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

[CharlieW]

Missed You and Cousin Darryl at the Texas Rally
Hoping for a Speedy & Full Recovery
Sad You have to give up something you enjoy because of morons.
Another Hope you stick Around
 Charlie

[Gliderjohn]

Keep healing. Reevaluate the riding thing in another year. or so. If it is still a no go maybe look some fun vehicle as a replacement. There is some neat stuff out there currently. Maybe avoid a Fiat Spider as we were at our small grocery store today and a guy was there with a really sharp Spider convertable that wouldn't start so he did as any experienced Fiat owner would do and push started it.
Get well!
GliderJohn

[faffi]

Sorry to hear about your accident. I know you are in pain, having suffered a crushed rib cage with internal bleeding and damage to internal organs in one of my too many accidents that ended in broken bones and more. The pain will, hopefully and normally, go away, but I can understand why you do not want to risk another prang. Whether you change your mind or stay with your decision, I wish you a speedy and full recovery. And hopefully we will still have you hanging around here, sharing your knowledge.

[Vagrant]

Sorry to hear this Smith. I hope you heal quickly and fully.
After my 11 broken ribs in Alaska back in 2010 I found that a Fentanyl patch killed the pain wonderfully (with no ups and downs) after they quit the morphine. Ask your doc.

[LowRyter]

So sorry Prescott.

I hope you have swift and full recovery.

[aklawok]

 So sad to hear of your tragedy. Given your experiences and down time, would you be willing to talk about how any of your protective equipment functioned during this? Help make us all safer.

[Perazzimx14]

Yikes, glad it wasn;t worse. Heal up and heal fast.

If you want to send the SS/CR back up to PA I'll watch over it for you.

[Ncdan]

The time will eventually come for all of us, sooner or later.
I believe there will be a little voice in our head, or heart, that will tell us it’s time.
Please stay active on the forum Swede, as you have so much experience to offer.
Hope everything heals back as it should👍

Dan

[leroysch]

The VERY best wishes for as speedy a recovery as possible.....in Mississippi.

[Sykestone8886]

Sorry to hear about your accident, hope you heal as pain free as possible!!!

[Guzzidad]

    Same exact thing happened to a friend of mine recently after more than a million miles of riding. He too has quit, and I don't blame him. You might have even met him in you travels as he spent quite a bit of time riding and camping in northern Arkansas.

[SmithSwede]

I’m happy to discuss any details, provided they don’t impinge on possible litigation. 

Several gear questions. I was wearing a nearly new Shoei Qwest helmet.   Worked fine. Some scratches and gouges on the rear portion. 

Aerostich Roadcrafter jacket with the EU elbow and back armor.  Aerostich RD1 pants, with knee and hip armor.  Full length Sidi dirt bike style boots with the two latches and Velcro straps. 

Armored leather gloves. 

I have zero road rash or abrasions.   I think the gear did all that could be expected.

I’m pretty sure that most or all of the broken bones and hematoma were the result of direct contact between me and the spinning F-150.

As usual I was wearing a single strap British messenger bag on my shoulder, adjusted so the rear duffel bag supported all the weight.  One of the buckles broke during the aerial sequence of my performance, and a lot of my stuff was flung about the accident site.   I think my laptop perished.

Was also wearing a road engineer orange vest with reflective striping.   Weather was clear any sunny.   My only point there is that the bullet driver cannot credibly claim “I couldn’t see the guy.”

Apparently my glasses were accidentally left at the scene or in the ambulance.  I didn’t have a spare pair.  So I’m starting week two at the hospital and not able to see much!

[Moparnut72]

Sorry to hear this hang in there and get well soon. I would have clicked the like button not much to like other than that you are still with us. Too many flippin idiots out there.
kk

[normzone]

In Dungeon & Dragons terms, you are retiring before you use up all your constitution points.

Or, in another popular gaming meme, the city guard tells the party " I used to be an adventurer, but I took an arrow to the knee ".

I'm rooting for you, and as a lenses wearer, can I help you get some new glasses?

[Dirk_S]

And Swede, where can one send a get well card?

[Huzo]

Damn…!
As others have said SS, you always have a steadying influence on things that you touch, your insights are among the best around here, so glad you are able to battle this latest misfortune.
Stay in touch…

[TN Mark]

Prayers inbound for your quick and total restoration.

Sad that the carelessness of others can have such an impact on the innocent. There’s no such thing as randomness or happenstance in the world. But there are most certainly victims of others.

Thankfully you’re still here and able to make rational decisions. Removing yourself from the active two wheel riding community is most certainly rational given your strikes 1 & 2.

Please do remain as active as you can on forums like this. It can be a great source for some mental therapy to go along with the physical.

Please also let us know how we can chase down a replacement pair of glasses from the source of the ones that are missing.

Please also let us know what we, or how we, can help you with in your recovery and restoration.

[red stripeguz]

Apparently my glasses were accidentally left at the scene or in the ambulance.  I didn’t have a spare pair.  So I’m starting week two at the hospital and not able to see much!

If you have a current prescription, I've been pleased with Zenni, order online and you'll have in a few days

[Chuck in Indiana]

So sorry to hear, Prescott. Getting rear ended is my biggest fear when riding. I hate it that it happened, but heal well.

[Kev m]

I'm without words. Heal up and fare thee well.

[kballowe]

Heal quickly.  Heal well.

Hope to see you soon.

[Tkelly]

Sorry Prescott,hope you are back up soon,might be time to hang up the briefcase and enjoy yourself too.

[Alfetta]

after you heal up...  and if you get the itch again...
I would recommend getting a low power dirt bike, and hit some open trails at a slow pace.
Very peaceful, very low risk, very bike rewarding.....

I quite riding street many years ago, as it is so risky compared to dirt. but then i got into racing hard enduro....  oops
my '18 V7 was my first street bike in decades, and yes i have been reminded of the risks of public roads.
Still greatly prefer a day in the woods on my Honda230 over just about anything else

[Bulldog9]

SS, sorry to hear about the accident brother. You lived through all our worst fears. Wishing you a full and quick recovery.

[Stretch]

So sorry to hear this, Swede. 

And so sorry to hear that your two-wheeled days are behind you.

I hope you heal quickly and well.

That was truly one of those situations that one can't really prepare for.

It has been said that any crash/accident that a motorcyclist is involved
in is their fault. Should be aware, have an out that doesn't involve just
slamming on the breaks, leave enough room up front, etc., etc.. And I agree
with the premise that one should be thinking and trying to optimize one's
options in any traffic situation. But there are times when nothing can really
be done -  and this was doubtless one of 'em. Out of control spinning F-150
behind ya? You'd have to be Houdini to get out of that one.

What was the F-150 jockey doing that he couldn't see a construction zone
with all of the attendant bright colors, flashing lights and stopped traffic?!
(Playing with the electronic crib toy perhaps?! I HOPE there's a special place
in hell for people who make a habit out of driving while playing on cell phones!  )

I'm wishing you all the best, Swede. Get better soon. And I hope you get
a spare pair of specs soon, too. Probably the least of your worries at the moment,
but from one who also wears glasses, it still must be SOOO irritating!

Be careful and aware out there, folks.

                                                       -Stretch