went down (and not in a good way)

[nostatic]

Well I supppose it was only a matter of time. We were very lucky, but timing is everything and I didn't have it.

The g/f and I rode the bike down to Irvine Meadows for the Earth Wind and Fire concert. Show was awesome. After the show we geared up (although we both only had jeans, no over pants) and headed north. Not too far after getting on the 405 fwy I was in the #2 lane cruising at 65. Traffic was light/moderate. And then out of the corner of my eye I saw a coyote bolt from the side of the road on the right, trying to cross to the center divide (and on to the other side which is rolling hills). There was nothing I could do. No time to slow, speed up, avoid, etc. Slammed dead on with my front wheel.

The bike went down on the left side and we skidded for what seemed like forever. Thankfully no cars came near us. My g/f hung onto me and I hung onto the bike. We finally came to a stop still in the #2 lane. My left knee was pretty ripped up, and my left foot hurt. I checked on my g/f and she said her arm hurt. I tried to pick up the bike but no go. We waited until it was clear then went to the center divide (too much traffic to try and make it to the right hand side).

I called 911, and of course cars were just barelling along, some braking and narrowly missing the bike (which was still running with lights on). After being on hold for 2 or 3 minutes, I got through. Somebody else had already called it in. I kept checking on my g/f. She was in shock and said her arm hurt but that was it. I noticed my left boot had shredded along with part of my foot.

Then a pickup truck hurtling along evidently didn't see the bike. Slammed into it, the truck went careening to the right, then the left. He finally slowed and saved it. The Duc burst into flames as it skidded 30 or 40 feet from the impact. Then it sat there burning. Nothing we could do. Finally fire showed and CHP blocked traffic to clear the dead coyote. At that point we quickly walked across to the right hand side of the fwy and to the fire truck and ambulance.

The ambulance guy was shocked to see us. He thought they'd be looking for pieces. They took our info and I got strapped on the gurney and put in the back. My g/f sat in the back. They worked us up and cut my pants and boot off. You can see the patella on my knee, as it wore off about a quarter-sized chunk of meat. The foot was just a section of worn down...foot.

CHP asked me what happened, and I told him. Since he had pulled the coyote to the side he knew I wasn't bsing. He gave me a card and said his report would say it wasn't my fault, and the report would be available in 10 days.

So we got whisked off to Mission Hospital which is a trauma center in OC. We got fastracked and care was quick and good. X-rays on my knee and foot were negative...just a big hole. My g/f has a minor fracture of the ulna, so she was splinted up. Then they started cleaning my wounds out, and the attending said he needed to check to see if the damage and crap extended into the joint. Turns out the way you do this is to inject about 40cc of methylene blue dye mixed with saline in the other side of the joint and see if any comes through to the wound. Let me tell you, it hurt. A LOT. Then he sucked the fluid back out. That was negative too.

He close not to close either wound up as I might need a flap added to the knee, and the foot injury was hard to clean, and there was nothing to close there. In all I got 12mg or morphine (4x 3mg shots along the way). Got sent home with some dressings (zeroform? this yellowish guaze stuff that went right onto the wound and is supposed to not stick and help it stay clean, etc).

In all it wasn't bad. Accident was at 11:30pm. Got to the hospital around 12:30am. And we were discharged a little after 4am. Then how to get home. No real choice but the $200 cab ride back to west LA.

So today it hurts like a mother. I've got vicodin but that barely makes a dent in it. I'm on crutches but really can't get off the couch without some help (from the one-armed g/f). Can't wait to find out what the doc says on monday...and of course I get to worry about a staph infection

Anywho, it was a good run, but I think my bike days are over. That was just too close. For whatever reason my higher power wants me and the g/f around for awhile, so I'm going to honor that.

Sorry, no pics. When I'm a bit more ambulatory maybe I'll take some of my leg. The officer on scene had a pic of my bike after they put the fire out and I asked him to email it to me. It was pretty much just the engine and trellis frame. I've got to call insurance, but that shouldn't be an issue. Just a pita.

This would be one of life's curve balls. And the sucky thing is that I'll miss Laguna Seca next weekend. But better being alive...

[kaisen]

Sorry to hear it but glad you're okay! I've heard enough of those stories to keep me off a bike. Could have been much worse.

[widebody911]

Holy shit! At least you're alive!

