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Sorry about your friend and I hope he recovers completely. Whether you decide to give it up for good or not is of course purely your choice but if it matters any.. In my 20+ years as a cop I witnessed a lot of trauma and death in cars, airplanes and motorcycles. It can happen anytime, anywhere and with any mode of transportation. I did not stop driving, flying or riding after witnessing these unfortunate events but it certainly had an impact on me, as it did you. What makes it hit closer to home is when the victims are friends or family.
Give it some time, learn from what happened and then make a final decision.
Best of luck to you.
Sorry to hear about your friend, I hope he makes a full recovery. Prayers for him, his family, and yourself.
As far as you not riding anymore, you have to do what makes you comfortable. My dad's best friend was killed while riding about 13-14 years ago and it affected my dad pretty bad. He also stopped riding for about 10 years, even sold the scoot he had built himself. He is riding again now, with a lot more respect for the bike and what could happen.
Cant say I would blame you for hanging up your helmet, but my suggestion is, hang up your helmet, look out for your friend while he is in need, and when things settle down, and your of clear mind, make your decision, whether you still feel you are done riding, or that it was just an emotional reaction, and are healing, yourself. Hang in there!
My husband and I went to the mountains back in March with my mom and her boyfriend. My husband was riding behind me and when I came through a curve he was no longer behind me. That was the worst feeling in the world. It took me a little while after that for me to be able to ride myself. It still makes me nervous when we're riding together if I can't seem him in my mirror for some reason. I'm glad we both continued riding.
Give yourself some time. Hang up the helmet for now if you need to. Whatever decision you end up making, best of luck to you. I pray your friend makes a full recovery!
Damn Gconklin, man, sorry to hear about that and sorry to hear about your decision. Every man has to make their own choices and as stated earlier, I don't reckon anyone here will judge your decision; I'm sure that it wasn't an easy one to make. I wish you the absolute best and prayers out to your friend and his family.
hope ur friend gets better soon,i have seen people go down and it does make u think,but then whats life if u cant do what u love,but i respect ur decision.
Hope and pray your friend will be ok. What you may be feeling is survivor guilt. I'm no shrink but thats what mine told me . The timeing for you to ride agian will be up to you ....but don't sell the bike just yet Time and talking it out will help. one of your friends will be a good listner, when you feel ready and if friend understands that you need to vent do it, It really helps .... Be patient and someday you will ride again.
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Would you stop driving if the accident was in a car? Would you stop walking if it happened that way? You are in shock, because it was a traumatic accident. I can appreciate your feelings, but I suggest that you wait awhile before making that decision. Who knows your bro may not be thinking of quitting riding. It is your decision, but let the dust settle before putting your helmet on the shelf.
Sorry to hear about the sad news...must have been aweful...can't imagine what you're thinking right now.Myprayers go out to all those involved. Hopefully he has a speedy and uneventful recovery. It's good to know that you have your priorities in the right place...taking care of your friend and yourself. Riding doesn't really matter that much at this point. Who knows, maybe he'll be the one asking you to jump back on the scoot and head out for a spin sometime in the future. In the meantime, God Bless. Hopefully you'll find some good support here in the forums if you need it and you decide to stick around.
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