Holidays Plan B

[Hitcher]

Plan A for our two-week Christmas/New Year break was to on Boxing Day ride up to stay with friends in Pukekohe for a couple of days before heading south to have New Years with Mrs H's mum at Ashburton. I'd even bought myself a new Shift vented jacket to make hot weather riding more pleasant.

We left home early Boxing Day morning (by our standards). After a 25 minute gas stop at Shell Mana (we left there about 9:30am) we were away. Beautiful riding conditions, lots of bikers out and heading north for a day's racing at Wanganui. The westerly picked up from Levin. The traffic levels built up from Foxton. A whole heap of bikers roared off ahead of us at Sanson. There was an A4K Skyhawk parked up behind the Airforce Museum at Ohakea.

Next thing I remember is lying on my back looking at the sky while four faces looked down at me. A nice Maori lady asked me "Do you know my name?" To which I replied "No". "It's Faith", she said. "Oh", I replied. "That's the fourth time I've told you that," she added.

Where was I? Where were we going? Did I hit another vehicle? Slowly memory returned and I knew we were going to Pukekohe. Mrs H was there and I knew who she was. She was OK. I was told I was on the north side of the Rangitikei river bridge at Bulls, and no, I hadn't hit another vehicle.

Pat the ambo officer got me into the ambulance, gave me an oxygen mask and said we were off to A&E at Palmerston North. She said my bike had hit the armco and I'd been thrown over the top of that (turns out that my bike had hit the armco but well after I had slid away from it, and that I had got myself off the road and over the armco -- with some assistance).

My brand new jacket was bit chewed but armour and fabric had done their job well. I had a sore right shoulder, a small graze on the back of my left hand but seemed otherwise undamaged. There were lumps of dirt on my jeans and left boot.

Off to X-ray to confirm one very broken collarbone, and then the requisite several hours sitting around being observed for head injury symptoms.

My brother drove up from Wellington to give me a lift home. The bike (which I haven't yet seen) was parked up in Bulls.

Yesterday a guy who was travelling in a vehicle two ahead of me at the time off the accident, dropped off my tankbag and helmet (more than just slightly dinged). He said as they drove off the bridge into the following dip, there was a long stream of stopped northbound traffic and they had to brake really hard to stop. Next thing he said they heard a great squeal of brakes as the car behind them locked everything up to avoid rear-ending them. That was the car in front of me, so apparently I have either locked up the brakes on my bike and dropped it, or deliberately dropped it to avoid piling into the car in front. I have no memory of this, but either way I was clearly too close to the vehicle in front to be able to stop safely.

Today I have got my insurer to send me the requisite paperwork and ANZA are going to go and uplift a sad ST1300. I have a right arm in a sling and am struggling with discomfort and only being able to use one arm (I am also righthanded).

The folks who stopped to help us at Bulls are all stars. I have 35 minutes of lost memory so can only remember a couple of faces. I particularly want to contact the southbound couple who stuck their car into the armco on their side of the road rather than hit me. Bless. I want to pay for their repair costs.

As for the numerous bikers who continued to lane split through an accident site and none of whom stopped to help, thanks a bunch.

I'm OK but with a sore shoulder. I will heal. The bike is fully insured and will be repaired or replaced. Mrs H is fantastic. We have everything we need. Just ride safely and watch your following distances.

[Sniper]

Shit Hitcher. Get well soon. All the best.

[madboy]

Holy shit. Hope everything heals up well. And with such fine riding weather too!! Have you got the concussion symptoms yet? Let me know if there's anything the welly crowd can help with.

[enigma51]

Shit man glad to hear you at least okay (in a way) like you said bikes can be replaced.

[Dadpole]

Bad stuff there Hitcher. Good to know you and Mrs H are OK, but a bummer about the bike and the holiday. Happy healing.

