Dear Friends , I have made a difficult decision

[Bonzo]

I have decided for the time being not to get another bike for now. I have been riding street bikes for over 40 years. In the last two years i have had two fairly serious accidents that were not my fault. Last Tuesday  May 1, a lady, a term i use very loosely made a left turn in front of us . I hit he minivan broad side at 45 Mph, no time to even hit the brakes.  I was having a hard time getting up, but i saw my wife of 34 years lying there unconscious. I got to her and she was un-responsive. The lady yells "I didn't f***in see you turned her back on us and continued talking on her cell phone.Another motorist stopped and was an angel and a first aid responder.

The sight of my wife lying there Haunts me. I am a pretty tough guy, but I am nothing without her.
I could not bear the consequences of what could have been. If The Good Lord wants me, take me. I know we are all in his hands. But as a simple man I can not live with that haunting sight.
Patty was wearing a kevlar reinforced full face helmet, kevlar mesh jacket with full Armour She cracked a mess of ribs and possibly fractured her pelvis.
 I am All bruised up,had  to have my right third finger reattach. Some kidney issues, my gut dented the gas tank. Passing stones aint no bargain!

After the progressive guy  totaled the bike he said to me he was grateful to be able to talk to us. He had never seen survivors of this type of accident, What was I suppose to say?

I am not leaving the board, You Folks are about the finest I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I will ride again , I am sure, but time is what we need.

P.S the lady was locked up for four felony suspensions, and sighted for failure to yield.

Bless all of you and thanks for all your good wishes and Prayers1

[Thunderbolt]

Only you can make that decision and it sounds like you have made it for the right reason.  More power to you and glad that you and your wife came out of this.

[RainMaker]

This is a choice only you can make.  And you're right about your lifelong partner - nothing is as important.

Prayers continue for both of you.


RainMaker

[old2soon]

Your decision. I have never met you or your wife but i'm certain i'd like both of ya'll. Get yer kaka all back in one bag and go from there. I don't have a wife anymore but my youngest(17) rides with me on occasion.  You and Patty are in my prayers. RIDE SAFE.

[97ValkSteve]

Man, I'm so sorry for you and your lady.  Whatever you decide to do is ok, but I just hope y'all are alright  physically.  Good luck to you.  God bless.

[Maddog vrcc#508]

It makes me happy that both of you survived.

[f6john]

    My wife has never been a long distance rider but did enjoy short Sunday afternoon rides. However I did decide without consulting her to turn my Valkyie into a solo ride. I just don't trust myself in emergency situations with a rider and dealing with all the cages that don't care if you live or die. So I understand where you are coming from, even the best rider can't avoid a situation like yours. I have another toy with 4 wheels that she and I can enjoy and I think she is quietly happy.

[john]

                ???                                         
we are all with you ...

[Chattanooga Mark]

Take your time and do what's right for you, your family and the situation. Motorcycles aren't going away anytime soon.

All the best,

Mark

[Oss]

Steve

I know you did not make that decision without a lot of thought

You pass this way on the way to and from work.

If you ever need to ride just knock on my door and you can ride the Valkyrie or the Beemer
cause I know one day you will be needing to feel the wind again, even if its just you on the bike

Hope the stuff we brought you helps in your healing and we are praying for the both
of you to recover fully

Your friends

Oss and Bonnie

[Jess Tolbirt]

I know exactly what you are talking about,,my wife and I both used to race sprint cars,,one night she got sent to the hospital and i felt so helpless,,,
if you ever get down this way look me up and Bev and I will show you Nashville,

[musclehead]

I'm so there with you, I can take anything life and God has to throw at me, just leave my wife out of it.

guilt may have a significant role in your descision, you may change your mind after time. I have often thought of selling my bike my wife always says NO! so your lady may change your mind as well.

always in our thoughts and prayers Bonzo, you and the missus

[bassman]

It's the right decision because it's YOUR decision and man enough to make it..if and when the right time comes, you will riide again....if not, you've have many good years in the wind and can look back and say "been there, done that, and got the t-shirt".....

[Phil57]

Steve I can not put myself in your place. I can not imagine having Dianna on when I crashed. I hope that you and Patty continue to heal. The phone call last week was much needed and helped with advice and the emotions. That crashing crap is tough on the body and the mind. I did see a attorney today and he is going to get some things staight with the insurance company. They will take advantage of you if they can. Thanks for that. I also don't mind saying that Dianna and I will see a consuler to help her and me get past this.She is not happy with my new ride although she is working on it. I totaly understand where she is with this. There maybe a few short rides by my self to get my confidence back and the nerves settled down. We drove through the intersetion where my wreck happened and felt the cars where way to close. Anyway I'm saying my prayers for you both for peace and healing.

[BigChris99]

I'm very happy to hear you are both "alright", alive and together. I truly believe you are making the right decision. The older I get, the more I think when it's my time to go, please Lord take me first, she could make it without me, but I could never make it without her......Please stay on the board here and let us know how you both are doing.

