felled by a feckin dead squirrel

[stryker]

Came off my bike yesterday, however I've learnt some lessons I wish to share.

I went on a small rideout with bazza. Funny enough during the rideout I was feeling something was wrong with my concentration. I just couldnt hold it, several times I ended up slamming the anchors on as I quickly found myself heading to wards the rear of baz's bike because he had slowed down. This aint in my head as during a cig break I actually jested with baz over my nearly rear-ending his bike. BIG mistake, I should of gone home right then.

2nd mistake was this was my first real distance done on my bike in a few weeks. My tyres felt spongy. I even stopped at a petrol station air pump but did not have a 20p coin so didn't bother. That was my second mistake.

Finally I'd stopped off for a coffee and cig break at baz's place and was then on my way home. I'm somehow missing some memory of the crash, however a helpful couple who witnessed it told me the bike slipped out to the gutter when I hit a dead squirrel. I was on a mildish right bend, hit the squirrel then I think the bike wheel(s) hit the kerb and flipped the bike over the other way high siding me. All I remember was seeing the kerb so close, then I remember sliding along the road then theres another gap because the couple on the other side of the road standing over me was my next memory.

Even though it was a right bend my bike was on its left side, from the impact on the gutter I had gone off at an angle from the bike. Worst hit is my shoulder, its murder right now. Also my left knee took a hit so hard I can't stand on it. My left ankle is a little swollen and grazed. My helmet saved my life! it too a right blow (think I must of come down head/shoulder first) then it saved my face as I slid along the road.

In hindsight I made another mistake. The right bend is on the crest of a hill and I always go way over to the left as cars tend to fly over in the other direction. Now I know the devastating effects of the kerb on bike wheels...... think in future I'll slow right down and stick more to the centre of my lane.
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Now what?

[Sparks!]

Ouch hope you get better soon mate, go to docs or something to make sure you're alright, and hope the bike's not too bad
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[bazza]

I''ll be over later to suck my teeth at the damage and help you fill out your forum curse application...
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"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
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[yambabe]

Sorry to hear this Stryker.

Please go & get your injuries checked out, two of the most common bike injuries (after broken ribs & spleen) are broken collarbones & knee damage (cartilege or ligamants).

How's the bike?
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[JodieWodie]

Ooo Stryker !..I agree go and get your knee and that sorted out.
Especially if it is swollen. You don't want to fek your knee up..walking has it's advantages !

The next day is awful isn't it. You think it's not too bad until you wake up...OUCH !!

Hope you end up alright,. yes, how is the bike ??

Jo xx
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Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

[Kickstart]

Hi

Ouch. Glad it sounds like you are OK.

Much damage to the bike? FZR bits are often fairly cheap on Ebay.

All the best

Keith
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[NSR125-Kid-UK]

Get well chief!
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[CometGeezer]

sorry to hear about your accident Stryker hope you get over it quick...
good points you made about mistakes, concentration etc I'll keep that in mind if and when that ever happens to me - and pull over! Bleedin Squirrels!

[stryker]

Thanks for the kind words peeps.

Yep, I'm certain any regular day I would of seen the dead squirrel. Just goes to show you have to be 110% to ride. My new rule, don't ignore the little signals in your head.... If I feel any problems in future I'll not ride.

Been to A&E this morning. I did so as when I saw myself in the mirror with my shirt off my shoulder looked out of shape and dropped. The doc did all the usual checks and had two X-Rays taken of it and turns out nothing is broke, just a real bad sprain. My knee is a little better this morning, although generally the twinges in my knee and the pain in my shoulder, to me are pretty close to how it felt when I broke my arm many moons ago. I'm pretty sure when I was high sided I came down head and shoulder first as my helmet is damaged and I have slight whiplash in my neck. My injury list seems to be growing now the pain is setting in.

The bike. WOW what a bike. It could be ridden right now. Damage, cracked nose cone, left fairing, left rear cone.... so all the panels basically. Bar end scrapped, under side of foot peg scrapped, clutch cover seriously scrapped. The foot peg had folded up in the crash as its hinged so none of the usual damage was done there.

Thanks for the pointers, I'll be watching out on ebay for someone breaking down an old FZR.
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Now what?

[instigator]

woaw, glad to see you're in one piece after that mate.

Got to agree with you on the not concentrating part. It's like you just sort of daydream, you're braindead and stilll riding. I've had that happen in the town a few times and I've just parked up the bike and walked to wherever I was going. Get a drink, eat something, slap yourself in the face, anything.

Hope the bikes relatively cheap to fix up

[karen_moomin]

Sorry to hear about your run-in with the rodent!

I always know whether I feel right to ride, it's like a gut instinct thing.

Glad you're ok!

[meyrick]

Ouch, sorry to hear about that. The crash sounds very similar to the one I had yesterday, only there was no squirrel, just my incompetence (had an interesting conversation with my dad today about why it's a good idea to change down from 5th when approaching a sharp bend ). Same deal though, right bend, hit kerb, bike landed left side down, I went flying.

I landed in a big pile of mud and grass though, so less damage. Right what you say though, Jo, I didn't even know I'd damaged my neck until I woke up this morning.

Hope you're on the mend soon

Paul

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Sorry to hear that mate. Get well soon, eh?

Those tyre pressures are a must, keep them checked people.

[Rodger Wabbit]

Sorry to hear about your off.

I hope you get better soon

Just think that squirrel probably got hit by a car so it was after abit of revenge Shame it had to be you

[Dom]

Ouch, sounds nasty. Hope you and the bike heal up nice and quick.

On the bright side, this month and next are probably the best for being off the road.

[Dom_]

Un-lucky mate.

Hope you get well soon.

[Vipond]

I've hit a squirrel on a bend myself and they do make a slippery mess.

Hope you recover soon.

James

[Jrod]

Unlucky I hit a pheasant today but i came out of it without a scratch. (unlike the pheasant) Hope all heals quickly.

[stryker]

Luck of the draw I guess. Nice to know you can get away with it from time to time.
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[Jrod]

Well I guess he was going faster than I was.

https://digilander.libero.it/jappy_r6/FUN/gufo.jpg

[stryker]

oh that pic is so cool. Given the presense of mind I would of like to of mounted my squirrel just like that!
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[Robin]

Glad you're relatively OK, keep an eye on that knee though, I've lived with a dodgy one for the last 15 years, Tears and sprains to the shoulder muscles are a pain as well (pun intended). If they don't improve much ask about some physio.

BTW was it a Red Squirrel, or one of the little Grey B4stards. The Reds are endangered you know.

[jamie192]

Glad your alright and in once piece.
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Ride Fast, Brake hard, don't fall off!

[Annabella]

Ouch.. nothing like a bit of squirrely wrath to put you off balance


I'm glad to hear that physically you're all in order, I'm sure the pain will subside, just remember you're hurting for a reason - don't try and do too much! Just relax, but try to keep moving.

As for the bike, it sounds like you were lucky. I hope you thanked the couple who helped you out
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