[Joni]

Aah mate Im sorry to hear about this. I hope you are feeling a little better soon and the pain subsides. As you said, the bike is insured and that can be replaced, but this little world without Hitcher would not be a good place, so Im really glad to hear you are ok.

Take care.:)

[yungatart]

Thats not good news- but at least you are ok (sort of). Of course, plan B is never as good as plan A or it would have been plan A and not B in the first place-still I hope your plan B is loads of fun and you recover quickly

[zadok]

Yikes! Sorry to hear all that. At least you can't remember the incident (which is probably a blessing in disguise). Get well soon.

[Jantar]

Its good to hear that you are not seriously hurt, but those damn shoulder injuries can take a long time to heal. The sooner you are fully mobile on two wheels again the better. Meantime, look on the bright side: You'll be able to spend more time on here with your friends. :soon:

[swanman]

MAte that's a tough one. I am riding down from Auckland to Wellie tomorrow, at least that's my plan A, let's hope there isn't a plan B!

[marty]

I had to read this twice to make sure it wasn't a PT! Not being able to remember what happened can be a good thing, but it is nice to know what went wrong. Get well soon Mr Hitcher.

[chickenfunkstar]

Sorry to hear about that Hitcher, its good that you wern't seriously hurt though. Hope the rest of your holidays works out alot better.

[Racey Rider]

Sorry to hear you had a misshap Mr H.
Good to hear your still with us.
What doesn't kill us we learn from I guess.
Hope you recover quickly. Maybe relaxing at the beach might be the go now.
Racey.

[jazbug5]

Gah!

I'm so glad that you got through that with only the injuries you describe. Bugger about the holiday, bike etc- but, well... phew.

[madboy]

...Maybe relaxing at the beach might be the go now.
Racey.Yeah, if you're still online Hitcher, Oriental Bay is looking tasty at the moment.

[Highlander]

Rather you than me mate.
Sounds like the injuries are not too serious (and that is a good thing) the rest is only money and what we pay insurance bills for.

Get well and back on a bike soon.

[SPman]

Sheeyit Brett, what you doin damaging a perfectly good ST!!!
Glad to hear you are substantially OK, but a scary thing, none the less.
So, its a quiet, rest up holiday for you , then?

[erik]

Sorry to hear that Hitcher. Get well soon.

[Omega1]

Bikes can be replaced or repaired, glad your still with us.

[Riff Raff]

Sorry to hear about your mishap Hitcher. All the best for a speedy recovery.

[T.W.R]

bloody unlucky Hitcher! but at least your still breathing, your body will mend,
and your helmet & jacket did their jobs! & the bike can be replaced.
have a speedy recovery

[duckman]

Crikey - Er, get well soon Hitch. If you need anything just yell out.:niceone:

[TonyB]

Arg! Glad to hear that you are relatively OK- sounds like it could have had a far worse outcome. Get well soon!

[WRT]

I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting you personally, but from all accounts on here I have an impression of you as being sensible and level headed man (apart from you ass-obsession!). I find it a struggle to think of you being involved in a single vehicle incident, but I know from experience what its like to have these things change from a case of inattention or bad judgement into something a lot more serious. It can happen in the blink of an eye to any of us, and it will happen when you least expect it.

As you said, the bike can (and hopefully will?) be replaced, and the injuries are not as bad as they could have been, thanks to good luck and good gear. You have been fortunate to see the kind and caring side of some people through this, and with the love and attention of your good woman you should heal fast and true.

I wish you a speedy recovery, and that your alternative plans do not negatively impact on your enjoyment of the season any more than necessary. And I'm sure that I'm speaking on behalf of all the KBer's when I say that if you need anything, just holler out.

[Motu]

So what's Plan B? You start a thread about Plan B,and then we have paragraph after paragraph all about how Plan A got stuffed up....but you never give us a hint as to what the real subject - Plan ''B'' is all about.And where in all this detail was Mrs H?? huh,come on!!!!

I'm shocked to say the least....rest up eh?

