The "are you going to give up biking?" questions begin...

[Macstar]

After 3 years of riding I unfortunately had a relatively minor bin last weekend (broke my wrist and damaged my pride). It was my fault. I disrespected the roads and my bike and paid the price. I also involved another motorist who thankfully faired better than I did.

A week later, bones are mending, assessors are assessing and the vividness of the event is somewhat fading, BUT - initital comments of, "I'm glad you're ok" from friends and family are rapidly turning into, "So are you going to give up biking?". I am not quite the 'rebelloius teenager' anymore, so when important people to me say such things I try to take their comments on board and hear them out. Let's be clear though, there's absolutely no freekin way that last weekend's inncident is going to stop me biking. I hope what it will do over the next 6-8 weeks however (whilst my wrist heals) is take me down a few pegs and provide a semi-needed reality check.

The point I really want to make however, is that despite the risks involved with biking (and even more especially to me with a previous medical condition), I would be truly devastated if I had to give biking away. I am always looking forward to the next ride, go as often as possible and have a healthy number of fellow biker mates. And without being stupid about it, so must you guys (love bikes and riding that is).

Anyway, I needed to get these thoughts off my chest and share them with some folk who hopefully know and can relate with what I'm saying.

I look forward to joining you all back on the road soon, hopefully as a better and safer rider.

Macstar

[EJK]

You rock dude :yes:

[Headbanger]

Reminds me of the time I was telling the ambulance crew I was fine, Sorry they had wasting their time coming out, But as soon as I could figure out how to stand up and perhaps walk I was going to drag my bike out of the fence it was smashed through, Somehow fix the extensive damage, and continue my ride up to Auckland......

[Macstar]

Ha!, that's denial and adrenallin/shock. I rode my bike home after the bin with a broken wrist. Then parked the bike safely in the garage and went to the A&E!

[TOTO]

Good on you Macstar. Respect to every word brother. Looking forward to riding behind you (coz I too slow you know) SOON. Get better. We are waiting for your return on the stage. :niceone:

[erix]

respect...
hope you heal fast...

[Macstar]

Cheers fellas!

[scumdog]

After x number of years riding yeah its time to give it away. :wari:

[gijoe1313]

I guess the genuflecting and thoughtful cogitation of one's circumstances and what preceded it is always a good exercise to go through :yes:

Good on you for heeding the words of others, weighing up their concerns and coming to a decision for yourself!

And yep, know what you mean about riding your bike .... :scooter: Heal up and get the bike repaired in the meanwhile?

[Usarka]

so do you want a white picket fence doing the same boring shit day after day, or do you want to mix upi you life with experiences, focus, risk, and bliss.


Your call.......

[scumdog]

After 3 years of riding I unfortunately had a relatively minor bin last weekend
Macstar

After three years of riding I'm not surprised you binned - you must of been totaly exhausted!!!

[TOTO]

After three years of riding I'm not surprised you binned - you must of been totaly exhausted!!!

hahahahahaha funny man.

[Mikkel]

Good thing you didn't get messed up too badly! I think you're going about it in exactly the right manner... I'm sure you'll be sweet.


A week later, bones are mending, assessors are assessing and the vividness of the event is somewhat fading, BUT - initital comments of, "I'm glad you're ok" from friends and family are rapidly turning into, "So are you going to give up biking?". I am not quite the 'rebelloius teenager' anymore, so when important people to me say such things I try to take their comments on board and hear them out. Let's be clear though, there's absolutely no freekin way that last weekend's inncident is going to stop me biking. I hope what it will do over the next 6-8 weeks however (whilst my wrist heals) is take me down a few pegs and provide a semi-needed reality check.

Being able to take good advice onboard is a commendable trait that a lot of people would benefit from having...
However, sometimes the appropriate answer to a question is "Fuck Off!" and I think that is indeed the case with the "So are you going to give up biking?" question. :yes:

I hope you mend well!

[BiK3RChiK]

BUT - initital comments of, "I'm glad you're ok" from friends and family are rapidly turning into, "So are you going to give up biking?". I am not quite the 'rebelloius teenager' anymore, so when important people to me say such things I try to take their comments on board and hear them out. Let's be clear though, there's absolutely no freekin way that last weekend's inncident is going to stop me biking.


Macstar

I wonder how many of them, after having a minor ding in their car think 'I wonder if I should give up driving'! Driving/Riding become an integral part of our being and the thought of giving up either just never enters the equation.

Hope you heal quick. Reflection can only make all of us better riders, methinks.

