Ok it was me and i do have a point
Scene: Monday afternoon and its drizzling heavy, me riding east to west through the gorge, coming out of last uphill right hand bend. Some (I'll keep it clean) farmer type in their 4x4 ute with trailor goes into the corner (for them its a down hill right hander after a long straight) too hot and decides to lock up their brakes and go straight across the road. I was doing about 70km.
Accident: Swerved just enough so they avoided taking me (mmm ugly headlights and grill) but they clipped the back end of the bike throwing me across the road (well what was left of it and yes i was left half of my lane), across the shingle and into the grass verge on myside. Great response by the ambo's, police and fire people as well as all the other people in the area. Why is it that the first thing people say is I think he's dead??? I was just seeing if my toes could riggle as well as my fingers, I was happy in my own world for a while.
Injuries: nothing major, extremely swollen right forearm, strained mangled right shoulder, heavily bruised right leg and what feels like two sprained ankles. I am battered and blue and at work I guess i was lucky but why? My Gear.
Gear:
Knee shin guards:From a previous thread I did buy some 661 knee and shin guards to wear under some quasis. There are some heavy scratch marks on the guards (only a little tear on the jeans so i obviously hit something and hard) but my knees are fine. Guys, you just have to get some as the force bent the guards a little and these are solid plastic so I'd hate to think of what would happen if I didn't have them.
Quasis jeans: Two rips from the road on the knee but the kevlar stayed intact (great stitching guys especially with all the leg bruising). They did their job well and I am thankful. Lying, shaking, in wet grass at least i stayed dry and warm. Thumbs up Quasi. My wet weather gear is a torn mess.
Boots: Road rash has scuffed one whole side. They obviously took an impact and saved my ankles/feet.
Jacket: I have a FXRT (?) HD synthetic jacket. Road rash has claimed the adjustable strap on the side and some other light marks. The armour in my right elbow is broken now (hence my swelling and bruising). It did its main job it took the brunt of the impact and I am grateful.
Helmet: No marks or scratches at all. I think all forward rolls were performed on the grass.
Moral: I walked away ish (well walked to the ambo) from a serious accident due to having good protection. Guys there is no substitute, its not infallible and wont make you bullet proof but I firmly believe that without the guards, jacket and pants i'd be in hospital still.
Bike: They wouldn't let me see it up close. I understand from a nice guy at Darfield collision repairs that in his opinion it looks salvegable. I'll see it when it comes back to town. No sympathy needed just want to say get the gear.
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