Lineareagle
05-06-2007, 07:02 PM
Well, here is the report of the accident and ensuing story line to complete the thread.
I left Ely NV at about 6:30 and progressed on the next stage of the journey which would have
seen me transitioning from high desert to the Sierras and on into the foothills of California, perhaps
as far as Redding, although that would have precluded any major sight seeing on the route.
My first fuel stop was to be Austin, NV and 24 miles outside the town I was climbing the hills
on sweepers and running between 55 and 65 mph.
I was well into the turn on a good sight line, I always try to stay on my side of the lane line out of habit
and I believe safe motorcycling
Of course I have no actual knowledge of what my speed actually was just that it was comfortable
and I was ready to start accelerating out of the corner, when I noticed a covering of light sand on the
road surface and my line degrading significantly.
Salvation was in straightening out and riding into a hill, or holding the line and hoping for traction.
I chose the latter.
It wasn't working and I saw heavy windrows of sand on the edge of the road and knew I was done for.
The bike went down quickly, I felt my leg snap, took a good solid whack on the right rear of my helmet
and next thing I knew I was rolling onto my knees and hands doing a self check on all systems.
Hope springs eternal and I felt good until I flexed my left calf and something was not right, broken for sure, ****.
Rolled back onto my back and waited. About 3 minutes until I heard someone ask if I was all right.
Nope, broken leg.
Can I help?
Sure could you gather up my bags and bring me my tank bag?
Several minutes of instruction resulted in my bags arranged around me.
I took out my camera and took this picture of the bike when I heard a laugh.
http://lineareagle.smugmug.com/photos/149464100-M.jpg
The local sheriff had just arrived, asked how I was and asked if I wanted him to take some pics.
Sure.
Here are his photos.
http://lineareagle.smugmug.com/photos/149464252-M.jpg
http://lineareagle.smugmug.com/photos/149464535-M.jpg
http://lineareagle.smugmug.com/photos/149464415-M.jpg
He asked what happened and I told him and he said he was a rider and if we didn't get my suit off
EMS would cut it off, so he helped me out of my suit.
When EMS arrived the main man was also a rider and after checking me out told me he would try and save my boots
and so was able to gently remove them.
They loaded me, all my gear into the ambulance and off we went.
2 hours later we arrived in Fallon NV and were greeted by very competent staff.
After x-rays, catheter, sissors cutting off pants the surgeon called the air ambulance to take me to Reno as he said
he could not help me.
All my gear was left in Fallon except my cell phone and laptop - which I hoped had survived.
30 minutes in the air brought me to Renown Medical Center.
More CT scans, and assessment.
One of the nurses, a heavily tattoed fairly rough looking dude asked where my bike and gear were.
I explained that I had no idea were the bike was but someone gave me the name of the towing company.
Off he went, pretty soon he was back. "Its in Battle Mountain."
"I am going to give you some pain meds", he said, "but first i want to ask, do you want me to pick it up and keep it at my place?"
OK, tattoo's, etc etc, vulnerable patient, soon to be drugged. Hmmm
But I had watched his interaction with the other staff, he was respected, he was asked for advise. Good enough for me. Sure.
Well to make a fascinating story short.
Tim T RN in the ER of the Renown Medical Center, a 'Harley' rider to boot!
Arranged for the payment of the towing fee, arranged to pick up the bike, arranged to pick up my gear at the other hospital, twice.
Delivered the bike to Sierra, after talking to John and brought all my gear up to my room.
What a neat guy. Thanks Tim T.
Of course we know my wife, knowing only the tales I told of how great the board was, posted on the MOA.
Very shortly I was indeed being helped in so many ways by all, see this thread.
John and Jean, Mike came and visited as did my nephew from San Jose
I am afraid I was not up for partying, but I was enjoying the company immensely!
THE REST of THE STORY
1. Absolutely nothing was missing from my gear.
2. Here's the bike at Sierra.
http://lineareagle.smugmug.com/photos/149472426-M.jpg
Anybody think it is worth 12.6 K - the repair estimate?
3. The members of the board are awesome. Thanks to everyone who called, helped and just thought about my families and my situation.
Keep the rubber side down, take nothing for granted, enjoy the ride and smile in the wind for me!
