Note to myself....NEVER put your foot down....not for the squeamish....

[sugarbee]

I finally figured I would post a pic of what happened to my foot last month, on the way to the FCR..

You might not want to look.....






















Not a pretty sight, right?  I don't think those boots held up too well.  Beekeeper said the skid mark was about 18 ft.



Here is what my foot looks like today:



When you compare it to the good foot, you can notice the swelling.



I'm not posting these to gross anybody out, or to get attention.....I just want to remind everyone that it only takes a second for something to go wrong and I learned the hard way, not to go with "instinct", I need to remember to use my head and not panic...panic can be your worse enemy.

I've gone back and forth with my thoughts since the accident, sell the trike, keep the trike.....

Call me crazy, but I love that machine and there's no way I'm selling, I want to ride her again as soon as I can    I've put several thousand miles on her so far and I have lots more to add on. 

I think I will just stay away from the twisties for a while though.

[SANDMAN5]

OUCH!! Hope that heals up soon!

[HayHauler]

Ouch~!  That looks pretty bad.....  I put my foot down coming out of the driveway on the way to Nacogdoches one weekend and my toes turned a pretty shade of purple, but nothing like yours.  Mine hurt for about 3-4 weeks and I'm sure it will bother me later on in life.

Take good care of that foot and we will look for you down the road!

Hay 
Jimmyt

[R J]

Get ya some floorboards and you won't be tempted to put the foot down.

When I 1st heard about it, I though you had gotten your foot caught by the rear tire............

Hang tough..........   You will be back riding in no time........

[sugarbee]

I think my foot did get run over by the back tire, probably what broke my ankle.  Also, Beekeeper said my foot was probably stuck between the tire and the road and was drug a ways before it came loose. It all happened so fast, all I knew, was I needed to get out of harm's way (traffic), pull over to the side of the road and not go over the cliff.  When I felt the back tire come up and the trike tilt, I panicked.

Get ya some floorboards and you won't be tempted to put the foot down.

When I 1st heard about it, I though you had gotten your foot caught by the rear tire............

Hang tough..........   You will be back riding in no time........

[Bugslayer]

I finally figured I would post a pic of what happened to my foot last month, on the way to the FCR..

I'm not asking to be nosey, and I understand completely if you don't feel comfortable talking about it.
My question is: How did that happen?

There are a lot of different ways to get hurt doing what we do. If I can learn one thing from someone else, hopefully it'll make me a safer rider.

Best wishes on your recovery.

[sugarbee]

We were riding a road that had a lot of twisties, I was unfamiliar with the road and entered a curve too fast, I felt one of the rear tires raise up, braked, panicked and put my foot down, I had a fear of tipping over and not being in control I guess.  Stupid mistake, I know, but I had never raised a rear wheel before, heck, I didn't think I would ever get into that situation, but I was enjoying the ride and I guess I pushed the limit.

I finally figured I would post a pic of what happened to my foot last month, on the way to the FCR..

I'm not asking to be nosey, and I understand completely if you don't feel comfortable talking about it.
My question is: How did that happen?

There are a lot of different ways to get hurt doing what we do. If I can learn one thing from someone else, hopefully it'll make me a safer rider.

Best wishes on your recovery.

[Printer Mike]

What we do has high risks. That is a nasty looking injury. Hope you heal up fast and ride soon.

[X Ring]

Bee, there are several groups that are dedicated to trikes and have trike riding education.  I think the GWRRA, http://www.gwrra.org/, does it.  Check into it.  They can help you understand the handling characteristics of trikes along with increasing your skill.  Hurry up and heal.  We can't ride if you're not there.

Marty

[Jess Tolbirt]

as when i was racing sprint cars,,,now you know what the limit is that will cause you to bicycle and you can keep the speed within the limits,,,,dont give up rididng,,,,its like if you have a car wreck would you quit driving?

get healed up and do some practice in a parking lot where you can lift the rear tires a bit to "get the feel"

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Let's get some nail polish on those bare toenails and jazz that up a bit if your going to show it off! 

Keep your chin up and your thoughts positive Donna. You'll heal and you'll walk (with a limp (get the patch )) before too long. Time is all you need right now. Your body is in charge of healing all by it's self but you're in charge of the brain. Keep being positive and you will get there.

