My best riding buddy has given up motorcycles

[Blue is Best]

I'm very sorry to have to read through this thread, but I want to offer another point.

Steve is not only probably being sensible, but very, very brave.  One of these days most of us will face the decision of when to quit, and it's not an easy one.

It takes more guts to quit, than to keep on doing something you've been doing for decades.

What else do you two share in common, so as to keep up the contact?

Well, we were brothers-in-law in the early 90s. His wife(now ex) was my ex wife's sister. We also were avid bike nuts so we hit it off. He's an outdoor person as I am and many other common hobbies. We will definitely continue being friends.

[Sport-Touring]

[bergmen]

Thanks for the kind words Bubba and Dan and I will pass them along to him. Who knows, a year from now if things go well he may be ready to jump in again.

Bad thing about skydiving is you get ONE mistake!

Very true but it's all about not making THAT mistake. Also, no deer up here...(I'm at about 11:00 in the yellow and black)



I will re-think wearing jeans when I ride, thanks to Steve.

Dan

[Blue is Best]

WOW, it's the first step out of a perfectly good airplane that is the hardest.

[YYCZED]

Blue, that's rough news about Steve. I had a great time chatting with you guys in the motel lobby that rainy Saturday morning in Fortuna back in May; I remember you both talking about how you were bros-in-law at one point in the nineties. Please pass on the concern and well-wishes of a random Canadian rider - it sounds like he has some months of hardship to face but here's hoping for the quickest and fullest recovery possible. Even if Steve gives up riding, you've got those great memories and still have your close friend.

~"alphabet soup"

[Blue is Best]

Looks like the prayers and positive thoughts of us all are working. Steve called today after coming out of the mountains for his doctor's appointment. The doctor says healing is progressing well and she removed the stitches. He sounded much better than the last time I spoke to him. Amputation isn't on the radar screen any longer!! Once the "cellulitis" he contracted the day of his accident operation is resolved, the doctor will fuse the ankle. He will lose 10% or more articulation but that is much better than getting his ankle chopped.

I did tell him of all your well wishes and he wants me to give you all a BIG thank you.




We didn't speak bikes at all. He did tell me that he has been visited the last three nights by a bear. It has bent his overhead lights at his garage door and back door!! How big is that? He thinks he heard it last night but didn't want to get out of bed to stumble bump over to the window.

[ride200mi]

Sorry to hear he wants to hang it up! I almost did the same after breaking my collar bone so bad that my arm was numb from the bone pressing on a nerve. Two days later and a plate, I could feel my arm again. My riding buddy is my son.... He said, "Dad just get back out there and lets have some more fun before we can't".......

[Blue is Best]

Sorry to hear he wants to hang it up! I almost did the same after breaking my collar bone so bad that my arm was numb from the bone pressing on a nerve. Two days later and a plate, I could feel my arm again. My riding buddy is my son.... He said, "Dad just get back out there and lets have some more fun before we can't".......

Good for your son! You have a great riding buddy.

[chilipeppernorm]

Sorry to hear of Steve's injury, wishing him a quick and complete recovery. I'm a stone's throw from 63 years old and have been riding for 50 years now. Just took a 3 day trip through central Oregon with my best riding buddy (wife's cousin) and it was great but painful. 200 to 300 mile days in the saddle just hurt, mostly ass and legs. Not considering quitting but seem to be doing a very slow fade. Was planning a 4 state trip (OR, NV, ID, WA) with the highlight being Highway 50 start to finish and really excited about it, but after this trip I have to wonder if I can physically tolerate it. Ten or even five years ago it wouldn't have been an issue. What did Neil Young sing in My, My, Hey, Hey, "better to burn out than fade away".

[Blue is Best]

My buddy, Steve, came out of the mountains today and we talked for quite awhile. His right ankle is doing well. He is driving now.  

In December the doc plans on putting two screws in his leg/ankle and he will lose about 10% movement. Not really too bad, considering. He's been in a good mood so his brief depression after the accident has worn away. He figures by June next year he will be as good as he's going to get.

He still wants to sell all his bikes, trailers and gear. I agreed with him and offered that next year he may decide to try it again which he was open to.


 

[viffergyrl]

Indeed.

[Blue is Best]

   to your  ,  indeed!!

[guzzinut]

A guy in a club I belong too lost his lower leg in a crash.
That was 15 years ago, and he still rides.
He's got a hand controlled rear brake now.
I think if you're truly passionate about something, you can't give it up if there's any way to make it work.

[Blue is Best]

Spoke to Steve today and he is really getting along well. Dr. says she will put a 15* "wedge" in his ankle when the swelling goes down.  
Steve was starting/warming up some of his motorcycles today and says he is in again.     He's already looking for replacement parts for his Triumph that the deer got. So, looks like my 'ol riding buddy is back in.

[bubba zanetti]

Good news.
I had a nasty event this week which I will elaborate on,  once I figure out what happened. There have been several moments since contemplating the pain to pleasure ratio. But I imagine I will continue.

[viffergyrl]

Good news.
I had a nasty event this week which I will elaborate on,  once I figure out what happened. There have been several moments since contemplating the pain to pleasure ratio. But I imagine I will continue.

  oh noes!!!!!

[Blue is Best]

Good news.
I had a nasty event this week which I will elaborate on,  once I figure out what happened. There have been several moments since contemplating the pain to pleasure ratio. But I imagine I will continue.

Well, I'm glad you are writing about it. Could have been worse.

Please fill us in on the details.

[bubba zanetti]

Please fill us in on the details.

Sorry to be dramatic. I will see my bike Thursday when I get out of hospital after a week. Police tell me rear wheel (guzzi) came off and is missing. I have no memory of the accident near Christina Lake. Lots of broken ribs, punctured lung, soft tissue damage etc. Painful, but will heal, nothing permanent. More to follow as I figure this out. Rather disturbing.

[Orson]

Yikes!  

Get well soon!

[BigBlock]

Sorry to hear about this Jim. When did this happen?  My wife and I rode through Christina Lake Saturday, August 20th. Just wondering if we crossed paths.
Glad your alright with no major injuries.  Get well soon.

[YYCZED]

Jim, really sorry and frightening to hear. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you figure out what happened. Curious to know if it was a mechanical failure - weird the wheel is missing.

~Gareth