It will be awhile before I'll be up in the saddle again.
I left Ely NV at about 6:30 and progressed on the next stage of the journey which would have
seen me transitioning from high desert to the Sierras and on into the foothills of California, perhaps
as far as Redding, although that would have precluded any major sight seeing on the route.
My first fuel stop was to be Austin, NV and 24 miles outside the town I was climbing the hills
on sweepers and running between 55 and 65 mph.
I was well into the turn on a good sight line, I always try to stay on my side of the lane line out of habit
and I believe safe motorcycling
Of course I have no actual knowledge of what my speed actually was just that it was comfortable
and I was ready to start accelerating out of the corner, when I noticed a covering of light sand on the
road surface and my line degrading significantly.
Salvation was in straightening out and riding into a hill, or holding the line and hoping for traction.
I chose the latter.
It wasn't working and I saw heavy windrows of sand on the edge of the road and knew I was done for.
The bike went down quickly, I felt my leg snap, took a good solid whack on the right rear of my helmet
and next thing I knew I was rolling onto my knees and hands doing a self check on all systems.
Hope springs eternal and I felt good until I flexed my left calf and something was not right, broken for sure, ****.
Rolled back onto my back and waited. About 3 minutes until I heard someone ask if I was all right.
Nope, broken leg.
Can I help?
Sure could you gather up my bags and bring me my tank bag?
Several minutes of instruction resulted in my bags arranged around me.
I took out my camera and took this picture of the bike when I heard a laugh.
http://lineareagle.smugmug.com/photos/149464100-M.jpg
The local sheriff had just arrived, asked how I was and asked if I wanted him to take some pics.
Sure.
Here are his photos.
http://lineareagle.smugmug.com/photos/149464252-M.jpg
http://lineareagle.smugmug.com/photos/149464535-M.jpg
http://lineareagle.smugmug.com/photos/149464415-M.jpg
He asked what happened and I told him and he said he was a rider and if we didn't get my suit off
EMS would cut it off, so he helped me out of my suit.
When EMS arrived the main man was also a rider and after checking me out told me he would try and save my boots
and so was able to gently remove them.
They loaded me, all my gear into the ambulance and off we went.
2 hours later we arrived in Fallon NV and were greeted by very competent staff.
After x-rays, catheter, sissors cutting off pants the surgeon called the air ambulance to take me to Reno as he said
he could not help me.
All my gear was left in Fallon except my cell phone and laptop - which I hoped had survived.
30 minutes in the air brought me to Renown Medical Center.
More CT scans, and assessment.
One of the nurses, a heavily tattoed fairly rough looking dude asked where my bike and gear were.
I explained that I had no idea were the bike was but someone gave me the name of the towing company.
Off he went, pretty soon he was back. "Its in Battle Mountain."
"I am going to give you some pain meds", he said, "but first i want to ask, do you want me to pick it up and keep it at my place?"
OK, tattoo's, etc etc, vulnerable patient, soon to be drugged. Hmmm
But I had watched his interaction with the other staff, he was respected, he was asked for advise. Good enough for me. Sure.
Well to make a fascinating story short.
Tim T RN in the ER of the Renown Medical Center, a 'Harley' rider to boot!
Arranged for the payment of the towing fee, arranged to pick up the bike, arranged to pick up my gear at the other hospital, twice.
Delivered the bike to Sierra, after talking to John and brought all my gear up to my room.
What a neat guy. Thanks Tim T.
Of course we know my wife, knowing only the tales I told of how great the board was, posted on the MOA.
Very shortly I was indeed being helped in so many ways by all, see this thread.
John and Jean, Mike came and visited as did my nephew from San Jose
I am afraid I was not up for partying, but I was enjoying the company immensely!
THE REST of THE STORY
1. Absolutely nothing was missing from my gear.
2. Here's the bike at Sierra.
http://lineareagle.smugmug.com/photos/149472426-M.jpg
Anybody think it is worth 12.6 K - the repair estimate?
3. The members of the board are awesome. Thanks to everyone who called, helped and just thought about my families and my situation.
Keep the rubber side down, take nothing for granted, enjoy the ride and smile in the wind for me!
It will be awhile before I'll be up in the saddle again.