Topic: 24 Rides in 2024, Frank's New Years resolution that we can all enjoy.

[lash]

Another dreary +8c day but managed a 123 km. ride for #126. Doesn’t look like it will warm up again until March! Finally did my oil change.

[newday777]

#30 today for 173 miles total. Started the day at 8:30 am, 43°F, had to do my final day of taking care of a friend's chickens and cats, the went to their newly bought retirement property in VA to hunt as a family for a couple of weeks.
Went to church after, then off to the Maine border to see my mum and sisters for the afternoon, rode back after sunset and got back well after dark and back to 45°. I think it got up to a high of 60°-61°. Not bad for the middle of November here in NH. It's been very dry here the past 2 months, we might finally get some rain Thursday and Friday.

[willbird]

#85,  11-16, 74 miles, Took OH34 West into IN, picked up "old 27" and ran that North to Angola and US20 home.

#86, 11-17, 98 miles, Took OH15 to Defiance, then West on 24 until I hit OH49, then North until I hit a detour and picked up a county road and headed North until I hit something I recognized and headed east home.

[lash]

Drove my wife to a dental appointment this morning and made it home in time for an afternoon local ride. Beautiful day, +12c and 148 km. for #127.

[budman]

Ride #60, 138 miles.

Well gentlemen, this is where my riding year ends.

Bud - 1
Deer - 0
Indian Scout - ?

The young buck thought he'd make it.  He was wrong and ruined my day and probably the next few weeks and beyond.

I was out doing what I do.  My route got cut short due to some rain coming in from the southwest.  Had to turn around west of Hunt.  The bike photos here are the only ones I took on the ride along the south fork of the Guadalupe River.

I made impact with the deer heading to Comfort from Kerrville.  I had just ridden over an overpass crossing I-10.  I don't remember the crash at all or riding on the overpass.  The last thing I remember was passing a car before I got the overpass.  The next thing I remember is the EMT waking me up on a gurney telling me I hit a deer and they were taking me to the hospital in Kerrville.  I got a glimpse of the bike and remember damaged saddlebags and I saw the dead buck.  I went down in the grass.  The state trooper came to the hospital and told there were witness.  He said they told him I had taken off my helmet after the crash.  I don't remember.  I guess I passed out.  He told me where my bike was hauled too and gave me his number so I could get the report.

I was awake in the ambulance.  They put the neck brace on me and I think gave me and IV.  They brought me into the ER and after a CT and a couple of X-rays they sent me to a trauma center in San Antonio at a military hospital.

I'll get back with more details later.  They kept me overnight.  I got out this morning.  Walked out on my own.  Only a small fracture on the back of my neck.  I can't even feel it.  Said I didn't have to wear the neck brace.

My neighbor came and picked me up.  Got home about noon.  Ate some food and took a nap.  I'm very sore all over.

I'll try to find out what's up with the bike later in the week.  The Trooper said it didn't look too bad.  I don’t think I'll be riding anymore this year.  Not sure about next year.

[lash]

Glad you’re ok! Bad way to end the year but at least you’re here to talk about it. Best wishes !!

[newday777]

Oh man Bud, that's tough. Sorry to hear that happened to you.  Heal up. I had a doe pop out and turned around as I was getting there yesterday. There were 2 more right behind her too. I had my radio playing on the wing so maybe she heard that and didn't want to try???

[RAFster122s]

Bud, glad you are going to be alright, the Scout can be fixed or replaced, you are irreplaceable...
Get some rest and hope the soreness fades quickly...

Too bad that buck didn't end up in your freezer for all the insult and injury he caused...
I hope they got the meat to someone who deserved it and it will help out... sometimes they have soup kitchens or similar orgs on the recipient list for unclaimed road kill in an accident. That way the venison does go to waste.
Venison is some of the best meat you can get.

Sorry you had the accident, glad you are able to tell us about it.
Warm baths and Epsom salt soak can help with soreness.

[BenelliSEI]

Bud….. sorry to hear your news! Get the rest and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Kevin D]

Dear Lord, I read this page from the bottom up, first the several consolations, I had to stop after each post and reckon with what I was reading Bud. Then the picture of your swollen leg, then the picture of yourself in one piece with the neck brace, then you’re story of what you remember and what you were told.
I don’t advise reading this in reverse.

