| Author | Message | ||
     Neroadnetime |
to my Ulysses buddys...My real name is Dave, on the 29th of last month on a small dirt road on the border of VA and WV My Uly and I were hit my a truck. The impact was strong. and my left leg was severed at the sceen. There were a lot of things in play that day to make it able for me to sit here in rehab and type this out. There were a few Angles that came to help save my life. I was over two hours before getting into a chopper to be flowen to a trauma center. I dont know just how bad my Uly is But I dont think I will ever be riding it again. I will be back on my Ultra riding as soon as I can get a new leg. Just hope that you guys will let me chime in once in a while, even though I'm not a uly rider anymore. Take care.. Biker-Dave | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Once a Bueller, always a Bueller. You are always welcome here. We'll get our hooks into you again one day.  Heal quickly. Glad you are still alive! | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Wow Dave, I am deeply sorry to hear about this. The roller coaster ride of rehab you are currently going through has many ups and downs. Concentrate on the ups - the good feelings that can be had from overcoming obsticles. The knowledge that you are getting better and better. The fact that you escaped the reaper again, though not unscathed, you woke up alive and the rest of your life lies ahead of you. Your life will never be the same as it was but that does not nessessarily mean that it will be a lesser existance. It will be what you make of it. Now is the time to be with friends and family. They want to help you and you will need that help. I just prayed for you. Dan. | ||
| Tk052 |
Dave, You will be in my prayers also. What Panhead dan said is very touching, and will no doubt give you strength to carry on! You will ride again. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The good news is you still have one leg up on Dave Barr  The bad news is he, and his Uly, will still be damn hard to keep up with. I know I couldn't. I'm really sorry for your loss, but isn't it an incredible blessing right now to be alive? PM me a shipping address... I have something I want to send you (unless somebody else beats me to it!) | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The other bright spot is that no matter how chunky you get, you'll always be able to make those stupid build charts. | ||
| Catalan42 |
Dave, I am sorry to hear about your setback, but I like that you are still looking forward. I once met a guy on a bike with a metal leg who said, "Just think of the great parking you can get with a motorcycle AND a handicap sticker! Looking forward to seeing you out there again. Alan | ||
| Buellerxt |
Thanks for posting, Dave, and please keep doing so. So happy to hear you made it through such a harrowing ordeal. Good man. Best to ya'. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Dave, Sounds like you are keeping a stiff upper lip and that is good. Just remember that as bad as your accident was you are still with the breathing and that is what counts. Get strong and you'll be back in the motorcycle saddle before you know it. Hope to hear more here from you about how you are doing. | ||
| Motorbike |
Wow Dave, that is a hard one to read. I hate to see anyone get hurt on a bike. Thank God you are still alive and I wish you the best in the years to come. Please keep in touch with us and let us know how you are progressing. Thanks. | ||
| Motorfish |
Panhead dan summed it up perfectly. Attitude is everything, and keep looking ahead. Glad to hear your planning on getting back on a bike. I`ll keep you in my prayers. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
If you can ride an Ultra, you can ride a Uly. Yours may be beyond repair, but there are others out there. If yours is repairable, it could make for a pretty cool conversation starter. Best wishes for the rehab time ahead. Keep your focus on your next Uly. Mark SE AZ | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Dave sorry to hear about your accident. What is now the most important thing to remember is your still alive and to stay positive about your recovery! I will be back on my Ultra riding as soon as I can get a new leg. That's the spirit! I don't care if your riding a moped, just ride! | ||
| Etennuly |
Wow. My best wishes for what ever you want to do.  | ||
| Whisperstealth |
+1 on Panhead. After my crash I spent a month in the hospital. Rehab sucked, it hurt, was frustrating, humiliating and was a bitch. And I'm Extremely grateful for the therapists who didn't let me candy ass it. Learning to use parts of your body over again, and working without others is a life changing challenge. I pray for you, and believe your strong spirit will see you through. Kept us posted on how well your doing, and thank you for such a positive attitude! | ||
| Hooper |
I really like that you reached out to let us know...it helps us as much as I hope it helps you. It reminds me to keep my head on a swivel and ride as safely as I can, and to remember to lend a hand to another rider in need, because that next rider in need might be me. When I was in a crash a couple years ago, the second "person" I told (after my then-girlfriend-now-wife) was Big Bad and Dirty...I knew I'd get a lot of understanding and support from people who had been through it too. This is the closest-knit bunch of virtual strangers I've ever encountered (though many of us are not actually strangers). Stay strong, Dave! | ||
| Mnrider |
Your bravery is Awsome. I wish you the very during your recovery. | ||
| Jphish |
Geez Dave! Sorry to hear of the thing none of us want to hear. Get yourself well physically and emotionally first, When the time comes, ya can pick a new ride later. The best to you in your recovery. Good thoughts your way Pal. j | ||
| Growl |
