Alaska trip report.

[SwollenRaccoon]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I've had several close calls with deer, and they scare me more than anything out there. Heal well, and keep up the good attitude.

From 1/2 hour south of you......

Scott

 

[Nitro]

Oh man sorry to hear about this. Glad you are alive to tell the tale. I will get Bambi this year just for you!

:butcher:

 

[Slade]

Thanks again to all for their support. Quick update. Finally had some good news. The infection numbers are still off the charts but they are moving in the right direction. PT says for the shape I'm in I'm doing pretty well. Hurts like a booger but that's probably a good thing....getting pretty familiar with pain...but I won't miss it that's for sure.

Friend of mine stopped out this morning to cut some of the grass here at the farm. Delivered a gift as well....new set of deerskin gloves! Good to have a belly laugh...been a long time since the last one.

Again, take care all....keep your eyes open and don't forget that travel insurance if you venture North of the border.

 

[Fred W]

Jim,

Sucks to hear of your ruminant based misfortune.

It especially hits home since any one of us could end up with the same crappy deal.

As I like to say: We buy our tickets, spin the wheel, and take our chances...

As to not riding again, that is a very personal choice. I encourage you to look inside yourself for the answer to that one. Maybe you already have, but you indicate that you would quit in order to appease your worried parents. Parents will always be worried for the well being of their children. It's part of the job. Just don't miss out on something that you will regret later.

As to the accident itself, if you can remember what happened, and only if you feel up to describing what happened, especially if there is something for folks to learn from it, hearing the full story would be most appreciated.

Best of luck with your recovery, your soul searching and decision making and with your new found sport of deer hunting.

I recommend using a 30/06 next time...

 

[dustyrains]

Sorry about your misfortune. Wife and I just got back from a loop up through Southern B.C. I had no close calls with bambis but I nearly center punched a black bear riding north out of Creston. Surprised the hell out of me, as my brain is always on the lookout for deer. We did not have travelers insurance, but if I ever trip up there again, I will have.

 

[Beamer Reamer]

Hey Jim,

Good news on the progress and I will shoot you a PM later on. I am pretty positive you won't miss your constant companion Mr. Pain once he decides to take leave of you.

I've got a deer mocking me in the backyard for two months now. Season opens Wednesday...hmmmmm...how did I happen to know that?

David

 

[RPrice]

Jim,

Hang in there, I've got a deer tag, and I'll be sure to whack one and dedicate it to you! Glad to hear the good news re:infection numbers.

 

[rogdeb]

Jim,

Looks like things are progressing, slowly, but progressing.

We'll keep LOADS of good thoughts and wishes for you. Hang in there.

Rog n Deb

 

[Slade]

Gotta tell ya....when you're feeling real low..coming on here and seeing the posts from all you wonderful folks really, really, makes a difference. Must be the fall allergies acting up as my eyes are all watery now.

Fred W. as for the actual accident I'll try to relate it now as well as I can.

Heading East on Hwy 6 outside of Lunby, BC. Pretty practiced with good scanning as 1) I live in Mn and forest rats are a way of life here. 2) Previous 10 days on the road saw me dodging Moose (3), black bear (3), numerous fox and coyote, and Alberta drivers...no offense intended..just how it was.

I was riding well within myself (45-50 mph) as the woods were close to the road. Rounded a right hand turn and straightened up. Peripheral vision caught a doe come out of the woods at full speed, head extended and eyes wide. I literally had just enough time to utter one choice word as I grabbed a handful of brake. Then "bang." Hit her just behind her right shoulder (good shot) and she came up and through the Rifle shield. (Really liked that shield too.) We must've hit as I can remember reaching for the handle bars and seeing them oscillate. About that time something happened but I'm not sure what. I remember seeing the forks collapsed and then hitting the pavement head first. The faceshield flew off down the road and I remember sliding face first down the pavement. I pulled my arms and legs in thinking that would keep them from being ripped off. (Little did I know how close that already was.) I started to roll off the side of the road and came to a rest on my left side in a semi fetal position. I had felt a "click" and ignored the very strong urge to jump up after seeing I was still alive. Ignoring that impulse saved my life. The handlebars were "sheared" off according to the insurance adjuster. I can tell you exactly what sheared them off. My left femural head and neck were pulverized. Several longitudinal "splinter" fx's went down the length of the femur. If I had jumped up the femural artery would surely have been severed and that would have been all she wrote. Lesson: Don't move till the pros get there. And I mean the real pros. A few riders id'd themselves as former EMT's....one seemed convinced that I should roll over on my back. I refused. How the leg wasn't ripped off I'll never know. The first surgeon in BC said she had never seen anything like that, "Your hip had to be up around your ear to break like that.." Glad I don't remember that.

