By that I mean motorcycles.
I have been riding for several years, but back in 2015 I dedicated my time to only riding on the track. Riding on the streets here in AZ was mentally draining, always being hyper aware of each surrounding, always looking for an out just in case. After a few years of only track riding I missed the early morning rides out of town to grab breakfast with my friends so I decided to register and insure my bike for very limited street use.
A few days before Christmas I decided to take my bike up to the shop to get some advice on tuning etc.... That's when my luck turned.
I was heading home in the HOV (high occupancy vehicle lane) traffic was a nightmare going very slow and I was going with the flow in the HOV lane which was faster than the other lanes. A car pulled into the HOV lane and I had enough distance to slow down but I was on the brakes hard. Once the car saw me in their mirror they had a panic and hit their brakes. This is when I started to doubt the situation. If that car in front of me didn't nail the gas I would hit it. If I swerved left I would risk hitting a concrete barrier on my left.
I decided the best plan would be to release the front brake and stab the rear to go into a lowside. Was I right? No, the car did end up hitting the gas and moving over a bit so I would have missed him but that didn't happen till I was already in a slide. I wasn't willing to risk it though.
When going down I ended up hitting the helmet on the ground pretty good, concussion followed. I was wearing gloves, helmet and Jacket. I had some roadrash on my knees and leg. I also ended up breaking two ribs. Same two ribs I broke a couple years earlier going down at the race track in an event.
I am now healed for the most part - ribs are still uncomfortable. I am one to not be so serious all the time however it hit me really hard as I was dropped off by my good friend at home, I sat on my couch thinking how the outcome could have been different. How quickly things could have changed. At that moment I decided I am giving up two wheels for good.
I hope those of you on two wheels always stay safe, ATGATT!!! Anyone else give it up after a close call or going down?
I have been riding for several years, but back in 2015 I dedicated my time to only riding on the track. Riding on the streets here in AZ was mentally draining, always being hyper aware of each surrounding, always looking for an out just in case. After a few years of only track riding I missed the early morning rides out of town to grab breakfast with my friends so I decided to register and insure my bike for very limited street use.
A few days before Christmas I decided to take my bike up to the shop to get some advice on tuning etc.... That's when my luck turned.
I was heading home in the HOV (high occupancy vehicle lane) traffic was a nightmare going very slow and I was going with the flow in the HOV lane which was faster than the other lanes. A car pulled into the HOV lane and I had enough distance to slow down but I was on the brakes hard. Once the car saw me in their mirror they had a panic and hit their brakes. This is when I started to doubt the situation. If that car in front of me didn't nail the gas I would hit it. If I swerved left I would risk hitting a concrete barrier on my left.
I decided the best plan would be to release the front brake and stab the rear to go into a lowside. Was I right? No, the car did end up hitting the gas and moving over a bit so I would have missed him but that didn't happen till I was already in a slide. I wasn't willing to risk it though.
When going down I ended up hitting the helmet on the ground pretty good, concussion followed. I was wearing gloves, helmet and Jacket. I had some roadrash on my knees and leg. I also ended up breaking two ribs. Same two ribs I broke a couple years earlier going down at the race track in an event.
I am now healed for the most part - ribs are still uncomfortable. I am one to not be so serious all the time however it hit me really hard as I was dropped off by my good friend at home, I sat on my couch thinking how the outcome could have been different. How quickly things could have changed. At that moment I decided I am giving up two wheels for good.
I hope those of you on two wheels always stay safe, ATGATT!!! Anyone else give it up after a close call or going down?