I'm leaving Coos Bay, OR and at the last stop I'm buried in a pack of cars that included a fully loaded log truck and a few other cars. I noticed a black Hyundai had stopped 3 feet from my back tire. I was determined to have a good day and the highway was just a green light away so I just looked behind me, that's it. I know a lot of us would have done more. Some of us a LOT more.
The light turns green and I proceed casually because I'm not wearing proper boots. I maintain a positive rate (traffic speed +5) to keep my ass clear. About a mile later as I was starting a lane change she (57y old) caught me on the left. How dare I cut in line attitude.
I went down hard on the left. I tucked and rolled at 65mph while that logging truck slid past my head with it's tires howling like death itself (State Trooper told me he missed by 2 feet). I remember feeling both of my shoes coming off at the same time during the wreck. After I stopped I rolled off the highway to avoid getting squished. Suddenly I was surrounded. People asked me if I was OK, all I could do was give a thumbs down. My first breath was spent asking if the other driver was OK. To my disgust I was told by the State Troopers that she had left the scene.
I have amazingly few injuries. My gear was a Joe Rocket jacket, Armored gloves and a Simpson Bandit Mod Carbon helmet ($721). Yeah, that helmet had it's own insurance. I had to go carbon for weight as I broke my neck in a 1996 roofing accident and now sport a Titanium cage in my neck. I was sure it's break again if I went down. I broke two ribs on the left, with 2 breaks on number 6. I was not able to lay down for 21 days.
I had a Cardo Packtalk Bold and a Baofeng UV-8r on me so I got to hear my own accident get dispatched in my helmet. CREEEPY!
I am NOT seeking legal action against her for one simple reason: She came back to the scene right after I left to do something honorable. She wanted to face the music. Plus, we both were fully legal and insured plus I got to keep the bike after Progressive dealt me a proper hand and paid me well and quickly. +1 for Progressive!
I am slowing down. I turn 59 soon and I gave up three things for my new 9th life: "Smoking" weed. Monster drinks and.....speed.
My bike is for sale: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...40645514262862
WEAR GEAR! I'd be dead if I had not!
Ken
P.S. My regular Doctor's husband wrecked his HD in the same spot (possibly poor cleanup from my wreck) just 5 days later. He's OK.
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