She's Gone!
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She's Gone!
There we were, riding on beautiful roads in northern cal. No traffic, whooping it up at the end of a long day in the rain, clouds and sunshine.
I hit a patch of asphalt colored sand that I don't remember seeing. Apparently noboby saw it. I was becoming mentaly fatigued and not quite as focused as I had been earlier. Zach almost went down 25 yds in front of me, as I had backed off half a click. I don't remember seeing him slip. Apparently I tried to ride it out, but ended up hitting an embankment, breaking my clavicle and 3 ribs in my upper back. I was out for about 1/2 hour, but quickly regained consciousness. No head injury. Safety equipment is worth every penny! I have no roadrash and no bruising! My friend Russ crashed behind me and was uninjured (lowside on the brakes). Apparently nobody saw the sand coming.
I haven't seen it yet, but apparently the frame broke completely in two behind the headset. And the fairing exploded into a million pieces. Friends are going to recover the bikes this weekend.
Y'all take care!
I hit a patch of asphalt colored sand that I don't remember seeing. Apparently noboby saw it. I was becoming mentaly fatigued and not quite as focused as I had been earlier. Zach almost went down 25 yds in front of me, as I had backed off half a click. I don't remember seeing him slip. Apparently I tried to ride it out, but ended up hitting an embankment, breaking my clavicle and 3 ribs in my upper back. I was out for about 1/2 hour, but quickly regained consciousness. No head injury. Safety equipment is worth every penny! I have no roadrash and no bruising! My friend Russ crashed behind me and was uninjured (lowside on the brakes). Apparently nobody saw the sand coming.
I haven't seen it yet, but apparently the frame broke completely in two behind the headset. And the fairing exploded into a million pieces. Friends are going to recover the bikes this weekend.
Y'all take care!
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 409
From: Southeast PA
Man that totally sucks! Glad to hear you arent in too bad a shape. Recovery quickly.
Really sucks about your bike! I know you have boat loads of time & money in her.
Maybe its not as bad as you may think.
If it is, you know you can always sell alot of that stuff you have on this board. Hell, I know I'd take the engine itself!
Good Luck with everything and heal quick.
Chris
Really sucks about your bike! I know you have boat loads of time & money in her.
Maybe its not as bad as you may think.
If it is, you know you can always sell alot of that stuff you have on this board. Hell, I know I'd take the engine itself!
Good Luck with everything and heal quick.
Chris
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
Re: She's Gone!
Weren't you going on a trip? Did this happen then? Collar one huh? BTDT but with lot's of road rash too. Good gear is the only way!
It seems most single bike accidents happen at either the beginning (mentally not "up to speed") or the end (fatigued) of a ride. I have a hard time slowing down when I'm with others when I get tired and I get sloppy. Hopefully next time I (we) will remember your incident and will back it off a notch or two or three....
I know it will be painful to do but post some pics of the wreck damage when you can. And get back on 2 wheels soon!
It seems most single bike accidents happen at either the beginning (mentally not "up to speed") or the end (fatigued) of a ride. I have a hard time slowing down when I'm with others when I get tired and I get sloppy. Hopefully next time I (we) will remember your incident and will back it off a notch or two or three....
I know it will be painful to do but post some pics of the wreck damage when you can. And get back on 2 wheels soon!
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
Damn!! 
That was a beautiful bike and you were one of the last ones I expected to hear about going down. If it's recoverable at all we'll help get it back and running. Otherwise take what you can off her and find one that needs what you've got left. Good luck and hope it all works out for ya.
That was a beautiful bike and you were one of the last ones I expected to hear about going down. If it's recoverable at all we'll help get it back and running. Otherwise take what you can off her and find one that needs what you've got left. Good luck and hope it all works out for ya.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 208
From: East Tennessee
Re: She's Gone!
Glad you made out as well as you did. Sand and gravel in the apex SUCKS.
I hope you heal up quickly and have fun shopping for a new toy .... (if it's not a VTR let us know!)
I hope you heal up quickly and have fun shopping for a new toy .... (if it's not a VTR let us know!)
Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 47
From: Birmingham, AL
Guest
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Thank you all for the well wishes!
I got a ride home last night from my good friend Steve, who is a paramedic and managed/controlled the accident scene. He described coming on to the scene, with the bike completely destroyed and me laying motionless in the ditch. He described me as having "doll eyes" looking out but motionless and unresponsive. Scary stuff is right.
