The Swede is retired from 2 wheels

[jrt]

Hope you heal up fully and quickly!

[bronzestar1]

That's terrible, hope you have a speedy and full recovery, and you take that fool for everything he has.  I had a low-speed high-side accident a few years ago, got a concussion and one broken rib.  I can't image what it must be like with SEVEN broken ribs! 

[jcctx]

Wow, missed this when first posted. Can't add much~ so get well soon and hopeto see you "down the road". !!!!

And, get well soon!!

[JoeB]

Positive thoughts for your healing headed your way.

[SemperVee]

  As I say,  we make the decision to stop riding or it gets made for us.    Those with lots of experience that no longer "do" can still contribute with teaching or mentoring others myself included sooner than later with 53 nearly daily riding years and nearly 1M miles that includes daily commuting of 100+ miles to and back from work on the bike for 22 years and CC trips like many others do.  Seems like I spend more time now in the PNW maintaining my bikes as riding @ 70 years old.      Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[wirespokes]

I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune and postulate a full and complete recovery.

I know what it's like having six broken ribs - somehow I didn't sneeze for six weeks. :-)

And once they were pretty much on the mend, the body suddenly decided to present me with a pain in the butt. Let me tell you - it's no joke! That was PAINFUL!

I was told (by who knows?) that the body can only handle one big pain at a time, so be prepared. (or warned)

I tend to stop (at a light) off to the side of the car in front just in case of a rear ender. At least I won't get squished. Many years ago in the early 70s a friend told me about a motorcyclist getting rear ended and it broke his neck. Glad that didn't happen to you.

Are there any people in your life covertly working against you? I know that's an odd question, and not easily answered, but we, as spiritual, beings are actually more causative than we realize. And negative individuals can have that sort of effect on us.

[lazlokovacs]

best wishes for a speedy recovery Swede,

broke a rib or two in the boxing ring over the years, cannot even imagine what seven feel like.

My 2c, in this smartphone world it is truly dangerous out there. A blimmin cancer on society all this digital addiction. Will the  and the powers that be actually do anything about it?

[Luap McKeever]

Dadgummit, they hit Prescott. Now it's personal.

Sorry to read this for sure. Hope to see you around though. Hang tough man.

[mhershon]

Prescott, we met in Cedar Vale some years ago. I had no idea I was in the presence, or I would have expressed my (and my V7 owning cousins') gratitude for your wonderful ownership history. I feel awful about your bad luck. Please take it easy and let your body heal. I hope to see you again at some Guzzi event, but I'd understand if you decide to step back from things. You'll be missed here...

[Shorty]

Get better amigo, you're in our thoughts and prayers.

[SIR REAL ED]

SmithSwede,

Please stay connected via the forum.  I always look forward to your perspectives.

You are wise to listen to your intuition/gut/conscience/small inner voice.  Always trust your intuition.

The book, The Gift of Fear is an interesting read, but I think the word fear is not quite applicable in your case.  More like wisdom in my opinion.

As others have stated, you just might find a new joy in putting around on a small off-road bike or dual sport.

Good luck my friend.

Heal fast!

[Guzzistajohn]

Hope you’re recovering well, my friend. The rides we’ve had together have been epic. If you’re ever in the Ozarks- yadda yadda yadda

[travelingbyguzzi]

Yikes,Prescott! I hate to here this. So glad you made it and have the resources for a positive recovery.
Still hope to see you at a future event.


Bill Lovelady         IS
Eskimo Spy

[JL Rich]

So sorry to hear this.  Hope you heal well and can put it behind you.  Please let us know of any assistance we can provide.

[rocker59]

So sorry to hear this, Swede.

Heal well.

I hope to see you again, soon.

[kidsmoke]

Adding to the chorus: please continue to be part of this community, regardless of how you're getting around.

So glad you came through in one, albeit a bit battered, piece.

[Clifton]

Terrible to hear, my thoughts are with you. That shouldn't have occurred WTH is it with people not paying attention while driving? I believe giving up riding at this point is wise, something I've been considering myself after reading of encounters with deer and inattentive drivers.

[egschade]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you heal quickly and fully. I had strike 1 this year when a dump truck decided to cut me off on a local highway and I side-swiped the adjacent car going 65+. Was lucky not to fall and only the bike (along with my underwear) suffered some relatively minor damage. Since then yours is the 5th major accident of folks I know, 2 of which were in our small NJ Guzzi group.

Riding this year just hasn't been all that much fun. Not sure If I want to wait for strike 2 and may join you in choosing to hang up my helmet. Been thinking that a manual trans roadster could be as much if not more fun given my current anxiety level. Maybe pick up another BMW Z / Miata or go retro with a Triumph or MGB.

