The guys pulled the bike up and saw the windshield was both scratched and broken. The handlebars were flipped down and had jammed into the gas tank. The tank looked like a hammer had tried to get intimate.
Ouch
After a brief bit of EMT the guys pronounced her “ride-able”. One of the gents took it for a quick test run to confirm the diagnosis. It passed the test. Then they turned to me, to see if I too could still ride. Apparently I was sufficiently cognizant, not too freaked out, and willing to ride her just down the road to Knight’s Ferry. There, they said, they could really check her out, and do some tightening and adjusting. Besides, we were agreed we did not want to wait around for a tow truck just to tell them the officer had been mistaken in calling for one. So I got on and rode. Funny, I don’t even remember this brief jaunt to Knight’s Ferry.
We pulled off at a park and found some shade and a surface that wasn’t dirt-covered. Papa-Ken, Griff, Richard and Mike re-adjusted the windshield so it was usable to get me home. They removed the shattered mirror and fixed the remaining mirror so that I could see behind me, then dusted off the bike and me.
The surgeons — from L to R — Richard, Ken, Mike, & Griff
Jokes abounded regarding my swollen lips. Seems my face shield had popped off a hinge and I’d hit my upper lip when I went down. “Well,” they joked “just think of all the money you are gonna save on collagen shots for sexy lips that you can spend on fixing the bike.” I had to laugh, it was true, I was quickly getting Julia Roberts’ lips (now if only the crash could have produced a Julia Roberts body!!).
Experts at work
Ok…… To go home or not to go home, that was the question. I decided I would finish the ride. Onward to Yosemite as I’d heard the water levels are incredible and the scenery difficult to top. Yep, they were right. The scenery was magnificent!!
On the way down we rode through the “little dragon” on Hwy 49, which was more than a bit intimidating after my fall.
The twisties of Hwy 49’s Little Dragon
7 Responses
Hey girl, I thought I recognized that bike with the ugly tank and rider with the dirty leathers. What a day huh? But you sucked it up and look how far you have come. Tell that better half of yours that I would like to see him posting more………He has a real writing talent.
Nice TravelBlog Donna and many great stories to share wishing you and Gary the best……..Kenneth Kinder.
Thanks for the kind works Ken. That day was definitely an influential one, providing me with what I hope never to occur again!! ; ) I am truly glad it happened with my friend, Papa-Ken and his ever famous Old Farts! I am richer by your having been there to help me sort it all out!
Thanks for the well wishes, Ken! Good to see ya! Check back for more adventures here and you might just see a “guest post” or two by a certain motowriter. 😉
Take care,
G
I never knew. Thanks for this blog. I’m kinda floating aroud it right now.
Ally
Ya, that was one scary day!!
Glad you are exploring, Ally!! Thanks!
You were in good hands Donna. Just goes to show that bikes and people are tougher than one might think.
Them words are gospel, Kris… ; ).