My riding buddies did not see the impact but came around the corner to see lined up very neatly on the side of the road the deer, my bike, and then me. Judging from the condition of my jacket, boots, and gloves I must've spend some time in the air as the abrasions on the clothing were surprisingly few. Virtually no road rash on me. I did not get to see the pants as they were cut off.

I literally had no chance. One of those snap of the fingers timing deals where there's nothing you can do.

The Winchester Model 70, 30-06 is cleaned and ready to go. Deer season is in November here. I'm hoping to be walking well enough to sit in the woods somewhere and take a few shots at revenge. Sitting in a stand is out of the question for this year.

Again, thanks for the well wishes, the words of encouragement, and the mobilization of the Kill Bambi Now Army.

Take care all and ride like your life depends on it.

Jim

 

[Tyler]

I can't in good conscience ride again while they are still with us. It would make them miserable with worry.

You can't live your life for someone else... just you. As for riding, make a decision to not make a decision right now. I know I vacillated all over the place about whether I would ever ride again... it was no, no WAY,yes, welllll maybe, are you nuts?!?, absolutely, not sure... and round and round again. For now, the Spyder is the answer... gets me out there, a bit more stability... will it be the answer for long term? Don't know... but I don't have to decide right now... just enjoy. I encourage you to do the same, whatever that might be.

 

[dcarver]

Reading your impact story gave me the cold, cold chills...

 

[madmike2]

:yahoo: First...congratulaions on surviving the event and trusting your wisdom while waiting for the professionals to arrive. :yahoo:

Gotta tell ya....when you're feeling real low..coming on here and seeing the posts from all you wonderful folks really, really, makes a difference. Must be the fall allergies acting up as my eyes are all watery now.
<Major Snippage>

Again, thanks for the well wishes, the words of encouragement, and the mobilization of the Kill Bambi Now And Often Army.

Take care all and ride like your life depends on it.

Jim

After my serious injuries a couple of years ago, this forum and the wondrful people here were (and still are) a huge part of my therapy (Lord knows I need lots of therapy). Seriously, the great folks on this forum were supportive and the local owners were above kind and thoughtful. It definitely affected my recovery....and it's free! Avail yourself of forum time, help the newbies, meet and get to know more cyber-friends and let the insights, wisdom, humor and concern of the collective membership cleanse and heal your soul while your body works through its own process.

Heal, my friend, heal completely, then make major decisions about riding. If it is a passion deep in your soul you'll have to determine the risk and mitigation THEN rather than now.

 

[Fred W]

Fred W. as for the actual accident I'll try to relate it now as well as I can.

Jim,

Thank you very much for doing that. It is a scary story. I think I can speak for everyone and say we are all glad you came through it and can even consider riding again someday. I had a hunch that your situation would be something like that (unavoidable). You may not remember but last fall I was in a similar ambush, going only ~40 mph, and yet I still could not do anything more than mumble "oh ****" before the collision, but mine was with a much smaller doe, and I was lucky enough that the bike took the full impact of the deer, its body did not come up over the bars, so I was able to keep the bike upright.

Being ATGATT and don't let the 1st help roll-you around are both great tips, BTW. And the circumstances certainly go toward the adjustment of our "attitudes".

I was riding well within myself (45-50 mph) as the woods were close to the road. Rounded a right hand turn and straightened up. Peripheral vision caught a doe come out of the woods at full speed, head extended and eyes wide. I literally had just enough time to utter one choice word as I grabbed a handful of brake. Then "bang."
snip

I literally had no chance. One of those snap of the fingers timing deals where there's nothing you can do.

