September 6, 2006
-
I Almost Can’t Believe It…
Two days ago, we arrived back in TN after a 48 hour dash from
Laguna
Beach, California. I slept off and on for the next day,
then met up
with some riding buddies for a quick run over
“our mountain” on Hwy 30.
The ride up was awesome, it was my first time riding without
having
full luggage on, in over a month. I was smooth, I was fast,
and I was
really, TRULY “On it”.
We rolled across the top of the mountain and then set up for the
first left on the downhill side. Diving in to the corner, I apexed
beautifully with my knee lightly
sliding along the pavement.
Deftly manuevering through a quick series
of small turns I touched
my front brake, before setting up for another
tight left hander.
Again, I ran a gorgeous line, apexing exactly where I wanted to be.
My
knee was on the ground, grinding away at my neon yellow
Dianese sliders
and I was just beginning to power out of the corner.
That’s when “it” happened.
The bike dissapeared and I went rolling.
The bike and I hit the guardrail at around 70mph, the bike stuck
halfway through it and I rolled, skipped and slid another 40 feet.
I was being closely followed by Andy (650rman) and another rider,
they
both safely made it around me, stopping just as I sit up groping
my
previously injured leg.
Within 2 minutes a guy in a pickup had stopped, along with a couple
of
young firefighters. They had the bike and me in the truck and back
off
the mountain in 25 minutes, it was impressive!
Damage to me, seems to be a broken toe (foot peg pinned
it)
possible knee damage (though not major) and a bruised/ cracked
rib
(where I hit the guard rail). I have NO road rash, and my full
faced
helmet absolutely saved my brains.
Damage to the bike is almost EXACTLY what is wrong with
my silver FZ, forks, front wheel, front fairings, bars and assorted
other items.
I hobbled up the road, trying to figure out what happened, only to
find
a dozen half dollar sized spots of fresh oil. From what I can tell,
someone had a serious leak and it decided to pour out as they went
around that corner. My tires hit the tiny spots and that was enough
to
throw me into the guard rail at around 70mph.
Yeeeha!
Next step, get back to work and start fixing these friggin’ broken bikes.
More pictures, including accident scene shots are to come.
Comments (89)
Oh, that really sucks. I’m sorry to hear about your bike. Still, I’m glad you made it out of there relatively okay. That could’ve been really ugly.
Holy trash! 70mph? I’m glad you’re okay. Yay for full body armor! I hope you recover quickly.
You have a lot of close calls. I don’t even know you but I can count on at least something relatively dangerous happening once this get too mundane. Thank God that you are ok. Helmets are a good investment.
Maybe you need to give up on that knee-scraping thing. (Moms must speak out.) I’d say maybe you need to give up on bikes, but I know you would stick your fingers in your ears and start humming, if you haven’t already
. I will be praying for your healing, Eric. Hobble on down to visit us.
I’m guessing insurance companies shun you.
My goodness gracious…well…I’m glad you survived – yet again (and this time without any big injuries). ::shakes head::
70 mph?!! I’m still processing. You realize that you have messed yourself up legally by making public an admission of not adhering to the speed limit.
Riding is over rated anyway…..thppth. never quit untill you are broken beyond all reason…then read books
Wow…glad to hear that overall you’re ok!
Oh that’s so scary! I’m glad you are relatively ok though! A friend of ours just went down on his bike and he can’t remember a thing from the accident…
Take care!
Kimberly
Ouch!!!!!
Man. I’m glad you are safe though!!!
HUGS
wow, praise to God that you’re safe
Gotta love how He watched out over His children….Also, so sad that i didn’t get to meet you 
I was on my way home from my new college (can’t believe i got in still, lol) to visit the bri-ness and meet you guys, and the trains decided to be a bother cause it was holiday weekend. TO make a long story short, i was stranded and didn’t get home till around Sunday night. Sad times. Anywho, hope you enjoyed Laguna and if you ever visit again, i’ll def try to make it 
Blessings!
whoa….
glad knee damage not major. That would be ugly.
the bike thing is beyond frustrating, so no comment there.
glad to have you back in town, try to stay in one piece
woah, glad you’re not seriously injured
i’m glad you’re okay..again.
you really should find a new way to get in the spotlight.
i wanna see your house, but now i suppose you haven’t any way to get me. so..i think you should call and tell me where you are exactly and i’ll try to make my way over there someday soon. =)
…wow, eric…
…..*blinks*……
…wow…..
