As you probably know, here in Australia we drive on the left. A few Saturdays ago I was driving in the right lane (middle lane) on a fairly major highway here, which is two lanes each way. Speed limit is 60kph - around 40mph. I had just overtaken a few cars when out of the blue I felt something very big hit me from the left. Next thing I'm rolling and tumbling down the highway, thinking "this isn't good..."
Well I was incredibly lucky. Even though it was a very busy road, I didn't hit any other vehicles. My helmet didn't hit the road. My beautiful Schott leather jacket saved me from road rash, although my left forearm swelled up like a small balloon and my right elbow is grazed from where it must have rubbed against the liner. I was wearing regualr jeans which are now toast, but they also saved my skin. My Doc Marten boats made sure my feet were unscathed.
Now, two weeks later I still have quite a lump on my left forearm, but it doesn't really hurt. My bike is almost all back together - Still waiting on a pair of Predator mufflers. Only one of my Southbay Dominator mufflers got wrecked, but the Preds were a little cheaper so that is what is going on. Over all the bike didn't fair too badly.
The but which shits me is that (and it took me ages to work out what had happened) a dick in a red Humvee had overtaken the car behind me and then changed lanes into me. How he didn't see me I will never know. As I was struggling to the side of the road wondering what the hell had happened the Humvee driver stopped in the middle of the road, came over to me and asked if I was ok. I said I think so, and he then just took off. He didn't even help me get the bike of the road.
A guy who was standing outside the local pub nearby having a smoke came across to help me with the bike. I just had enough wits about me to ask him to get rid of his cigarette because petrol was pouring out of the tank. Unfortunately he hadn't seen the collision, just me sliding along.
Not one witness stopped. Not one car other than the guy who hit me stopped. Even with my bike lying on the road some guy was abusing the Humvee driver for stopping in the middle of the road.
I know I am incredibly lucky. Unbelievably lucky. How I didn't end up in hospital I don't know. I should probably be dead. Even the stuff I was carrying in my shoulder bag was 100% fine, even though the bag isn't. But it still leaves me gobsmacked that not one driver stopped to help or bear witness. I know I should have got the details of the Humvee driver but was so confused at the time I was useless.
I am also lucky to have a wife who got my fantastic neighbour to come and get me. I got no lecture about bike riding from her. She just says she is happy I am ok. And my neighbour is a bloody legend. He rides, has a ute and a ramp and had my bike in his ute in no time.
So overall I am so lucky it's crazy, But I sure would like that asshole in the red Humvee to pay for all the parts I am replacing on my bike.
Well I was incredibly lucky. Even though it was a very busy road, I didn't hit any other vehicles. My helmet didn't hit the road. My beautiful Schott leather jacket saved me from road rash, although my left forearm swelled up like a small balloon and my right elbow is grazed from where it must have rubbed against the liner. I was wearing regualr jeans which are now toast, but they also saved my skin. My Doc Marten boats made sure my feet were unscathed.
Now, two weeks later I still have quite a lump on my left forearm, but it doesn't really hurt. My bike is almost all back together - Still waiting on a pair of Predator mufflers. Only one of my Southbay Dominator mufflers got wrecked, but the Preds were a little cheaper so that is what is going on. Over all the bike didn't fair too badly.
The but which shits me is that (and it took me ages to work out what had happened) a dick in a red Humvee had overtaken the car behind me and then changed lanes into me. How he didn't see me I will never know. As I was struggling to the side of the road wondering what the hell had happened the Humvee driver stopped in the middle of the road, came over to me and asked if I was ok. I said I think so, and he then just took off. He didn't even help me get the bike of the road.
A guy who was standing outside the local pub nearby having a smoke came across to help me with the bike. I just had enough wits about me to ask him to get rid of his cigarette because petrol was pouring out of the tank. Unfortunately he hadn't seen the collision, just me sliding along.
Not one witness stopped. Not one car other than the guy who hit me stopped. Even with my bike lying on the road some guy was abusing the Humvee driver for stopping in the middle of the road.
I know I am incredibly lucky. Unbelievably lucky. How I didn't end up in hospital I don't know. I should probably be dead. Even the stuff I was carrying in my shoulder bag was 100% fine, even though the bag isn't. But it still leaves me gobsmacked that not one driver stopped to help or bear witness. I know I should have got the details of the Humvee driver but was so confused at the time I was useless.
I am also lucky to have a wife who got my fantastic neighbour to come and get me. I got no lecture about bike riding from her. She just says she is happy I am ok. And my neighbour is a bloody legend. He rides, has a ute and a ramp and had my bike in his ute in no time.
So overall I am so lucky it's crazy, But I sure would like that asshole in the red Humvee to pay for all the parts I am replacing on my bike.
