Rider down - me

[TexasPhotographer]

Sunday, October 18, three days before my 71st birthday was supposed to be a really fun day. I rode about 55 miles with 19 other members of our SCRC Riding Club. During brunch, I finished and excused myself as I was going alone to see my oldest granddaughter play college soccer. I was travelling about 70 MPH along a nice Texas country road. It was just about noon when I saw a large doe running full open towards me. I had no time to react and said maybe I will miss her. Nope. I hit her T-bone and went down. I rolled over and over three or four times and knew I was hurt. How badly, I did not know.

Was evacuated to Darnall Army Hospital where I spent three days and countless X-Rays. Have a broken bone in my shoulder, 5 cracked ribs, severe high ankle sprain and lots of road rash. However due to a great full face helmet and armored backed gloves, my face, head and hands were not injured.

Here are two photos of my helmet. Look closely at the nicks just below the very scratched visor. If anything could convince a person to wear a full face helmet all of the time maybe these photos could be the reason. I hope so.

[High_Side]

Glad to hear that you are not worse off than you are. At 71 years old, you are an inspiration and I hope that this does not prevent you from getting back on the horse.

Get well soon.

[Wrider]

Wow bud, glad you're doing ok! Trust me I know the feeling of "Oh $hit I'm going down" and it's not a good one... Especially laying there afterwards knowing you're hurt.
Glad you're doing ok, and I hope you get feeling better soon!

[Greg .]

Wow ... what High_Side said. I wish you a full and fast recovery.

[RhadamYgg]

Glad to hear you have survived you man vs nature adventure. I hope to never encounter this myself, or that I survive the encounter if it happens.

[flw]

I fear Deer in especially during harvest time which started a few weeks ago.

I've have wondered about the question of do I really want to know "I'm going down" if there is nothing I can do about it. With the corn over 7 foot high on both sides of the roads here, a deer can run out fast enough that all you can do is say to your self "oh, "poo poo"". I have been lucky with deer but I don't ride toward dusk or night (there normal active time) which is still no guarantee that you won't hit one during the day.

[TexasPhotographer]

I fear Deer in especially during harvest time which started a few weeks ago.

I've have wondered about the question of do I really want to know "I'm going down" if there is nothing I can do about it. With the corn over 7 foot high on both sides of the roads here, a deer can run out fast enough that all you can do is say to your self "oh, "poo poo"". I have been lucky with deer but I don't ride toward dusk or night (there normal active time) which is still no guarantee that you won't hit one during the day.

It was 12 noon when I hit the deer. I live along a country road and have had near misses at all hours. A few weeks ago my son and I passed each other going in different directions both riding our bikes. I watched him deftly swerve and watched as a deer ran safely to the other side of the road. The next day near the same location I had to brake to avoid a deer running out at me. My accident happened about 55 miles from our home. Animals are the one thing about motorcycling that scares me the most.

[BuzZz]

Deer are vermin and a hazard to anyone in any vehicle. Since Canada went stupid with the gun registry, many people stopped hunting. Now the deer are dam near swarming in these parts and we have to have yearly culls to prevent mass starvation and disease within the population. Deer strikes don't even get a claims adjuster to come out anymore, they just cut a check.

Heal quickly Texasphotog. The injuries you got make life a PIA don't they? With any luck, you'll be ready to get some payback on Bambi's clan soon.

[bandit600]

Best of luck on your recovery and sorry to hear about the accident.

I wonder if those high frequency deer whistles (like dog whistles I guess) people used to mount on the front of cars would work on a bike?? This is easily the 4th accident involving deer I've encountered this month and it is unnerving to hear more cases popping up.

[zeligman]

heal fast and well! thanks for sharing ... just curious, you said you had some serious road rash ... were you wearing protective jacket/pants too?

no judgement meant, only information gathering!

-Z