It happened

**Slingshot** · 19th November 2003, 10:34

I was in Motorad today and I spotted your bike, for a high side crash it's got bugger all damage.
What are you planing to do with the bike?

It's a shame you can't get crash bungs for riders!!!

**aff-man** · 19th November 2003, 11:45

That's unfortunate man hope you recover soon. As to the water sports i know of a few guys who got hurt pretty bad and then there is always the possibilty of drowning

. But hey the bug will bite and you will need your speed fix so whatever it is on good luck and have fun

**bikerboy** · 19th November 2003, 17:19

HEY, WTF is "...the american way"

That sounds like penis envy to me mate.

Just because someone can afford all the toys doesn't mean they neither deserve nor enjoy them.

**wkid_one** · 19th November 2003, 17:54

LOL - this is actually quite funny to read - the polarity in comments is amazing.

At the end of the day the decision to walk away is mine and mine alone to make. Other than racing, I have achieved all I wanted to do when I started riding - I proved to myself I could do it. Sunday's crash just woke me up to the fact that the way I like riding will kill me - no more no less - a fact I knew but previously ignored

As for fucking off - I hung around after my last accident last year where I dislocated my shoulder, and this accident isn't half as bad as that one. This time - I just can't be bothered with the whole saga AFTER the accident of recovering, costs etc. I am choosing to leave of my own volition - rather than be forced to.

As an insight - I got in to riding bikes coz I was scared shitless of them - that is the single and only reason why I started riding. I wanted to prove to myself that I could ride a bike and ride it well. I feel I have done that.

Whilst now - given the shoulder took a hammering in the accident - I am content to listen to my quacks advice and step away from it. I was riding when I shouldn't, thinking I was 10 foot tall and bullet proof - but I came off - and was extremely lucky not to permanently injure the shoulder as a result of the off.

It also showed me that NZ roads suck.....and I can't enjoy my style of riding on the road, hence the comments about racing - where I can atleast enjoy a consistent and safe environment for riding the way I like.

As for talking the talk and walking the walk.....I have been walking the walk everytime I get on my bike anyone who rides with me will attest- I played hard while I did it. I am thoroughly pleased with how my riding has improved in 2 years. But I know - given my personal traits - that I will get back on the bike and ride exactly the same as I did leading up to the accident - why? because I love it and don't view it as a mode of transport but as a competition. I like the feeling of pushing my limits - stupid I know.....but that is what I enjoy.

I will get back on my bike to 'get back on the horse' and one last fang - and then sell it.

As for the toys - I was buying a jetski anyway for summer. Most of the money from the sale of the bike will go in to a house and a road bike.

As I said - the decision is mine - if you don't agree with it, I'm not gonna argue.......it is your opinion, just respect mine. It is not an easy decision to make coz I love riding............but I have a list of other things I want to attack and there is no time like the present - AND I am not saying any other sport/pasttime I take up is going to be safer by any means.

**Kwaka-Kid** · 19th November 2003, 20:08

What if i cry and bang my fists in frustration on the floor?!

then might you keep riding?

all good, and thanks for all the advice over the last 6months dan, you helped me get out there on the track and i appreciate that!

**twistymover** · 20th November 2003, 00:43

Yes, all the best Wkid for whatever you choose to do. It's been good having someone as enthusiastic and articulate as yourself on the site, and not just about bikes. Maybe you'll have a peek in at Kiwibiker from time to time.

**Marmoot** · 20th November 2003, 21:35

Heck......I missed this thread for not going online for 3 days.

Just sound like my story all over again eh?
When I crashed on January I woke up couldn't even remember which one was my girlfriend, couldn't even remember I have a g/f or not. Then another hit on August, I vowed to quit. Quit! Quit! Quit!....But then I repaired my bike and now I'm waiting for it to be done so I can go riding again.

Wkid, real sorry to hear the news, mate. Good luck for now, but I sure bet you'll be a born again someday.

LB · 21st November 2003, 04:55

Hi Dan - really sorry to hear about your crash - saw your bike in Sawyers on Monday or Tuesday, didn't realise it had been down the road. I'm glad you're okay (ish) - do take care. Good luck for the future. (I'm new at this site, only my second ever post!) Lynda (Monster)

**SPman** · 21st November 2003, 08:28

Originally posted by bikerboy
HEY, WTF is "...the american way"

1 - Buy the latest, flashiest,hypersports bike, for use as a style accessory,coz it looks cool, hang out a lot showing off and occaisionally riding it (badly) for more than 20 miles, then selling it when you are tired of it and getting the next hyper sports fad - jetski, skidoo, whatever.....you know the squidly thing..

2 - Alternatively, get a bike, ride the nuts off it and become a world champion...you know..the Lawson, Spencer,Rainey,Schwantz,Roberts,Edwards,Mamola sort of thing. (yanks are really good at this as well - almost as good as Aussies!)

3 - Or....anything really, I was, after all, shooting my mouth off (a common thing amongst web posters!)

The choice is yours!

the choice is your's..............

**marty** · 21st November 2003, 08:44

Originally posted by Marmoot

When I crashed on January I woke up couldn't even remember which one was my girlfriend, couldn't even remember I have a g/f or not.

is that a bad thing?

**marty** · 21st November 2003, 08:47

i've just remembered a mantra i used to live by when i was doing ironman.....goes for bikes (and life really) too:

words are words
talk is talk
excuses are excuses

performance is reality

**SPman** · 21st November 2003, 08:56

Originally posted by marty
i've just remembered a mantra i used to live by when i was doing ironman.....goes for bikes (and life really) too:

words are words
talk is talk
excuses are excuses

performance is reality

That's me fucked then!

**Marmoot** · 21st November 2003, 13:47

Originally posted by marty
is that a bad thing?

That's a damn bad thing!!! Especially if you don't realise that you ended up with your ex! And your new gf was actually something taken out of baywatch. And your ex actually look like something from the tops twins....A small ding in the head but a big ding in your humanity.

**wkid_one** · 21st November 2003, 15:19

This is an interesting thread - everyones opinion is interesting.

All I know is financially I can't be bothered riding the bike anymore - fucked I am paying wicked insurance premiums for a bike to sit in my garage 6 days a week and if I am lucky with the weather I get it out in the weekend (my fault I know). And as for injuries - I know I will fall off again because I how I like riding (it IS a case of when not if) - and I just can't be arsed with the hassle of it. Yes I know I am likely to get injured in another sport......I'll take that risk. I am NOT opting out because of a fear of riding the bike or falling off - had that been the case I would have walked away after my last and worst accident as I said before. I am leaving because it made me realise there are other things I want to do with my time and money.

I rode hard when I had it - and now it is time to move on - loved it, still love it, will still ride when time permits - just not at the moment.

Still have racing under consideration - buy a shit old 400 and race it till it dies - no insurance worries, no big costs - much nicer and tempting.