Riding after being hit
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Port St Lucie, FL
Riding after being hit
During Bike Week my wife and I were rear ended and she got ran over by the truck. Six months later she had 3 surgeries and I have 2 herniated disk in my back, but we are doing better. My only problem is when I'm riding I feel like there is a target on my *** and every one is aiming for it. The wife is trying to get back on in time for Biketober -fest, but the enjoyment I had is now replaced with being parinoid. I still ride, but how does one get over the feeling that the cages are out to get'em ?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
its tough to overcome...it takes time, time, and more time. If you really want to keep riding, you'll work through it, turn the adversity and physical pain you endured into an increased awareness every time you get on the bike. Fear paralizes you; vigilance doesn't. turn your fear into vigilance, ride like you're invisible, and never forget the lessons you learned the day you were hit.
I was t-boned by a cage when I was 16 years old. I spent nearly a year recovering, with multiple skin grafts, months of physical therapy and a lot of pain. I'm 55 years old, and I haven't ever forgotten that day. I think I am a better than average rider for no other reason than I pay complete attention to EVERYONE near me when I'm riding. I allow for LOTS of manouevering room, all the time. I won't ride 1/2 a block without helmet, gloves, boots and an armored leather jacket at a minimum...I don't care how hot it is, I NEVER want to have another skin graft.
Hang in. take short rides in residential areas, venture onto busier roads when you're comfortable, not before. If the idea of a long trip gives you anxiety, don't do it until you can look forward to it, not fear it.
Good luck!
I was t-boned by a cage when I was 16 years old. I spent nearly a year recovering, with multiple skin grafts, months of physical therapy and a lot of pain. I'm 55 years old, and I haven't ever forgotten that day. I think I am a better than average rider for no other reason than I pay complete attention to EVERYONE near me when I'm riding. I allow for LOTS of manouevering room, all the time. I won't ride 1/2 a block without helmet, gloves, boots and an armored leather jacket at a minimum...I don't care how hot it is, I NEVER want to have another skin graft.
Hang in. take short rides in residential areas, venture onto busier roads when you're comfortable, not before. If the idea of a long trip gives you anxiety, don't do it until you can look forward to it, not fear it.
Good luck!
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
Mudbeast, I know what you are going thorugh, I was rear-ended in '93, it took me a while to get over that feeling and when stopped I keep one eye on the mirror and leave myself a way out. On the Ultra changed the tail-light to a BAL-3 set on step 2 and flash x4 with brakes. Always set it off a couple of times when stopped and someone is coming up from the rear. Trust me when I say you never truly get over it but it does get better, and may I wish you and your wife a speedy recovery.
-Moderator-"Wench with a Wrench and Queen of Quips"
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 10,252
Likes: 1,980
From: Breaux Bridge, LA
I was clipped by a dually in 2000. Tib/fib compound fracture. Was riding again 9 weeks later.
Got in pretty much a head-on on '07. Busted a bunch of stuff & lost an arm. It's been a long time coming, but my new ride will be ready when I go to Florida for Xmas.
Getting back on is a bit scarey at first, but you DO get better! As previously posted, transfer the fear to awareness. It'll come...Just takes time!
Best of luck to you and your wife!
Got in pretty much a head-on on '07. Busted a bunch of stuff & lost an arm. It's been a long time coming, but my new ride will be ready when I go to Florida for Xmas.
Getting back on is a bit scarey at first, but you DO get better! As previously posted, transfer the fear to awareness. It'll come...Just takes time!
Best of luck to you and your wife!
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Drivers for the most part down here in South Florida don't give a dam about motorcyclists unless they figure we're getting over on them by illegal lane splitting or filtering. Then they want to let you know their distain for us.
I too worry about being rear ended all the time. I did install a new programable tail light made by "Bright *** Lights", (about $200). This helps a lot especially when its programed in one of the not so legal modes. Most LEO's don't care except for this state trooper that commented it was illegal in the current mode, since it made me look like a LEO from behind. Why should LEO's have all the fun?
When I am out riding during the day, I ride like my life depends on it. I ride a bit faster when traffic is around. I want to get out of their way with the least amount of law breaking to do it. We do a lot of midnight rides since I usually have only drunks & LEO's to contend with. Its the LEO's though at night that seem to be the ones running through stop signs lately.
My advice, build up your self confidence and ride if you can at night after 11pm Sunday - Thursday to about 2am. Down here we got these towns sprinkler systems watering down our streets at about those times, so that's another thing to worry about if you want your bike staying clean.
2nd advice, if you're not already wearing safety equiptment, you might want to do so till you feel more confident. I'm one of the last ones to preach safety equiptment since I rarely wear a helmet in this heat.
3rd advice, get a CCW permit if you don't have one yet and start carrying the largest caliber side arm that feels comfortable to you.
Hope one day to meet up with you and your misses. Till then ride safe.
I too worry about being rear ended all the time. I did install a new programable tail light made by "Bright *** Lights", (about $200). This helps a lot especially when its programed in one of the not so legal modes. Most LEO's don't care except for this state trooper that commented it was illegal in the current mode, since it made me look like a LEO from behind. Why should LEO's have all the fun?
When I am out riding during the day, I ride like my life depends on it. I ride a bit faster when traffic is around. I want to get out of their way with the least amount of law breaking to do it. We do a lot of midnight rides since I usually have only drunks & LEO's to contend with. Its the LEO's though at night that seem to be the ones running through stop signs lately.
My advice, build up your self confidence and ride if you can at night after 11pm Sunday - Thursday to about 2am. Down here we got these towns sprinkler systems watering down our streets at about those times, so that's another thing to worry about if you want your bike staying clean.
2nd advice, if you're not already wearing safety equiptment, you might want to do so till you feel more confident. I'm one of the last ones to preach safety equiptment since I rarely wear a helmet in this heat.
3rd advice, get a CCW permit if you don't have one yet and start carrying the largest caliber side arm that feels comfortable to you.
Hope one day to meet up with you and your misses. Till then ride safe.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 913
Likes: 0
WOW, I`m shocked by all these stories - good luck to all of you and I will be looking for that way out in the future - never really dawned on me about being rear ended. I`m always riding defensively but never thought about the rear end.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 33
From: Acworth
As previously said, it takes a lot of time. Years ago, I was hit from the rear, not as bad as you, but... now, I check my mirrors always, especially as I brake.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 932
Likes: 3
From: Tuscaloosa Alabama
never been hit.thanks to you all for your stories and the best of luck to everyone.you have helped me remember that it can happen any day and I have become much more alert when riding since I have joined this forum.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
That suggestion on the Bright *** Light is a good one, that sucker is REALLY bright. Ride as if they don't see you, often they don't. The big thing is time to get over the trauma . Injuries seem to stay in our head longer than on our body. Force yourself to go back through where you got hit until you don't think about it anymore. It's what I did after being knocked off my bike. Took me a while to relax..
Goodluck
Goodluck