He brought me an 8X10 photo of the bike. Holy C%@&! Much worse than any track getoff I've seen. Definitely some luck involved in being here to talk about it, but as I mentioned my safety equipment did amazing things. The armor points all had signs of impact and abrasion. The carbon knuckles on my gloves were ground down 3/8" (8-10mm) and my hands are perfect.
No bikes in my immediate plans. I have to let the storm settle on the home front and pay some bills. The fire's still there, so we'll see...
I'll get around to posting the photo. Engine, shock, header, one exhaust can and some misc. is salvagable. Not sure if I'm going to punt the whole thing, salvage and rebuild (uggh) or what.
cheers,
Rand
I got a ride home last night from my good friend Steve, who is a paramedic and managed/controlled the accident scene. He described coming on to the scene, with the bike completely destroyed and me laying motionless in the ditch. He described me as having "doll eyes" looking out but motionless and unresponsive. Scary stuff is right.
He brought me an 8X10 photo of the bike. Holy C%@&! Much worse than any track getoff I've seen. Definitely some luck involved in being here to talk about it, but as I mentioned my safety equipment did amazing things. The armor points all had signs of impact and abrasion. The carbon knuckles on my gloves were ground down 3/8" (8-10mm) and my hands are perfect.
No bikes in my immediate plans. I have to let the storm settle on the home front and pay some bills. The fire's still there, so we'll see...
I'll get around to posting the photo. Engine, shock, header, one exhaust can and some misc. is salvagable. Not sure if I'm going to punt the whole thing, salvage and rebuild (uggh) or what.
cheers,
Rand
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
Good luck on whatever you decide to do, like I said before you need help we're here for ya. If you decide to sell things I'm definetly interested in that shock. Hell I'm interested in everything but would like the shock.
Don't stay off the horse too long, the longer you wait the more you'll think about it. I used to race mx. After some real bad crashes, (landing on my head, breaking colar bones etc.) if I didn't get right back on I would keep flashing back to the accident. But It's all about your comfort and confidence so that's something only you can decide.
Oh and by the sounds of things you gave yourself at least a grade 2 concussion, things still a little fuzzy? You'll get over it but you might get more headaches and have less memory after it goes away. BTDT
Don't stay off the horse too long, the longer you wait the more you'll think about it. I used to race mx. After some real bad crashes, (landing on my head, breaking colar bones etc.) if I didn't get right back on I would keep flashing back to the accident. But It's all about your comfort and confidence so that's something only you can decide.
Oh and by the sounds of things you gave yourself at least a grade 2 concussion, things still a little fuzzy? You'll get over it but you might get more headaches and have less memory after it goes away. BTDT
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
Just trying to help a brother out! :wink: Hey now, I did say we'd help him get it back together if possible. 
But seriously, I've broken my collar bone, (get ready to laugh now), 6 times! Just listen to the DR and don't use it much or you'll have a huge bump on your shoulder like me. The last time I broke it I lowsided in some sand at night. (hmm sound familar?) I rode the bike home slamming into the garage because I couldn't use the clutch.
I was riding the second day, after I could use my hand again. I would just lift my left arm with the other,"smart". Anyway because of that I have a bump that sticks out about an inch, eeewww. The other sides not that bad just about 1/2 an inch. Yes, I broke each one 3 times in many different ways, only two were on bikes, one street one dirt.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: She's Gone!
The collarbone is the least of my injuries. I went to an orthopedist for more xrays and another opinion. Turns out to be 4 ribs broken in my upper back. They are getting better every day. The doc is going to put my collarbone back together with a plate and screws. That will put my shoulder back where it's supposed to be. The ends are misaligned by about 2 inchs now. So I expect a full recovery.
Hopefully I'll have some bits for sale soon. There will be no bikes in my garage for a while. My wife is just terrified of them. Me, I'd do it all over again, with the wisdom I've gained in my back pocket.
Here it is:
Hopefully I'll have some bits for sale soon. There will be no bikes in my garage for a while. My wife is just terrified of them. Me, I'd do it all over again, with the wisdom I've gained in my back pocket.