Dave - heal up friend - my thoughts are with you - look forward to seeing you on the road - you might share thoughts on what happened and what we as riders can do to be safer, as you reflect on it all - look forward to hearing from you further. | ||
| Buewulf |
Wow. That kind of news really seems to hit me in the gut. Your courage and attitude are just crazy inspiring. All the best. | ||
| Eulysses |
Wow Dave. God is not done with you yet, it appears. Keep us posted on your healing. It can bless us all in many ways. Euly | ||
| Dynasport |
Very sorry to hear about your accident and injury. You sound like you are facing this with strength and determination and I commend you for that. A few years ago when I was on my annual NC trip I met a guy riding a Suzuki Volousia converted into a trike. He too was missing a leg, but had adapted impressively. You can still have a lot of life and living ahead. God bless. | ||
| Catalan42 |
Ditto. Reminds me of the first time I went to a bike rally in Las Vegas. Standing outside Hogs & Heifers (a biker bar), a guy pulls up on a side-car Harley with a wheelchair as his "passenger". Now that is a great attitude! I commend you for having a good attitude as well. | ||
| Tlr_nate |
Wow...hate to hear stories like that but as everyone said you are still here on Earth! I have seen a guy twice now who rides with a hook as a hand. He said he won't let that stop him from riding. Keep the positive attitude! More people in life need to have such great strength. | ||
| Neroadnetime |
to all my Uly friends. I cant tell you how much I have been touched and moved by all your words of encouragement. It does make a difference. In time I know that things will be better, and that every day brings a new challenge. I am meeting the challenges, and fighting to overcome them one at a time. Thanks again, Biker-Dave | ||
| Bculy |
Good luck to you Biker Dave. So sorry to you about this mishap in your life. You're a fighter. That's obvious. I hope and pray your life is better because of what happened. Life is weird that way. You of all people will see the good in it. Take care! Keep fighting! | ||
| Neroadnetime |
Well guys...the Uly is a loss. No way to fix her. But, I did not let her go. I know that there are many Uly riders who might need parts off my baby. Guess it's kind of like an organ doner. I'll post in the right spot for that. It's been a hard 6 weeks since the accident that cost me my leg, but I am up moving and grooving. I did go up to my local Harley-Buell dealer to see all my buddies. Felt good to get out. On the way there to bring the Uly home my buddy and I passed a softail on the other side of the beltway sitting on the shoulder of the road. I told my buddy we have to turn around and go help. I mean... what the heck. We were in a full crew cab truck... and an empty bike trailer. What else could we do?! Well we got the truck turned around after a few miles and started back the other way. Lucky for us there was a shoulder to pull off onto. The Harley had a rear flat and was on the shoulder of the fast lane. My big GMC barely fit on the side of the road. My buddy went back, chatted with them, and they ended up taking our offer to tow them to the Harley Store of Baltimore. That worked out good, 'cause that's where the Uly was. Make a long tale short, it was 3pm and they got the softail in and a new tire put on the bike getting the stranded biker and his wife of their way. Moral to the little tale. Take time to help another rider. Chopper, rice rocket, cruiser, it makes no difference. We are all riders and need to stick together. Who else do we have if not each other? Ride on, brothers. | ||
| Bculy |
Awesome. You said it all, Dave. | ||
| Etennuly |
I salute you. A man of honor. | ||
| Dynasport |
Good on you. You are an inspiration for us all. Keep the spirit in the tough times. You are an overcomer. | ||
| Jphish |
Hey Dave! Glad your up and about. Appreciate your resilience & disposition. An inspiration to us all. On my commute route I usually see a gentleman walking his dog, usually wearing shorts, clearly displaying a prosthetic right leg (the guy, not the dog) Anyway...last week I saw him pulling out of his driveway riding a black/yellow (custom paint?) CanAm Spyder...with huge grin on his face. When I start to lose my balance - I'm gettin me one. It's like a 3 wheeled Uly - very cool! Hang in there! j | ||
| Reepicheep |
Cool! Thanks for checking in Dave! Good to hear an update. Breaking the bike down ends up a PITA, but we sure appreciate it. I'm restoring a 1971 Kawasaki, I'll have to figure out how to get some parts from your bike on it! | ||
| Ratbuell |
Dave - glad to hear you're OK, and sorry to meet you like this. July 08, I spent 2 weeks in Baltimore shock-trauma (after my own helicopter ride), followed by 5 weeks at Kernan rehab hospital, then three months' of outpatient PT in Hagerstown. I didn't lose my legs, but came damned close - my L femur was in about fifteen pieces, and my right tib-fib had exited my calf. I now have nearly 2 lbs of titanium, a skin graft, a bunch of hardware and some bitchin' scars to show for it. I am fun at the airport. Do your PT, take their advice, and just keep pluggin' away. The physical part was easy for me (heh..."easy"...), it's the mental side that's been an adventure. Keep your spirits high, stay focused...and things will align eventually. You've got a head start already - your attitude is awesome judging by your posts, just keep it up! Your line "up, movin and groovin" is the key - don't sit still, keep moving, keep active, and do NOT for any reason start to feel sorry for yourself. 7/16/08 I wrecked. Kernan had me on my feet carrying my own weight - NO CASTS - less than three weeks later. A week after that, I ditched the wheelchair and moved to a walker. They pushed, I did what they said. They pushed harder...I gritted my teeth and did some more. I was riding again by Thanksgiving, and working the day after New Years. It can be done. If you need anything at all, just let me know. I'm only out in Fredneck, after all. |
