John S.
Well-known member
I thought I would write a few words regarding my crash. I've logged onto BARF many times, but invariably go straight to the classified adds. This time the Crash forum caught my eye so here is a summary of what happened to me on Nov 20, 2005.
I was second in a group of about 12 riders in the Berryessa area. I was behind and in front of two AFMers, we were going at a clip after lunch. I was on an 05 600RR with 208GPs. They had two track days on them. My policy is to go out kinda fast, but hang to the rear of the pack on the way back. After lunch the group stalled at the curb as the leader went out, we just kind of looked at each other as if to say, "whos next?". Instead of hanging back like I usually do, I went out and fell in behind the leader.
About 3 miles up the road we transitioned to some weird asphalt, I felt it below the bike and the feeling wasn't comfortable. However, instead of backing off like my instincts were telling me, I stayed in the groove. The roadway at that point was downhill with a right to left sweeper in front of me. The road was lined with mature trees and this must have registered in my mind as I started to negotiate a left to right sweeper. I say negotiate because it was the first day of having a Scotts Damper on. It kind of bugged me because it felt like I had to counter steer to get things done, even with it turned full off.
Just as i started the lean to the left the rear end went out and suddenly I found myself on the ground, but without any recollection of what happened until I came to a stop. All I remember is that crappy sound of the bike grinding on the asphalt, I know that sound; been there done that. However, I do remember saying to myself, "don't hit the trees" which leads me to believe I may have contributed to the accident by target fixating on the trees. All I know is that trees do not give, known this all my life. All I can say about speed is the fact I was going plenty fast, way too fast for the street.
My next recollection was a sudden jarring sensation then looking straight up while laying on my back. Like most riders immediately after an accident, you check to see if your limbs are working and when your toes wiggle and hands react, you think "Wow, I'm not going to live the rest of my life in a wheel chair and I'm alive, for now" Its weird crashing and getting hurt, the subsequent thoughts that go through your head and how you project them to others at the scene. Its always the ego playing first base; for example, I had a reputation of being the fastest/oldest, now I have to be the toughest, eventhough I knew I was fucked up.
I didn't make much contact with the pavement based on a real lack of damage to my leathers, my left knee slider had damage to it, otherwise there wasn't much to indicate I slid, rather it appears I flew instead. Apparently the bike flipped right away and I was thrown through the above row of trees, missing them by 5-8 feet on either side. I landed in a swale, about 10' below the road on a bunch of downed limbs from the trees. This is where I was most fortunate, I missed the trees and fooled death by doing so.
After checking my body parts I turned my head and realized my instrument cluster was staring me right in the face next to me. It had separated from the bike alongwith numerous other parts as the bike went summersaulting through the air and then slamming against a wall of rock and dirt about 20' from me. I immediately realized I had some medical issues in hand. I've had some injuries before and knew straight away my shoulder was dislocated and I thought my pelvis and knee were broken. At least they felt like they were.
Soon afterwards, one of my fellow riders showed up to offer assistance and asked me the obvious questions and I replied my shoulder, knee and pelvis were broken, otherwise I feel good because I could move my fingers and toes. Most of the other riders kept going since the accident sight was well hidden from the road. The rider behind me only caught a glimse of me crashing.
From that point on he and another rider hung out as others called for assistance at another location because cell phones were useless where we were. When your laying there you start thinking about all kinds of things but my main thought was I hope I wasn't bleeding to death because of some internal problem. Another thing that bothers you is the time it takes (it seems) for medical help to arrive. But when it does its like a parade. Of course when EMS gets there they immediately cut off your expensive leathers and prepare you for transport.
Knowing what I know now I would have put up a shit fit and refuse the helicopter ride. I just paid off the bill for that 10 mile ride last month. Studies have shown they aren't as much a life saver as they are cracked up to be. No knock on EMS but I don't want to go to the poor house too alongwith the punishment of everything else. Well, I get taken to one ambulance for transport to the LZ where the chopper is waiting and they fly me to Santa Rosa Memorial Trauma Center for treatment.
Pain? Oh yeah, especially my shoulder because it was both dislocated and broke. I had to hold it up, straight out, otherwise it was pain central. Enroute to the hospital, one of the kind EMS guys said he was going to give me something to "take the edge off" Well, a few minutes later I asked him if he gave me anything and he said "Yes". Since the pain was still quite intense I thouht he had not given me anything yet. Another thing, the helicopter was small, banged my foot a couple times trying to wedge me into the thing. I thought at the time it was a good thing I didn't have a fractured foot or leg.
After the short ride they wheeled me into ER and the attending Doc immediately took my arm and relieved me of having to hold it up. That was the best relief ever, I was a happy camper. It was also at that time I requested a phone to make the dreaded phone call to my wife. I purposely put on the best sales act I could muster, talking calmly and deliberately so not to get her too upset. It reminded me of when years ago when I had too much to drink and was trying to act sober, when I was obviously shit faced. I knew it and I knew who I was talking to knew it.
I recall some fast questions and the Doctor saying something about putting me out. The next thing I remember was waking up in ICU.
