My BIG Motorcycle Crash!!!

[pkpk]

Shoulda, coulda, woulda, doesn't change anything.

Of course not, but there is a lesson to be derived for everyone else going forward....no?

We all no why these things happen for the most part, I just think no one needs it shoved in there face. When I screw up, I hate it when someone always wants to point out the abvious. I think everyone hates it if ya think about it.

Sorry, it wasn't obvious to me until I did some digging into the heart meds.  Only trying to help by spreading potential information.  Sorry to have offended you.

[pkpk]

Hey guys, who is there so much nastiness going on here anyway?  Is it that time of the year, or just that time of the month?!

[Vander]

I think we are all more or less in agreement; what is being discussed is how all of us need to face facts.

Through the ageing process, we are all experiencing differences in things like reaction time and stamina… but our immense egos (many of us) are probably having trouble coming to terms with it.  It’s very easy for us to dismiss our impairments when we desperately want to get out and ride.  Bill’s story is a warning that it can happen to ANYONE.

And denial is a stinky cologne.

[Mike Duluth]

Never ment to be nasty, I just feel bad for the guy. We all know when we throw a leg over these things we are putting ourselves in harms way.

[vince]

I have notice as I have gotten older I have gotten a little slower. I think this is because my ego is getting low. I know this for a fact because the last time I bought a new helmet I went from a large to a medium. Is there a pill or some drug I can take to get my ego level back up where it should be. I want to be really fast again.
Does Viagra for for this.

[Vander]

I have notice as I have gotten older I have gotten a little slower. I think this is because my ego is getting low. I know this for a fact because the last time I bought a new helmet I went from a large to a medium. Is there a pill or some drug I can take to get my ego level back up where it should be. I want to be really fast again.
Does Viagra for for this.

 

I like to think egotistical behavior is replaced with wisdom as we age.
And from the stories you tell me about you and Mike on sleds... you both are pretty good at ignoring wisdom.  LOL

[wild bill]

From my point of view, the frank discussion of my accident is doing exactly what I wanted it to do : initiate conversation. Nothing anyone says or does at this point can change what happened to me. I crashed a beautiful bike REALLY HARD & have been suffering the consequences of that crash ever since. In some way, I know I'll never forget the lessons of that crash. I haven't taken any of your responses too personally, yet (LOL!), but they have added to my knowledge base. Especially the one from "Aprilian" re: the acronym "I'm Safe." I will forever be using that on my own rides in the future & encouraging others to use it, too.
Just remember, "there but for the grace of God go I." This means what happened to me could happen to any of you. Trust me, it's not an experience that anyone should want to have happen to them. It's much more fun & exciting to actually ride a motorcycle. Crashing sucks!
I have learned or re-learned 3 concrete lessons from this particular accident: 1) Read & heed the disclaimers/warnings that accompany any newly-prescribed drug. Ask your doctor any questions, before leaving his office, so that you truly understand how that new drug could/will affect you. 2) All The Gear, All The Time (ATGATT). I know it's been said before, but it bears constant repeating. As a result of my being fully-suited for riding, my injuries were seriously minimized compared to what they would have been w/o all the gear, all the time. 3) Stay hydrated. When my doctor tells me that at any given moment, 80% of Americans are dehydrated,[/b] I'd say that's a serious problem. Few of us drink as much water as we should, or as often as we should be drinking it. Since my accident, I'm w/i sight of a water bottle, and I use it regularly. 
I know going forward I'll be a wiser, smarter & safer rider. However, I'll still be "Wild Bill !!!" 

[RidinAgain]

Vince - Viagra just gives me a stiff neck.... 

Bill was doing the most important thing right at the point of the crash - ATGATT......

I for one am extremely pleased to hear of his excellent prognosis after coming upon his crash roughly 5 minutes or so after it happened.  It was extremely troubling to see a friend in potentially a fatal condition.  Thank God this was not the case!

We all know that medication changes/additions can affect us and in different ways.  What I take away from this is a keener eye for such a thing in my life.  As I get older the pharmacy I need to carry with me seems to keep growing so management becomes more important.

I also will start watching my hydration more carefully.  The issue with us old guys is that our "pee stops" seem to get closer together the older we get.  But - better to stop a few more times to relieve one self  (and to hydrate too) than to risk an "event".

Again - Bill - glad to hear you are on the mend and hope to catch you on a ride in the future!

Best regards,

Steve M.

[carlson_mn]

Glad you are recovering well Bill, keep it up!  Lee told me about the crash and I sure was hoping there wouldn't be any long term issues.  I'll drink extra water on rides because of this!  Thanks.  I bet you will be enjoying two wheels again next summer.

And "Tim" I was assuming you were being sarcastic here with Bill, not sure maybe you guys are great friends I dunno... but yeah I agree with Mike the obvious doesn't need to be pointed out! 

[GUZZI JOHN]

  Being a senior member in mind & body I find this discussion very valuble. I too wish I could be as fast as in the dim past but with all the extra experience of the added decades. That said I know the reality of aging has slowed me and with the meds I take having the same pitfalls as you discovered-I get faint if I stand up too quickly.  A few things I try to do on the long rides is have a snack at the meeting spot,carry water in my bags to stay hydrated,and take rest stops with greater frequency as the day progresses.  I certainly notice that with fatigue my timing goes off,lines get ragged,I use brakes more,and have to think for a moment about what road am I on??   GJ

[Jvs]

Good to hear your getting better. I don't know you too well but it's always hard hearing of someone we know going down and ending up in the hospital.


On an unrelated note, what kind of bike did you get bill? Another wing?

[Tim...]

The "obvious" does need to be pointed out now and again - you and Mike both know that! 

Glad you are recovering well Bill, keep it up!  Lee told me about the crash and I sure was hoping there wouldn't be any long term issues.  I'll drink extra water on rides because of this!  Thanks.  I bet you will be enjoying two wheels again next summer.

And "Tim" I was assuming you were being sarcastic here with Bill, not sure maybe you guys are great friends I dunno... but yeah I agree with Mike the obvious doesn't need to be pointed out! 

[Elk]

. . . airlift me to Regions Hospital, one of the top trauma hospitals in the country. The care I received there substantiates that, too.

Been there, done that.  Unfortunately.  But they are a great bunch.

I am glad you are doing better.  It sounds like a dreadful accident. 

It's weird having a hole in your memory and not remembering the accident, isn't it?  One of the doctors in my trauma team visited a couple of days into my stay and explained, "You don't get to witness your own demise."