Crash update...

[IC3]

I'm not going to write loads, as my left hand is still healing and I can barely move my fingers.

Most of you already know that I had a nasty crash. I don't remember anything from the crash or how it happened, I was unconscious until one of the witnesses along with an elderly couple helped me. Still, I only have flashbacks... I remember more from A&E, but they drugged me up as they had to put few bones back in place.

Quick overview what happened based on the info I got from the witness, police and medics: I hit gravel on the bend, got back in control of the vehicle. But I ended up on the opposite lane and nearly had a head on with oncoming car, I swerved back... But the road splits into two separate roads and whilst trying to make it, I clipped the kerb and went flying with the bike, hit the road 2nd time and I came off it, the bike bounced once again and flipped onto me.

Police and the witness (local) said that due to that layout of the road there's a lot of accidents on that road... Last thing I remember before the crash is doing 60 on a straight coming towards a bend. (I was coming back home)

Here're a few pictures of me and the gear... WARNING! Some might find the pictures disturbing, you open them up at your own responsibility!

Spoiler: Before the skin grafts 26/05/2017

Spoiler: 1st dressing change, pain so bad I barely managed to do these pics... 03/06/2017 (Operation on 30/05/2017)

Spoiler: 08/06/2017

Spoiler: 12/06/2017, started physio

After skin grafts, around 10-14 days as that's around the time I first moved my legs. The nerves got damaged and I was unable to move my legs for the first few days at all... These burns are from the exhaust.

That white thing is the Patellar tendon

Right leg

Spoiler: 1 Month after the operation 03/07/2017

Right leg

Spoiler: Wound review 21/07/2017

Right leg doesn't require dressing, wound is healed. Now, I just need to keep it moisturised.

Had a cut at the back of my head, bleeding nose and I bit my lip, I looked like I had fight at a pub on a Friday night. lol

Messed up wrist and ulna & radius bones went out of the joint. So they put them back shortly after the x-rays.

My hand, actual pictures...

Apart from that loads of bruisers and little cuts, most healed up fairly quickly. It'll probably take another 6 months before I recover and will not need a wheelchair. So far 2 operations, I might require 1 more. But its too early to say, its quite a complicated op and there're risks...

Whilst being in Hospital, I met loads of bikers and not just patience as a lot of the nurses&doctors also said they ride. Some bikers, were in really bad shape... The stuff I saw has made me think, 'is it really worth it?' I had all kind of thoughts going through my head...

I'll go back to riding eventually, but I'm ditching roads for good... all the accidents I had were due to some crap on the road. At this minute my mind is set on recovering, after that I'm selling the bike for parts and buying a car.

Gear

Spoiler

Boots are battered a bit, but still usable.
The bike damages are:
-Bent handle bars
-both rims bent
-Throttle is cracked and smashed up
-Right handlebar controls are grinded down.
-Master cylinder is grinned down, but still works.
-Ripped rear seat
-Bent and scratched rear passenger holder thingy
-Right fairing is scratched
-Engine cover has few scratches, but no leaks

Salvageable, I could make it road worthy for 200-300. But I'll make more profit selling it for parts.

 

[IC3]

Ouch, glad you're ok and on the mend!

Roads are unpredictable, that's why I have no interest in pushing too hard, as you said it's not worth it. I'm glad I got in to bikes when I was 30 and not 20 as the temptation is just too great and no doubt I'd be in a similar condition had I rode at 20

I wasn't going fast, I never go fast when I'm on my way back home.

BTW Younger body heals faster and isn't as fragile.

 

[IC3]

Get well soon, have you got a street view of the corner?

Gravel on a bend is common and is on a lot of corners on B roads, just something you have to deal with as a biker.

I'll see if I can find it... apparently there was loads of gravel there, nearby they're building something and it looked like it felt from a truck.

I'm lucky this hasn't happened whilst riding at my pace. But very unfortunate to get exhaust burns in those places...

