Page 24 - Riding On Autumn 2022
P. 24
From Heaven to Hell and Back
It was one of the happiest days I can remember. A chilly, grey was trying to breathe but it had collapsed and was getting no
June day on the Fleurieu Peninsula, but while the other riders VXSSRUW IURP WKH ULE FDJH DQG VR , ZDV VXRFDWLQJ 7KH NLQG
were complaining of the cold I was snug as a bug behind the paramedics put me on fentanyl and oxygen and I spent the
big fairing on the ST1300. Id had the bike less than a week next week in the cardio-thoracic ward in great pain. I felt as
when my brother invited me on a ride he was leading with though Id been grabbed by the ankles and smashed against
his mates in another club (not Ulysses). My usual ride is a some rocks, which was basically what had happened.
Boulevard M50 cruiser, and so I bought the 2008 sports tourer
for interstate rides. The morning had gone perfectly, with the For two months I couldnt use either of my arms and the
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curves and valleys. were painful and required assistance. To add to it my partner
had a back injury and was herself unable to do the usual things
After lunch we rode up to Crows Nest lookout and parked for DW KRPH +RZHYHU GXULQJ WKDW GLFXOW WLPH -DQH ZDV LQFUHGLEO\
a glorious view of the Middleton beaches. I was in heaven and supportive, as were the members of Ulysses who kept in touch
looking forward to the next leg, and as the pack started to head with us and visited to see how we were going.
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riders. Unfamiliar with the road I judged my pace from the guys The road to recovery is ongoing with physio and exercises. 5
in front, when a sweeping right-hand turn took me by surprise. months later now my clavicle is slowly healing and the range of
I found myself edging closer to the kerbside. Time seemed to motion in my right arm is increasing so that I can get back to
slow down. I remember seeing more gravel on the road surface doing most things. The twists and turns of my journey through
as I edged closer and closer to the brink, soon crossing that the medical system is a whole other story.
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the corner, instead focusing on the road in front. I couldnt hold As for what I learned from this ride? That after 2 decades of
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the corner any longer and the bike left the road and headed
into no-mans land. This cant be happening! I heard my mind takes time to transition to a new bike, particularly going to a
saying. heavier bike, and from a cruiser to a sports tourer. I should not
have accepted the invitation to go on that ride. Yet there were
The next thing I remember is landing with a thud face down factors that were pushing me to make the wrong decision: I
on the rocky ground, grateful for my full-face helmet. Strangely had a new bike and had been frustrated by weather and home
there was no pain at that moment. I picked myself up and felt commitments preventing me getting out and getting to ride it.
winded, struggling to breathe. I looked over at the ruins of my I really wanted the opportunity to connect with my brother and
beautiful Honda lying some ten metres away. We had ended the ride seemed a great way to do that. However, the timing
up in a stony culvert next to two driveways leading onto rural wasnt ideal as Id had a gig the night before and was going to
properties. My immediate reaction was one of embarrassment be a bit tired the next day. And then rather than choosing to
and regret. How could I have let this happen? Ive spoilt stay at the back of the pack I extended myself trying to keep up
everyones ride! with the boys near the front on their smaller bikes.
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it hard to breathe. People began discussing who would pillion worse. My leathers and helmet certainly helped, and as luck
me back to Adelaide to get checked out. Someone suggested would have it the bike and I parted ways in the accident and
I sit down. I felt a clicking sensation in my shoulder and knew it didnt land on top of me. Each day I feel blessed that I have
for sure I had broken something. I decided a pillion ride was the use of my arms and legs and can get out and about and
probably not a good idea, so I pulled out my mobile, called do things around the house and enjoy playing music again. I
000, and described my situation. Someone gave me the house am still quite hopeful my shoulder will mend in its own time.
number on a nearby gate and within minutes the ambos In some ways I am happier and more content than before the
arrived. A guy in the group who lived in that neck of the woods accident, with a
on
on
on
had a trailer and the riders said they would take care of my new perspective on
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and how precious
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the impact, which broke nine ribs in several places, smashed Gary Coombs
my clavicle, my right shoulder and my left wrist. My right lung #70165
RIDING ON 24