[sugerbear]

I'm so there with you, I can take anything life and God has to throw at me, just leave my wife out of it.

guilt may have a significant role in your descision, you may change your mind after time. I have often thought of selling my bike my wife always says NO! so your lady may change your mind as well.

always in our thoughts and prayers Bonzo, you and the missus

couldn't have said it better. been thinkin the same thing myself. don't trust me anymore.

[Lil D]

Bonzo, completely understand. A decision that is in yournsoul. You must put your head down on the pillow each night.

Glad you guys will be ok.

Thoughts are with you.....

[Gear Jammer]

obviously a tough, but wise decision

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Bonzo, completely understand. A decision that is in yournsoul. You must put your head down on the pillow each night.

Glad you guys will be ok.

Thoughts are with you.....

Well said +1 

[SANDMAN5]

5 years ago we had a similar wreck. When I woke up in the middle of
the road someone was holding my head so I couldn't move it. I kept
asking about my wife but I couldn't see her and they wouldn't say
much about her. We found out later they had covered her with a sheet
and she came back during the ambulance ride. I can understand why
you would make that decision. Make one that YOU feel comfortable with,
don't waste one minute second-guessing or worrying about someone
else's opinion!!

[solo1]

Bonzo, I am so glad that both of you are still with us. The decision is yours to make and it is a wise one.

The offer that Oss made to you is a very generous one and you do have a choice later if you decide to ride again.

Bless you both

Wayne

[Rams]

Knowing what is most important and being able and willing to make those hard to make decisions is what makes you what you are.  Some things take courage and wisdom, some things are obvious and just have to be done.  We all have to make those decisions from time to time.  

I totally understand and agree with you.  Things may change in the future and you may decide to come back to two or three wheels, one never knows what the future holds for us.  Live life free and enjoy what time we have left with our loved ones however we can.   Should you ever want to ride the wind again, give me a holler, I'd be happy to share some wind with you.  If not, then I'd be happy to meet and share a cold iced tea and break bread with you.  

[BradValk48237]

But, just in case...

Put the insurance money in a mason jar and bury it in the backyard........


 

[robin]

Only you can make that choice Steve and i think when all of this passes some day you will ride again tell Patty Judy and I are thinking of you both and when you get to moving around lets do some wine tours cage style.

[Bonzo]

Thank You All.  Right now the emotional scars run deeper than the physical ones.
We have good friends, all of you.

[Chiefy]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for the both of you.  The way you feel right now you shouldn't  be on 2 wheels anyway. 

[glideman]

Can't blame you or hold it against you that you made a decision like this. It's one thing to injure yourself in an accident, but when it comes to the one you love, that's a whole different ball game. I'm sure that eventually you'll climb back on that horse, but in the meantime the two of you need to heal both physically and mentally. My best wishes are with you.

[thumper]

There's life outside of motorcycling...and it sounds like she is sitting right next to you.

I support your decision wholeheartedly.

[Momz]

Bonzo,
A motorcycle can be replaced if you really want one. You don't marry a motorcycle, but a good wife is forever.

Let the physical and emotional wounds heal, before making any permanent or rash decisions. But always talk to your wife about any life altering decisions. She may surprise you.

[big d]

steve, i understand exactly how you feel. in colorado a couple years ago at inzane i got to watch my wife go sliding down the pavement in front of me. while this was happening i had two thoughts running through my mind. the first was OH MY GOD, I HOPE SHE IS OK and the other was i hope i dont run over her. make sure you take enough time to heal not only physically but also emmotionally from this. i hope to see both you and patty soon.

[Daniel Meyer]

When your head, or your heart, or your instinct...little voice...whatever...when any of those is telling you not to ride, it's a good thing to listen.

Glad you two are recovering!

[Karen]

I support your decision, Bonzo, see what the future brings, you are one of the best ride leaders I ever had the pleasure of following. I stopped riding for 15 years; it's what you are comfortable with that matters here. Hope the healing goes well for both of you, see you one way or another in the future.

[GreenLantern57]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to both of you. Physically and emotionally.

[olddog1946]

The most important thing is the health and well being of you and your wife. So, here's to a full recovery to both of you.

[alph]

is this the same guy i met in Bellaire Mich. INZANE two years ago?  have a relitive that's a congressman or something from Guam??  i met you at a gas staion?  showed off my LED's?

[G-Man]

He Brother,...Do what you gotta do to get yourself mentally better because (as Oss's post indicated) it'll help you heal physically.  Peace, love, and happiness to you, Patty, and the family.  If you need anything, Call Evan,...just kidding, you know we're only an hour away.

[flsix]

Steve, I've never met you or Patty but, I can tell you two have a lot of caring and loving friends on this forum who want nothing but the best for you and your wife. You've made a very tough decision after your accident and we all respect you for it. As others have said, getting through the physical and emotional healing will be first things to happen.

I hope and pray that some day you will take up riding again but if not it's understandable.

Prayers are sent for your fast recovery.

[xman]

Steve, It was great meeting and riding you and Patty last year.  Sad to hear your getting off the horse for now. You and Patty heal up quickley and lets get together for cocktais on the deck at Ceder Rapids.

All the best, Tom