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The Swede is retired from 2 wheels
SmithSwede:
Hello friends. It is with great sadness and some serious pain that I announce my retirement from the active 2 wheeler world, effective immediately.
3 years ago I locked up the front on my Guzzi Stone in the rain and broke my right ankle. That was Strike 1. Did not seem like too big a deal, so I healed up and bought a lime green Kawasaki Z900 Cafe. Rode another 68,500 miles on the Zed.
Until the afternoon of Sunday Oct 12. I was just starting on a 2 week trip, and had stopped for road construction on I-20 just east of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Alas, a young man in a Ford F-150 did not see the flashing road construction signs or all the stopped traffic. He flew up behind me, eventually hit the brakes, started spinning, and then nailed me in the rear.
Witnesses report I was thrown up and left, flying maybe 20 feet before landing on the earth median.
I’m still hospitalized in Jackson; probably finish rehab Nov 13. Right ankle broken all to pieces, again. Broken tibia, sacrum, pelvic fracture, hairline fracture to a lumbar vertebra, 7 broken ribs, and an enormous hematoma across my lower back, butt, and upper leg.
I consider that to be Strike 2. I’m not going to wait for Strike 3, so I’m hanging up my gear while I’m ahead. I’ve spent almost 50 years with motorcycles as an integral part of my life, so I think I’ve had my fun.
I may still show up at the occasional rallies, but not on 2 wheels. I’ll be the useful guy who can take his car into town to get firewood, or beer, or dinner stuff.
Dirk_S:
HATE to see this—both your announcement and why—but also completely understand. Seems even the safest rider is still at the whim of growing inattention, irresponsibility, and rage on the roads. And it’s not even a guarantee that folks learn from their mistakes.
Glad you’re alive. I’d be curious to read what kind of gear you were wearing?
Injuries like that must be an absolutely annoying bugger to recuperate from. Please stick around and profess sage wisdom. You’ve earned it.
Dirk_S:
Also, I’ve heard/read that one broken rib sucks, two is beyond suckage…but SEVEN?? Surprised you didn’t puncture a lung.
lucian:
So sorry to hear this SS. I'm glad that as bad as it is it wasn't any worse. I hope you heal well and continue to hang around here , have always enjoyed your posts here.
inditx:
Tough decision but everyone must cross this bridge while still able to.
God speed and please stick around sir.
inditx
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