 

[IC3]

Thanks, this is my 4th off... 1st one as a passenger when I was around 15. 2nd in winter, front brakes locked up from the build up of salt. 3rd diesel and now a mixture of gravel and crap road layout... I only just hit 20 few months ago, time to ease of a bit.

 

[IC3]

Wow, that's some bad luck you're having then! Surely you've had all your offs for the next 60 years now though.

Get well soon.

Right before I got the job, I wanted too... Let's hope so...

Ouch!
Did you get the burns because the bike was on you whilst you were unconscious?

I wish you a speedy recovery pal

Yep... The witness, the lady which I nearly had a head on with couldn't lift it herself so she waved down another car. Thanks

 

[IC3]

That's what I said, I'm unlucky that the exhaust landed in that area. The tarmac wasn't great, it happened on A/B road...

I'm going to ride on track from this time on, I still have some roads I want to experience on a bike. Might just rent one out and fly there instead of doing long boring motorway miles.
The soonest I'll go near a bike will probably be in 2 years time though...

 

[IC3]

Sounds like you're going to have a rough few months. Take it easy & good luck!

It's interesting to see the gear pics, thanks for sharing - sounds like you got very unlucky with the exhaust, that really sucks.

Yep, I'm not the luckiest...

Mate, it still can't believe this happened.

But the main thing is, you can tell the story, a lot of people don't get that chance, my dad's brother in law is a good example of that.

Glad you are on the road to recovery now bro.

If I rode faster, I probably wouldn't be here... Crashing at 50-60mph is bad enough if you hit something.

thats bad man. i did look at the renting spyderclub now do bikes to for short (days-week) and longterm (mothns) rentals on most of the current crop of bikes.

its sad as you seemed somone who genuinley got a lot of enjoyment from bikes

Another good thing about renting, you can rent a best suited bike for the terrain you'll ride on. I'm not giving up on bikes, I don't think I could... From now on it'll be more of a luxury that I'll get to enjoy during summer.

Although, there're some other Motorsport I want to try, safer too. We'll see, ATM I'll be happy with walking.

I'm not trying to be a **** about the subject but I think you are over reacting by giving up riding on the road.

You've been told numerous times to calm down on the road, you said this wasn't your fault which I believe but don't let it stop you doing something you enjoy.

You don't have to be riding beyond your limit on the road, just be sensible and have fun when the road allows you to.

Sorry to hear about the crash, I hope you have a speedy recovery.

I only rode the bike to its limit on roads I knew, scout run before the hoon to check for any gravel or oil. Doesn't matter though, all my crashes happened whilst riding within the legal speed limit. If I was on the edge of the tire on that bend I would have most likely lowsided or highsided, I doubt I would have saved it.

I don't find cautious or long distance riding that fun. Probably why most of the time I was going up and down 2-3 roads that aren't too far away from me. Good tarmac, no gravel and open corners.

Glad you're ok, I'm certainly one of those who've lectured you about how you ride but it just seems you got unlucky this time around. I'd wait until you recover before you think about whether or not to carry on - all sorts of pain, physical and mental, right now means you can't make a decision with a clear head.

Looks like the gear held up really well - awful luck about the burn

Chin up - things heal far quicker than you think, especially as you learn to live with what's happened.

I'm getting a car for the roads, its more convenient. I definitely won't miss numb fingers in winter or getting up early to gear up and take the bike out or constantly being on the lookout for idiot drivers. Another reason are the stupid speeding fines, it's like a chap with cancer who had a bed next to mine said... The roads aren't as well maintained as they use to be, they're congested with traffic and they use those deadly little stones to patch up the imperfections. Trackdays aren't cheap, but at least I can take corners lent over with confidence without worrying about gravel, oil, police, drunk drivers etc.

 

[IC3]

It's a perfectly reasonable reaction. I broke my leg in a bike accident yesterday and I'm not currently keen on riding again.

Wait... what?

He'll understand one day.

