Joined the Crash Club

[bellman]

Around 10:30 yesterday while riding with a group out of Virginia, I joined the crash club. I had ridden 188 miles to join the group and we were backtracking the road I came in on, very twisty. I think my line on a left hand curve was too far to the right and I could not make the turn. I probably could have leaned more and made it but didn’t. I ran into the ditch parallel to the road and ended up on my right side. I sat up and checked for damage, nothing seemed to hurt but seconds later, my right eye went fuzzy and was bleeding.

The rest of the group got the bike out of the ditch, the worst looked to be the right mirror broke with the arm still attached, the windshield popped off and of course some battle scars on the plastic.

One of the guys rode my bike back to the start, a small store and parked it around back. Another took me about 30 miles to a hospital where I got 10 stitches. I think my face shield came off the right side first and then twisted inside the helmet and cut me below the eye or else it was my eye glasses.

I got out of the hospital around 5:30 and went back to the bike, wire tied the windshield on and rode the 188 miles home.

Lessons sometimes are hard to learn, I am lucky in this case. I made a mistake that could have been much worse, this type of thing humbles you.

Edit: I copied this out of a word processor and left off the last sentence.

I really appreciate all the help from the riding group.

 

[BlackStar]

Glad to hear you are OK except for the stitches.

 

[MojaveFJR]

At least you are alive and able to ride again.

 

[7xray]

Glad you are OK. What kind of helmet were you wearing?

 

[bellman]

An HJC AC-12. I did not hit my head that hard, it was a steep bank and I must have drug my head enough for the shield to pop off.

I wanted a new helmet because of noise, now I have a new motivation.

 

[Bungie]

An HJC AC-12. I did not hit my head that hard, it was a steep bank and I must have drug my head enough for the shield to pop off.
I wanted a new helmet because of noise, now I have a new motivation.

Sorry to hear of your get-off, live and learn.

About the AC-12. I bought one about a month ago and your right, it is a noisy helmet. But 90% of the noise comes from the top vents. Try covering them up with your hands while riding. Opened or closed it doesn't seem to matter.

 

[Toecutter]

Good thing you weren't injured worse. Getoffs can go bad in a hurry.

Was the face shield closed down all the way? I can't imagine a closed shield doing that.

I'd reccomend reading this before buying another helmet.

 

[madmike2]

I hate it when that happens!

Thankfully you are not injured worse and are doing your best to analyze your mistakes. Learning and improving is a sign of a good rider.

The other good news is that the bike is not severely damaged. Parts are easier to replace than people.

Now....when you're looking for adventure, I suggest you explore other options than the one from this weekend, m'kay?!?!?

 

[MCML]

Sorry to learn of the crash. Happy to learn that you are okay (except for the stitches).

(the article is a very intertesting read)

 

[MEM]

I'd reccomend reading this before buying another helmet.

Excellent article Toe. Thanks!

 

[mscott]

Glad you weren't hurt any worse than you were!

I'm real interested in your cut. You say the shield came off? With the shield off, nearly anything could have cut you. Were your glasses broken? I have got to tell you what bothers me most is the fact that the shield came off and either caused or allowed the cut. Were you riding shield up or down? I ask these questions because I ride in HJC helmets also, and ride shield up a lot. Sorry to be so nosey, but I just need to know...

 

[DrFaulken]

Sorry to hear about your injuries, but am glad you are mostly okay. What protective gear were you wearing?

Very tough of you to ride the bike nearly 200 miles home after such a wreck. Did they check you for a concussion at the hospital? Would have sucked to black out on the ride home.

 

[dcarver]

You're one tough doode. Crash out, stitches, McGyver the shield back in place, ride home180+. Good on you. Live and Learn, then go pratice them turns! Hey, that rhymed!

 

[bellman]

Glad you weren't hurt any worse than you were! I'm real interested in your cut. You say the shield came off? With the shield off, nearly anything could have cut you. Were your glasses broken? I have got to tell you what bothers me most is the fact that the shield came off and either caused or allowed the cut. Were you riding shield up or down? I ask these questions because I ride in HJC helmets also, and ride shield up a lot. Sorry to be so nosey, but I just need to know...

NP, I had the shield down, always do unless I am going very slow. I think I had to have dragged my head arcoss the bank to pop the shield off.

Sorry to hear about your injuries, but am glad you are mostly okay. What protective gear were you wearing?

Very tough of you to ride the bike nearly 200 miles home after such a wreck. Did they check you for a concussion at the hospital? Would have sucked to black out on the ride home.

Yes, they did a CAT Scan, to check if the ocular bones were okay. I don't think my head had much of an impact. This was a very steep bank on my right side, probably 60 degrees or so. I had on a First Gear Mesh Tex Jacket, Scorpion Deuce Pants, 8" Bates over the ankle EMT boots and First Gear mesh gloves.

 

[08FJR4ME]

No pic's it didn't happen! only kidding.

Glad you made it O.K.George!!!. Now lets get the bike fixed in time to make it to EOM. Man I can't believe this didn't turn out worse. You have angels looking over you for sure. I am glad to see you got right back on the bike again and rode it home. Uuuuuuse is one tough dude B) . Hope you heal quick.

Dave

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Glad you are OK, and sorry about the damage tou you and the bike. Sucks getting banged up then riding home, thinkin of the woulda's coulda's and shoulda's. Get her fixed as soon as possible and heal up that eye. Glad it wasn't the eyeball.

 

[Leskid]

I'm with dcarver about getting right back on the horse. Unlike horses though, at least bikes don't run home and leave you high & dry if you fall off.

get that eye healed-up good

 

[Jer]

I am very sorry that this had to happen, but glad your were able to post about it. I think we all can learn from this type of happening. I know that it will make me concentrate more when riding through the twisties.

Heal up and get the bike repaired.

Jer

 

[Texan]

Tough break, bellman. I know the feeling well. I'm sure you'll be a better rider when you get back on. Glad your injuries were minor.