The weather was great for a ride this morning so I geared up and fueled up and headed for the mountains. I had a great low traffic ride up Blood mountain and accross Wolf pen gap and back into town on hwy 60. I was feeling all good about myself and figured I would go ahead and srop by Harbor Freight to get myself a cheap die grinder since I broke mine a while back. So I swung into the parking lot and went for one of the outside parking places out of the way. My plan was to swing in and point the bike out but apparently I was not in neutral as I assumed and while I was trying to figure out why the bike was dying as I slowed it choked down and for some reason I didn't have my feet off the pegs as usual so I just fell over right there in the parking lot. I tried to catch it but I just couldn't hold her up and down she went on the left side. It didn't go down hard but some of the shiny stuff was definately touching the asphalt as I struggled to pick it up to no avail. I couldn't believe I let that happen and no choice but to let her lay there as I took of my helmet and jacket trying to figure out what to do. Luckily there was a guy and his wife loading something in the back of a truck about 50 yards away and I asked if he could help me and he came over and we got it upright again. He asked if I was hurt and I told him just my feelings. He added that at least it was a Triumph not a Harley like everybody else rides. I thought that was pretty funny actually and shook his hand telling him thanks for the help.
Broken left front peg, bent shifter lever and asphalt rash on the end of the clutch lever, handle bar end and mirror. Not too bad all in all I guess so I got.out my tool kit and moved one of the rear pegs to the front and bent the shifter back into place, swallowed my pride and went in to buy a 15 dollar tool. It was flooded but finally fired up and I took the long way home to soothe my nerves.
I have had similar things happen on several occasions but managed to keep it from going down, even with Di on the back. I have lost something like 50 pounds over the last year or so and my knees are 3 steps away from being replaced with titanium models so maybe that has something to do with it...or maybe I'm just getting old.