 

[IC3]

I can guarantee you I've had more offs than everyone in this thread combined, only in a&e twice mind (and I'm a lot older and calmer now) but I'll never give up riding.

Kreeee what happened dude?

How many?

I'm lucky that my crashes happened whilst riding fairly sensibly, I had my fun before the crash... 2CT's really are great tyres, I only did just over 1000 miles on them, but not even once did they lose traction.

Crikey - how are you doing now? This forum's on a bad run

It's not just the forum, a few locals had offs and due to some deaths a few gave up... It's this bad luck from last year that is continuing to haunt everyone...

I know quite a bit about skin grafts after burning myself very badly last year and requiring several large grafts. One thing I'd say is once they have healed enough to start physio, make sure you stay on top of it. Split thickness grafts have a nasty tendency to contract, so you need to keep stretching it regularly. Also you will need to keep the skin moisturised, I can recommend QV Skin Lotion, sinks in really quickly and doesn't feel greasy.

How did you burn yourself? I'll note that lotion down.

What does this mean for the OcUK Alps trip?

lol

 

[IC3]

I lost count at 18. Ranging from a&e to dust-off-and-go. Many of them were on motocross bikes.

Falling off on a Motocross is part of the fun, no?

 

[IC3]

Depends on your definition of fun

I had a fair few breakages and learned a few very important lessons but I wouldn't change it for the world. They're nowhere near as bad as road crashes though, those were the two that put me in A&E.

I haven't learned anything from this crash... everything the 1 witness said could be a lie and she might of been the cause. I'll never find out the truth...

Always remember, there are much worse ways to go than riding your bike. I'd rather be grinning with a good lean on round a corner and it's suddenly all over than die slowly or die in a crappy car on a boring commute or something.

Just gotta hope it is an instant one and not paralysis or permanent (life altering) damage.

Could never see myself giving up riding because of an accident (unless I had to of course). I've had one and got off pretty lucky I suppose, could have had a properly crushed leg but the rad got in the way

I use to say that, its only when you find yourself in that position you start to see it ain't pretty and you start questioning it.

I think a certain amount of fear to what can happen to you is essential in my opinion. You shouldn't not go out because of it, but find that balance of enjoying yourself, but riding defensively and safely. Each person will have a different 'balance' though.

Without fear there's no fun, the higher the risk the better the adrenaline rush you get.

Stupidity coupled with bad luck. Trying to get a BBQ going with white spirits is not a good idea, the bottle exploded in my hand and showered me in burning fuel...

My upper chest/neck up to my chin is now mainly covered in the skin that was removed from both thighs since the first graft contracted so badly I could hardly move my neck so had to have a second one. Not the best way to get 5 months off work in retrospect

I really want to get back on the bike, not ridden since August last year when I had the accident. I can drive ok but my neck movement is still a bit limited when turning my head (i.e. life savers) so been working hard on the physio trying to get more movement. Starting laser therapy this week which may help.

Ouch...

This, I didn't and now I am full of metal and I will bear the consequences of it for the rest of my life, I mean it was always there in my head, if there is anything around this bend... I am dead, but until it happens to you, you always think it wont happen to you.
That and I now know how painful it is to plough into cars... not something I want to repeat in a hurry.
Take it easy IC3 and Kreeee, the recovery will take some time, and I know the feeling of giving up on the road, I managed it for less than a year before I got bored.

I remember the video, looked painful... you weren't going quick either. I've a few alternatives in mind to keep me occupied in my free time once I recover fully.

Yep, only thing that stops me is ice. To be fair even if it's lashing it down the Angel GTs still feel totally planted as long as I'm not being a total penis.

The angels kicked out a few times when I was getting a bit too confident. But they're good all round tyres, not the best when you're really pushing it though.

Sorry to hear about the crash, IC3. Get well soon!

