James Deuce most unfortunate event!

[vifferman]

While it's good to see you're at least well enough to be posting, I must say that your post REALLY SUCKS!
I can understand the whys and wherefores, but I'm really, truly terribly pissed off to see such a great motorcycle riding and testing and writing-about motorcyclist chuck it all in because of a lousy fkn sheep.
Having worked on a sheep station for 2.5 years when I was younger, I must reiterate how much I REALLY HATE SHEEP! GRRrrrrrrrrr!! and all that.
And Grrrrrrrr!!! and all that to the useless farmer.

Get well soon, Dr J2.
Pleeeease...

[Goes and cranks up the BBQ to set fire to some bits of sheep to placate the BikerGodz...]

[James Deuce]

The whole thing sucks on many levels, but it was the sheer randomnous that pissed me off. A lazy farmer leaves sheep on the road because there isn't any come back. If there'd been a vehicle coming the other way, or even following me I would have been a lot worse off. It took years to get Heather to trust that I was capable of both not getting tickets and not hurting myself and that trust is gone and I love her and the kids too much to put them through this for a long while at least. I already busted myself up once really good and this one has removed the joy, at least in the immediate instance. That Buell was a treasure too and I killed a last of line and I'm not feeling that great about that.

[Str8 Jacket]

Let your head get better before you stress yourself re decision making Mr!!

Lemme know if you want some magazines or a crazy bitch to come visit at any stage, eh!

[Fatjim]

Jim, if it makes you feel any better I popped round to your place Sunday and it was like Antarctica. You're better off in the rapa.

Got a pressie for you from the Fatjims, when your down this way again.

Heal up, before someone gives you a hug.

[EJK]

Wonder what would have happened if you'd just rammed through the sheep.

[vifferman]

Whelp, sacrificial lamb chops duly flambeed, and ingested.
Did it help, J2?

The Duvel and Renaissance Imperial Pale Ale are certainly helping me.
I'm still fuktoff though (in an anaesthetised sort of way - sort of dull grumpiness....)

[riffer]

Take it easy and heal nice and slow there buddy. Natural reaction to want to throw it all in, and I have to admit it's probably sensible to cut right back on the riding for a while. You've done more damage to your body than most people do, and those kids are still young. Right now they need to know that Dad's going to get better and spend more time with them.

Don't throw away the writing though. It's not just the bike writing; I think your talent is useful for far wider things.

Enjoy spending some time with Heather and the kids.

The RF's always here if you feel the need to get out on an old shitter. I'm sure its a while since you've ridden one of those.

[Clivoris]

Sweet to see your words again bro. Welcome back, rest up and try not to go stir crazy. I will come round sometime and you can enjoy watching me mow lawns and do shit.

[davebullet]

Re trust, I don't see how you broke it. Much the same as if I was taking public transport and the bus driver decides to go through a red and into a truck. Life is full of what ifs. It's not like you were pushing it or doing something consciously to break that trust. The emotions must be running all over the place. I don't know how old your kids are, but tell them that for a change Dad needs "you" for support. I did that to my 4 year old when I was injured and it was amazing how his focussed changed to one of concern and care for me. He forgot about being all "Mr. Independent". Well ok, all for about 5 minutes, but at least it took my mind off things and gave me something to smile at.

[Ixion]

Re trust, I don't see how you broke it. Much the same as if I was taking public transport and the bus driver decides to go through a red and into a truck. ..

It's not like that. Mr Duece's problem is that although what happened was not his fault, the trust that his wife previously had, that he would , somehow, avoid the fate that her fears assured her befell all motorcyclists, is now destroyed. Nothing can restore it, because nothing can sweep away the reality of the crash.

In her eyes, the pretence that "My husband is different , it won't happen to him" is no longer tenable. So if he were to go out again on a bike she would be terrified. A condition which Mr Deuce does not feel he can impose upon her.

It is one reason why I know I must NEVER crash. Mrs Ixion thinks exactly the same way. If I did crash, I might be willing to go back out there. But I could not ask her to accept the waiting at home, wondering, thinking "it happened before ".


A very difficult situation. I do not usually comment in Rider Down threads as a matter of policy but I must say that I am pleased and relieved that you are in one piece, and probably no more grumpy contrary and pig headed than before.

Perhaps you could start a business where people pay to ride trail bikes chasing sheep round and round paddocks scaring the devil out of them. Couldn't happen to better animals.

[chanceyy]

Great to see you posting Jim .. echo everyone elses comments

I am surprised there is no comeback on the farmer, Had a g/f horse escape and collide with a car, she was held liable for the injuries it caused. The insurance company sure pursued her for the damages and she paid every last cent to them.

having livestock I assumed i would be held responsible if they escaped and caused accidents .. (when did all that change? )

[Motu]

I thought the no blame to farmers regarding stock in motor vehicle accidents was repealed back in the 1990's.....or did they just fudge it? I think my wife has a misplaced confidence of my safety on a motorcycle....I just hope she is never wrong....you never want to tell a woman she is wrong,right?

Like Ixion I don't join the hand wringing in rider down threads as policy - but it sucks to prang your new bike,and I'm really happy you can feel so much pain.You do whatever you need to do - but don't give up the writing...you hear?!!

[Ixion]

I have a very very vague notion that horses come under different rules to livestock. Livestock is things like sheep and cows and camels that can be sent to the works. Horses class as, well, sort as big slow very very very stupid vehicles. Cos back in the day, horses WERE vehicles. So the rules on wandering livestock wouldn't cover horses - have a crash on a horse and it's treated same as a crash on a bicycle or motorbike.

I remember when I got my licence, the cops used to ask you 5 random verbal questions , which they made up on the spot. Mine asked me about the rules for horsedrawn vehicles. Dude, I'm sitting a motorbike test not a horse and cart test !

[quickbuck]

Horses class as, well, sort as big slow very very very stupid vehicles.

Yup,
I think you're right on the money there....
Our rules still hark back to he turn of last century....

[pzkpfw]

That Buell was a treasure too and I killed a last of line and I'm not feeling that great about that.

It was built to be ridden, not sit in a museum and be stared at. Don't feel bad on that account.

Frankly what happened to you is a lesson in that the "bad stuff" can happen to any of us at any time. A rider with mega experience can have something happen that they just can't avoid getting hurt from. It's a sobering thought.

If you feel you've used up all your "lives" or "chances", that's cool. If Heather+3 are top of your priority list, that's even cooler.

But I'll admit I got teary-eyed at two posts in this thread.

(But remember, just in case, my Z is yours, any time, for $20k...)