Here it is:
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
Good luck on your road to recovery and I'm sure she'll soften up in a little while. You know the old saying, time heals all wounds. It hurts just to look at that pretty bike all folded up like that though. I guess comedy central's off the watch list for a while.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 146
From: Utah
OMG! I almost had a tear come to my eye when I saw that pic! Holy **** man! I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune. Glad to hear that you made it through with just a broken bone or two, and that your still alive. Heal fast!
Trent
Trent
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
Re: She's Gone!
Man I wondering if you didn't have a high side too. You say you know you hit sand and low sided it but I wondering if it didn't gain traction after that and then vault itself end over end. You most likely had a concussion and thus don't remember it. Were there any eye witnesses besides the other guy that went down?
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I spoke with my friend Mike, who was following me on his RC51. I really needed a description of what happened. I still don't recall any of it.
Apparently the bike just went down immediately. Mike was able to alter his line and styed upright. Russell was behind him and target-locked and grabbed the front brake. He went down. Totalled his bike and was uninjured.
I think I seprated from the bike immediately. Me and the bike slid off the road and hit a steep dirt and rock embankment breaking me and the bike. The bike apparently then went airborne then slid back down the embankment. I'm sure it broke on initial impact with the embankment. That's where I broke as well. I bounced back on to the roadway slid "unbelievably far" and ended up in the ditch.
My friend Andy went back to the corner and saw the black sand laying several inches inside the yellow divider. Nobody in the group saw it. The rock in that area is all very dark. Hence the black sand.
I was lucky. I was riding too fast and I knew it. I'm pissed that I let myself ignore "the voice".
Apparently the bike just went down immediately. Mike was able to alter his line and styed upright. Russell was behind him and target-locked and grabbed the front brake. He went down. Totalled his bike and was uninjured.
I think I seprated from the bike immediately. Me and the bike slid off the road and hit a steep dirt and rock embankment breaking me and the bike. The bike apparently then went airborne then slid back down the embankment. I'm sure it broke on initial impact with the embankment. That's where I broke as well. I bounced back on to the roadway slid "unbelievably far" and ended up in the ditch.
My friend Andy went back to the corner and saw the black sand laying several inches inside the yellow divider. Nobody in the group saw it. The rock in that area is all very dark. Hence the black sand.
I was lucky. I was riding too fast and I knew it. I'm pissed that I let myself ignore "the voice".
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
Yes always listen to the little voice boys and girls! But from the sound of it, would you've been able to see it if you were going slower? Or did he avoid it just because you went down? Your already hurt enough, don't beat yourself up more. Lesson learned, note to self, "stay away from right side of road".
Guest
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I got the bike back today. A friend picked it up and brought it home. I'll have it assessed for the insurance settlement and intend to buy it back. It seems to be in pretty good shape.
I will be doing careful measurements of all the salvaged parts and publish the specs. here for anybody looking for parts. My friend Bob thinks he may have a buyer for the engine, but I want to give forum members the opportunity to bid.
It will be a while before I can get it all disassembled, cleaned and measured. I'll keep you all posted. PM me for any specific needs. I should have exhaust system (with new right canister, rearsets (right side will be repaired), 520 chain and sprockets shock, steering damper and brackets, possibly both wheels and the forks look like they survived as well (they didn't crumple visibly). Like I said, they'll be carefully inspected, straightened and only sold if they are within specifications.
Surgery went well on Thursday. I'm feeling much better.
Rand
I will be doing careful measurements of all the salvaged parts and publish the specs. here for anybody looking for parts. My friend Bob thinks he may have a buyer for the engine, but I want to give forum members the opportunity to bid.
It will be a while before I can get it all disassembled, cleaned and measured. I'll keep you all posted. PM me for any specific needs. I should have exhaust system (with new right canister, rearsets (right side will be repaired), 520 chain and sprockets shock, steering damper and brackets, possibly both wheels and the forks look like they survived as well (they didn't crumple visibly). Like I said, they'll be carefully inspected, straightened and only sold if they are within specifications.
Surgery went well on Thursday. I'm feeling much better.
Rand
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
Glad to hear surgery went well and you're feeling better. I think this guy may want the forks and triples if they're good, mdbuehler he was putting rc wheels on his bike and may need the front to do it.
Let me know what you want for the shock when you find out if it's straight.
Good luck on the rehab and hope your back to ridding soon if that's in your future.
Let me know what you want for the shock when you find out if it's straight.
Good luck on the rehab and hope your back to ridding soon if that's in your future.