[metric]

...As for the numerous bikers who continued to lane split through an accident site and none of whom stopped to help, thanks a bunch.

you poor bastard... that sucks mate.

and what a bunch of assholes who didn't stop - shame on them...

good to hear you're not another fatal statistic

[madboy]

And where in all this detail was Mrs H?? Splitting past the queue wondering why there were all these people stopped on the side of the road?

[wari]

SHitt ... :spudwow:

YOu man-aged to tipe ALL that with one hand .. :drinkup:

I Dinit e-ven see a spellin mis-steak orr gram-atickle e-rrorr of any kind .. :apumpin: ... sharrpas a pin ...

ANd yurr ok .. :woohoo:

SPeedy re-co-verry mate .. :spudwave:

[NhuanH]

Brett,

That is indeed poor news to hear of. Sorry to hear of your injuries as they are, but still glad they are not any more serious. Glad your arse is OK, you are defender of the arse, after all. Wish you all the best for a quick recovery.

And what an epic of a report to tick tack in with only one hand (and the wrong one at that).

- just a (serious) question: was your ST an ABS model?

Take care,
Nhuan

[Hitcher]

The ST was the non-ABS model. Who knows if ABS would have helped? Not saying that gizmos are bad, but I reckon it's best to always ride within one's limits, rather than relying on technology to save one's arse. He said, famously.

Just back from the docs. I now have a racey new sling -- for best!

With a 10-12 week standdown, it's possible that the ST may be ready before I am. In which case I may need some volunteers to exercise it...

[Lou Girardin]

Bad news Hitcher, at least you're OK.
Did you ask Mrs H who she was?
Have you forgotten how to do housework? (hint)

Isn't it strange how cagers stopped and members of the brotherhood didn't.

[skelstar]

Hey Hitch. Sorry to hear about the accident. Im glad youre writing this report and not someone else (if that makes sense).

[Virago]

I'm really sorry to hear about your mishap Hitcher, it's a shame to have a holiday ruined like that. It's not much consolation, but the outcome could have been so much worse!

Don't be too hard on yourself over the inability to stop in time - I've seen the same thing happen many times. I watched my sister-in-law get caught the same way going through the Haast on the West Coast. Bloody German tourist in a hire car, doing a three-point-turn just around a blind bend! Due to the "Yo-yo effect" on a line of traffic, there is always someone in the line who is accelerating at the time everyone slams on their brakes, and gets caught out. My sister-in-law ended up in the ditch with her car on its' side, trying to avoid the rear end collision. Just prior to the incident, she appeared to have a good safe following distance. Shit happens......... .

Best wishes for speedy healing.:cool:

[inlinefour]

Sorry to hear about the accident and the situation you, Mrs H and the bike are in. Should you need anything from up this way Pm me and I'll get it sorted out for you. Heal well.

[crashe]

Blardy hell Mr Hitcher....... Thank goodness the other car behind you swerved to miss you... I'm sure their insurance will pay out for them.

Glad to hear that you are ok.... as you say the bike can be repaired or you can get a new one.

Poor Mrs Hitcher having to ride her bike after that...
all the way into Palmie North and then all the way back home to Wellington.

That wouldnt have been good for her not knowing what was happening until she arrived at Palmie Hospital.

Rest up.... and I can only guess that while you are laid up, that your post count will go up... and you will be correcting everyone's spelling etc etc.

I can't believe all those riders, that were obvisously (sp) heading to Wanganui, didn't even stop at all to see if you were ok....

Take care and rest up....

[justsomeguy]

Sorry about the bad news H, I'm relieved that you're not permanently damaged and will ride soon.

Kind Regards,
JSG

[2_SL0]

Sorry to hear this bad news. Plans can always be remade, so heal up and make some new ones.

[Badcat]

Hitcher.
Sorry you fell.
REALLY FUCKING GLAD you are not really badly hurt.
Hope you recuperate quickly, bud.
ken

[NinjaBoy]

Although I haven't met you in person, I was quite surprised to see you involved in this incident. Plans can be remade and have a speedy recovery.