Dear Lord, thank you for letting Bud land in the soft grass.

Take it easy, and get well soon Bud.

[jgger]

Bud, so sorry to hear about your chance meeting with suicide Bambi. I pray you heal quickly and completely and I, for one, am going to miss your virtual tours of Texas. I hope the Indian didn't suffer too much damage and can be put back together better than new.

On the other hand it looks like you had the start of a good ride going until you tangled with Rudolph the wrecker. But he is dead and you aren't, so that's a good thing.

Heal quick and let me know if there is anything I can do fot you from here in Calif.

Jim/ jgger

[PeWe]

That was really bad, Bud. But it could be worse.

Lets hope you and your bike will be ready for 25 rides next year.

[budman]

Dear Lord, I read this page from the bottom up, first the several consolations, I had to stop after each post and reckon with what I was reading Bud. Then the picture of your swollen leg, then the picture of yourself in one piece with the neck brace, then you’re story of what you remember and what you were told.
I don’t advise reading this in reverse.

Dear Lord, thank you for letting Bud land in the soft grass.

Take it easy, and get well soon Bud.

Ha ha.  Kevin, that's my left forearm, not my leg.  I look like Popeye on the left.

Left collar bone really hurts, but I don't think it's broken.  They would have caught it on the CT scans and X-rays.  Weird thing is it didn't start hurting until yesterday morning when they discharged me and said I could go, and I got up to get dressed.  I think I landed headfirst on my left side.  My helmet has grass streaks on the top left.  Maybe the bottom edge of the helmet rim rammed my collar bone.  Maybe my arm was out in front of my head.  I might have hit the handbars on the ejection.  Bruise on my right side.

Got a few bruises here and there and a mild headache.  Legs are unscathed as well as my right arm.  My jacket and clothes are fine.  Just a couple of small dirt smears and some grass.

Had to sleep partially sitting up last night.  Not entirely comfortable, but way better than the ER bed.  Got up and had a light breakfast and a shower.  Moving very slowly.

Going to start making phone calls in a bit.  I won't be surprised if they total the bike.  I bet a bunch of the small parts are tore up.  The Tropper said there was a small dent in the tank.  My concern is the aluminum frame structures.  I've seen in photos where they crack in accidents.  You pretty much have to take the whole bike apart.  Labor ain't cheap.

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers!

[ofreen]

Sorry Bud. We can manage risk as much as we can when riding and do a good job of it. But the biggest challenge are animals because they can be there without you knowing it until it’s too late to do anything about it. Deer especially are unpredictable. You will no doubt be thinking about the future as you heal up. I will interested in hearing what you decide and the thinking that went into it.

[budman]

Sorry Bud. We can manage risk as much as we can when riding and do a good job of it. But the biggest challenge are animals because they can be there without you knowing it until it’s too late to do anything about it. Deer especially are unpredictable. You will no doubt be thinking about the future as you heal up. I will interested in hearing what you decide and the thinking that went into it.

I've had countless deer dart out in front of me, but until yesterday there was always clearance, some closer than others.  I am usually scanning the sides of the road all the time when riding and see them in time to form a plan or slow down.  I've had a yearling bounce off my left foot when it decided to "race" me.  I've observed that bucks seem to be more unpredictable.  They often times feel the need to be on the other side of the road when a vehicle approaches.  Perhaps they like living on the edge.  Does will more often run away or jump a fence to flee.  I've seen bucks in full sprint dart across the road with their bellies mere inches from the road surface.  It seems to me that this might have been the case with my collision.  He may have been hiding by the fence line to my left, which was tree lined, while the fence on the other side of the road was open pasture and looked like a better escape.  I think I must have t-boned him and went over him and landed in the grass.  He was dead-dead. 
 
The mind is a peculiar thing.  I don't remember the impact so I can't say for sure.  At the moment I have no emotional trauma, because I can't recall.  You could tell me I fell out of a tree and I wouldn't know the difference.  I still love motorcycles, but time will tell.

[BenelliSEI]

Don’t over think it. Years ago I got rear ended at a stop sign by a young lady that swore “she didn’t see me”! Ever since, all I remember is to hold that brake light on whenever I’m stopped. Get well fast, do the physio and move ahead. J.

