Puzzled
Registered
This is from a local MC publication that published my story. Thus the area and names will be irrelevant.
Taking Time Out
Sunday March 28, 2004, one of the first warm mornings of the new riding season. A couple of friends and I decided to take some time out for a motorcycle ride. Before we knew it there was about eight bikes ready to ride. I on my Screamin’ Eagle Road Glide and the rest of the bunch on everything from twenty-year-old Harleys to the latest and fastest Sport Bikes. All in all, a good group of guys and gals to ride with. We left from Stroudsburg with our destination being the Riverside Barr and Grille in Riverton for some early lunch. We set out heading up Route 611 through Portland and all the little towns along the way. We arrived at our destination and there were already about a dozen motorcycles in the parking lot. After some lunch and a generous amount of story telling we set out to make our way over to Wind Gap where the group was to split up. There were arrangements made to meet up with some other riders back at the Pocono Pub in Stroudsburg. We decided to take the scenic route back and avoid the quick blast up the highway. There were several bikes waiting for us when we arrived and more on the way. I decided to change bikes and take my Sport Bike back out as I only live minutes from the Pub. Why did I change bikes? I’m not certain but it proved to be a wise decision.
Our next destination was Burks Tavern in Mt. Pocono for those who didn’t eat earlier. We set out heading North on Route 611. There was about fourteen of us. The group caught a traffic light in Swiftwater, splitting the front six from the rest. The six of us were in the right hand lane lifting off of the throttle awaiting the rest to catch up. At this point this is where my life took a dramatic change.
A car heading south decided to make a U-turn. The driver crossed over the North bound empty left lane right into our lane. I had no time to react and collided with the left side of the car. I was thrown from the bike and hit the concrete barrier en route to hitting the dirt embankment and flopping back into the roadway. The bike was right behind me landing only feet from me. The guys behind me were scrambling to avoid hitting the remains of the bike and me. My ride was not over. According to the guys and medical personal at the scene I didn’t look well lying there on the ground. Medi-Vac was flown in, and off I went to the Lehigh Valley Trauma center in Allentown. There I underwent surgery to repair my broken femur, shattered wrist and internal bleeding. The multiple contusions and concussion were attended to as well. The staff at Lehigh did a first class job of putting me back together. I now have a rod in my leg and two plates in my wrist. I spent five days there recovering from my injuries before heading to Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg for rehabilitation. The next four days was spent learning to use various pieces of equipment to help me walk again.
Lying in the Hospital every person I know must have taken the time out to come and visit. Some from as far away as Delaware and some I thought that would never show up. The cards and gift baskets came on a daily basis to the hospital and to our house.
For whatever the reason was I changed bikes that day I’ll never know, but I am most definitely glad I did. Reason being, when I ride my Sport Bike I wear my Full-face helmet, leather jacket, leather gloves and riding boots. If it were not for the gear change, I am most certain that I would not be here today to tell my story. Earlier that day I only had my “Peanut†shell helmet on and my riding jacket. Typical Harley style riding gear.
I’m now home again and am learning to get around with the aid of a wheel chair and crutches. I’m now taking the time out to heal and think about things in general. One is the great family and friends I have around me. My wife who is seven months pregnant has been by my side every step of the way. My brother from New Jersey who literally put his tools down and walked of the job to be at the hospital when he received the news. My very good friend Mike who had the horrible task of calling my wife to tell her I was in an accident. The guys I was riding with that day that all made the trip to Allentown to visit me.
In the past I was never one to participate in the family and friends functions. I was always too busy to do so. With all the possible show dates I always had something to do that was motorcycle related. I now realize I need to take some time out and spend it with family and friends.
Taking Time Out
Sunday March 28, 2004, one of the first warm mornings of the new riding season. A couple of friends and I decided to take some time out for a motorcycle ride. Before we knew it there was about eight bikes ready to ride. I on my Screamin’ Eagle Road Glide and the rest of the bunch on everything from twenty-year-old Harleys to the latest and fastest Sport Bikes. All in all, a good group of guys and gals to ride with. We left from Stroudsburg with our destination being the Riverside Barr and Grille in Riverton for some early lunch. We set out heading up Route 611 through Portland and all the little towns along the way. We arrived at our destination and there were already about a dozen motorcycles in the parking lot. After some lunch and a generous amount of story telling we set out to make our way over to Wind Gap where the group was to split up. There were arrangements made to meet up with some other riders back at the Pocono Pub in Stroudsburg. We decided to take the scenic route back and avoid the quick blast up the highway. There were several bikes waiting for us when we arrived and more on the way. I decided to change bikes and take my Sport Bike back out as I only live minutes from the Pub. Why did I change bikes? I’m not certain but it proved to be a wise decision.
Our next destination was Burks Tavern in Mt. Pocono for those who didn’t eat earlier. We set out heading North on Route 611. There was about fourteen of us. The group caught a traffic light in Swiftwater, splitting the front six from the rest. The six of us were in the right hand lane lifting off of the throttle awaiting the rest to catch up. At this point this is where my life took a dramatic change.
A car heading south decided to make a U-turn. The driver crossed over the North bound empty left lane right into our lane. I had no time to react and collided with the left side of the car. I was thrown from the bike and hit the concrete barrier en route to hitting the dirt embankment and flopping back into the roadway. The bike was right behind me landing only feet from me. The guys behind me were scrambling to avoid hitting the remains of the bike and me. My ride was not over. According to the guys and medical personal at the scene I didn’t look well lying there on the ground. Medi-Vac was flown in, and off I went to the Lehigh Valley Trauma center in Allentown. There I underwent surgery to repair my broken femur, shattered wrist and internal bleeding. The multiple contusions and concussion were attended to as well. The staff at Lehigh did a first class job of putting me back together. I now have a rod in my leg and two plates in my wrist. I spent five days there recovering from my injuries before heading to Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg for rehabilitation. The next four days was spent learning to use various pieces of equipment to help me walk again.
Lying in the Hospital every person I know must have taken the time out to come and visit. Some from as far away as Delaware and some I thought that would never show up. The cards and gift baskets came on a daily basis to the hospital and to our house.
For whatever the reason was I changed bikes that day I’ll never know, but I am most definitely glad I did. Reason being, when I ride my Sport Bike I wear my Full-face helmet, leather jacket, leather gloves and riding boots. If it were not for the gear change, I am most certain that I would not be here today to tell my story. Earlier that day I only had my “Peanut†shell helmet on and my riding jacket. Typical Harley style riding gear.
I’m now home again and am learning to get around with the aid of a wheel chair and crutches. I’m now taking the time out to heal and think about things in general. One is the great family and friends I have around me. My wife who is seven months pregnant has been by my side every step of the way. My brother from New Jersey who literally put his tools down and walked of the job to be at the hospital when he received the news. My very good friend Mike who had the horrible task of calling my wife to tell her I was in an accident. The guys I was riding with that day that all made the trip to Allentown to visit me.
In the past I was never one to participate in the family and friends functions. I was always too busy to do so. With all the possible show dates I always had something to do that was motorcycle related. I now realize I need to take some time out and spend it with family and friends.
