain careless on my part.
People drop crap all over the roads all of the time for certain. Part of our job is to SEE those situations and all of them. We must be alert all of the time.
For just a moment, I asked myself if I should "retire"...... only lasted a moment (1 day)...
Riders...... please, please SEE and be careful, it only takes a split second for things to go bad. I was lucky! Keep the shiny side up....!
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Topic: Some body damage and some damage to bike... (Read 7299 times)