3rd time is a charm....

[cuong-nutz]

I wrecked again this past Friday after work.

TLDR version:
no gear
low speed
single vehicle accident
fine invisible silt on the road
front end washed out
stitches
road rash
cannot ride for a long time


The long story version:

I came home from work on time for once. I had noticed that my front end was clucking loose over bumps and figured the last accident had knocked my stem bearings loose or at least my stem nut since I could loosen it by hand. So I tightened up the stem bearings down just a smidge and torqued the stem nut down to spec. Did other maintenance and checked my tire pressures. I saw the front could use a couple pounds of air and the rear could use a boost as well. I had already put my gear up and I was sweaty from wrenching on the bike so figured I squid it up to the gas station half a mile down the road and air up the tires. I only made it a quarter mile down the road, if that.

There was a water main that had broke and was spilling water on the right side of the road (3 lane road). I ride in the far left lane away from the water and pass the spillage where all 3 lanes were dry. I want to say I had just barely began to squeeze the front brake and that's when the front just gave out. My approximate speed would have to be 25 mph or less. It happened fast but the impact of falling snapped the end of my clutch lever off cutting a small hole in my left hand. My left knee hit the pavement, chest hit the ground and median. Face touched the median which caused my glasses to scrape under my eyelid.

The lady behind me slowed down and pulled out over the lanes to make sure I didn't get run over and asked if I was ok and what had happened. I told her that it was something on the road which caused my bike to lose traction. She asked if I need an ambulance which I responded no. I went over to pick up my phone and pencil gauge which had fallen out of my breast pocket and proceeded to pick up my bike which was still running. I told her I was going to ride back home and she asked if she could follow me to make sure I was ok and I told her thanks and I would not mind it.

Got to my place, thanked the lady for her help and cleaned myself up to drive myself to the my friendly neighborhood urgent care center that I have visited before for my previous accidents. Got stitches and pain meds. I will not be riding for a while until after the wedding. The fiancee is stressed enough as it is.

I was really really lucky. I could have killed myself easily. Please wear your gear everyone. Do not fool yourself thinking nothing can happen within a short distance of travel even at slow speeds. Expect the unexpected or otherwise it will bite back at you hard.

I'll post pictures eventually with a disclaimer possibly.

[Somchai]

Sorry to hear that Cuong.
For your future I wish you all the best and may always watch you - besides your fiancee

[csmith12]

Sorry man... best of luck to you and your girl. Heal fast!

[cadd]

Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!

What rotten luck. Sorry to hear about the wreck. Thanks for sharing your unfortunate mishap with us. Really reminds all of us that a 1 mile ride to the gas station with no gear is a risk.

I admit I do this too. The gas station is about 3/4 - 1 mile down the road (40mph limit) and I too, ride with sneakers, t-shirt, jeans & no gloves to the gas station at times. I do wear a helmet though. But never again.

Were you wearing some sort of helmet?

[xXecuterXx2]

Ouch man, you'll be in my prayers. Best of luck with the healing, hope your fiancé fairs better than you, i know weddings can take a toll on a persons sanity ( Sisters a wedding planner)

[psych0hans]

heal up quick buddy! That's some rotten luck right there...

[ForceofWill]

That sucks man. Most of us hear about those crashes so close to home but think, "eh, it's right down the road." Do you think you would have got up without injury if you were wearing your normal gear?

[cuong-nutz]

Originally Posted by ForceofWill

That sucks man. Most of us hear about those crashes so close to home but think, "eh, it's right down the road." Do you think you would have got up without injury if you were wearing your normal gear?

Had I been wearing my gear most of my injuries could have been prevented. Gloves would probably prevented me from having stitches. Hard to say if it was laceration from being pinched or just being cut up by the sharp edge of the clutch lever.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

........ I ride in the far left lane away from the water and pass the spillage where all 3 lanes were dry. I want to say I had just barely began to squeeze the front brake and that's when the front just gave out........

Very sorry to read this, Cuong

Diesel spill, algae growth maybe?

[Jono]

A good reminder to always put on that gear before taking a quick spin. I've done this numerous times after working on the bike (thankfully without crashing). I will almost always put on a pair of gloves along with my helmet tho.

[cuong-nutz]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Very sorry to read this, Cuong

Diesel spill, algae growth maybe?

Just very fine dust.

[snot]

Sorry to hear about the accident. I hope you heal fast, I have heard several similar stories this season. Thankfully the lady was there to help.

[cuong-nutz]

Well finally pulled the 4th set of bandages off and cleaned up the wounds. New skin growth looks good but it looks like I took a decent chunk of skin off just below the knee. I can finally confirm that my clutch lever pinched a chunk of integral part of skin off my hand and exposing the meaty stuff. I'm going to pay a visit to the doc tomorrow after work to see if it's time to remove the stitches and what's my next course of action for healing. I'm actually learning a lot in wound care and healing being an unfortunate guinea pig....

[Motofool]

Heal soon !!!

[akima]

Sorry to hear about your multiple crashes Hope you're not suffering too much with your wounds. Thankfully none of your injuries are so bad that you can't ride again. So hopefully you'll heal up and gear up soon and get back to riding ^-^