[rocker59]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you heal quickly and fully. I had strike 1 this year when a dump truck decided to cut me off on a local highway and I side-swiped the adjacent car going 65+. Was lucky not to fall and only the bike (along with my underwear) suffered some relatively minor damage. Since then yours is the 5th major accident of folks I know, 2 of which were in our small NJ Guzzi group.

Riding this year just hasn't been all that much fun. Not sure If I want to wait for strike 2 and may join you in choosing to hang up my helmet. Been thinking that a manual trans roadster could be as much if not more fun given my current anxiety level. Maybe pick up another BMW Z / Miata or go retro with a Triumph or MGB.

I'm not far behind you.  I wish there was easy access to motorcycle wreck statistics, but it seems the number of accidents is way up over the past couple years.  Lots of bike wrecks reported weekly, here in my area.  I went out on Saturday for a few hours during our annual biker rally, here, and saw the results of three bike/car wrecks, and emergency sirens were a constant reminder that weekend of the reality of riding, these days.

A Miata or BMW Z4 would make nice replacements for the bike.  Too rich for my wallet, but the Z4 Handschalter is pretty awesome.

[faffi]

On average, per mile traveled, motorcycle riders are 12 times more likely to get killed or seriously injured than car drivers. 66% of the serious/fatal accidents are cause by either head-to-head with oncoming traffic or riders failing to keep their bike on the road. Overall, the rider is the sole or primary contributor of serious/fatal accidents in 2/3 of the total number of accidents. In 42% of the fatal accidents, the rider's lack of skills was a contributing factor. Those are numbers from Norway.

While I should statistically have been riding for more than a thousand years by the numbers of accidents with serious injuries I have been in, showing my contempt for HSE, I also know that I could have avoided every one of them if I had ridden inside the safe envelope instead of willingly taking immense risks. In other words, I know how to ride in order to almost certainly arrive back home unscathed, and today this is my habit.

However, there is one thing we cannot control; everybody else. The Swede was victim of this. There is no way one can fully protect oneself from such accidents, be that being hit from behind or oncoming traffic instantly swerving onto your lane, flattening you in the process. Personally, I do not mind the risk, but if I did I would stop riding without guilt or regret. After all, what is the point of riding motorcycles if you do not enjoy it?

[egschade]

On average, per mile traveled, motorcycle riders are 12 times more likely to get killed or seriously injured than car drivers. 66% of the serious/fatal accidents are cause by either head-to-head with oncoming traffic or riders failing to keep their bike on the road. Overall, the rider is the sole or primary contributor of serious/fatal accidents in 2/3 of the total number of accidents. In 42% of the fatal accidents, the rider's lack of skills was a contributing factor. Those are numbers from Norway.

While I should statistically have been riding for more than a thousand years by the numbers of accidents with serious injuries I have been in, showing my contempt for HSE, I also know that I could have avoided every one of them if I had ridden inside the safe envelope instead of willingly taking immense risks. In other words, I know how to ride in order to almost certainly arrive back home unscathed, and today this is my habit.

However, there is one thing we cannot control; everybody else. The Swede was victim of this. There is no way one can fully protect oneself from such accidents, be that being hit from behind or oncoming traffic instantly swerving onto your lane, flattening you in the process. Personally, I do not mind the risk, but if I did I would stop riding without guilt or regret. After all, what is the point of riding motorcycles if you do not enjoy it?

Interesting you cite Norway statistics. I toured there for a week this past July and noted that the majority of the roads were in far better condition than those in NJ and that the drivers were exceedingly courteous and well trained, typically yielding the right of way to motorcyclists. Also, I didn't see a single driver talking on their cellphone. The speed limits are vigorously enforced with the national max being 80 KPH (50 MPH). I suspect that US numbers are worse, possibly by a lot.

[faffi]

Interesting you cite Norway statistics. I toured there for a week this past July and noted that the majority of the roads were in far better condition than those in NJ and that the drivers were exceedingly courteous and well trained, typically yielding the right of way to motorcyclists. Also, I didn't see a single driver talking on their cellphone. The speed limits are vigorously enforced with the national max being 80 KPH (50 MPH). I suspect that US numbers are worse, possibly by a lot.

Before you are allowed to drive or ride, you need to go through an extensive training - both practical and theoretical - in order to get your license. Typical cost for each - you need specific training for both 2 and 4 wheel - is around USD 5000. In order to be allowed to operate a bus, it will cost USD 10-15000 on top family car license. And so on. It is costly, but we also have the lowest death rate on public roads in the world.

Using a hand held phone while driving will cost you more than USD 1000 in fine.

[Muzz]

That just sux Swede, not a nice way to have to give up two wheels. Glad to see that you survived. Here's to rapid and complete healing.