We all get so used to traveling at hypersport speeds on the roadways on a regular basis, we tend to forget just how much damage can happen to us in an impact such as yours at even "sane" and controlled speeds, when we feel like we are just plonking along. I would imagine if you had hit that deer at sporting speeds you wouldn't be around to tell us about it.

About the only thing that one might have changed to alter the outcome would have been to be traveling much slower. I'm not blaming you in the least. I think all of us (including me) would be doing the same speed (maybe higher) in the same situation. 45mph just feels so slow. Until you hit something. If you had been going even 10 mph slower, you'd probably still have hit the thing, but maybe the outcome would have been less severe? Maybe not...

The Winchester Model 70, 30-06 is cleaned and ready to go. Deer season is in November here. I'm hoping to be walking well enough to sit in the woods somewhere and take a few shots at revenge. Sitting in a stand is out of the question for this year.

Now that sounds like great therapy to me. Go get 'em!! :vinsent:

 

[mr.paul]

You don't need to take out them foriegn deer when you can take them closer to home...

Sorry to hear of your trip ender. It is all too fammiliar around here. I am just a few minutes away from you and see those freaking rats often. Just swerved around one yesterday morning near Castle Rock. Saturday morning a coworker wasn't so lucky as he pegged a small one just south of Northfield on Hwy 3. He rides a well used Vstar but now is home with both hands and wrists broken and a probable broken shoulder. He also has road rash on his face as he is a half-helmet wearer. Cheers for your smart choice of full gear.

I have wanted to ride BC for quite some time. I will heed your insurance comment if I do that.

I am only about 15 minues from Regions. If you want a FJR visitor, send me a note.

And I am sure you know, it is much cheaper to take out bambi with something closer to 30 caliber. 1300cc caliber is just showing off! Heal up fast!

mr.paul, from Minnesota

 

[MCML]

Thanks for the write up. Must have been hard to do. It surely could have been any of us. Many here have ridden miles and miles and miles on those roads and I would bet that none have done it at less than the speed you were traveling. I certainly did not. Sobering.

Glad to hear that the infection count is trending in the correct direction.

 

[Slade]

I can't in good conscience ride again while they are still with us. It would make them miserable with worry.

You can't live your life for someone else... just you. As for riding, make a decision to not make a decision right now. I know I vacillated all over the place about whether I would ever ride again... it was no, no WAY,yes, welllll maybe, are you nuts?!?, absolutely, not sure... and round and round again. For now, the Spyder is the answer... gets me out there, a bit more stability... will it be the answer for long term? Don't know... but I don't have to decide right now... just enjoy. I encourage you to do the same, whatever that might be.

Good advice Tyler. I had followed your ordeal before my trip and I know you speak from solid experience. As I've been feeling even just a little bit better I've entertained the idea of riding again someday. But that day is still some ways off. Plenty of time to choose..rather than lock in now. Thanks, Tyler.

 

[Slade]

:yahoo: First...congratulaions on surviving the event and trusting your wisdom while waiting for the professionals to arrive. :yahoo:

Gotta tell ya....when you're feeling real low..coming on here and seeing the posts from all you wonderful folks really, really, makes a difference. Must be the fall allergies acting up as my eyes are all watery now.
<Major Snippage>

Again, thanks for the well wishes, the words of encouragement, and the mobilization of the Kill Bambi Now And Often Army.

Take care all and ride like your life depends on it.

Jim

After my serious injuries a couple of years ago, this forum and the wondrful people here were (and still are) a huge part of my therapy (Lord knows I need lots of therapy). Seriously, the great folks on this forum were supportive and the local owners were above kind and thoughtful. It definitely affected my recovery....and it's free! Avail yourself of forum time, help the newbies, meet and get to know more cyber-friends and let the insights, wisdom, humor and concern of the collective membership cleanse and heal your soul while your body works through its own process.

Heal, my friend, heal completely, then make major decisions about riding. If it is a passion deep in your soul you'll have to determine the risk and mitigation THEN rather than now.

Thanks MadMike2. You are spot on with your advice. The really nice thing is the support is available here exactly when you need it. Middle of the night doesn't matter. Log on and read or reread the posts of really top shelf people.

