Older bikers again -- some good news

[earlmck]

We're probably on our last few days of really nice biking weather here in the Pacific Northwest -- and we've been averaging about 1.5 biker fatalities per day it seems like from the news reports. Youngest biker (been a couple where age wasn't given 'cause relatives hadn't been notified yet) was 40, oldest in late 60's. Everybody was "wearing a helmet" (no big surprise in Oregon where helmets are required).

The good news is that there haven't been many of us older bikers getting crippled. Nope, we get killed on the spot, in spite of the "skid lid". Only one biker seems to be in hospital in critical condition -- a middle aged lady. I guess the girls are enough tougher than us guys that they still bounce a bit. Maybe that'd solve the big Medicare deficit -- just buy us old boys a big road bike and turn us loose. Pretty soon no more Medicare expenditures needed for us.

Still an awful lot of these are "biker error" stupid stuff (as in failing to make a curve, failing to slow enough for traffic situation, pulling out in front of a semi). So keep on paying attention, and allowing for the slowing reflexes, you old bikin' survivors!

[Blaine]

I'm safe for awhile My scoot quit about 20 seconds after I started it up about a week ago, and the dealer has zero idea what is causing it. Progressive covered the flatbed, and the warranty dang well better fix it.

[rjohns94]

Blaine sorry for the problems with the bike. Haven't heard any model problems with those. Let us know what they find when it is fixed. I'm curious to know. I was on mine for 6hours yesterday. Today we have rain.

[tattoo13]

I am laid up from wrecking my bike.
I caught a patch of dirt in a blind corner and lost the front end.
I was doing fine sliding across the road until I found a guardrail.
6 broken ribs and a new plate and 13 screws in my wrist.
Thank God I learned the helmet lesson years ago and wear a full face helmet.

[Borregos]

I know it is a personal thing but I cringe when I see riders with no helmet

[Bill in Oregon]

Earl, stay safe!
Tattoo, you definitely had an angel that day. Heal quickly.

[Blaine]

I am laid up from wrecking my bike.
I caught a patch of dirt in a blind corner and lost the front end.
I was doing fine sliding across the road until I found a guardrail.
6 broken ribs and a new plate and 13 screws in my wrist.
Thank God I learned the helmet lesson years ago and wear a full face helmet.

Dang ....I'm really sorry. Is the scoot more or less intact?

[tattoo13]

Front end is bent, once I get out of the cast I am going to put it on blocks and level it out and start measuring the frame, if it is straight I plan on replacing the forks and trees. I honestly don't know how bad the side it slid on is, but the guy who hauled it said nothing was too bad.
Who knows, my biggest concern is that by the time I am healed and released to return to work I will of been off for 8 weeks with zero pay.
I started a new job in January and did not think about not having short term disability for the first year

[earlmck]

I am laid up from wrecking my bike.
I caught a patch of dirt in a blind corner and lost the front end.
I was doing fine sliding across the road until I found a guardrail.
6 broken ribs and a new plate and 13 screws in my wrist.
Thank God I learned the helmet lesson years ago and wear a full face helmet.

EeeeeYikes tattoo! That helmet sure paid its way that time. If you don't have a whole bunch of road rash to go along with your broken bones you must have been wearing some good biking clothes. One of our local bikers did a similar thing here last week but his body didn't handle the contact with the guard rail so the helmet became irrelevant. I'm glad you came out as well as you did.

[rjohns94]

heal well

[tattoo13]

My jacket split a seam and I have a small patch on my forearm, but very superficial. My pants gave out on the knees and I had some good rash on them, but otherwise the clothes did their job.
I have three ribs broken under the shoulder blade from impacting the guardrail support and three in the front from spinning off that and hitting the rail as my girth saved me from going under and off a 60 foot drop!

God was with me and I am thankful!

[1894c]

prayers sent...get well soon... :)