[RickM]

Wow, you truly came close on this one. Glad you and your girlfriend are OK.

I've been riding for a while and thankfully haven't experienced a similar incident. Late last year an odd feeling came over me....I found myself feeling spooked about riding. Don't know where it came from but the voice from inside has kept me off the road. I'm seriously thinking of throwing in the towel as well.

Anyway, good luck with you injuries. Sounds like you'll have a relatively quick recovery.

[trekkor]

Todd, I'm sorry you had to go through that and I'm happy to hear you two are going to be OK.

Really good thing traffic was light and you could get away from the oncoming cars ( Truck ).

Speedy recovery...


KT

[lowyder993s]

Obviously no Laguna...damn T...glad to hear you ditchin the scoot. Gots to stay around for the son, right! Get better...both you and your girl. Jim

[dtw]

Holy crap Todd. So sorry to hear about this incident. I'm glad to hear you lived to tell though. Hope your road to recovery is quick enough. Give our regards to the g/f, too.

[450knotOffice]

Wow Todd! Amazing how random these situations are, isn't it. One second all is good and smooth at 65. The next you're on the ground sliding with your bike and GF. She must've been terrified to go down at that speed. You guys could have both been killed had this happened during the day with all of the traffic.

I wish you and your GF a speedy recovery, Todd. Take care.

[Bob's Flat-Six]

While the Coyote was a stroke of bad luck, Not getting struck by an inattentive driver was very lucky.

Good to hear your friend and you are doing pretty good under the circumstances.

Get well to both of you.

[speeder]

Wow. That must have been terrifying. Like the others, I'm sorry to hear it but glad that you were not hurt worse or killed. The possibility is always there w/ a bike. They are so damn much fun when they are upright, and such a nightmare when they fall.

Also glad that no bones are broken; being in one's 40s is not old by any means, but you don't heal like a teenager either. (Personal experience).

It's funny, I've randomly thought of you twice today; I went surfing for the first time ever this AM up on Broad beach, and I thought of you and your spirit of trying/learning new things+ you are a surfer. Then I saw a beat-up looking '79 SC in silver and thought that it would make someone a good track car.

I would have driven to OC and picked you up, I am going to PM you my cell# if you need anything delivered. Feel better.

[red-beard]

I'm glad you were not hurt worse! Bad accident. One of my buddies hit a deer with his bike in college. Nothing broken, but he was one giant bruise. I hope the two of you feel better and you recover soon.

[Schrup]

I hope for a speedy recovery for you & your girlfriend Todd.

[klaucke]

Best wishes for a healthy and speedy recovery.

[greglepore]

Todd, quite a story and quite a scare.

I've never ridden two up, I just don't want to be responsible for someone else. I can't imagine how worried you were.

I'd really prefer not to see photos.

And ditto on the randomness. Its like lightning.

[Don Plumley]

Holy cow! That was a close one mister.

I'm grateful for you and your family they are only flesh wounds are you are on the mend. In the big picture, you had a very lucky day.

Don

*edit, re-read the part about your wise choice not getting another bike.

[84porsche]

HOLY *****!! Todd, glad your alive. My brother said he saw a fire on the 405 late yesterday. If I can help in anyway, let me know.

[MichiganMat]

Quite a story dude, glad you're OK.

[Dottore]

It is very good to hear that you are on the mend.

I had a similar incident on my Ducati three years ago, and also decided to hang up my helmet for good. I had been riding bikes all of my life - but after the last incident decided the risk of going down through no fault of my own just wasn't worth it anymore.

An air-cooled Porsche cabriolet is a fine substitute for a bike in my view. And it has many advantages. Don't look back. You won't regret it.

[Rodeo]

Sorry for the misfortune, but glad that it's not any worse ... get well Todd.

[450knotOffice]

Ya know...this reminds me of the two idiots I saw on the 5 today while coming up from San Diego to OC. Traffic was moving at about 75, as usual, and was moderately heavy. After these two guys passed me and got up about 200 yards in front of me they started showing off for everybody. One guy climbed up and stood on his seat and then pulled a standing wheely while accelerating and doing a slalom through the white lines. He did this twice and you could see by all the brake lights that no one was impressed but rather didn't want to be the poor slobs who ran over these two idiots when they fell.

Fools.