Hi All,
I ride 50 miles each way to and from work. Between the enjoyment I get from my 2004 America, and the high price of gas, I tend to ride the bike more than I drive the car.
On June 8, I was riding to work and I was on the entrance ramp from one highway to another. When I glanced in my rear view mirror, I saw a kid in a Mitsubishi Eclipse right on my butt. As I was exiting the curve from the ramp to the new highway, I knew it was safe to accelerate to get away from the kid.
That's the last thing I remember until I found myself sliding across the highway. I am not sure if the kid hit me, if I broke tracton on my back tire, or if somehow, I just lost balance.
Luckily I wasn't hit as I picked myself up off the road, found the bike (a ways away from where I finished sliding) and got me and the bike over to the shoulder.
A couple of people finally stopped, and a nice tow truck driver stayed there until my wife came to take me to the hospital. He also arranged for a bike tow company to get my bike to the shop.
I ended up with quite a bit of road rash (helmet, dress shirt, blue jeans, boots.) I also sprained my right shoulder. The bike ended up with $3900 of damage, all of it on the right side, none of it structual. Progressive was really good to deal with, no hassles at all.
The bike and I are healed up now, but I have had a couple of problems with the bike since I got it from the shop. The kickstand switch quit working reliably, and my side lights (on the light bar) blow a 5A fuse when operated. This fuse also operates the speedo light as well as my taillight.
When my wife picked me up after the accident, she asked if I was going to quit riding. I told her "no way." She is convinced the bike needs to go after the accident, and understands I am not going to quit riding. She figures the bike will be trouble now..."nothing's ever the same after an accident."
Here's the cool part. Looks like I will be trading my black 2004 America with 8000 miles for a silver 2006 America. Just trying to get accepable terms from the bank. The loan is approved, but rates have gone up so much in the past 13 months that I am having a bit of trouble swallowing the new rate.
I'm checking the credit union tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed.
Nels
Orlando, FL
