I'm finding it difficult to sit at my laptop to compose this post, but I have hopes that it may be of some benefit to some of my VRCC Brothers and Sisters.
Last Sunday was a gorgeous day to ride here in Minnesota, and the road surfaces were largely clear of sand. I suited up in my usual gear, jeans, touring boots, summer weight armored jacket, gloves and helmet. I set out on a very familiar route over to the Mississippi river, stopping for a bite to eat at Slippery's in Wabasha. Yes, that's the favorite hangout in the movie "Grumpy Old Men". Stomach satisfied and only iced tea consumed, I crossed the river over to the state of my birth, Wisconsin, and headed North on US-35. I wasn't going very far today as there was a chance the Susan would bring her 96 year old mother, Emilie, out to the house and I wanted to be around. I often enjoy riding the back roads in this region, the lettered county roads that wind through the hills and valleys leading down to the main river valley, but this day was to be cut short. Rode North as far a Stockholm, stopped to walk and stretch, and turned back South, again to stop at Nelson Cheese Factory for ice cream. I was able to park on the street right in front to the door, where, as usual, Lady Val got plenty of attention. After a double scoop of chocolate, I called Sue, informing her that I was on my way home.
Crossing back into Minnesota, I proceeded West on MN-60 where I planned to ride to Zumbro Falls, then South to Rochester. MN-60 is a winding road by Minnesota standards with hills, and does not allow many opportunities to pass vehicles. It has two MotoX tracks along this route, one, Spring Creek, is a internationally known AMA track. There is often pickups with MX bikes and/or pulling enclosed trailers along the route.
I was pushing my Jade Lady at a moderate pace, still leery of the road surface condition and with only about 300 miles to my credit this spring, I was working on my lines through these curves. Don't know if it is just me, but, even after 40+ years in the saddle, I seem to have to relearn the "best practices" every spring. This was a long winter.
Now for the gist of it, and I want to say it was all on me. I rode up on a pickup pulling an enclosed trailer and followed for a while. No legal opportunity to pass, double yellow everywhere. We all know that our Valkyries can accelerate like few other vehicles, and even on such roads I have maneuvered around traffic with success. I saw what my 73 year old mind thought was such an opportunity. Not so, the instant calculations concerning speed, acceleration, time and distance were flawed. A sharper, 40 MPH left hand curve to a bridge approach was a primary item that was not accounted for. That, with moving back to the right lane after the pass, set me up at entirely the wrong angle to negotiate the curve at the speed I was going after the pass. Climbing on the binders I reduced my speed considerably but not enough. In addition, seeing the end of that guard rail, I target fixated on it, so of course that's where we went, head on, right into the end. I have practiced the skills to avoid "target fixation" so many times, but it seems to no avail.
The bike and I stopped very abruptly. The forks absorbed most of the impact but the end of the guard rail did have a energy absorption feature that may have helped too. That will have to be put back together and I assume we will see a charge from MN-DOT. The laws of physics prevailing, I was thrown forward, largely into the windshield. But my right rib cage contacted the throttle side controls. All in all the bike stopped me from tumbling down the pavement or the top of the guard rail. I ended up on the ground, clear of the bike. At least two vehicles stopped to help out, one being the pickup I had passed. I laid there for about two minutes, did not loose conscientiousness, got to me feet and was able to walk around.
The bike was automatically killed when my ribs contacted the cruise control switch block which was mounted on a home made bracket overlapping the kill switch. Believe me, that design was not intentional for a situation such as this. Who would do that.
As you see, I have not lost my sick humor and I am recovering as fast as my old body allows. Swelling going down in my left sprained wrist, will get the stitches out of my chin on Monday, but the seven broken ribs will take weeks to heal. I will not make it to Inzane XVIII, but may get there next year, I won't say how.
The things I want to leave you with is that situations like this are usually caused by multiple mistakes, one compounding the next. I am no one to preach, but no matter how many years, or miles, you have behind you in the saddle, please continue to improve your riding abilities through classes, exercises and practice, practice, practice. I wish you all Safe Journeys...