You want to talk shop on foot problems I'd be happy to take a call from you. PM me for a number if want to do that anytime.

Raymond

[Daniel Meyer]

*shudder*

I'm (echo)OFF TO THE INTERNET(/echo) to order some new/better boots now.

Yeeesh. Heal up fast!

[Goody]

What RJ Said!!!
Plus put a set of passenger floor boards on also and leave them in the down position.  I had a tendacy to want to put my foot down when I first built my trike.  Now Im so used to not putting them down I'm afraid I won't put them down down on the two wheeler.  Really won't have to worry about that any more as I have sold most of the two wheelers.  Heal fast 

[mikeb]

i hope ya heal up soon and keep riding. tell my wife slow in the curves and speed up coming out  not to worry if we are faster than her in the twisties she knows how to make it up in the long run catch up in the straights and if i think shes running to hard i flag her to slow down . she wears boots i wear tennis shoes im the dummy . i wear steel toe boots all day and i hate boots but thinking if i can find a good pair ill switch to wearing boots thanks for sharing your story

[Normandog]

Geeze Louise. I thought the foot looked bad when I saw it at the hospital. The pic with the boot still on is the worst. WOW. You are a good one Sugarbee. I know you'll heal well and be riding the trike again.
What kink of books do you read? What authors? Carolyn may have some she could send you if it would help pass the time.

[Ken Tarver]

yes......GWRRA does have trike courses.

yeouch!  hope you are back to ridin' soon

[Gilligan]

Wow! That looks really sore!   We hope you heal up quickly.

Also, thank you for sharing what happened. That info will help everyone who is switching to a trike.  

[RTaz]

so sorry ...that has to hurt ...I sure hope you heal up in time for Inzane X...we would love to see you....

[kickstand]

That foot looked very much mine but I had bad blood flow and lost it to gangrene then got a bone infection so I only have 6 inchs left of my leg below my knee Keep your eye on it May you heal fast and strong You will ride again I do got over 25000 on a peg leg

[T-Bird]

Back in the early eighties, I bought a new a 3-wheeler to ride in the dirt. The first day of riding I must of run over my feet & legs a dozen times. I had always rode dirtbikes, and didn't know better. 

Heal up.... and get back out there!!!

[stormrider]

Donna, hope you're healing goes quickly. I slid out in 07 on my right side with the bike on top of my foot, (going to the FCR). I honestly believe my gear saved me a lot of pain. Had on textile pants and jacket with all types of armor, but especially my boots. I stayed with the bike across about 45 feet of pavement then came loose in the grass. Don't have a pic of the boot I was wearing but I had no skin breakage at all, didn't even wear through the leather. (double layer of leather) My foot was still on the peg but was dragging pavement. Here is link to what I wear. Not good for wlaking around but love em for riding. Still wearing the pair I went down with. About $200. but is great quality and American made.

http://www.chippewaboots.com/boots/rally/27862

[ChromeDome]

Thanks for the pics & update. Glad to hear you are looking forward to getting back on the horse, So heal up well and pay attention to the doctors cause I hope to do some riding with you down the road.

[Westernbiker]

Prayers from me to you!
Hate to see anyone hurt from doing what they love.
Peace to you and yours.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

From the picture you showed me while in the hospital to this one its looking much better I'm no doctor but I am staying at a Holiday Inn Select tonight 

Take care Donna I'm holding you to that foot race    Best wishes ....Joe   

[BF]

Back in the early 80's I didn't buy one, but I borrowed one of those little Honda 3 wheelers....once.  After running over my foot and leg about a half dozen times, I figured out what I didn't want to buy. 

 

[fudgie]

Wow!  Is that skid mark from your foot?

Heal up and ride again! Maybe see ya on the Bourbon Run.

