So with a week, two and a half days on the road, I have had sometime to think, pick a part, and digest Sunday’s departure from InZaneX. By the way what a great InZane,
but that is another post.
First off, for those who do not know, or have not figured out, My wife and I were the couple that went down
two miles from InZane on what the locals are telling me is “dead man’s curve” complete with numerous crosses for those less fortune then us. What, why, and how are a combination of a lot of circumstances all coming together at a most inopportune time.
It started off with me overloading
my 2001 Standard with all the stuff we brought, plus all the stuff we bought while there, ugh. Now, we did talk about shipping some stuff home on Saturday evening and decided we waited to late as everything was closed, and it was closed on Sunday as well. We had actually been discussing getting a trailer all the way to InZane and it has been suggested to us by more people than I can recall. Anyway, we were heavy with luggage and we also are not stick people,
no offense to you fortunate slender ones
. I am one of those if I smell food I gain five pounds kinda guys,
yeah yeah if I would push away from the table, but I love to eat, hum. Again, another post for another time.
Off we take for our adventure home with a slight depression
knowing the week we looked forward to all year was already over and it might be another year before we see some again. Hang a left at the highway and off we go. Now I had purchased a set of Mick O Pegs
on Saturday and had not yet ridden with them, but anxious to try them out. Man that is sweet, how comfortable is that! About a mile and a half from our turn a car pulls out in front of us,
not real close but close enough I have to pull out in the oncoming lane and go around them. An older couple dressed for church, that was not that big a hiccup as I did not even take my feet off the Mick’s. Check the mirror, return to our lane, and lookup. Hum, 35 mph turn. Hum, now we are on a downhill section of the road running about 55-60 mph. Okay, no problem hit the front brake and take your feet off the pegs and get some back brake. When I hit the front brake I knew immediately “Oh crap, we’re heavy”!
I knew we were heavier when we left as it took more effort to get started and balance, but I did not realize we were that heavy!
Now getting my big old feet and boots off the Mick O Pegs, by the way they are a great product that I recommend! This accident was not a design faulty in anyway, but a rider mistake.
Turned out to be a bit of an issue for me, mainly because I had not ridden with them and gotten use to them. BIG mistake on my part!
Before you load the bike with your wife and way too much gear, go ride with a new accessory and get use to it! I knew better but thought it was no big deal, they are just pegs! Anyway, I had trouble getting my boots off the pegs, not used to having a peg follow my foot up! Anyway, I was late getting to the back brake and even trying to down shift. By the time I got there I was already on the shoulder of the road in the sand. I knew we were going off roading, how did I allow myself to get here?
I am not a peg dragger with the wife on board and even by myself most of the time. Okay now I am in survival mode trying to do the least amount of damage to us and the bike. I think I said something into the mike like hang on, but my wife did just that! Tucked in tight and hanging on, no screaming or nothing! I managed to keep us upright and steered through the reflector poles on the road as we left pavement into the wet grass and tree lined ditch. Into the bottom still up right and slowing rapidly. At this point I thought okay I have got this we are going to be okay and ride this out. I think we are slowed to this point of less than 10 mph. Just a slight turn of the handlebars to come out of the ditch. The next thing I know we are on the ground with the bike on top of us. The kill switch worked as the bike shutoff I was able to push the bike up with my right leg and get the bike up high enough for us to shimmy out from under the bike. I did not feel anything at all, but Cyndi was hurt on her left shoulder, elbow, and could not feel her hand.
That is a feeling I hope no one has to go through, knowing you made mistakes that cause harm and injury to a loved one. From this point everything is a blur. I called Willow, I remember doing that asking for some help. There were locals that stopped, fellow VRCC members, the CMA folks. Then fire, police, ambulance personnel, our InZane Staff, everyone.
They all took care of the bike and gear I went with Cyndi to the Hospital.
We survived! Intact, bruised and battered, but in one piece thank you Lord for watching out for us. The CMA folks, along with Lori and Carolyn, all showed up at the hospital for support. Before we left we all ready had flight options, shipping options, truck options, etc. Willow got us a room for the night at the Shanty Creek for the same rate we had paid before. Lori and Carolyn took us back to the resort, 45 miles, from the hospital, got Cyndi’s scripts filled, and even brought our gear to our room. What an awesome group we have!
As the whirlwind starts to wind down I became something of a basket case realizing what I had caused and what could have happened. These great folks we call staff counseled us, me in particular. Their insights, experiences, and compassion really helped me, and Cyndi as well.
So what did I learn:
1) Don’t overload your bike, shipping is expensive, but cheaper in the long run!
2) When you buy new accessories practice with them before you load up with your passengers and gear!
3) Don’t let your confidence over ride your skills and common sense.
4) This is the best group I have ever been a part of when people really need something, this group shows up!
Cyndi, who was most insistent, and I rode home,
leaving Monday and getting home Wednesday. We dodged storms and traffic, while surviving sore muscles and bruises. Thanks to everyone who assisted us, many went way out of their way to do so, it will not be forgotten!
I am posting this so that maybe, others will not make the same mistakes I did!
By the way when is InZane XI we can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!
JDW