[sels1]

Crikey Brett - sorry to hear that mate. Hope you heal quick and are back on the road soon.
I must have rode through there just a bit before you - timing is everything eh? Let me know if there is anything I can help with.

[Lias]

I suspect the arse may need new foot soldiers to defend it for the forseeable future! Sorry to hear about yer crash Mr H, glad you made it thou.. KB really wouldnt be the same without you.

[Beemer]

Just got the email from your lovely wife telling me of your accident. VERY pleased to hear your injuries, whilst annoying and painful, are not life threatening. At least there is an upside - you can make our barbecue now!

It's so easy for something like this to happen so don't beat yourself up too much (sounds like you did a good enough job when it happened anyway!). Bikes can be repaired, clothing can be replaced; the important thing is that you are here to tell the tale.

I am cross with Mrs H though, we are just down the road in Levin and would have willingly ferried you home from hospital and done anything else we could to help. Let us know if there is anything we can do from now on though.

[Hitcher]

Thanks everybody for the kind words of support. ANZA now has the ST in safe custody. Soon there will be the ritual exchange of documents between insuror and insuree.

I had a rough morning this morning after decanting from bed. Things must have misaligned or something. Otherwise now counting down the days until the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune are dispensed with and I can go riding again. This weather is way too good for this sort of malarkey.

[mstriumph]

SHitt ... :spudwow:

YOu man-aged to tipe ALL that with one hand .. :drinkup:

I Dinit e-ven see a spellin mis-steak orr gram-atickle e-rrorr of any kind .. :apumpin: ... sharrpas a pin ...

ANd yurr ok .. :woohoo:

SPeedy re-co-verry mate .. :spudwave:

I'm with HIM on this one ................ was DESPERATELY searching for an imperfectimiation - even a teensy one, to show you were, in fact, in a bin with a damaged right side ................ as it is ........... naaahh - don't believe it - it's a pt, right?

........ but, just in case it isn't,
good GRIEF mr hitcher, sir .... don't you KNOW the site can't operate without you? For pity's sake take better care of yourself !!!!

[pritch]

I have an impression of you as being sensible and level headed man (apart from you ass-obsession!).

I've only had the one exchange of messages with Hitcher but he definitely comes across as sensible.

What's wrong with an arse obsession anyway?
(I assume that's what you're referring to:-)

Hitcher, hope you are over the painful bit soon.

[Ixion]

Eeekk :shit: :shit: :shit:

What can the biker gods have been thinking?

Glad that at least damage to both man and machine is repairable.

[soundbeltfarm]

get well soon mate.

[Biff]

(Numerous superlatives here).

Glad you're ok Mr H.

Here's wishing you both (man & machine) a swift recovery.

[vifferman]

Criminy (cripes)! I take a bit of time off, and look what happens!
Sorry to hear of your woes, Mr H, and I hope you heal very quickly and well.

[Colapop]

Jesus Hitch! Sorry I'm late, glad you're ok (ish) and the missus too.

[Zed]

I'm obviously not spending enuf time on here, waaaay behind on this news. Real sorry to read about your accident mate, happens to the best of us, but glad you have a great spirit about the whole ordeal!

Get well soon Brett. :hitcher:

[LB]

Just logged in to KB for first time since before Christmas. Sorry to hear the news Hitcher - glad it's not more serious but sorry it's happened at all.

[Velox]

Argh mate! And with the new jacket too! It's so good to hear that you're not too bashed up though. And that you survivied flying into oncoming traffick - I always hate that thought on a bike. What a holiday eh. Hope you get to enjoy your time off in a bit of a better style before you head back to work!

