Comments on: Looking Down the Road at Risk and Regret

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:22:00 +0000

maggie, crystal: I can't imagine what it would be like to have an accident. The one time I fell in the snow was startling. No injury just the sudden awareness that I was out of control. That feeling dogged me for days. It is good to hear that you both processed it into something that you could use and continue to ride.

squire: Exactly right.

heinz & frenchie: The article your post linked to was excellent and raised a lot of questions about not only the impact of an accident but the thinking afterwards. Unfortunately the article is no longer available in the free world so someone would have to pay for it from the Sentinel...

sojourner rides: As you say we can only do the best we can to manage the risks and hope for the best. Riding is an important part of my life and I want to continue to embrace it.

rick: I agree. I like to think I know how I would act but you never really know...

irondad: Feel free to post whatever makes sense on your blog. I look forward to seeing your thoughts on the subject.

By: irondad

irondad — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 04:11:00 +0000

Steve,

I was going to leave a comment then decided it would be presumptuous to take space here for it. The thing would be long. I'd like to do a post that's a response to your story here. With your permission?

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:09:00 +0000

It is hard to say what one would do until faced with the situation. I wish the best for your friend!

By: Sojourner rides

Sojourner rides — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:42:00 +0000

Life holds no guarantees about our safety. I can give up riding today and never have an accident on a motorcycle. However, tomorrow I can get needlessly injuried or killed in multiple other ways. I do all that I can to keep my riding skills sharp and to ride safely. I am a solo female long distance rider, wife and mother of one child. After an accident, more than 20 years ago, my husband gave up motorcycle riding, much to his regret. Recently, he told me he dreamed he was riding his old Suzuki GS750.
I would be diminished if I gave up something that is a part of me, something that gives me great pleasure and is as much a part of me as my name. I don’t care to live a life where at the end of it all I have are the “would have, could have, should haves–the regrets. I manage risk to the best of my abilities.

By: Heinz & Frenchie

Heinz & Frenchie — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 04:23:00 +0000

We have been thinking about your friend John and wondering when we would have more news of him. It must be difficult for you to write about and we want you to know how much we appreciate it.

Recently there was an article published in our local newspaper called, "Despite life-altering crashes, motorcyclists won't give up". We devoted our blog on Nov. 21st and put a link to the newspaper article.

But we have to say that this post regarding John and his recovery difficulties was much more thought provoking and has left us with emotions and feelings that we cannot seem to justify with words.

By: Crystal - girlbike.com

Crystal - girlbike.com — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:52:00 +0000

Steve, both you and your friend are in my thoughts. I went through the experience of being hit head-on by a car while riding my scooter more than three years ago and it still affects every ride I take.

By: squire

squire — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:07:00 +0000

Right or wrong takes on a new meaning when one is on a 2 wheeler. “Dead right” comes to mind.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 12:54:00 +0000

Steve, I am sorry to hear your friend is not recovering better. I hope things turn better for him quickly!

I had an accident a couple of months ago on my scooter. I wasn't hurt badly but enough it did alter the way I ride.

Be safe out there!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 04:52:00 +0000

conchscooter: I agree with you and try to make the most of the moments I have. I certainly don't want to rush towards the end but it is there waiting. OUr culture does make that fact something not for polite company. That's why I posted it here....:)

rickrusselltx: You and Mr. Conchscooter are sharing similar ideas though probably illuminated from your differing circumstance. I know that I try and manage and reduce risk but as you say something bad could still happen. We all have to decide if we are willing to take the risk in light of things that could happen.

steve: I read your post about your friend and I could relate to that feeling of not knowing what to say in that kind of situation. I think people are pretty resilient when they put their mind to it and can do pretty much anything. It's good to hear that Bernie is not going to let his misfortune get in the way of what makes him happy. If someone wants to read your post they can find it HERE.

anonymous: Thanks for sharing and congratulations on the new Reflex. It's good to hear that you are doing what you want to do.

joe: I suppose none of us knows for sure how we would react. I too would like to think that I would keep on riding. And I hope I am still going strong at 73!

Here's to safe riding for all the scooter and motorcycle riders out on the road!

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 04:05:00 +0000

I’m hopeful that if I had to face this kind of choice that I would choose riding. But, what kind of spousal and family pressure does one face after such a horrific accident? I hate to think that I would never ride again, though I know if I live long enough that day will come. Though my dad is 73 this month and he rides three different bikes, so there’s hope for all of us to ride into our senior years.