31-12-13, 11:08 PM
Ok, 2nd instalment.
The big one. FZR1000 September 1991. 25 years old. Excuse if my memory is slightly hazy on this one. Had just watched Brit bike GP on tv. Warm, sunny day. Last thing I remember before the crash was zipping up leathers with the idea of cracking that road as fast as I could. (Yep, THAT road again - real bright, eh? :rolleyes ). Next thing I remember is not being able to breathe properly. Coughing and coughing, some restriction in throat. Turns out I was in ITU with a tube down my throat, having punctured one lung and collapsed the other. (they didn't want to cut a proper tracheotomy because I have a burn scar around throat and they were worried it wouldn't heal after). Surgeon's words regarding left shoulder - "obliterated" - reconstructed with prosthesis. Spiral fracture of R femur (plated). Broke 8 or 9 ribs. Punctured spleen - splenectomy carried out. Tore liver and small intestine. Complex fracture L elbow. Deep gash in lower R leg and damage to ligaments and tendons of R knee.
From what I can gather, I did indeed go for it on that road. Hit car head-on. Closing speed estimates between 120-150mph, depending on who you listen to (bit academic really). Bike is supposed to have left ground, come down, gone under car, car flips over on roof. Car supposedly doing 20mph (60 limit, but probably safe to drive between 40-50mph if driving normally).
Young and totally STUPID. Still hadn't learned, probably because I'd gotten away with it so many times before.
Despite having absolutely no memory of events (thankfully), this one DID change my attitude. I was back on a bike as soon as I was fit to ride, but much more cautious. I still ride fast (for me) today, but there's always that little voice in the back of my mind saying "what if". I tend to heed it now, and back off a little. Except for one little ride in Wales this year. Don't know why I did that. Could have just let those others go. Funny (odd). It can only have been that old thing - riding with others, blood is up, having a blast. Can't say I didn't enjoy it. Can't say it'll never happen again. And I, of all people, know how stupid it is. :\
The big one. FZR1000 September 1991. 25 years old. Excuse if my memory is slightly hazy on this one. Had just watched Brit bike GP on tv. Warm, sunny day. Last thing I remember before the crash was zipping up leathers with the idea of cracking that road as fast as I could. (Yep, THAT road again - real bright, eh? :rolleyes ). Next thing I remember is not being able to breathe properly. Coughing and coughing, some restriction in throat. Turns out I was in ITU with a tube down my throat, having punctured one lung and collapsed the other. (they didn't want to cut a proper tracheotomy because I have a burn scar around throat and they were worried it wouldn't heal after). Surgeon's words regarding left shoulder - "obliterated" - reconstructed with prosthesis. Spiral fracture of R femur (plated). Broke 8 or 9 ribs. Punctured spleen - splenectomy carried out. Tore liver and small intestine. Complex fracture L elbow. Deep gash in lower R leg and damage to ligaments and tendons of R knee.
From what I can gather, I did indeed go for it on that road. Hit car head-on. Closing speed estimates between 120-150mph, depending on who you listen to (bit academic really). Bike is supposed to have left ground, come down, gone under car, car flips over on roof. Car supposedly doing 20mph (60 limit, but probably safe to drive between 40-50mph if driving normally).
Young and totally STUPID. Still hadn't learned, probably because I'd gotten away with it so many times before.
Despite having absolutely no memory of events (thankfully), this one DID change my attitude. I was back on a bike as soon as I was fit to ride, but much more cautious. I still ride fast (for me) today, but there's always that little voice in the back of my mind saying "what if". I tend to heed it now, and back off a little. Except for one little ride in Wales this year. Don't know why I did that. Could have just let those others go. Funny (odd). It can only have been that old thing - riding with others, blood is up, having a blast. Can't say I didn't enjoy it. Can't say it'll never happen again. And I, of all people, know how stupid it is. :\