[ajturbo]

HTFU... and get out on yer bike!!!:2thumbsup

[Headbanger]

Ha!, that's denial and adrenallin/shock. I rode my bike home after the bin with a broken wrist. Then parked the bike safely in the garage and went to the A&E!

Oh yeah, It was shock all right:devil2:And I highly doubt I was polite or as intelligible as I made out in my post.

Though I don't know if its strange or not but after a crash or a near miss it has never even crossed my mind to give up the bike. I was fixing, and then riding mine in a neck brace and sling, Both of which were stained black from grease and crap.

Though I did form some pretty strong opinions When the car load of BP were trying to push me off the road at speeds over 180km/h, I just don't like cars full of cunts.

[Lias]

Though I did form some pretty strong opinions When the car load of BP were trying to push me off the road at speeds over 180km/h, I just don't like cars full of cunts.

How rude and insuilting.. I demand you retract that sir.. Cunts are useful.. BP's arnt. Your statement is insulting to cunts everywhere.

[geoffm]

If you had done the samme injuries while skiing or snow boarding, I wonder if they would be saying to give that up?

[jonbuoy]

You got to get back on the horse - try it for a few months - if you don't get your confidence back then give it up.

[Jacko2]

After 3 years of riding I unfortunately had a relatively minor bin last weekend (broke my wrist and damaged my pride). It was my fault. I disrespected the roads and my bike and paid the price. I also involved another motorist who thankfully faired better than I did.

A week later, bones are mending, assessors are assessing and the vividness of the event is somewhat fading, BUT - initital comments of, "I'm glad you're ok" from friends and family are rapidly turning into, "So are you going to give up biking?". I am not quite the 'rebelloius teenager' anymore, so when important people to me say such things I try to take their comments on board and hear them out. Let's be clear though, there's absolutely no freekin way that last weekend's inncident is going to stop me biking. I hope what it will do over the next 6-8 weeks however (whilst my wrist heals) is take me down a few pegs and provide a semi-needed reality check.

The point I really want to make however, is that despite the risks involved with biking (and even more especially to me with a previous medical condition), I would be truly devastated if I had to give biking away. I am always looking forward to the next ride, go as often as possible and have a healthy number of fellow biker mates. And without being stupid about it, so must you guys (love bikes and riding that is).

Anyway, I needed to get these thoughts off my chest and share them with some folk who hopefully know and can relate with what I'm saying.

I look forward to joining you all back on the road soon, hopefully as a better and safer rider.

Macstar

Well Put Buddie! Went through same soul search last week myself.
Came to same conclusions. I enjoy biking too much. Lot wiser though, maybe I'm maturing.

Glad your not too damaged. T least you now have an excuse for that limp wrist.

[Goblin]

Reminds me of the time I was telling the ambulance crew I was fine, Sorry they had wasting their time coming out, But as soon as I could figure out how to stand up and perhaps walk I was going to drag my bike out of the fence it was smashed through, Somehow fix the extensive damage, and continue my ride up to Auckland......Heh! I did the same thing when I was hit head on. Lay unconscious in the middle of the road until the ambo arrived, woke up and promptly stood up and tried to pick my bike up to continue my ride. Broken handle bar, oil and petrol all over the road and a broken wrist prevented me riding for a while. Didn't put me off tho, just made me more aware of the possibility/probability of oncoming traffic turning in front of me. Lesson learned...escape, dont brake. Look for an escape route rather than fixate on whats about to hit you.

[Jiminy]

The earlier you are back on a bike and the less you will hear those comments ;).

Or is it time for a trike? :whistle::lol:

No offense to trike riders, I like trikes ;)

[ital916]

Oh man, if you gave up biking who would I make fun of now, and who would be there to give me a smack on the back of the helmet and tell me to HTFU when I screw up on rides. Good to know your not giving up though, if you do though i'll buy you a zimmer frame that you can mount to your wall lol. 6-8 weeks eh, you must be going insane :tugger:haha

[Pwalo]

Well you've got a few weeks to come up with some answers for these people.

Funnily enough I never got those questions, but then I was 45 when I got knocked off. Funniest thing was getting my replacement bike dropped off when I had both hands plastered and pinned.

You'll be right as soon as you can get the plaster off, and a bit of physio under way. The only real problem I had was getting my gloves on over the skin where my pins were extracted (ow, shit, bollocks), and the lack of strength in my wrists.

Good luck, take the drugs, and let every one else wait on you.

[revvinkevin]

I wonder how many of them, after having a minor ding in their car think 'I wonder if I should give up driving'! Driving/Riding become an integral part of our being and the thought of giving up either just never enters the equation.

Hope you heal quick. Reflection can only make all of us better riders, methinks.

