Is This How It Ends.....?

@ajc400 He is a smart looking Dude and that is a stern face there. I would love to know just what was he thinking

 

You were wise not to take the hire bike. They charge a fortune for them and unless a free couresy bike is part of the Ts&Cs of your policy if the other insurance company refuse to pay you can end up with the (huge) bill. As others have said don't rush into anything yet and as per the other forum if you do continue to ride think about doing some advanced training as not only will it make you a safer rider your wife will be happier too.
Good luck

 

Only you will know when its time to pack in.

Re your accident.....always expect people to do stupid things.....we cannot rely on drivers to act well on our roads anymore....overtaking slow or fast is prob one of the most dangerous things we do on the road.

I would never try to pass somebody if the was a place they may turn into with out warning.

I have done it myself on strange roads and thought to myself dick head.

 

Sorry to hear about your crash. It's happened to me. Thinking about quitting is natural. I did think about it during recovery. I personally decided to continue. It was a bit challenging at first, but for me, worth it.
No one can tell you to bow out or continue riding. That's a very personal decision. I will say this, don't make a snap decision. Take some time, heal up, think. Winter's coming, see how you feel in the spring.
Good luck.

 

I had my first motorcycle accident in May, I’m 66 now and have been lucky for a long time. I was following a small group on a rural road in Wisconsin when all of a sudden realized I was rolling down the pavement. When I landed I could see a dead Whitetail Deer also laying in the road. I never saw it coming, peeled me right off the bike at 60 mph. I was air lifted to St Paul, 7 fractured ribs, punctured lung and some road rash. This was the first time I ever spent a night in the hospital, left me thinking about many things.

As I was recovering I had thoughts of giving up motorcycles. Also, lots of non-riders and a child advising me to stop riding. However, after a couple months of healing and my bike being repaired. I purchased a new helmet and some replacement riding gear and rode my Goldwing home from the shop. I was a little apprehensive before the ride, but it felt great being back in the saddle. I still have thoughts of the dangers of riding at times, but usually not when I’m actually on the bike. I’m slowly returning to normal and even recently purchased second bike, a 2012 Tiger Explorer. I’m not ready to give up something I enjoy over an accident with wild animal.

 

Could have done without the pic of the Deer ,but glad your doing ok.

 

Glad you're healed up (or healing up) and back out riding, @aht_six. Experiences like this definitely make us take stock.

 

Blimey, you were lucky there! I've seen cars written off after hitting animals that size.
I almost had this happen to me on the A819 between Inveraray and Loch Awe some years back when a large deer jumped out of the undergrowth and across the road about 40-50yds ahead with me going a sight faster than 60mph. I doubt I'd have survived the impact.
Everyone deals with accidents and their consequences differently. I've been unfortunate to have had a few in my riding career but fortunate to have escaped serious injury.
A written off Fireblade and 6 weeks off work with a broken collarbone, 3 months off work with a broken hip from a flippin' bicycle fall plus cuts and bruises from various other incidents but my only thoughts were those of frustration about the amount of riding time I was losing!
Just prior to the Fireblade incident I had two fairly minor spills on it in the space of a month. Well, they say bad luck comes in threes!

 

You said, "the first accident at my age (71), or even a close call, would see me hanging up my riding gear."

Well, clearly this wasn't an "accident." It appears to have been a blatant attempt om your life!

So, since it was no "accident", but a sinister attempt by the forces of evil to take you out, you can go on riding.

Just be more aware now, knowing that they may try again and carry a hand grenade. If anyone even comes close or just looks at you askance, take them out. Better to be safe than sorry.

But seriously, I posted about my buddy Tommy seven weeks ago. He racked up badly down in Virginia. Lacerated liver, ruptured spleen, punctured lung, cracked vertebrae, broken ribs and a severe laceration on his leg. I saw him last week at a police alumni brunch. He's almost back up to specs and is shopping for a new Harley. He’s 76 years old.

 

That’s good news about Tommy nearly healed up, @Fork Lock!

 

DEER! I have read that there are more white tail deer in the U.S. than when Europeans first landed here.

I haven't seen this particular fellow in years (since I quit the Victory Motorcycle club five years ago). He lives in Upstate NY. He was an everyday commuter and had, when I last talked to him, had hit five deer on his bike. His handle on the Vic forums was "Roadkill."

I only ever hunted small game, not deer, I never had to. As a police officer we were permitted to take deer struck by vehicles if the driver didn't want it and this time of year deer/car accidents were and almost nightly occurrence. I always had a freezer full of venison. A buddy is a big-time deer hunter. I help him set up his stands, bait, clear brush and post the properties he hunts. He kills eight or ten a year. Some of the venison goes to the farmers whose land he hunts, some goes to a charity called "Hunters for the Hungry" and I always get one.

 

Riding out today i saw a beautiful large red deer killed on the side of the road. Quite sad but i bet the car had a decent dent.