A Tangled Web

« Why "Motorcycle... | Main | Benelli? »
http://blogs.sun.com/mwhite/date/20061120 Monday November 20, 2006

I was having a blast, right up to the point of impact....

Back on April 8, 2006, I had my first serious street accident on a motorcycle. Bottom line, I shattered my right leg, both bones, and am still unable to walk without a leg brace or crutches. I've had two surgeries so far, the initial repair on the day of the accident that put 2 steel plates and 23 screws into my leg, and a bone graft in August due to non-healing fractures. You can read all about my recovery at mybrokenleg.com/mark_w2 

But guess what? I can't wait to get back on a bike. Some people say I'm crazy, but it's in my blood; it's my passion. People who are passionate about an activity do not give it up after an injury. Ask anyone who's really into something dangerous like mountain climbing, mountain biking, skydiving, skiing, etc. if he/she would quit after an injury suffered while participating in that activity. The majority of those people would say "absolutely not". That's what being passionate about something means - dangerous or not, it's what exhilarates the soul.  Give it up and you've lost a big source of joy in your life. I'm not ready to do that. Almost every avid motorcyclist I know has had some sort of injury along the way, but riding is still a huge part of each one's life. I don't think I'll quit riding until I'm permanently physically unable to get on a bike.

Posted at 07:33PM Nov 20, 2006 by mwhite in Motorcycle Mania  |  Comments[2]

Comments:

Heard about you through Jim Wild (a friend through my work) and came down to read your blog. Your desire to ride again as soon as possible can be viewed as illogical but yet is understandable. We are not made up of on and off switches that make total sense, but that which drives us--who we have decided we want be. You are a motorcycle racer and that is a fantastic, exciting and wonderful thing. Your desire to get back on is not irrational for someone who embodies the spirit of riding. The only danger is second guessing your decision in the middle of committing yourself in that turn, deciding when to pass, hesitation in braking. That moment of indecision can cost you--so avoid it. Commit yourself to riding again and don't look back. It is the only decision you won't regret. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Posted by Mickey Souza on November 28, 2006 at 07:27 PM PST #

Hi Mickey, thanks so much for your comments, you obviously understand the motorcyclist mentality. Yep, Jim told me about you, I saw your track pic on namefinder. Very cool!

Posted by Mark White on November 29, 2006 at 04:51 PM PST #

Post a Comment:
  • HTML Syntax: NOT allowed