Thats it for me boys and girls !

First off a big thanks to all the contributors in here, this is one of the best forums around as far as community and support.

I wish you all the best and please keep the rubber side down ! Last Friday, on what was likely going to be my last run on the bike of the season, I was cut off by a truck apparently doing a u-turn in a rather major intersection and went down for the count. I actually dont remember the few seconds before the accident and only remember briefly coming to at the scene so I dont have much to say about the what and hows of the whole thing. I learned from the police that it was a truck, and that he was apparently doing a u-turn and after we collided the driver stayed on the scene with me until paramedics arrived then went to speak with police. Seems there are a couple witnesses and they are all telling the same story and although I haven't seen the police file or the witness accounts its likely a 0 debate about fault, I was doing what I should, where I should, when I should and got damn unlucky.

As I learn more I will post it up if there is interest but as far as injuries, I spent almost 3 days in hospital and suffer from ;
- fractured left cheek
- fractured left sinus
- road rash on left forearm (from my watch I think), both knees (worse on left) and left hip is cut up badly.
- I suffered a collapsed left lung
- I had a small pneumothorax (air bubble in the chest)
- fractured #1,2 and 3 back ribs on left and #2 back rib on right (top of the rib cage in the back)
- sprained right index finger
- assorted stomach and back muscle sprains/strains
- an as yet undiagnosed problem with my jaw and bite/tooth alignment

I had already been considering hanging up the boots for a few reasons but had intended on one more season including one more road trip with the boys (to Sturgis with a mixed group of Harley's and sportbikes that I ride with frequently) so it appears that I am now on the "accelerated retirement program".

Coulda been a whole lot worse and i am damned lucky. At this point I am not sure I will even get a look at the remains of the bike, not very mobile now and not a lot of interest really. Insurance is making it tough to get back to the mods (in case any are in shape to reclaim and sell) so it looks like they will drop off my personal items and haul the remainder on to a final resting place.

Its a shame, I really loved that thing. I know I am gonna miss her. I know I am gonna sigh every summer when the bikes come out of storage (a little) but life is safer in a cage and I aint in a rush to push off this mortal plain !

[image: Posted Image]

Cheers all !

owch heal up soon and dont worry about it just get well.

Holy cow. That's really too bad.

Get well soon. Maybe once everything heals up you'll find yourself with a new hobby that's just as fun.

Geez! Sorry to hear. I hope you heal quick and well, and that you live old.
Good luck!
C

It's sad that these peeps just can't seem to understand that driving on the road is a responsiblity to others to do no harm.

Sorry this happened, and wish you an uncomplicated, and speedy recovery.

I hope you mend quickly!

Really hate to hear of another early retirement. Too many of late. Glad you can make the call on your own and hope you heal quickly.

I'm really sorry to hear about this...glad to see you're alive though. Also sorry to hear about the accelerated retirement, but I do hope that you recover as quickly as possible.

-Mike

Glad you are still with us, heal quick mate.

Sounds like this is going to be one long recovery after that kind of damage but we're all happy to know that you made it through alive. I'm sure your family will be behind your deciscion as well and any kind of support is GOOD support. Best wishes to you and thanks for all of your input here on VFRD.

What HS said.
Worry about healing, not about anything else.
I'm glad you lived to tell the tale.

That's awful news, and really shitty luck, Rob. :sad:
I hope you heal well, without complications and a minimum of pain. All the best for the future, Dude.

Geez that is shit luck and really feel for you and your family.
It really pains me in how someone else can so easily take away our enjoyment and freedom of pursuits we love so carelessly.
This type of thing happens too often and really sorry to hear it has happened to you.

I wish you a speedy and complete recovery and hope the passion is ignited somewhere else once you have recovered.
Please keep us posted as to how you go with your recovery as I am sure most here consider each other as brothers and sisters or other family and would love to hear you have recovered.
Best wishes and good health.
Cheers
Shane

Recently I was going to work, 5:30 in the morning so it was dark and people see my headlight. An suv runs a stop sign and pulls into the slow lane of a 4 lane highway with a huge paved median. I was ready for people who don't stop and pull out and am very prepared for this. I approach in the fast lane as I was quite close when they pulled out. Then I noticed his brake lights which puzzles me because there is no place to turn. And then he pulls a u turn directly in front of me. Lots of brakes and slight dodge towards the slow lane and a quick yell of "DUMB ASS" which I was close enough he might have heard and a heart rate in the low 400s and its over. This was a new one for me. I always am on the look out for cagers doing dumb things, but I never thought of someone doing a u turn across 4 lanes and a huge median. I hope they only get 8 mpg and can't pay their rent/mortgage.

Get well!! Don't let them win.

Speedy recovery to you sir

At least there's good news out of this being that you're alive! I hope you heal quickly and at least get to say goodbye to the old girl, I know I would want to.

Right, we need an address to send cards!
Please give a hint of how non-political correct the cards are allowed to be... :tongue:

Wow, sorry to hear your news and really glad you survived to tell about it. Hope you find quick healing all the way around on this. :smile:

I know that I have had a couple of close calls over the years. My entire family wishes you a speedy recovery. Anytime we hear about something like this we are all thankfull that we have been kept safe and remind ourselves to be as safe as possible.

Crikey mate - what a shocker. Get better soon brutha, and that's an order! :happy:

That really blows. So sorry to hear. Seems with that list of injuries you would have been in the hospital longer. Hopefully you can get the jaw ironed out, thats worse than any limp or loss of range of motion to can have. Speedy recovery.

Ugh, not what I wanted to see after not getting to visit for awhile!
Hope you heal fast!

Tough break, but you are here to talk about it. It sounds like the legal issues are well in-hand, now just focus on the healing.......Hang in there!

Heal quickly!

Bike or no bike VFRD will always be here for you!
These great folks have got me through a lot bad shitz!

BR

Heal quickly and be glad it wasn't worse. I am sorry to hear that you are "hanging it up" but you have to listen to you gut on this one. Be well

That was a bummer. Wishing you a full recovery.

Wow. What a horrible weekend. Best of luck in your healing.

Ouch on all fronts. Sorry to hear of it, but glad you're in one piece. Get well quick!

Happened same day as me, was last Friday the 13th and we didn't know it? I am very sorry to hear you collided with the car and suffered some pretty rough injuries. Wishing you the quickest recovery, and hope you can get back in the saddle soon. I rode yesterday morning, and it was invigorating. I don't think I am going to hang up the helmet just yet...

I hope you heal quickly and I respect your decision. At 58 YO I wonder what will cause me to hang up my boots. I want it to be the day I can no longer throw a leg over the bike but…

I wish you the best and…what have you got in spare parts? :beer: (just trying to lighten the mood)