I’m praying for safe recovery!
Wow. Hope you heal soon. I’m glad that you are ok. I throughly enjoyed hearing all about your trip to Alaska. Stay safe!
ERIC!!!
Maybe you should look into getting a fast car….
(and since you are so lovable you’re scaring the mom in me)
PTL, you werent hurt worse. Good thing you were so close to home too. I’ll be praying for a quick and total healing. I pray your bike repairs aren’t too steep. looking forward to pics!
ErIC! ..geez…when are ya gonna stop doing that?? glad you’re ok though…! later dude
yeeeeeeeouch! I’m glad that you weren’t hurt worse-Do you think God might be talking? at least reminding you, that he’s in charge
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for you and the bikes! 
omg! so scary! I am glad you’re ok..relatively speaking..I will pray for you. As for your bike….:( Take care…Katie
My dear Eric….I will definitely continue to pray for you now you are home
….seems you need it just as much! I too am glad you are relatively OK and pray you heal well. God has a plan and purpose for your life…no doubt about that. You can suffer some consequences though…so please use some wisdom and discretion on how hard you go at things…don’t want it to be from a wheelchair…I have a couple friends doing that! whew, OK, that was “the mom” post ;-P. Praising God for His protection over you!!!
My husband, Bob, says maybe you should invent a new fangled motorcycle protection device by adding two more wheels and an enclosure…;-P He said either that or go to work as a crash dummy. ( he used to have a motorcycle too)
Looking forward to more posts and pictures! Please pray for my son, Daniel (the one who wants to get married) he has an important interview on Thursday morning! Lord bless you! Jenny
I think someone needs to give it a break……
Poor guy. You have the strangest luck, you know that?
-Glad you wore that helmet.
Recover fast,
-Becca
“God has a plan and purpose for your life…no doubt about that. You can suffer some consequences though…so please use some wisdom and discretion on how hard you go at things…” DITTO
Read a few of the other comments and I agree with them all. Glad you are ok!
Like my husband always says, “Having to wear a helmut should be a law in every state!”
It’s not here in Indiana. =(
You crashed at 70 mph!!!
Good grief! Glad you’re relatively in one piece. 
(God is so good!) I would suggest you quit while you’re ahead, but you don’t seem quite like the person to listen to that advice… so…. I guess everyone will just have to pray extra hard for you all the time!
Welcome back what an awesome trip, Judi
You have to stop doing this! Once was bad, but twice is showing a trend I don’t like at all.
Ohh it’s good to hear that you’re okay..
Oh gracious, I am so sorry! Thank God that you are all right! And I definately want to see pictures.
Take care!
. . .So not like me to say something like this, but on behalf of all the Moms, please don’t go around corners on a bike going 70mph! . . .b/c we love you.
Glad you’re o.k. Is it the same knee?
suck.
AGAIN!?!?!? God is really gracious to you sir! It doesn’t hurt of course that you wrap yourself in leather and Kevlar. I am glad your injuries are fairly minor…broken rib has to really hurt though……and a busted “piggy” sucks. Maybe you could take parts from the two bikes and make one good one. Silver and blue work together.
I’m not making new posts to my blog for the foreseeable future, maybe never, the explanation is on my site. Feel free to weigh in, or not as you like.
You are continually in my prayers. Drop me a line when you get some time.
God Bless,
Lonnie
Awww, so many care for you Eric
I broke my ribs once – ouch…hope you are not hurting too bad. And yah, my sis and i just jump off rocks into the ocean…see latest post 
I will not be able to walk real well for a few days but that will just be my muscles complaining. Hugs!! Jenny
=(
OOOH that stinks!!
Oouch! Glad to hear you’re alright! Sounds like your helmet was a savior!! Wish more people understood that! My uncle-in-law had serious brain damage when a car pulled out in front of him and he flew over it. Can’t wait to see photos from your trip!!!
Eric…. Oh what to say. I’m glad you’re alright! I had better not let Mom see this, or she’ll give you a long “Ohhhh ERIC!” speech, and since you’re not standing right there, she’ll be talking to me.
