Worst day of my life..... - Page 2

I_Money · March 19th, 2008, 16:23

I like motorcycles - they create the best pool of organ donors.

I can not really say that I am that sympathetic - bikes are dangerous - you play with fire you will get burnt.

For your sake I am pleased she was not hurt but I am totally confused why either of you would want to get back on!!!

darrenf · March 19th, 2008, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_Money

I like motorcycles - they create the best pool of organ donors.

I can not really say that I am that sympathetic - bikes are dangerous - you play with fire you will get burnt.

For your sake I am pleased she was not hurt but I am totally confused why either of you would want to get back on!!!

You ride horses don't you? I think you understand why people ride motorcycles, it's just not a risk you are willing to take, but put as many people on horses and you will see many more organs being donated.

I_Money · March 19th, 2008, 17:22

They are not comparable - we go much slower, fall on a much more forgiving surface, and don't have cars to contend with.

I have been around horses for 22 years now, both recreationally and professionally in some of the riskier equine sports (racing and polo) and have hundreds of friends who ride, and know no one who has injured themselves more than a broken bone.

darrenf · March 19th, 2008, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_Money

They are not comparable - we go much slower, fall on a much more forgiving surface, and don't have cars to contend with.

I have been around horses for 22 years now, both recreationally and professionally in some of the riskier equine sports (racing and polo) and have hundreds of friends who ride, and know no one who has injured themselves more than a broken bone.

My point is that a horse has a mind of it's own, and can get spooked and throw a rider, and that can cause severe injury. You do not have total control of a horse, just like a motorcycle rider does not have total control over his environment. They are comparable, they are both passions that have the ability to injure you. You do it because you love it, same reason people ride, or sky dive, or even fly. To some people the risk is too great, to others, it is worth it. If your horse did something unexpected, I would never tell you I don't sympathize. And for what it's worth, I have many friends who ride, but i don't know of anyone who even broke a bone in any accident. I have already lost 2 people I know to flying, should I give that up?

MQAAord · March 19th, 2008, 18:18

Weren't Christopher Reeves' injuries sustained in an accident riding a horse?

One of my dad's best friends in the world called him one night, they happened to be back in town. Dad said "Come on out to the house, we'd love to see you!" His buddy said, "well, that probably won't be possible, why don't you guys come in to the hotel here where we're at."

They show up to the hotel, and their friends' room is one of the handicapped suites. He'd been recently paralyzed from the waist down after getting thrown from one of his horses. Horses are this man's passion. His youngest son was blessed with a "jockey" build, and is currently a jockey out east somewhere. He was adamant to ride again though, and found a way to be able to. A special saddle and equipment, he rides again. He also got a special "off-road" wheelchair that gives him access to his entire farm & acreage.

There are risks to everything we do in life.

ASpilot2be · March 19th, 2008, 18:23

It is all relative:
To those that dont ride motorcycles, they seem really dangerous. But to those who ride them, they just realize the risk involved and seem less dangerous.

The same goes for snowmachines, horses, and alot of major activities/sports. Everything has a risk to it.

mpenguin1 · March 19th, 2008, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_Money

I have been around horses for 22 years now, both recreationally and professionally in some of the riskier equine sports (racing and polo) and have hundreds of friends who ride, and know no one who has injured themselves more than a broken bone.

Recreationally? Does that you mean, well, you play horsie?

I guess, that's possible, farmers get it on with their sheep, I guess you can get it on, nothing like a little horse style

killbilly · March 19th, 2008, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_Money

I like motorcycles - they create the best pool of organ donors.

I can not really say that I am that sympathetic - bikes are dangerous - you play with fire you will get burnt.

Ian, I like you, but this is ain't a nice thing to say and it bugs me.

Flying, riding horses and riding motorcycles all involve calculated risks. We learn to fly, ride horses and ride motorcycles by acquiring particular skills to minimize those risks.

From what he describes, it sounds like she target fixated on the rail and hit it - don't know for sure, but that's what it sounds like. The same thing happened to me in 1999 just outside of Seattle. I target fixated on a boulder, hit it, and busted both my bike and myself up - broken collarbone, destroyed left side of my helmet. I was wearing full leathers, and the armor in the hips and arms took the brunt of the point loads. Pretty badly scuffed, and had mild abrasions where the skin was against the armor, but it could have been much, much worse.