ITS GETTING LATE, I'LL FINISH THIS LATER.
I was second in a group of about 12 riders in the Berryessa area. I was behind and in front of two AFMers, we were going at a clip after lunch. I was on an 05 600RR with 208GPs. They had two track days on them. My policy is to go out kinda fast, but hang to the rear of the pack on the way back. After lunch the group stalled at the curb as the leader went out, we just kind of looked at each other as if to say, "whos next?". Instead of hanging back like I usually do, I went out and fell in behind the leader.
About 3 miles up the road we transitioned to some weird asphalt, I felt it below the bike and the feeling wasn't comfortable. However, instead of backing off like my instincts were telling me, I stayed in the groove. The roadway at that point was downhill with a right to left sweeper in front of me. The road was lined with mature trees and this must have registered in my mind as I started to negotiate a left to right sweeper. I say negotiate because it was the first day of having a Scotts Damper on. It kind of bugged me because it felt like I had to counter steer to get things done, even with it turned full off.
Just as i started the lean to the left the rear end went out and suddenly I found myself on the ground, but without any recollection of what happened until I came to a stop. All I remember is that crappy sound of the bike grinding on the asphalt, I know that sound; been there done that. However, I do remember saying to myself, "don't hit the trees" which leads me to believe I may have contributed to the accident by target fixating on the trees. All I know is that trees do not give, known this all my life. All I can say about speed is the fact I was going plenty fast, way too fast for the street.
My next recollection was a sudden jarring sensation then looking straight up while laying on my back. Like most riders immediately after an accident, you check to see if your limbs are working and when your toes wiggle and hands react, you think "Wow, I'm not going to live the rest of my life in a wheel chair and I'm alive, for now" Its weird crashing and getting hurt, the subsequent thoughts that go through your head and how you project them to others at the scene. Its always the ego playing first base; for example, I had a reputation of being the fastest/oldest, now I have to be the toughest, eventhough I knew I was fucked up.
I didn't make much contact with the pavement based on a real lack of damage to my leathers, my left knee slider had damage to it, otherwise there wasn't much to indicate I slid, rather it appears I flew instead. Apparently the bike flipped right away and I was thrown through the above row of trees, missing them by 5-8 feet on either side. I landed in a swale, about 10' below the road on a bunch of downed limbs from the trees. This is where I was most fortunate, I missed the trees and fooled death by doing so.
After checking my body parts I turned my head and realized my instrument cluster was staring me right in the face next to me. It had separated from the bike alongwith numerous other parts as the bike went summersaulting through the air and then slamming against a wall of rock and dirt about 20' from me. I immediately realized I had some medical issues in hand. I've had some injuries before and knew straight away my shoulder was dislocated and I thought my pelvis and knee were broken. At least they felt like they were.
Soon afterwards, one of my fellow riders showed up to offer assistance and asked me the obvious questions and I replied my shoulder, knee and pelvis were broken, otherwise I feel good because I could move my fingers and toes. Most of the other riders kept going since the accident sight was well hidden from the road. The rider behind me only caught a glimse of me crashing.
From that point on he and another rider hung out as others called for assistance at another location because cell phones were useless where we were. When your laying there you start thinking about all kinds of things but my main thought was I hope I wasn't bleeding to death because of some internal problem. Another thing that bothers you is the time it takes (it seems) for medical help to arrive. But when it does its like a parade. Of course when EMS gets there they immediately cut off your expensive leathers and prepare you for transport.
Knowing what I know now I would have put up a shit fit and refuse the helicopter ride. I just paid off the bill for that 10 mile ride last month. Studies have shown they aren't as much a life saver as they are cracked up to be. No knock on EMS but I don't want to go to the poor house too alongwith the punishment of everything else. Well, I get taken to one ambulance for transport to the LZ where the chopper is waiting and they fly me to Santa Rosa Memorial Trauma Center for treatment.
Pain? Oh yeah, especially my shoulder because it was both dislocated and broke. I had to hold it up, straight out, otherwise it was pain central. Enroute to the hospital, one of the kind EMS guys said he was going to give me something to "take the edge off" Well, a few minutes later I asked him if he gave me anything and he said "Yes". Since the pain was still quite intense I thouht he had not given me anything yet. Another thing, the helicopter was small, banged my foot a couple times trying to wedge me into the thing. I thought at the time it was a good thing I didn't have a fractured foot or leg.
After the short ride they wheeled me into ER and the attending Doc immediately took my arm and relieved me of having to hold it up. That was the best relief ever, I was a happy camper. It was also at that time I requested a phone to make the dreaded phone call to my wife. I purposely put on the best sales act I could muster, talking calmly and deliberately so not to get her too upset. It reminded me of when years ago when I had too much to drink and was trying to act sober, when I was obviously shit faced. I knew it and I knew who I was talking to knew it.
I recall some fast questions and the Doctor saying something about putting me out. The next thing I remember was waking up in ICU.
ITS GETTING LATE, I'LL FINISH THIS LATER.
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