Clarksville, TN – I want to thank you for all of your support over the past couple of weeks. It’s been nearly three weeks since my accident, and I haven’t been able to sit at the computer long enough to post any updates.
If you follow me on Facebook, then we’ve been able to stay in touch, but I’ve had to keep my leg elevated, so it’s been a bit of a challenge.
First, let me say, that I’m not in as bad a shape from the accident as some people have experienced. My injuries were minor, there were no broken bones, and I lived to tell the tale. I have many friends who are in worse shape, so it’s hard for me to complain. I HAVE missed being able to ride, but that changed this week.
The first week after the incident was the worst. I only suffered a cut on my leg, but it got infected. No antibiotics worked, so a surgeon was called in to slice me open and drain all the “yuck” out.
I started to get relief shortly after that. I’m on the mend, and have picked up my bike. I’ve ridden a little, but can’t stand the discomfort for too long.
With all that said, here are some things I’ve had TOO much time to think about.
What happened? I’ve replayed the accident a million times and I just don’t know. It was a major “brain fart” is all I can say. Lost my line of sight, and was in the grass before I knew it.
I’ve spent too much time wondering if I still wanted to ride. It’s human nature to doubt yourself, especially when you have a “close call.” When I picked up my bike on Wednesday, I took her for a spin. I was a bit nervous, and had some doubts, but the longer I rode, the better I felt.
The pain in my leg kept me up several nights. I would get up and grab my Ipad and scroll through other biker blogs, and read articles from bikers who had been in serious accidents. Some of them never got back on their bike, others got right back on their “horse” and took off.
The biggest takeaway I have from all of this is the love and support from brothers and sisters like you. Especially the crew I was riding with at the time of the accident. They have been absolutely AWESOME!
I was up one morning, battling the pain, when I turned on the TV (which by the way, is the most horrible shit ever), when I landed on a show hosted by Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead. I have never watched that show, but I recognized him from the promos.
He hosts a show called, “Ride with Norman Reedus” and it was GREAT!
The first one I watched featured Jeffrey Dean Morgan as he and Norman rode through Spain. The interesting part of that show, was that as a child, I had been to the parts of Spain featured on the show.
The next episode I watched featured comedian Dave Chappelle. This was a great show as they rode their way to Savannah Georgia. Learning that Chappelle was a biker was great, but how he and Reedus interacted was awesome.
The point I’m trying to make is that the motorcycle levels the playing field for all of us. Here are a handful of celebrities, straddling their motorcycles and just taking off on an adventure, and it didn’t matter where they went, they just wanted to ride.
Isn’t that what I’m doing? Isn’t that what you’re doing? Isn’t that why we’re a brotherhood? Isn’t that why this is such a glorious experience?
OF COURSE IT IS!
Catching that show at 3:00am while I was in so much pain, just reinvigorated me to get well soon and get my ass back on that bike. I could really relate to “Riding with Norman Reedus” because all the bikers I ride with are my own personal celebrities, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
They were there for me, they came to my aid, the lifted me up, they got me help, they got my “beast” out of the ditch and got us home.
They checked on me, they wanted me to get back out there, but most importantly, THEY CARED!
We all need that, and we all need to show compassion and caring. It’s the greatest thing about being a biker. We NEVER leave a brother behind.
This has been a learning experience. A teaching experience. An experience that reminds me that in an instant, your life can change on a motorcycle.
I love you guys and appreciate you following my journey. There will be more stories and places I will visit, but more importantly, there will be more brotherhood and respect for what we do and who we are.
Now, bring on the Fall weather and let’s ride.