Today on the M6 in the UK, a woman was crushed between two lorries, and in Shropshire a woman came off very much second best to a telegraph pole. A car crashed through the front of a pub over the weekend, injuring drinkers.

How will the mourners go to the funerals? By car.
And a wake will probably be held in a pub...........................

Something, sometime will get you. It's not guaranteed to be biking

[YellowDog]

Macstar mate. Unless you have something equally satisfying to replace the release and pleasure you get from biking, you will regret it.

The fact you have blamed yourself for your bin means that you have learnt from it and will be a better rider for it.

Good luck.

[ukbandit]

statistics show that a man falls of his bike every 5 mins!
and he's getting bloody sick of it:pinch:
on a serious note i have had concusion, puntured lung, broken shoulder and more road rash than i care to remember in my 30 years on bikes. but for me bikes are apart of life, dont let it get to you, as soon as pos get back out there. all the best with the healing thing.

[steved]

This sort of thing to me is why the fellowship of bikers is sooo strong. Every non-biker thinks we are certifiably insane and cannot comprehend why we would want to kill ourselves so willingly. Hence, we band together.

It sounds MacStar that you are applying a very mature approach to your bin, learning every damn thing you can from it to minimise the chances of future incidences.

[Macstar]

Thanks again for your comments people. No chance of me giving up biking just yet - in fact, I'm off to Quasimoto this Sat to buy a new suit and gloves! (P.S. I'm taking four of us so far in my car from Akl to Hamilton - space for one more).

[klingon]

It's funny when I'm talking to non-bikers about how much I enjoy riding, how I love my bike, blah blah blah then they say "but what if you came off and got injured? That would be terrible!"

And I say yeah it already happened. I got hit from behind when I stopped at a stop sign six months after I got my learner's. Fractured rib, concussion, severe bruising, damaged eye and I still get pain in my lower back.

They look at me as if I'm a complete nut case. Suddenly they go from grinning along with me when I tell them how much I love riding, to sometimes literally backing away from me and looking horrified.

So life hurts sometimes. It's a risk we take and a price we are prepared to pay. Generally we heal up pretty well and usually the pain goes away or at least becomes bearable. It's no big deal. Get out of your cotton wool and live a little! :banana:

[Biggles2000]

Macstar I'm glad you are not throwing in the towel. I brought my first bike at 13 and I am now 45, always had bikes, always would like to be the grumpy old uncle who rides motorbikes. Being in the wind is such an important bit of who I am and why I am the person I am, I just cant imagine my life without a bike parked in the garage. You will have offs, breakdowns and wet cold trips but these are the times you learn about yourself and how you cope with adversity. :apint: Good on you.

[Rogue]

NEVER GIVE UP
what can not destroy you will only make you stronger

[Just beGiNing 250]

Sorry to hear about the bin mac. Glad your relatively unharmed and from what I hear, the mighty hornet came away without damage?:niceone: mind if I borrow it while your in the cast?:bleh:

[Skyryder]

75 is my age of retirement. So I've got about another thirteen years then I'll ask the question.

Skyryder

[Ixion]

Harummph. I was supposed to retire two years ago. Never happened. One reason was "Oh, once you're retired, you won;t need to be out riding that motorbike every day. You'll be so much safer", But,but,but.

That, and other factors.

[Boulder]

Macstar, take time to chill out. Keep the bike in garage for a week or two or more. Binning takes awhile to mellow yourself.

[GaZBur]

I got the same thing Macstar. "Haven't you learned your lesson - time to pack it in....you're not as young as you used to be..." etc etc.
I had 2 injury accidents at two consecutive motard meets, through unlike you mine were completely my own fault I have to admit (over agressive). I have calmed down a wee bit(no more front grids for me) - but mainly because I would be too embarassed to bin again so soon rather than the pain of recovery.
If you like me - its the embarasement that hurts more than the injury - although cracked ribs are feckin painful!

So - did you get that gear you were looking for - that should tell the questioner's that you not intending to quit!

[Macstar]

Hey guys. Thanks again for more comments. Three pieces of good news!!!

1. I got my cast off today (after two weeks) - turns out I just chipped a small piece off my scaffoid bone rather than breaking it. So Doc reckons a soft bandage and in 2-4 weeks and I'll be good as new!!

2. Went down to Quasimoto last Sat and ended up buying Bret's personal 2 piece suit and gloves for a reasonable price. So now I have some of the best leathers with knox armour!

3. My power commander finally arrived from the US after ordering it some 4 weeks ago.

Bad news is that I told the bike shop not to hurry with the repairs to the Hornet as I thought I was going to be out of action for a few months...

Ah well, the weather is crap anyway!