Thank god and good judgement for good gear

[Berg]

Berg is currently laid up with severe spinal shock, bruising and swelling after crashing his quad in Taupo last weekend.
A momentary talent relapse saw me go over the bars and head first into the ground before flipping onto my back.
Completely conscious I discovered I could not move or feel anything below my neck which is a scary thing to realise.
After two chopper trips (thanks ACC) I ended up in Waikato hospital with some feeling and movement starting to return. A MRI showed no broken bones just severe swelling and bruising to the spinal cord and lots of ripped up muscles and tendons.
The docs and surgeons at Waikato were only too happy to inform me that my good quality (now destroyed) helmet and body armour with spine guard not only allowed me to still be walking but also probably saved my life.
I have always been an advocate for good safe gear and this will steel my resolve to push the word. Good gear worn all the time saves lives.
I will, when all my limbs are moving properly, get back on a bike hopefully soon but am also greatful to be just walking, talking and recovering. ATGATT

[caseye]

Glad you are Ok and thankful that you are someone who wears what they can.On ya.

[ExpertoCrede]

ATGATT all the way mate. In all my years of riding I've never had the chance to test it though and hope that I never have to.

All the best and hope recovery is speedy.

[Dogboy900]

Glad your OK (ish)
Get well soon

[p.dath]

Glad to hear you are ok (well kinda).

Although an ATGATT proponent as well, you have to remember peoples choices are shaped by their experiences and perceived risks. Some riders wont regard your accident as likely, so will decide to take the risk of not wearing "proper" gear. Others will know it could happen yet accept the risk anyway.

And it is not out place to tell others what they have to do. They have the freedom to choose what to do to meet the risk they perceive.

So I encourage you to share you experience, and how lucky you were to escape and be able to walk and talk with us today, and hopefully others that hear it will share you desire for riders to wear "reasonable" gear. For me the risk of serious injury is too great, so I am always "geared" up, no matter how hot or undesirable it may be.

[ExpertoCrede]

^^^

I agree - no matter where I travel how long or short the distance I gear up - it's part of the fun in any case.

Watching Sam Webster's (cycling) fall at the commonwealth Games and the track burns he received on a fairly smooth indoor track wearing only Lycra again supports the idea of ATGATT for motorcycle riders.

But that's my opinion...

[davebullet]

Although any injury is terrible, considering the alternative (as you noted) a good outcome.

When you think of ATGATT as insurance, it's easy to justify.

Most people will insure their bike. Premiums can be upward of 10% of the purchase price.

when you consider the average Kiwi earns about $45k (guess) - less tax (roughly 30%) = $31.5k and that our income appreciates each year, $3,150 per annum would get you quality gear.

Given the fact we don't replace our gear each year - even a $3,150 spend over 5 years is still cheap insurance for your most valuable asset (= you). Stuff the bike!

[Bald Eagle]

So pleased your are still with us to tell the tale. As a recent victim of an off am also lucky to have a lot less injury than would have been without ATGATT.

I will continue to spread the word.

[caseye]

So pleased your are still with us to tell the tale. As a recent victim of an off am also lucky to have a lot less injury than would have been without ATGATT.

I will continue to spread the word.

You really Ok or was that KNOCK to the head a blessing? te he he. Glad to hear you are Ok mate.
I've railed against those that continue to thumb their nose at ATGATT before today, but what they don't seem to understand is that, while to wear or not to wear is their choice, the results of coming off are always far worse without the gear than with and thats whats costing us all, as motorcyclists more money to ACC than anyone else.
It has already come home to roost and is biting us all in the back pocket, AGAIN!

[hellokitty]

ATGATT all the way mate. In all my years of riding I've never had the chance to test it though and hope that I never have to.

All the best and hope recovery is speedy.

I have had many chances to test my gear when I used to ride off road - people used to laugh at my armour but I was always falling off and I figured it is way cheaper to buy the gear than have time off work due to injury (with less pain too)

Glad you are basically okay! Nasty experience though

[rapid van cleef]

ok, heres a question. what the hel does ATGATT ,mean?

[Virago]

ok, heres a question. what the hel does ATGATT ,mean?

All The Gear, All The Time.

[hellokitty]

All The Gear, All The Time.

it took me a while to figure that too

[Imbray]

I work in ED- waikato, I can tell before you hit my trolley if you were wearing the right gear or not, makes a BIG diff, bones mostly heal, cann't put back the flesh when it's gone.

I donn't get on my bike without the right gear.

[willytheekid]

So Glad to hear your ok

Good gear pays off alright

Spinal swelling is damn scary ay, I had a headon many years ago that left me lying in the street with no feeling below the neck...when they put the neck & back brace on -you just know your in trouble...even the ambo crew was quiet....scariest 2 days of my life!.

All the best for a speedy recovery