[Kevin D]

     Ha ha.  Kevin, that's my left forearm, not my leg.  I look like Popeye on the left.     

Forgive me Bud, it’s been a while since I did my last transplant surgery.

My easy chair is superb, it always does the trick when horizontal sleep is uncomfortable.

Deer season is in full swing here. The bucks are wound up, the does are skittish, the hunters are in their blinds.

[RAFster122s]

Bud, hope the Scout manages to be repairable and no hidden damage. A good shop will do due diligence on ensuring it is safe and they checked things. Never hurts to ask what they check. If it doesn't manage to survive insurance I hope you get a good settlement for it so you can replace it without much pain to the finances.

It is not uncommon for X-rays to not show breaks right after accidents, the remodeling of the break shows up after several days, so it might not be a bad idea if it is still hurting pretty bad after 3 days to get it x-rayed again. It is a common problem, not an issue of competency.
Praying for healing and pain reduction...
David

[BallAquatics]

Hey Bud, that's some scary stuff.  So happy to hear you are doing well.  It will take some time to work through, but I'm sure you will.  After my run in with the deer last year, I still go slow through the area where it happened and simply avoid riding in that area mostly.  There's really nothing you can do in areas where the tree line is close to the edge of the road...

My cancer treatments have me so tired that I only go for short rides currently.  Was out yesterday, cool and damp after some early morning rain, but it still brings a smile every time.  I'm hoping to be in better shape for 25 in 25!

[budman]

Ride #61, not gonna happen.

My plan didn’t work out.  I had it timed perfectly.  Today marks my 22,282 earthly rotation (61 years).  Was planning on a ride today and a stop for an awesome barbecue lunch.

I could probably drive, but don’t much feel like it.  Got paperwork to fill out and even though I managed to sleep pretty well last night I’m feeling tired.

BA, I hope you get some energy back soon and have many more years of riding ahead of you.

[Kelly E]

My cancer treatments have me so tired that I only go for short rides currently.  Was out yesterday, cool and damp after some early morning rain, but it still brings a smile every time.  I'm hoping to be in better shape for 25 in 25!

I hear you about the cancer treatments sapping your energy and motivation. The shop is 120' behind the house and some days I barely get out of my chair let alone make it to the shop. It takes time to get better but the waiting is tough.
I worked a bunch yesterday and today I'm in the chair watching TV. Luckily the power is out so I don't have to feel bad about not going to the shop. The toughest thing today is keeping an eye on the generator so it doesn't run out of gas.

[Kevin D]

Ride #61, not gonna happen.

My plan didn’t work out.  I had it timed perfectly.  Today marks my 22,282 earthly rotation (61 years).  Was planning on a ride today and a stop for an awesome barbecue lunch.

I could probably drive, but don’t much feel like it.  Got paperwork to fill out and even though I managed to sleep pretty well last night I’m feeling tired.

BA, I hope you get some energy back soon and have many more years of riding ahead of you.

Well….. Happy Birthday Bud. I’ll have a bit of that liquor over there for you in a little while. I missed all my deer this year. None were even close, (none that I saw). I missed my chance to ride on the best day of this week when I had an eye exam and got my eyes dilated. Rain every other day, first snow tonight?/tomorrow for sure. Likely I’m finished at 35
 I’m glad to hear you’re on your feet Bud.

[RAFster122s]

Happy Birthday Bud! I hope you added some new great memories to accompany all those from past birthdays, despite the injuries.
Hang in there...

[jgger]

Happy birthday bud, i hope you get both your bod and bike fixed up real nice!

[Terry in Australia]

Good rides guys, and while it’s cooling down on your side of the pond, it’s heating up here. I’m taking the Kawasaki KZ750 over to the bike shop on Saturday for its roadworthy inspection and it’ll be in the mid 90’s, but will be cooler on Sunday so might have to take the K0 out for a ride then, personally I think that anything over 80 isn’t pleasant for riding.

No biggie, lots to do here, I dragged my poor old VTR1000F out of the garage where it’s been since 2015 to get going again and currently have 10 litres of CRC Evaporust which seems to be doing a pretty good job, even though there wasn’t much rust in the tank, surprisingly. I want to sell it and make more space in the garage, so I’ll remove and clean the carbs, install a new battery and new MC’s for both the clutch and brakes, and hopefully it’ll fire right up.