Triumphrat

oldmanjob

After 7,000 enjoyable miles the enviable happened, on Saturday June 14th on a morning ride with my son up route 9 to Black Mountain, coming into the first sharp switchback turn I misjudged my speed and entry, over corrected and dumped the bike and ended sliding across the pavement and shoulder ending up face down on the other side of the guard rail face down. I landed on my back toward's the left side knocking the breath out of me as I have 5 broken ribs on that side and four of the ribs have multiple fractures. After I landed on the ground and started sliding I must have flipped over on my stomach as I had a close picture of the ground moving under my face shield as I did not black out, but it seemed like it took forever trying to catch my breath.

When I was able to start getting my breath I got up I looked at where I landed, looked up and thanked the Lord that I landed between the two posts which hold up the guard rail. Not realizing my ribs were broken my son, totally shaken up and I pulled my beloved Black Bonnie from under the guard rail. Just from a quick glance I could see that the bike was trashed. Once the bike was up my son called 911 and off I went to the hospital.

I was going to post this under the "I don't understand " thread but I did not want to hijack the thread. I believe the gear I was wearing prevented me from more damage than what I ended up with. My Nolan N102 did its job perfectly and saved my face. The modular mechanism held its place, but the wheel lock on the left side broke loose but the face shield stayed in place. My cortech DSX Jeans after washing looked like nothing happened. My Triumph Integra Jacket did its job as I have a black and blue bruise on my left shoulder where the CE armor absorbed the hit and prevented me from breaking my collarbone. After I got home from the three day stay in the hospital and looked at the jacket there was not a scratch on it. I was wearing Triumph Raptor gloves and the knuckles on the left glove were worn down to the hard material saving the knuckles on my left hand. My Swat Boots did a fine job as I only ended up with some bruising where my left foot slammed to the ground. I became an AGATT rider 30 years ago after skinning my self in shorts and a tee shirt taking a slide down a gravel road. If it wasn't for the gear I would still be in the hospital.

As for the bike it was totaled out by the insurance company. I have someone who wants the bike but still waiting for the buy back figures from the insurance company. The question can be asked if I will ride again. Well if it was up to me I would be riding this afternoon, but I have a loving wife to contend with, so I do not see a new bike in the foreseeable future, and at 69 I am not in the mood for arguing. (But there is always my wife's trike, if I can convince her not to sell it).

Sorry for the rambling but it has taken me all morning to try and post this. I just hope that all those who tempt fate in not holding to AGATT would sit down and give it some deep thought. As I believe that AGATT saved this oldman's life to live another day. As a post script, as I lay on the gurney with all the Trauma people poking and prodding, a member of our illustrious State Police took my statement and as she handed me a $150.00 ticket said "I hope you feel better"

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John 14:6 KJV
Moto Guzzi 09 V7C
Black Bonnie - 06 (in Bonnie Heaven)
I would rather be riding my motorcycle reflecting on God's Creation, than sitting in church bored to death thinking about my motorcycle.

Bisley

Most importnat is you are ok. the injurires aren't too serious it sounds so that will all hal. the bike...well it's just a bike, I know, I know, it's Bonnie but it's just a material item. Just so long as you're still here to tell the story. Heal quickly and take care!

Haggis

Glad you're able to tell us about it.
Don't watch any comedies for a while, laughing's going to hurt! So is breathing for that matter.

Rest up, get better.

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Triumph Riders of Calgary and Southern Alberta

Odysseus

You're right when you say it could have been much worse. Broken ribs can't be fun, but I'm glad that that's all you suffered! Safety gear can be a real pain, but it's nothing to the pain of crashing when you're not wearing it! It will be a shame if you don't ride again, but it's not the end of the world, and there's no doubt that loved ones do get extremely nervous when we have an accident and then want to get back on and ride again. I think we've all been there!

And as for the bike - as much as we love them they are just bikes. It's the human component that really matters. I hope you are back to 100% again very soon, OldMan!

By the way, excuse my ignorance but what's AGATT?

Ody

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Oddball (Kelly's Heroes): Man, I only ride 'em - I don't know what makes 'em work.

JonCG

Hell, I'm just glad you're okay and well enough to leave messages on rat.net! Hope the bruises go and you get to ride the trike. Have to agree with you. Years back I slid wearing a teeshirt and still have the scars.

Go safe.

jon

Haggis

ATGATT

All the gear, all the time.

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Triumph Riders of Calgary and Southern Alberta

Cdoo68

Why did you get a ticket?

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"Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here and drink what comes out"?"

oldmanjob

entering a turn at an unsafe speed go figure

__________________
John 14:6 KJV
Moto Guzzi 09 V7C
Black Bonnie - 06 (in Bonnie Heaven)
I would rather be riding my motorcycle reflecting on God's Creation, than sitting in church bored to death thinking about my motorcycle.

Cdoo68

When I read that I said out loud, "why did he get a ticket?", the ticket adds insult to injury...

Glad you are doing better, sending quick healing thoughts your way...

Cdoo

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"Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here and drink what comes out"?"

menzies

Glad you are still here to tell the tale and hope your recovery is speedy.