[StoneChucker]

As I said via text on or after the day, I'm just glad you're here to tell the tale. I hope your broken bones heal properly, and that you don't have any reaccurring trouble from them in the future! I ashamedly admit to not reading this whole thread, but I hope that your bike is fixable at a resonable cost (is there ever one?).... Otherwise I know you'll enjoy shopping for another one. Take it easy till you're feeling rested, and my best wishes to Mrs Hitcher, she must also have been traumatised.

Speak soon.
Regards,
David.

[Hitcher]

Ordered a new helmet today -- covered on bike insurance policy. A Shoei (quelle surprise, the world's BEST helmet) XR1000 Diabolic. Ordered a new Shift mesh jacket as well. I'll get a new set of Dririder mesh gloves later.

[Groins_NZ]

Bad news mate but good to read that you're in good spirits despite being rather sore I imagine.

I you getting sponge baths or what?

[Hitcher]

I you getting sponge baths or what?
Yes. One could grow to enjoy said...

[Colapop]

Sponge baths??!!?? Here was me led to believe you'd busted your collar bone not got a full body cast! You L U C K Y S O B.
As long as you're ok aye?

[oldrider]

Hey there Hitcher and Mrs H, I don't know you outside of this forum but I do know about your predicament having been there done that on an St 1100 way up North.
It is really great that you are both alive and relatively OK.
I am planning a trip up North in January and was intending to ride straight through to Picton from home and catch the ferry at 6pm (5pm). (670km)
My wife and I were discussing my age and the wisdom of riding too far in one day and I was being very stubborn about it. It used to take me just over five hours but not on this little bike.
I have just signed on the forum and read your account of your incident and it's making me see sense and rethink my attitude about my capabilities etc.
I am sorry this has happened to you but thanks for sharing it, you just might have inadvertently saved me from myself. cheers john.

[Mr Skid]

Does this mean jrandom isn't going to inherit your bike after all? :confused:

[bane]

Just logged in to KB for first time since before Christmas. Sorry to hear the news Hitcher - glad it's not more serious but sorry it's happened at all.

yep, me too.

Just spent a week in Melbourne, watching beautiful late model gixxers, ducs, aprilla etc, ridden by morons in t-shirts and jandals... glad to hear your gear did the business!

[et al]

Shit Hitcher - glad to hear you are OK. I heard about this accident whilst at Boxing Day races in Wanganui, even though given the "guy on ST crashed on bridge" description it never occurred to me it could have been you. No point trying to figure out what happened - knowing you it would have been totally unavoidable. Hope you are up and running again soon.

[riffer]

Crikey Brett. Who'd have thought you'd fall off?

Hope you're healing well. Stay off the booze tonight - it doesn't help the broken bones. ;)

All the best to you and Jane for the New Year.

[Swoop]

Mr Hitcher. I don't know you apart from on the KB site, but I'm glad to hear that you came away from the "off" "relatively" unscathed. Glad that your gear did its job and you will back up to full speed fairly soon. I guess the best thing is that you will have an enforced rest period - making sure the site is well used!!!
Get well soon!

[MacD]

Brett

Just caught up with the news as I have been out of town. Hope you are healing well and that you are dreaming up many new biking plans during your recuperation time. Of course I now know why Melinda was delayed getting to Wanganui in a cage! ;)

Andrew

[Hitcher]

Does this mean jrandom isn't going to inherit your bike after all?
jwho? Do you mean the Karapoti ghoti?

[Virago]

Hi Hitcher,

How's the healing going?:wavey:

[Hitcher]

The insurance company is going to fix the bike. Apparently it's not too bad with no major damage -- nothing that some new panels, screen and brake lever won't fix.

Me? I'm not healing as I should and a specialist at fracture clinic on Monday reckons an operation will be required to pin and screw the offending parts back together. But he will reserve judgement on this until we meet again on 13 February. Lovely.

[Motig]

We haven't meet but all the best on your recovery,like the others have said you may be sore but at least your here.:spudwave:
And yes, what was Plan B? this starting a thread then going of on another topic is hardly good enough:rolleyes: