SuzukiSavage.com - Life after the wreck

jarrod

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Life after the wreck
07/01/10 at 10:57:22

Well, I am about to start week 7 after my wreck and I am now allowed to walk, somewhat, again. They gave me an aircast boot that is really uncomfortable. I am trying to decide whether I am going to continue riding or sell the bike. Just thinking about riding makes me kinda sick to my stomach, but I also waited almost 5 years to buy this bike. For those of you that have been laid up after a wreck, did you continue to ride and what did you use to help you get over the fear of the other crazy people driving around you?

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2003 Savage bone stock for now

Nobody lives forever, the trick is creating something that will.

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justin_o_guy2

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What happened?

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East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.

Re: Life after the wreck
Reply #1 - 07/01/10 at 11:06:28

Ive hit 3 cars w/ bicycles & totalled 3 motorcycles. Suffered for years, in excess of 30,In fact, I still have some pain in my neck, but it used to just be constant, for over 20 years, from the 1st total, hospitalized for 4 days after the 2nd, walked away from all of them. Never broke a bone, well, not true, exactly, MRI after the 3rd revealed 3 healed breaks in neck vertebrae from the 1st, when I was 23. But, I didnt know it.
Do your healing, understand exactly why you crashed & if you believe you cant be more able to sufficiently control or afford the risk that comes with riding, then sell it. Whatever you choose, I hope you never second guess your decision & have peace in your heart.

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The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.- Edmund Burke.

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Serowbot

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OK.... so what's the
speed of dark?

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Tucson Az
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Re: Life after the wreck
Reply #2 - 07/01/10 at 11:12:20

Nothing to it, but to do it...

For me,... I was flinchy and nervous, even in a car for about 6 months... but, it fades with time... and the illusion of invulnerability comes back... took about a year...

You have to face the facts...
1. it is more dangerous than a car...
2. you can slip and die in the shower...
3. fear can be crippling...
4. you only live once...
... given those facts,... you can basically go either way... Huh

...

I'd regret it forever, if I were crippled by a motorcycle accident...
But, I'd hate to let fear dictate my life... and I'd really hate to be crippled in a shower accident, after denying myself the pleasure of riding because I might get hurt...

I apologize for being no help whatsoever.... Undecided

...
Keep healing...

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Ludicrous Speed !... ... Huh

...

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jarrod YaBB Newbies Offline Posts: 22 Spangdahlem Germany Gender:	Re: Life after the wreck Reply #3 - 07/01/10 at 11:29:51 I have never really thought of it that way. Thanks for the insight.
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Phelonius

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Re: Life after the wreck
Reply #4 - 07/01/10 at 11:50:10

In this my latest episode, I have a broken fibula and have been riding with an air cast since about one week after the incident.
I will define my cast as ridgid with bladders to inflate to fit.

Last year after the catastrophic injuries that temporarily killed me, * broken ribs, crushed chest, broken clavicle, broken shoulder, numerous stitches and massive contusions, I left my hospital bed two weeks later for a three hour visit home. I fired up the Webley Vickers and rode around the block to see if I could. It hurt a lot but was sucessfull. Two weeks later after discharge from the hospital, I was again mobile for rides into town. It was another month and a half before I could go further.
A few years ago after knee surgery, I tied a small rope to the shift lever so I could shift with my hand.

It all depends on how much you want to ride.

Phelonius

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Phelonius

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Stimpy - FSO

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Re: Life after the wreck
Reply #5 - 07/01/10 at 11:54:07

I apologize for being no help whatsoever....
Keep healing...

Grin

Hey buddy! GLAD to hear from you again, I actually remember
you every now and then when I go through a certain curve
where a very similar thing almost happened to me on the
same weekend as your incident.

What can I say, after a good wreck (and I've had a few)...

1) did you continue to ride?
Yes, of course, just more carefully, for a while, then you get cocky again Roll Eyes

2) and what did you use to help you get over the fear
of the other crazy people driving around you?

As the great prophet Carlin said:
“Just think of how stupid the average person is,
and then realize that at least half of them are
even stupider than that!”

Just take it easy, give it time and understand that
there are a lot of "sunday-drivers" that have no clue
what they are doing, have no reflexes, don't know
the roads and cannot control their machines, so just
BE AWARE and drive defensibly.

You may also want to ride for a while on low-transit days
away from peak hours on familiar roads, but I don't know
what eases you. You might wanna re-read (the book or
audiobook, not the movie, it's just not the same) "fight club"
and/or "survivor" from Chuck Palahniuk, that might seriously
help, well, maybe Roll Eyes

P.S. If you want some company or the audiobook file
or some movies or something I'm 30 minutes away
and me and wifey could come for a visit whenever
you wish, but I'm afraid we might make you laugh
and thats gonna hurt, so it's ur call, send me a
message if interested, L8r, Richard.

