It’s really easy to forget just how fast life can change and sometimes the reminders are stark and in your face. Or in my case lying in the middle of the road in peak hour traffic, wondering what the hell happened.
In just over a week we head off on another Stampin’ Up! adventure because of Deb’s hard work over the last year. With that adventure comes a lot of relaxing but also a lot of walking around foreign cities, and we have tacked on extra time to do some additional tripping around (heck we’re already here…) more walking and another motorcycle trip – this time Switzerland with friends we met on last years US motorcycle trip. So not getting injured before going on holidays is kinda important.!
So while I don’t ride around trying to get hurt, I am certainly conscience at the moment not to do anything that may risk getting hurt before our trip.
So it was a bit of a shock to find myself laying on the roadway, my bike laying next to me with its Motul blood oozing out onto the pavement.
How did I get here.? Not 2km from home I was stopped on a slip lane turning left when I started to proceed but stopped as I thought I saw a bike approaching through the fog. The car behind, assuming I had gone (and not looking again) drove straight into the back of me. The rest as they say is history, the shunt launched the bike forward with me losing grip of the clutch and ultimately being thrown from the bike (likely in a most ungraceful way) – from seated position with a half somersault and full twist. Given my bruising and grazing I think the judges would have marked me quite low.
I’m largely okay with a corked thigh (after possibly hitting the handlebars on the way over), a few cuts and abrasions on my knees, and a sore right hand. Other than that I’m just a bit stiff. I don’t bounce like I used to … something to do with my DOB I guess.
The bike came off a bit worse with damaged right hand – fairing, mirror, handlebar, pegs, carbon pipe, a cracked crackcase cover, and a number of other bits and pieces. These big bikes come down hard even at low speed.
A friend said to me after this happened; running up the back of someone like this is a really easy mistake to make – but you only make it once. And I’m sure the girl that hit me has certainly learned that lesson … the sight of me flying through the air would help with that. But that’s twice now that I’ve been on the receiving end of imparting this driving lesson and twice that I’m the one consoling the driver who hit me as I’m picking myself and the bike off the ground. Yes I could have got angry, but what would that have achieved…?
Okay I’m ready for a holiday now.
Lesson of the day – Never assume.
Zed14 
Glad you are alright! Always a tough experience when you leave the saddle.
LikeLike
Thanks. Yes coming off is never fun.
LikeLike
I’m glad you are ok as well. Fog is a pain to drive in. In your case literally!
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment.
While it was foggy it wasn’t so bad to be considered a contributing factor in this incident.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So just plain ole not paying attention 🙄
LikeLike
Yep – pretty much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Getting hit from the rear is one of my biggest fears. Glad to hear you are ok.
LikeLike
We are now able to lane filter in most States of Australia which is much better than sitting exposed at the back of a line of traffic. But there are still times like this that you are at the front with traffic waiting behind you…
LikeLike
Good to hear you escaped relatively unscathed. Now go enjoy that well deserved holiday!
LikeLike
Thanks Bob.
LikeLike
Glad you are good enough to continue on your trip. Safe travels.
LikeLike
Yes me to. Thanks Terry
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like the others, glad to hear that you are ok. The old stop start trap….
LikeLike
It’s not that hard … if there’s a vehicle still in front of you don’t drive into it.
LikeLike
Glad to hear the bike is ok, er I mean you’re ok. The bike was ok right?
LikeLike
The bike still lives just needs some TLC.
LikeLike
Glad to read you’re OK. But damn, twice already…
Tell me when you’re in Switzerland.
LikeLike
Thanks. We’ll be in Switzerland from 20 July
LikeLike
Well now that really sucks! Been there, hated that!
Glad you’re ok and hope the horse gets sorted out sharpish like.
LikeLike
Thanks Andrew. Hopefully the bike will be all fixed by the time we get back.
LikeLike
Happy to see you’re on the mend and the situation wasn’t worse!
LikeLike
One of my biggest riding fears. Glad to hear you survived with minor injuries. Your patience and understanding in dealing with the perpetrators of these acts is commendable.
LikeLike
You could get angry, but ultimately I find it just doesn’t help.
LikeLike
Glad your OK mate and on the Europe Trip. Still coming to Switzerland. Im there now. The Furka, Grimsel, Nufenen loop tomorrow.
LikeLike
All healed up fine. Hopefully the bike will be fixed by the time i get home. We get to Switzerland on 20 July and pick up the bike on 22 July. I’ll keep an eye out for the Guzzi
LikeLike
I might be over in Italy by then. Stelvio Pass and onto the Dolomites. You will love the Alps and glad there are no lingering effects from the shunt you recieved
LikeLike
Np problems. We may just have to make a point of catching up back home to share a few riding stories over a beer our two.
LikeLike
Sounds like a good idea.
LikeLike