[Karen]

Thanks for sharing, it's sobering to see what can happen in an instant. It looks like it's healing, and will just take time to get to where it's going to be. they do wonders with therapy, and I wish you the very best in recovering your functionality. The first time I lifted the inside wheel on my trike I was going into a corner too hot (someone had pissed me off)... I was fortunate enough to make the turn and the wheel just set back down, the space was wide open, I was OK, but the pucker factor was there. The second time it happened, I knew it would just set down, and it did. That had to be 7 or 8 years ago, and it hasn't happened since. I shift my position on the trike when doing twisties, I'm heavy enough to be able to make a difference, and practice different positions to see the influence in the  handling. I'm glad you want to continue to ride, you will get comfortable again in your own time and at your own speed. The trike course is probably a good idea, I ran into  an instructor who gave me a couple of tips (I can't remember what they were, because I've made them part of my riding practices), but I remember being elated to have some information that made my riding safer and better. The beauty  of the trike is that you'll be able to ride it sooner than you would be able to handle a two wheeler. Going on my 10th year with three wheels, and love the confidence I feel about my ride. Boots will probably depend on what the foot is like when the swelling goes down. I've had the Frey Daytona's for many years, and will stick with them. My feet are dry, warm, I can walk in them all day, and  they  have a steel shank,  although I'm not sure they'd have fared any better than yours did, given the dragging on the pavement under the wheel. Again, thanks for showing us what you're going through, just heal up & get back when you can, & please post your progress again, thanks, Karen

[sugarbee]

Marty-Thanks, I am going to check into that

Jess-practicing in the parking lot is what Beekeeper had been telling me I should do, but I never thought I would actually raise a back tire.  As soon as I can, I will be taking the trike to a parking lot 

Raymond-you noticed my toenails, LOL.  Sweet Tea would have a fit if she saw those, LOL.  I had a nurse at the hospital ask me if the one toe polished on my left foot was the indication of a gang...wth???

Thanks for your words of encouragement, it means a lot to me.

Goody and RJ-I am going to check into your suggestions on floor boards and running boards.  Thanks!

Normandog-Thanks for the offer, but Violet gave me some books I have not read yet and some friends came by with about 40 magazines, LOL  I think I'm good for reading material for about 6 months.  Tell Carolyn hey for me.  Miss ya'll.

RTaz-We are planning on doing Inzane, just not sure of the details yet.  Either we will both ride the Goldwing, or take the Valks, or I might cage it, or fly in....depends on the foot. 

Stormrider-Thanks for the info on boots!  I will be getting a new pair, I still have my old Double H's, but I want something better.  I am learning not to skimp on my riding gear. 

Joe-You crack me up.  Be warned, I have stopped smoking and plan on training, I'm a gonna whoop yo arse, LOL

Fudgie-I think that skid mark is from my boot 
 

[sugarbee]

Thanks for your input, Karen.  I can learn a lot from riders with your experience.

sugarbee

Thanks for sharing, it's sobering to see what can happen in an instant. It looks like it's healing, and will just take time to get to where it's going to be. they do wonders with therapy, and I wish you the very best in recovering your functionality. The first time I lifted the inside wheel on my trike I was going into a corner too hot (someone had pissed me off)... I was fortunate enough to make the turn and the wheel just set back down, the space was wide open, I was OK, but the pucker factor was there. The second time it happened, I knew it would just set down, and it did. That had to be 7 or 8 years ago, and it hasn't happened since. I shift my position on the trike when doing twisties, I'm heavy enough to be able to make a difference, and practice different positions to see the influence in the  handling. I'm glad you want to continue to ride, you will get comfortable again in your own time and at your own speed. The trike course is probably a good idea, I ran into  an instructor who gave me a couple of tips (I can't remember what they were, because I've made them part of my riding practices), but I remember being elated to have some information that made my riding safer and better. The beauty  of the trike is that you'll be able to ride it sooner than you would be able to handle a two wheeler. Going on my 10th year with three wheels, and love the confidence I feel about my ride. Boots will probably depend on what the foot is like when the swelling goes down. I've had the Frey Daytona's for many years, and will stick with them. My feet are dry, warm, I can walk in them all day, and  they  have a steel shank,  although I'm not sure they'd have fared any better than yours did, given the dragging on the pavement under the wheel. Again, thanks for showing us what you're going through, just heal up & get back when you can, & please post your progress again, thanks, Karen

[BudMan]

Thank you so much for sharing.  I’ve always heard that I should learn form other’s mistakes because I wouldn’t live long enough to make them all on my own!
I just ordered a pair of the boots Stormrider indicated he wears.
About three weeks ago I let my Valk fall over on my left foot and broke a small bone in my ankle.  It will be fine, in a few more weeks, but a better set of boots may have offered just that little bit of better protection that could have made a big difference.
Heal well , and soon!