As I get stronger I'll try to do what you encourage....pass on the experience and support as I can.

 

[Slade]

Fred W. as for the actual accident I'll try to relate it now as well as I can.

Jim,

Thank you very much for doing that. It is a scary story. I think I can speak for everyone and say we are all glad you came through it and can even consider riding again someday. I had a hunch that your situation would be something like that (unavoidable). You may not remember but last fall I was in a similar ambush, going only ~40 mph, and yet I still could not do anything more than mumble "oh ****" before the collision, but mine was with a much smaller doe, and I was lucky enough that the bike took the full impact of the deer, its body did not come up over the bars, so I was able to keep the bike upright.

Being ATGATT and don't let the 1st help roll-you around are both great tips, BTW. And the circumstances certainly go toward the adjustment of our "attitudes".

I was riding well within myself (45-50 mph) as the woods were close to the road. Rounded a right hand turn and straightened up. Peripheral vision caught a doe come out of the woods at full speed, head extended and eyes wide. I literally had just enough time to utter one choice word as I grabbed a handful of brake. Then "bang."
snip

I literally had no chance. One of those snap of the fingers timing deals where there's nothing you can do.

We all get so used to traveling at hypersport speeds on the roadways on a regular basis, we tend to forget just how much damage can happen to us in an impact such as yours at even "sane" and controlled speeds, when we feel like we are just plonking along. I would imagine if you had hit that deer at sporting speeds you wouldn't be around to tell us about it.

About the only thing that one might have changed to alter the outcome would have been to be traveling much slower. I'm not blaming you in the least. I think all of us (including me) would be doing the same speed (maybe higher) in the same situation. 45mph just feels so slow. Until you hit something. If you had been going even 10 mph slower, you'd probably still have hit the thing, but maybe the outcome would have been less severe? Maybe not...

The Winchester Model 70, 30-06 is cleaned and ready to go. Deer season is in November here. I'm hoping to be walking well enough to sit in the woods somewhere and take a few shots at revenge. Sitting in a stand is out of the question for this year.

Now that sounds like great therapy to me. Go get 'em!! :vinsent:

You are right with the description of getting used to higher speeds. The day before saw open sweepers and speeds more in line with bike's capabilities. So, yes it did feel like I was just poking along. Especially since I had gotten up that morning and for the first time on any trip ever had not looked forward to getting on the bike.

I have thought about if I'd have been going slower. Maybe could've ridden through it and just gotten bruised up with a bent bike....Have also thought about how I took a wrong turn and spent 10 minutes earlier that morning getting straightened out. Timing was definitely everything. Of course there are a million "what ifs?"

Paying the price of destiny right now...maybe the lessons will make themselves clear in the future. Hope so.

 

[Slade]

You don't need to take out them foriegn deer when you can take them closer to home...
Sorry to hear of your trip ender. It is all too fammiliar around here. I am just a few minutes away from you and see those freaking rats often. Just swerved around one yesterday morning near Castle Rock. Saturday morning a coworker wasn't so lucky as he pegged a small one just south of Northfield on Hwy 3. He rides a well used Vstar but now is home with both hands and wrists broken and a probable broken shoulder. He also has road rash on his face as he is a half-helmet wearer. Cheers for your smart choice of full gear.

I have wanted to ride BC for quite some time. I will heed your insurance comment if I do that.

I am only about 15 minues from Regions. If you want a FJR visitor, send me a note.

And I am sure you know, it is much cheaper to take out bambi with something closer to 30 caliber. 1300cc caliber is just showing off! Heal up fast!

mr.paul, from Minnesota

Yeah, nothing like spending time and money to go on a big game hunt when I can just shoot them out my back door.

So sorry to hear of your friend's crash. Really will have a tough time with both hands messed up. I am still amazed that my right side was virtually unscathed. Please send him my best wishes for his recovery. If he wants to share war stories feel free to forward my contact info.

I'm now out of the hospital but thanks for the offer to visit. I'm home in Cannon Falls now. Definitely a bit out of the way. There's not been a home care personnel that I haven't had to talk into the homestead. GPS doesn't even come close.