You sure know how to hit the tender spots in the road, don’tcha? Oh well…. Praise God it wasn’t major. And Thanks to the awesome FD folks! (My little brother is a volunteer for the Fire Department, and he leaves at the oddest times for the oddest calls.) Oh, I’m supposed to tell you, my Dad, as an insurance salesman/financial advisor, he says out of the 50+ companies he works with, there actually ARE a few that could work for you. I was explaining one day that you do so many crazy things and have so many accidents and what not that it was basically impossible for them (insurance companies) to even consider you. Anyway, you know how to contact me if you’re interested in his services. 
Gotta make supper for the troops. Have a great recovery! haha ~ Stephanie
Wow. God sure has many guardian angels watching out for you.
Glad you’re alright.
Silly boy…Exactly how many lives do you think you have?
Seriously, you’re sooo fortunate that it’s only broken bones…I can’t believe it.
So okay…don’t hang around dust or anyone funny for awhile, cuz sneezing and laughing hurt like the dickens with a busted rib.
Okay…gotta go…it’s 5:00.
ouch, you seriously need to stop running yourself into the ground.
huhuh, that was punny…
but seriously…i think meeting me was far more exciting than eating it on your bike.
i mean, come on.
Mmm, yeah, okay Eric, I think you’ve scared us all enough! I would say never to get on a bike again after the wrecks you’ve had, but I know that’s not your type and will be back as soon as possible
Good grief. You must be giving your mother a heart attack! Hope you recover soon and get your bike fixed up…you’ll be in my prayers!
**beth**
Bad luck. bad luck. That’s a shame. Glad you weren’t more seriously injured. Two guys in our choir were just recently 1. killed and 2 permanently paralyzed in bike accidents.
Be careful. Oil was the cause this time. hmmmm
You must be lucky to be able to do all of this travelling to Alaska, etc etc. I have limited time due to my job.
How’d you get so lucky that you can take the time to travel so frequently?
Christy
Wow man…another accident, you gotta take it easy out there!! I just bought myself a bike today and I followed in your Yamaha footsteps, its a FZR600, but the ol parents might make me get rid of it so who knows how long it will be around.
I will be praying for your healing and that insurance companies wont start dropping ya!
Eric, Eric, Eric…….what can one say?
How about “crocodile hunter?”
I guess as my son says, “I make my bed; I sleep in it.”
I like your “Silken Water” picture.
And, wow, isn’t that the second bike accident this year??? I hope you can get ‘em fixed up, and stay safe.
GBU – JN.14:27 Rom.5:8
P.S. Praise God for helmets and safety gear!
Umm, three strikes and you’re OUT. You’ve been very lucky that you haven’t gotten yourself killed. Be careful hotshot!
ahh on no! i’m so sorry. i hope you heal completely soon. good thing you weren’t hurt that bad. take care of yourself, man…
I’m glad you’re well, dear (well, minus the toe and limping
)
Two bike’s inside of one year….hmmmm…
glad you’re ok…you bike junkie.
Next time, a little safer, k?
Be blessed.
Wow, God is truly gracious and you are blessed. Visited your web site and looked at your blog there, I loved the pictures. Am a novic photographer and was fascinated by your shots. I loved the Amish shots. Lancaster is about three hours from me and it’s about that time of the year to be heading out that way for some photos of my own.
I will be lifting you up for a full recovery and thanking him for his protective covering on your life.
Be Blessed
Rene’
Wow! This kind of thing is becoming something of a tradition, no?
Glad you’re alive! Have a happy healing time. 
Wow that really sucks and yet you remain upbeat. Looks like you’ve got a lot of fixin’ to do now. Hope you heal well.
ouch. that’s crazy. glad you weren’t hurt more! I thought the bike you broke before you fixed up…but i guess not. That’s not cool, two broken bikes. Do you like fixing up bikes and all that stuff? If not I know some great guys who would love to get their hands on those bikes and make the sparkle like the chrysler building when they are done. haha. My brothers! That’s pretty much what they do as a hobby, take bikes that don’t work, fix them and sell them. So let me know if you need some help. I hope you heal quickly and all. What will you do now that you can’t ride? lol do you have another bike hiding somewhere? Put a hault on your travels?
oh God…You are in my prayers friend!! I’m sorry this happened.
but I admire you for getting back on a bike yet again. I mean hey
if it’s your time it’s your time and obviously God has a bigger plan!
LOVE YA
Hey, Eric! How are you and your leg?
Sorry to hear about your accident…maybe you need to stop jumping off your bike into guard rails and such.
I’m joking. God bless you!
Emily
how are you doing today?
