Motorcycle diary....

How a motorcycle changed my life!
Last year about this time I was sleeping on the couch, I needed help getting up and I couldn’t hop up and go pee without help from someone. The reason for this is a motorcycle wreck. My injuries included 3 broken ribs 2 in front one in the back, a broken wrist, 19 staples in my leg, 2 separated shoulders, a bruise on my hip the size of California, and all over soreness.
The wreck occurred while driving down the highway close to the posted speed of 70 mph. The traffic was light and I didn’t have a care in the world. I have driven this route more than a hundred times and know it well. I come upon a truck carrying an 18-wheeler inner tube in its truck bed. About the time I am passing the truck the inner tube decides its wants out and plants itself into the face of my helmet, effectively cleaning me off of my motorcycle. I hit the pavement head and shoulder first and continue to tumble for about 100 yards. I remember this part vividly and it seems to me it took 10 minutes for me to stop rolling. When in fact it was probably no more than 10 seconds. I had several conversations with myself during this time. Such subjects that came into my mind while rolling down the street were “So this is what it feels like to wreck?” and “It doesn’t hurt that bad.” And “HOLY SH*T, does it not hurt because I am paralyzed!” After I finally come to a stop my next concern was getting run over by another car so I sit up fast and my ribs decide it is time to announce that they are not happy. It is times like these you see some of the best of humanity. I had total strangers concerned for someone that they have never met. To those people I say a big “Thank
After getting loaded into the meat wagon and transported to the hospital we are greeted at the door by my wife. It is this look on my wife’s face that tells me my riding days are over. I was not hurt as badly as I should have been, but she did not know that at the time. The look on her face was sheer terror and sadness. That look in itself hurt worse than any other injury I had sustained.
It was during my time at home after the wreck that I decided I needed a new hobby. Or several as it turn’s out. I now spend a majority of my time on the computer learning stuff that I was curious about but never had time to do before. I started building my own computers. I set up my home theatre system and I started an exercise program and learned a lot of stuff along the way.
It is hard to take away something that has consumed a lot of your life and replace it. I find myself wanting to go on a ride on a nice day and I miss ripping up the chicanes on a windy road in the country. I miss the freedom that a motorcycle gives you.
After all of this I in no way will ever tell someone to not ride a motorcycle, my simple response will be is to be careful and wear all of your gear all of the time. If it wasn’t for my gear I would not be here today writing this. The Scorpion EXO 400 helmet saved my dome as I had 360degree gouges and the faceplate ripped off of it, and my leather jacket saved my arms, shoulders, and torso. I had burns on my arms and shoulders where the leather burnt my skin from sliding on the pavement. I have since recuperated from my injuries and have no lasting effects. I do however feel I have had a second chance at this life and I am making the most of it.
-Rich