Going Down

I went down on my bike, fairly badly, and I am unhurt, but it was so terrifying. I didn’t run into anybody. Unfortunately for me (but fortunately for everyone else) it was just between me and the curb and the hill. The wheels got in a bit of an argument, my hands forgot what to do. I did a semi wheelie going uphill and all of Gail, my Abigail, my 1966 Honda Dream, vintage and heavy with a full belly of gas left me behind, semi flipped up in the air and landed on my leg and arm. I moved out of the way fast enough to catch most of the impact on my new icon federal 1000 jacket’s ce approved elbow armor and my heavy duty Harley-Davidson boots. My Harley boots kept my leg from snapping in half, for real! Thank you Harley for my leg. And thank you Icon for my elbow.

I have no bruises at all besides my bruised pride and although there is a fair amount of pain, there doesn’t seem to be permanent damage. I was going to go to the emergency room but then no bones seem to be poking through my skin so I will forgo it for now. I don’t like the doctor, and so even though I might be dead right now, I am just going to haunt my house and leave it at that.

It has been three days and the bike is still parked at a super awkward angle on my street. My accident happened in my driveway after a very long and satisfying ride through the city. I felt so confident from riding on the busy streets, signaling with my arms as I have no turn signals on this old girl, leaning into turns – even getting pulled over by cops, not to get tickets but just so they could get to talk to the hot girl in the bright red leather jacket and glowing white vintage bike who turned out to be an “actual movie star” (their words, not mine) that I could take the hill on my street from the opposite, steeper end. It was when I got cocky that I got dumb.

No matter how successful and joyous your ride is, it doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Even when you are almost home, you could crash, like I did. The mailman was delivering mail to my house right at that moment and was there to help me out from under the bike where i was pinned. I am not going to say ‘trapped’ because that sounds really too dramatic. Pinned. I was pinned. I was not really sure how to get out from under a still roaring motorcycle and so just laid there until the mailman gently suggested that I kill the engine, which I did, which released me partway, and so I will not say I was ‘trapped’.

Wear your gear and real quality gear if you can. Seriously. Body armor is not only for track days. Pay attention, always, even if you are in the driveway. Go to the doctor. I am not going to, but do as I say and not as I do. Really, I am just fine. Keep the shiny side up. Stay up.

11 thoughts on “Going Down

  1. Congrats on being safe! Sheesh…. You’re lucky to have a really scary thing like that without much real damage so it’ll probably be years before you let your guard down again.

  2. I’m so glad that you advocate wearing gear and stress bike safety so much. I’ve ridden with my dad since I was a little girl and we were never allowed to ride unless we had on proper shoes, pants, and a jacket – even if it was hot outside. Better to scuff up clothing than to scrape your arms and legs to bits.

    I’m glad you’re all right!

  3. Oh that sucks… I started riding about a year ago- and I too took my bike down – me, a hill, a curve, and a stop sign…. also after a glorious technical ride (mine in the East Bay Hills)… so scary and so grateful for my very armored lipstick pink leathers…. ride on sister… and good luck with keeping the rubber side down…. I am back on my bike and loving it dearly – now much, much more cautious and on the look out for those “little moments” that lead to big spills…

  4. I am glad you are okay. If you had been seriously injured who would keep me laughing on Twittter. Remember any motorcycle mishap that a rider can walk away from is a good one. Once you heal get back out there and regain that confidence.

  5. Glad to hear you’re fine.
    And I’m also glad to hear you advocate the use of safety gear, of which all riders should be wearing, regardless of their riding experience.
    At San Diego Harley-Davidson, we are very strict about the use of safety gear, abd accidents can happen at any time.

  6. Oh Margaret, I’m so happy that you are okay. Don’t worry, it was perhaps just a warning to be careful in further travels. <3

  7. Not cocky, just caught out. Having a tumble is a part of riding, watch how good your observation and balance get the next few times you ride!

  8. Ok… so I bought a Kawasaki Ninja 650 last month because I wanted something smaller and easier than my Victory Hammer 1600. I still have both and use them for different times and reasons. On my third time out with the Ninja, I went to Starbucks to meet a friend. The parking spot was on a slight uphill angle and I parked. We decided to leave to go look at a place she wanted to rent and I was going follow her. She took off like a bat out of hell and as I was rolling out of the parking place trying to keep up with her…I completely dumped that near new bike. Not only was my ego bruised, but so was the rest of me. A patron of Starbucks had to help me up and I was super shook up. As I was standing there trying to pull myself together, a man in a car beeped his horn at me and yelled at me to move….as I was blocking the parking spot I just fell over in !! I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry !! I pushed the bike to a safe spot and gathered my wits. My friend came roaring back around and asked if I was ok. I was good and got back on immediately. Don’t be discouraged…I’ve been riding for a while and it happens to the best of us. Jump back on when you are ready…and I’m up here in the Northbay if you want someone to ride with…Cheers…Dona from Organicann….

  9. i have even read the entire post — yet — but i’m glad you’re fine as you’ve obviously posted other notes. it happens, evidently. so glad you are in good health. wish LA had been different, but still love the place.

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