Well I think it’s safe to say that you’re never going to forget your adventures this summer!
Prayers for a speedy recovery and more adventures soon!
You have some pretty cool pictures
bro, ANOTHER accident?
gooood LORD, boy! what am i gonna do w/ you! once again, i’m really glad you’re alright! i hope you heal quickly and get your bike back into action soon! peace and love!
Eric, I am having a real hard time not taking the “mother tone” and saying, “Haven’t you learned your lesson? Stay off those death traps, boy!” But, instead I will say…I am really glad you are OK and also that you had a great trip.
Eric, Wow you amaze me! I was glad to hear that you were relatively okay… although bruised/cracked ribs are so painful. I hope your recovery is fast. Good luck with your bike repairs. Thank God for helmets!!! ~ Dawn
Glad you are relatively ok! At least the bike can be fixed. Blessings Bro, and be careful! You scare the Dad in me!
Don
Ouch man, two accidents within months. You’re killing the bike man! Maybe one of these days you should post an x-ray photo of your body showing the number of broken bones you’ve had. That would be pretty neat. Take it easy.
I’m so sorry! That really stinks! I’m praying for you….I hope you get better fast!
Dear lord, Eric. (Ouisi rolls her eyes, picks up her knitting, and is grateful that all of her friends in Arlington are into boring hobbies like reading and gaming.)
DAH!!!! haha i cant believe it!!! again? you crashed again??? ill be praying for you!
hey guess who’s in college now!!!! MEEEEE!
oh so exciting!
maybe you should hang up those handle bars for now……….your future wife & kids might appreciate getting the chance to know you.
That reminded me of my motorbike accident *shudders*
Glad that you’re ok.
You know… you really need to stop wrecking, it’s not good for your health… I’m just glad you are ok! Please stay that way… I’m so sorry about your beautiful bike!!! as Always you are in my prayers.
Man, I’m glad that you were ok. Gosh, that had to have been pretty scary. Heal quickly!
Yeah, crashing isn’t cool.
RYC: Thanks. I’m afraid I over-edited that one, but I was trying to enhance that corner where the sun was starting to peek through. I think I got too much yellow in the tree to the right. All I have to edit with is the software that came with the cam.
At any rate, I did want to get the lines in there, just the way that set up from that angle.
ouch! hope you get back on the road soon. i’ve been lucky not to have gone down …yet.
and colorado IS beautiful. i love the area.
hi
Hope all is well, and that your mending fast. RYC..yes..I am finally settling in..and I am finding contentment at just being me..it’s been a long road…thanks I’d like to find out what state you enjoyed the most, and why. Maybe a future post? ttyl..Katie
ryc..really? which Audi do you like?
ryc..so besides the beach, what’s else is bringing you back our way in March?
Btw, March is my favorite month…the hills wil be covered in new growth and wild flowers, plus it’s the best for clouds
Most importantly, good to hear you’re safe! In a very distant second, thanks for your kind words!
Wow, thank God you were not hurt again. Wow Eric, slow down. Judi
RYC: Glad you liked it! I’d love to show it to you at your apartment some time. I heard from Becca that your place is pretty sweet. I’m sure between you and Ethan there is some decent audio visual equipment around
.
yeah i’m back at bryan, just in nashville for the weekend visiting a friend and then seeing a show tonight.
so right now i’m at a sweet coffeeshop in downtown nashville, and I like it better than bryan.
i saw you friday as I was leaving town actually, you were at jacob meyers as i drove past, but you didn’t look up. oh well
We want an update!
We want an update!
We want an update!
And pics!
post something new…i’m bored.
RYC: Haha thanks. What can I say? I aim to please.
WOW! I’m glad you are well! Two bikes now you have to fix,eh? Poor you! Atleast you didn’t seriously hurt yourself. God was watching out for you that day!
Yes, we all want to know how things are going…bet you have lots to do after being gone. blessings, Jenny
Hi There!
We just comeing and giving you a friendly reminder that we started a new contest this week and would love your vote
your vote is always apreciated
also..let anyone know all xanga people are welcome in on the fun
Hello,
I’m so sorry to hear about your accident. I’m glad you’re ok. I was just popping in to remind you that the cutoff for the photo contest is midnight Friday…but seems you have a couple more important things now lol. So, I hope that you feel 100% better soon
. Just let me know if you want to still be in this one or if you want to participate in another one later.
Thanks.