First post accident ride.

[AirForce]

After 18 weeks off the bike recovering from the deer strike that totalled my 1150GS and my right shoulder, I'm finally back on two wheels!!!!
I flew out to Phoenix to pick up a 2005 R1200GS and because the weather was looking good, I decided to take the 2300 mile long way home by way of Big Bend and keeping off the superslab as much as possible.
I've posted the report over on yearroundriders and advrider so here's a link to save duplication of effort.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406866

My shoulder held up just fine and I actually think the ride did some good with helping the healing along.

Here'a a couple of my favorite pics from the trip.


http://airforce.smugmug.com/photos/415296413_Khbgz-L.jpg
Sunrise above White Sands Missile Range, east of Las Cruces.

http://airforce.smugmug.com/photos/415296528_3ZNAs-L.jpg
Tweety lost in White Sands.

http://airforce.smugmug.com/photos/415317395_XFc5t-L.jpg
Sunrise south of Marfa, TX. Where the only noise is the pinging from a cooling engine.

http://airforce.smugmug.com/photos/415321876_eL8y8-L.jpg
The Basin in Big Bend. I'd never been south of I-10 in Texas and was stunned by the mountains.

http://airforce.smugmug.com/photos/415296870_EY5LU-L.jpg
The long and not-so-winding road. One of many. Thank you Neil Peart fo rthe Ghost Rider photos to emulate.

[PAULBACH]

You are one tough dude and a fine photographer. :thumb

[Voni]

Thanks for sharing your journey.

Gorgeous photos!

Next time you're in the neighborhood of Big Bend, stop by our adobe.

Voni
sMiling

[cayuse60]

Wonderful machine and happy you are back riding. I have spent most of the Summer not able to ride and know how it feels to get back aboard.

[dancogan]

Great shots. Like others said, thanks for sharing! And it's good to hear you're riding again. :clap :clap :clap

[Rpbump]

Glad you are back to riding and enjoying life. :D

[Paul_F]

Really enjoyed your pictorial tour. I put your New Mexico Roads into my bucket list.

[129654]

Congratulations on the new GS. Looks like you had a great ride on your own healing road. Hope you have many safe & deer free miles in your future travels.

Cheers.

[RJM2096]

Thanks for the return and photos. I hate it when people give up after an accident.

[MCMXCIVRS]

Good to hear you're back in the saddle.

I'm 9 weeks into my own recovery from a deer strike accident that totalled my F650GS and left me with ankle and shoulder injuries. I will have a few months yet to complete my healing since old man winter has come to roost here. I'm looking forward to posting my own first ride when I get my new F800GS in March.

[indycar]

Thanks for the uplifting report and pictures. I just bought my first Beemer and hope to make it to Big Bend this winter. Glad you had a rejuvenating experience!

BTW - Nov 15 is the DVD release date for Snakes and Arrows! [Rush - whom Neil Peart is a member of - for those wondering]

[jobee58]

Hearty congratulations to you, Air Force. I almost quit after accident number 2 (entirely my fault, riding over my head), but instead allowed myself to be talked into taking my first MSF course. Not long after that, got really committed to learning and improving skill. It would something huge to separate me from my MC now.

[AirForce]

Thanks for all the comments :) My parents, brother, good friends, uncle and aunt all asked if I was "finally through with this motorcycle thing". After 20 years of riding they still haven't accepted that, I am a Rider. The past four months were tough because Missouri experience probably the BEST riding summer ever! Temps were rarely above 90 and lots of sunshine. I hated driving the Subi.
The ride, I think, did as much for my mental condition as it did my physical condition.

Jobee--Taking a riding course was a great thing you did. Now keep practicing those skills:thumb I'm a former MSF Military instructor.

MCMXCIVRS--I feel your pain and wish you a speedier recovery than mine. It sounds like you had a similar get-off to mine. May Old Man Winter leave sooner than expected so you can post your own first post accident ride report on the 800GS. I look forward to reading it.

[john1691]

Good to see you are back riding, I trust the body will continue to heal. Some awesome shots of an area of the country I need to get to! Thanks for the post.