Comments on: Revisiting Risk: The Accident

By: Chevy Avalanche Chick

Chevy Avalanche Chick — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:52:57 +0000

Being an enthusiastic and go getter person I would like to think I would keep goin; and ride again. I had a friend in a similar situation that one took years to rehaba and two couldn’t really ever get over the mental part of getting back on. Good luck to John. I wish him the best.

By: Luv-to-ride

Luv-to-ride — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:31:46 +0000

Here’s a ride for John. Hwo is he doing? As someone who loves to ride, especially in the mountains I can really feel for him.

By: John Calipari

John Calipari — Sat, 15 May 2010 13:27:31 +0000

I think I would ride again but that is so hypothetical. It’s one thing to think you can do something and another to actually do it. I love it when I meet people like John remained optimistic through a horrible ordeal.

By: Helmet Guy

Helmet Guy — Sun, 02 May 2010 23:13:24 +0000

Hat’s off to John. I hope he is prgessing. Non-riders don’t see this the same as a rider…myabe long time rider? The minister was surely just trying to be helpful? Maybe through John’s zeal he can educate and bring hope to other people in similar situations.

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motorcycle custom parts — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:22:50 +0000

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By: Padmanaban

Padmanaban — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 07:15:34 +0000

I don't know why these accidents are happening. If they drived carefully i hope it might not happen. Most of the accidents are happening due to OVERSPEED. Life is in our hands.
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By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:30:00 +0000

I’ve enjoyed your site for a few months but never posted. I’m a motorcyclist of 30ish years and have suffered some of the maladys mentioned in other comments as well as crashing a couple of times, but not to John’s degree. I’m reminded of a saying which you may have heard: “Everyone crashes. Some get back on. Some don’t. Some can’t.”

By: Two Buck

Two Buck — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:51:00 +0000

Good for John! I was already inspired by him getting back on two wheels in the first place; the fact that he's planning to hit Deals Gap on the way heightens the respect.

Like others before me, I think the minister was out of line. I think counseling someone to give up what they love and imprison themselves out of some imagined emotional debt to their friends and family is a big "fcuk you" to the person getting the advice.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:53:00 +0000

irondad: Accidents are complicated events on every level. I think you sum up how I hope I view one should I ever find myself in that situation.

Your description of the emotional toll it takes from others is the most difficult one. My parents never wanted me on the road. Dirt bikes were one thing but they did not want me taking the risk. Aside from years of secretive riding as a kid I had to wait until they were gone before I began to consider riding again. Some may consider that fear but I saw it as a reasonable accommodation for people who loved me.

If riding today was merely an enjoyable recreational activity I probably would stop in consideration of Kim's fears related to it. But I have found it a much deeper experience that has helped me far beyond any recreational activity. It is a more complicated equation now and ceasing to ride may comfort her on one level but she would lose something on another.

It is an ongoing accounting process...

Jay: Excellent thoughts. Some feel dwelling on accidents is morbid but I'm with you--if you can't accept the real risk up front, find another mode of transport.

Thanks!

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:40:00 +0000

I experienced an accident in April of ’06 – my only one in over 100,000 miles. While my injuries were nowhere near as serious as John’s, it did make me ask myself if I should ride again. I wrestled with that decision for several minutes! But concluded that I must ride again. I replaced my totaled bike and was back on the road within 6 weeks. I felt that to quit because of an accident would have been akin to my saying something like, “Oh – I can get hurt riding a motorcycle? I had no idea!” Everytime you throw a leg over a saddle, you must make a conscious decision to recognize the risk, accept it and take steps to manage it. If you can’t accept the risk then you better park it BEFORE the accident happens! So Steve, I think you are wise to ask yourself the question before it happens, and if you aren’t pretty darn sure the answer would be yes, you better find another mode of transport. Ride safe! — Jay in PA.