It was a mistake I made and learned from it. AGAIN - not saying this is what she did, but it sounds like it.

To Wheelsup's question about teaching to ride - yes, there is a LOT of instruction that goes into teaching one to ride a motorcycle. Certain things, like countersteering, are a little counterintuitive at first but can save your life the first time a left-turning car decides to stop in front of you.

Just as the PPL curriculum teaches stall awareness, and emergency engine-out procedures, so the MSF teaches emergency swerving and looking through the situation as opposed to at it to avoid an accident.

It takes a LOT of commitment and training to become an MSF instructor, by the way.

Quote:

For your sake I am pleased she was not hurt but I am totally confused why either of you would want to get back on!!!

I, too, am glad she is okay.

After you've evaluated the situation, you can decide whether or not getting back on is a good idea. It can be scary - I was gun shy about my bike for a month, but got back on and was glad I did.

Good luck to you both.

pullup · March 20th, 2008, 00:46

If this was the worst day of your life then consider yourself blessed/lucky....seriously.

MusketeerMan · March 20th, 2008, 01:36

Sorry to hear about the whole experience, but glad she's alright!! Hang in there...

motoboy · March 20th, 2008, 02:07

Good to hear your girl is ok. I think your beating yourself up way to much over this. I dont ride street bikes, but I've raced motocross for the last 7 years. You can orally explain to someone how to ride but when it comes down to it only they can be the judge of if their ready or not. Its not like teaching somebody to fly where you can sit next to them and correct for their mistakes. It sounds like you and your lady have found somthing you both enjoy, so maybe you should consider trading the street bikes in for dirtbikes. Its much safer and I'm willing to bet you will have more fun.

darrenf · March 20th, 2008, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by motoboy

Good to hear your girl is ok. I think your beating yourself up way to much over this. I dont ride street bikes, but I've raced motocross for the last 7 years. You can orally explain to someone how to ride but when it comes down to it only they can be the judge of if their ready or not. Its not like teaching somebody to fly where you can sit next to them and correct for their mistakes. It sounds like you and your lady have found somthing you both enjoy, so maybe you should consider trading the street bikes in for dirtbikes. Its much safer and I'm willing to bet you will have more fun.

Or a nice Dual-sport.

falconvalley · March 22nd, 2008, 15:49

Whew, man when I started reading I feared the worst. Seeing that your gf is going to be ok...

darrenf · March 22nd, 2008, 17:47

Just an update. It has now been 1 week and 1 hour since the accident. She is improving every day. Though she cannot turn her head yet, the pain has been decreasing and the road rash on her elbow has healed fantastically (ahh, to be young). I had to go to the ER today to get her x-rays and CAT Scans for her orthopedic appointment on Monday . She is also much more mobile, and it appears she will be feeling well enough to make the 1 hour drive tomorrow to my sister's for Easter. Another plus is my first order of replacement parts from eBay has already arrived. I should have all her parts within a few weeks, and her bike will be ready again when she is.

Everyone have a good holiday.

wildfreightess · March 22nd, 2008, 18:35

Jeez Darren, I'm sorry to hear about her accident, and I'm happy to hear she's doing better.

Guilt is such a self-destructive emotion, especially when it's not warranted. Please don't blame yourself. Like others have said before me, it was an accident. It could have been much worse. Just keep supporting her on her road to recovery!

Happy Easter

darrenf · March 22nd, 2008, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildfreightess

Jeez Darren, I'm sorry to hear about her accident, and I'm happy to hear she's doing better.

Guilt is such a self-destructive emotion, especially when it's not warranted. Please don't blame yourself. Like others have said before me, it was an accident. It could have been much worse. Just keep supporting her on her road to recovery!

Happy Easter

As she improves, so is my level of guilt. So, I am not really relieving myself of the guilt for not instructing her properly, but as the consequences of that mistake lesson, so does the guilt I feel. Thanks for the kind words.

X-Forces · March 23rd, 2008, 14:24

Sorry to hear about your situation Darren

(Also sorry to see some stupid comments posted in this thread)

Please keep up informed.