After the dinner ride to Porterville, CeCe and I prepared to leave the parking lot of ?The Rustlers? restaurant. I had been sick the previous week and wasn?t feeling 100%. My light-riding jacket had a zipper problem and the others in our group were lit off and waiting. The parking lot was dark and unfamiliar. As I pulled forward, I hit an unseen depression, which caused the bike to drop to the right. My toe caught on the pavement and was rotated 180 degrees facing toward the rear of the bike. Then the full weight of the bike came down on my ankle, breaking my shinbone and ripping my foot from its socket.
After the bike was righted I looked at my right foot, which was pointing at an impossible angle. I asked to have my shoe removed, thinking it would swell. Rob Faz removed it (now known as “Boots”). We were all thinking shock would set in and I was covered with jackets.
Having suffered a catastrophic accident in the Patch many years ago, I expected the pain to explode after a short time. On a 1-10 scale it held at a 4.5, this surprised me considering the previous accident I broke many bones but none were torn from their sockets.
I was taken to the Porterville Hospital where they twisted my foot back into proper alignment. At around 3:00 a.m. I was shipped to Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. Once there, Dr. Amir consulted multiple X-Rays and preformed a successful operation to pin my ankle back together.
Now, sitting in a comfortable recliner with my ankle elevated above my heart, I wonder the why of it all. I have been riding since having my first two-wheeled scooter at age 14, a Powell of twelve horsepower and no transmission. Now sixty years of age, riding a Harley-Davidson with everything, had I gotten GRC (Geezer Riding Conceit)?
How to resist GRC:
Mental checklist
Compare stamina to desire. Do you have internal alarms that go off when you are fatigued? Mine is shaking of the eyelids. Whenever I feel this, I know it is time to pull over and get some shuteye. I learned this after falling asleep at the wheel and waking up in an accident.
Don’t be rushed to catch up. Leonard and Shelley were to my right and I didn’t want them to wait. When I felt the bike start to go down I didn?t hit the throttle thinking, “I’ll let it go down and not run into them”.
Don?t be distracted with minor details (Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff.) My jacket zipper kept hanging up and after multiple unsuccessful tries I gave up in disgust. This added to the other things on my mind as we attempted to pull out of the parking spot, further diluting my attention.
I think we all ride for the enjoyment of experiencing more of our senses that we do in a four-wheeled box. With that in mind you should contemplate how well you feel before taking a ride.
Are you coming off an illness or other debilitating physical problem?
Have you imbibed mind-altering substances?
If you are the riding partner your opinion is vital. Is the rider at 100%?
The riding partner should have veto power; after all they’re going down as well.
Before you ride, check for GRC!!