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« Last Edit: 07/01/10 at 13:28:58 by Stimpy - FSO »

Recently sold 97'savage (change of residence) - looking to buy another - just bought a temp, a great SR125 called 'methadone'

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Life after the wreck Reply #6 - 07/01/10 at 12:00:34 thats gonna leave a mark,
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Phelonius Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1897	Re: Life after the wreck Reply #7 - 07/01/10 at 12:26:27 That guy probably was startled by someone in the bathroom with a camera. Phelonius
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Life after the wreck Reply #8 - 07/01/10 at 12:33:47 Ive heard for years that the simple act of observing something changes its position. This could well be the confirmation Ive been looking for.
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jarrod YaBB Newbies Offline Posts: 22 Spangdahlem Germany Gender:	Re: Life after the wreck Reply #9 - 07/01/10 at 12:54:56 Well, I guess the unanimous answer so far is it takes time. I just hope that if I can get back on it, I can catch some good weather. We only get about 3 months for good riding. Stimpy, we need to meet up for lunch sometime and swap stories.
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kimchris1

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Re: Life after the wreck
Reply #10 - 07/01/10 at 13:47:15

Jarrod, I am still in recovery mode myself from my accident in March. In fact Tuesday I should be relieved of my 3 pins and cast.
I am looking forward to being back on my bike a.s.a.p. It is in my blood and a part of me that I can't let go of.

I will admit that the first few times going back thru the intersection in the cage scared the nuts out of me.

I refuse to quit riding and I realize that each time I ride it could be my last. I refuse to live in fear and not enjoy my life due to the what if's.
I belive the best way to get over fear is to face it head on.
I suggest you sit on your bike and ride short distances for awhile. Get the feel of yourself on your bike and gain your confidence back.
Start slow and go from there. Remember most of us walked before we ran or rode..
And possibly take another MSF course again as that may help as well. Big Hugs and nice to hear your healing and still interested in riding again.

Kim

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Ed L.

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Re: Life after the wreck
Reply #11 - 07/01/10 at 16:47:02

Can't say I've been in any real bad crash but I busted 4 ribs once doing a high side off of my '02. I rode the bike home and thought about it the month and a half it took me to heal. When I got back on the bike I drove like a little old lady. Must of took me 6 months to get my confidence back and I still drive as defensive as I can. I alway looked at it as what would I think of myself if I didn't get back on the bike. Hell man life is too long to carry around a doubt like that. I have too many "what if's" in my life already from things outside of my control. Getting back on the bike was something I had to do to make up for some of the stuff that didn't happen. The old "I am master of my own fate" line. Heal and then give it a small taste to see if it still as sweet.

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Silver '02, clubman handle bars, Cobra headlight, Sportster muffler, K+N stock air filter, 152.5 main, Superbrace, oil cooler, 1/2 inch aluminium plate forward controls, spark advance, goes like stink

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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Online OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 29278 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: Life after the wreck Reply #12 - 07/01/10 at 17:42:23 Ed L. wrote on 07/01/10 at 16:47:02: Can't say I've been in any real bad crash but I busted 4 ribs once doing a high side off of my '02. ... I'm gonna' give you the merit badge for that one... ...
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Life after the wreck Reply #13 - 07/02/10 at 01:49:46 I am afraid of a high side. What initiated yours Ed?
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photojoe FSO

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Re: Life after the wreck
Reply #14 - 07/02/10 at 04:04:15

Had an incident in September last year resulting in a massive rotator cuff tear requiring surgery that put me in a sling for 12 weeks, then physical therapy. We're in July and the shoulder still bothers me, but I'm back riding. I can go an hour riding until I need to pull over for a bit and give the shoulder a rest.

When the ambulance brought me to the Emergency Room, I was next to a woman with an ice pack on her head. She got it while surfing when her board hit her in the head. Interestingly, one thing I remember her saying is "I can't wait to get out of here so I can get back to surfing." See, surfing is in her blood.

Since being back up I've avoided countless collisions from people cutting me off, making the quick left turn in front of me, tailgating at 65 mph etc. You know, stuff we all go through when riding.

Life is full of risks and I'm not going to stop riding, or doing things I enjoy that are dangerous. I was reading a piece about accidental/negligent discharge of a firearm. The author said "It's only a matter of time, but it will happen." So what, I'm going to stop shooting too because I'm afraid? No, sorry, I refuse to live like that. We live once. We can either live, and take risks and enjoy the rewards they offer, or simply exist.

Heal up, and use this time to search inside of yourself. In time you will have found the answer. If riding is in your blood, you'll be back up again.

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FSO

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