I’ve ridden motorcycles for many, many, … many years. Every time I got on a bike, I learned new things about riding, about being a rider, about other riders.

I had stopped riding for a season, “settled down”, got married, divorced, married again. Got involved with Patriot Guard Riders in 2009. At first, I just showed up and held a flag. Then I wanted to be back on a bike and ride escort. Found one, through a friend. Rode that 2005 650 VStar for quite a while, and started riding with the Missing in America Project on that same bike, until I found (with the help of my Pastor) a 2009 Honda VTX1300T. I was in love with a big, beautiful, comfortable cruiser and I showered it with attention and accessories. Added a trunk. Added glow lights. Added marker lights. Upgraded the turn signals to be flashback driving lights also. Added escort flashers.

All through this time, my wife expressed her concern quietly, privately. I assured her that I would ride safely, that I would not get hit.

October 6th, 2021, my Honda let me down. It developed a “speed wobble” or “death wobble” – the neck bearing failed. It was in a curve, and I had no opportunity to correct it. I was thrown. The bike landed left side down in the median ditch. The fairing, tank, engine guard, left saddlebag and trunk were all damaged.

I landed in Kingman Regional Medical Center. My wife was called, and she quickly arranged care for our daughter and drove up to Kingman.

The bike has been totaled by the insurance company; I will be receiving a check for compensation. I was thinking I could fix it, “buff it out”.

What I cannot “buff out” is the look on my wife’s face when she walked into my hospital room. She had almost lost me. If not for God’s hand of grace on me, and the helmet on my head, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be here to write this.

I am not scared to get back on a bike – if I was not healing, I’d be back on one in a heartbeat. Nothing can match the feeling of riding your own motorcycle.

I am scared of the look on my wife’s face. I never want to see that look of sheer, abject fear again. She thought she might have lost me. I will not be riding again as long as she lives, not because I can’t, but because I value her peace of mind over my adrenaline.

Chat ya later…

Thanks for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, and Wear Red on Fridays!

Tweet