Ty

 

[IC3]

Thats not the one I was referring to, my 'big one' I ended up with a snapped Femur and Ulna, and a knee thats never going to be right.
But the video crash just shows even when you are just riding normally you cant control what other people do...

oh...

Just seen this! Hope you have a quick recovery IC3!

Ta

 

[IC3]

I don't think that's me on the road. I generally love the power/acceleration. That gives me a rush. I don't need to be flying round a bend at 80, wondering if I'll live through it to enjoy my riding. In fact, I would hate that.

I've always found speeding boring, I prefer cornering/bends over straight empty roads.

Your comment also makes me think you wont last long before you'll want to get back on a bike

Why?

 

[IC3]

I'm not a huge fan of speeding. That increases the danger, which I mentioned I'm not all that keen on.

I don't find 'touring' all that fun, I've done a few trips. But they weren't fun, cautious riding not knowing what type of bend was coming up was tiring.

I think you said about enjoying the danger. A bike is the best/easiest way to enjoy this, surely?

One of the ways, yes.

 

[IC3]

When you ride in Europe you'll realise how rubbish the UK is for biking, and you can ride European roads fast as there's no traffic, the road surfaces are 10x better, no gravel mid corner, and so on.

Hence why I said that renting makes more sense, don't have to do the boring miles on a bike.

 

[IC3]

You should treat even well known roads as if they aren't familiar.

Ehh... doesn't really apply to me anymore. Soon, I'll be another cager on the road sitting miserably in the highly congested traffic.

 

[IC3]

Agreed - you can get to the Alps in two days, riding some cracking back roads, or just pin it on the motorways, suck up the tolls and get there easily in a day. We did the former last year, enjoying the journey down, and this year we're going flat out to get there in a day to buy the extra day's riding in the Alps. 9 days before departure - getting very excited now.

Once or twice a year? Meh...

If you're thinking like that, surely just get another bike and get on with it? Or are your injuries stopping you from riding rather than not wanting to ride anymore?

I don't know about my left hand, I've a few plates and screws holding my hand together. But I'll only know once it heals up.

Riding a bike even at sedate speeds is infinitely more fun than a car imo.

Nope, I've ridden in all kinds weather conditions and most of the time it wasn't fun. Other thing I've noticed is, the longer breaks between the rides you get more joy out of it.

For me the worst and most frustrating part would be not remembering. Must be terrible

Same here, I only know what the witness said. :/

 

[IC3]

Normally only a couple of overseas ones though

Exactly...

Jesus, that's nasty. I hope you have a speedy and full recovery. Looking at the state of your lid I would say that it saved your life. The rest of the gear did it's job correctly too. it just shows that if you buy quality gear it will do the job it's supposed to. I see this crap that they sell in Aldi and Lidl's, lids for £25, gloves for a fiver etc and I think to myself that there is no way I would trust my life to garbage like that yet they sell it all quickly enough. I guess a lot of people don't care about their lives.

Yeah, my mate was given a courtesy bike with a Chinese lid. He dropped it and it cracked from a simple drop.

 

[IC3]

You make it sound like a helmet shouldn't suffer in a 'simple' drop? Surely you don't know what other helmets react like? Anywyas cracking isn't necesssarily bad, deforming even on a small impact is proably better than the thing just bouncing back!

Anyways protection gear on motorbikes is blatantly massively overpriced, I at least hope the quality is there...

It wasn't a small crack, it split open...

 

[IC3]

Out of interest whilst on the topic, I had a look at the suits to see whenever any of them have leather protection for the back of your leg. I wasn't able to find any, I'm guessing it's a very unusual burn, as in the part of the body it happened on. Gear helps definitely, I'm happy with how my gear saved me. I can't imagine what a mess I would be, if I didn't wear my leathers. I had standard armour in my leathers, but it looks like it worked. My knees, back and shoulders are in one piece, they were bruised up going yellow/purple colour. But I've been on morphine and laughing gas most of the time, so didn't really feel it.

Edit:
I'll get some pics of the boots too