Not even death can part a man from the things he loves most
Well riding has become my biggest hobby with no contest. It is a feeling of totaly and complete freedom, a way to escape the hardships of the world for those precious hours your on the road. I cannot think of a bigger rush, of nothing that makes me want to scream at random moments with utter joy and excitement.
Over the last year I have put down nearly 20,xxx miles and rode yearround, acquainting myself with riding in all sorts of weather. I do enjoy stunting, but even more I like hitting a long stretch of corners at a blistering pace (the fact that I am far better at this may factor me liking it more too ;) ). Stuntwise I can do a few things, but nothing to write home to, compared to the guys I ride with. I can Wheelie, Stoppie, Gotten close to doing a Christ Air, Burnouts, Donuts, Highchair (not wheelie), Superman, Sketching (Just beside the bike) and a few other random funny things. By far though, twisties are my favorite, scraping pegs through corners in the blink of an eye.
One thing I learned though is that skill doesn't always come with common sense.... I could rail 35 MPH corners at triple digits all day long (and did), with and without passengers. I figured if you were good enough and stayed away from traffic/populated areas you would be fine, right?
Wrong.... It finally caught up to me and I ended up taking a corner the same way I always did but then my last conscious thought was that something went wrong and I had to let go of the bike.... Then blackness, a deep deep sleep with random images.... One image of a guardpost just sitting there and then a moment's consciousness as I looked up at all the paramedics from my stretcher while they loaded me into the helicopter.... Then I woke up in ICU at Harborview, wherre I would spend alot of time over the next couple weeks.
Dying 4 times, unable to breathe on my own for a few days, my brain bleeding, my left arm broken in 3 places and soon to have permanant rods, plates and screws in it... My left thumb joint shattered, I lay in the hospital reflecting on my life in a very drug induced haze. I had gone into a guardrail post at over 100 mph and I was alive.... how ???
It is times like these that change a man and turn him into the man he will be for the rest of his life. I have a whole new respect level for riding now. Will I get back on? Yes. Will I ride at the same level on public streets anymore, or even close to it? A resounding no. I have far too much to live for. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to see life as I do now.
On that note, I would like to impart some advice to any riders who read this page: You may have considerable skill, you may not, but never take your ride over 50-60% of your ability while on public roads. I will not be naive enough to tell you to follow the speed limit etc but know that when you ride above that level on public roads you are entering a whole new level of danger. There are far too many things you have no control of on a public road, not to mention the roads are not cleaned of debris, oil, etc. It doesn't take much in a full tuck at high speeds through a tight corner, to put you into a lowside that you may not survive.... Take it to the track... It is maintained much better than a public road, and god forbid you do go down, there aren't tree's or guardrails for you to smash into and die at the speeds your probably going if you lowside etc.
Anyway how about some more pictures ?? Below will be a bunch of links, click and enjoy!