So it's been three weeks and I have loads to blog about. The funny thing is; for a week I just didn't feel like blogging. I guess partly that was caused by my pain-killers which make me sleepy.
Right. So what happened to Mad?
Well three weeks ago yesterday I washed my bike. It had been raining and when it stopped I thought it would be a good opportunity to wash off the inch deep layer of insects on my fairing. When I'd finished I had a look at the clouds and decided to take my SV round the block to dry it off. Now my "round the block" is actually a ride to the main road and then a blat down a bypass, onto a roundabout and then back the way I came. So off I trundle, not wringing its neck or anything because the roads were still very wet and felt quite greasy. I got onto the bypass (the Wedge Drive Road for those who know Coventry) and headed up to the roundabout that the Jaguar Factory entrance is on. As I hit the roundabout I slowed to granny speed as the grip really was poor. As I entered the roundabout I noticed a car exiting off using the same exit I was about to use. I didn't think anything of it and just proceeded as normal. I left the roundabout and accelerated into the next corner which is immediately after the roundabout. I come round the corner to find that the car that was ahead of me has slowed to a crawl for no reason. I had no time to do anything except panic brake. This would have been fine except for a few factors: It was wet. It was greasy. The SV's tyres (Dunlop D220's, if your bike has 'em, change 'em!) are awful in the wet. The front locked up instantly and all I could do was slide into the back of the car. At about 40mph maybe. Ouch.
The next thing I knew I was sliding down the road on my back wishing it would stop, it seemed to go on forever. I'll cut the story short and save my description of lying in the road with people asking me stupid questions for another time; ditto the whole casualty thing.
The summary is: I've fractured my pelvis on the left side (that was caused by my groin getting rammed into the tank by the impact) and I've crushed a projection of bone on the right side of my pelvis (I don't know how this happened, maybe it was bouncing of the kerb that did it). I also have lots of lumps, bumps and bruises. The worst thing is I was wearing jeans so my legs have taken a battering but to be honest the road rash hasn't bothered me once.
I spent two weeks in hospital. It took me that long to get onto crutches. The last week has been spent at home, pretty much in bed. My work has been great and I'm working from home on a nice Dell Laptop until I'm mobile again. Hopefully in a week or two I can start walking and riding again. I also have to figure out what bike to get next...
I spent two weeks in hospital. It took me that long to get onto crutches. The last week has been spent at home, pretty much in bed. My work has been great and I'm working from home on a nice Dell Laptop until I'm mobile again. Hopefully in a week or two I can start walking and riding again. I also have to figure out what bike to get next...