Speedmaster Cruise N Camp Fail - Another Statistic

Hello Friends,

Well....where do I begin. Cruise N Camp was a fail for me. Speedmaster is totaled. Let's recap.

3 good friends and I decided to ride out for a weekend camping trip. About a 2 hour ride. It was a great ride until the accident.

We came to a 4-way traffic light intersection near the final destination. The traffic signal went from red to green. I began to accelerate straightforward through the intersection at reasonable and safe speed. As I was partially through the intersection a sedan coming from the opposite direction wasn't looking and decided to cut left across my path of travel. Two older folks. Must be in their 70's. There was little time to avoid a collision. Realizing the situation, I knew disaster was unavoidable. I cut the bike left to dump it on its side and skid into the side of this sedan rather than face the beast head on.

I immediately was able to get up and I walked over to the side of the road. Bike was crushed. It became a huge scene due to all of the witnesses. My first priority was making sure I was physically okay. I had a spinal fusion on L5-S1 a few years back that haunts me to this day. I knew that when I started riding I had to practice proficient and safe riding because my back probably could not handle any major accident without long-term disablement. I was only 28 years old when it happened with no prior back problems ever. when the back went out. Very healthy fit fella.

To my surprise, I felt okay. A little shocked from the incident as I looked at my precious in pieces in the middle of the road. I blew my left elbow open down to the bone from point of impact. My left ankle is a softball from being rolled on by the bike as we skid. My head did not touch the ground. Full-face helmet is in perfecto condition.

Tons of witnesses including my buddy who was behind me while it happened. Everyone has the same story, including the couple who cut me off. They all said it was the older couples fault. They were not looking and caused the accident. The couple who cut me off admitted full blame for the accident.

The ambulance took me to the hospital. My friends stayed behind to grab my gear and make sure the bike was towed and state patrol got the right story. I asked them to still go camping and take my brand new bottle of rum and have a drink for me.

I'm lucky. My back feels perfectly fine so far. The only pain I have at the moment is my rolled ankle and my stitched up elbow and some very minor rash on my left arm.

The Good:
Nobody else was hurt
I'm okay so far unless new pains surface over the next few days
Bikes can be replaced (Time for a Triumph insurance upgrade)
Egos will heal
My friends took care of business while I was in the ambulance
My gear packing was still perfectly in place on the bike after the accident - Kudos to me on that!
All the friends/family who have reached out

The Bad:
The bike is totaled
No camping or rum
I plan to ride again but find myself questioning my skill
Feeling bummed and embarrassed

Lessons to Always Remember:
1) It doesn't matter how safe you drive. That's only 50% of the equation.

2) I've been reading books ever since I got my license on how to ride proficiently/how to react in bad situations. I think this saved me. My assessment and execution felt instinctual. Always try to play these scenarios out in your imagination in case one day you have to react.

3) My boots probably saved my ankle

4) Helmets are good - If you get in an accident and didn't have a helmet because of pride and suffer long-term trauma - Was it worth not wearing the helmet? Wear the helmet and if you lose the battle you still have a chance to win the war.

5) Try to wear some protection, even if it's just a good set of denim, sturdy footwear, and helmet.

6) This is part of the risk you accept when you decide to ride so don't blame others even when it's their fault. Accidents happen. Especially today in the smart phone driving distracted roadway war zone. You have to be the best you can be while riding; seasoned, aware, prepared, and protected

Any thoughts? I probably will have more as I digest last nights incident. Hopefully, insurance moves quick and maybe I'll get lucky and have a new bike before the season is up.

 

Thank you. Im probably going with a new bonneville speedmaster. Love that bike and the setup is good posture on my back. It’s like riding a luxury lazy-boy recliner.

 

Thank you! Yes, I’m lucky. Hoping for the best with the insurance claim. Thanks again!