Sunday, 15 November 2009 12:47
I've been sitting at home doing nothing for a week now. I figure that's my best chance to get this leg to heal fast.The hand is coming good quickly, so that's good news. I've played a little guitar this weekend and although it's a tad painful, it's no big deal.
Meanwhile, everyone seems to want to know how the get-off came about. The video only shows the ambulance pick-up and doesn't really give any indication of what actually happened, so here it is:
I was riding a wide, flat, dirt road on a sunny day, transporting out to Menindee Lakes with steve Crombie to shoot the new Tenere. There was no dust and the sun was behind me. The road was following a railway line, and, as so often happens, the dirt road rose up to meet the railway lines at a level crossing and there were a couple of small water ruts, more or less parrallel to the direction of the trail. At very low speed - may 35kph - I got cross-rutted in these. As the bike over balanced I went to step away. As the bike fell it caught the back of my leg, and booschka! Here I hobble.
Thanks to everyone who's e-mailled and phoned with well wishes, and for some of the great comments. My favourite came from Cam Cuthill at BMW Motorrad. Asked how it happened, I replied, "I ran out of talent." Cam shot back with: "Ran out of talent? You never had any!"
The worst bit is, I don't feel as though I can say much in my defence where the BMW guys are concerned. I haven't exactly covered myself in glory on BMWs in the last 12 months or so.
Fortunately, issue #31 is at crisis point, and even if I was healthy I wouldn't be able to leave my desk for the next week, so I'm busy and not feeling too confined just yet.
Looking ahead though, I have some tough decisions to make. Just counting days - not a medical opinion - the cast is due off my leg on December 19. That's two days before Longest Day 5. I've already accepted I won't attempt the ride. I really don't want to cock up through impatience and end up off riding for 12 months. Trying to prop up the DR when I'm way short of confidence and practice, and a long way from properly healed, seems like an exercise in impatience. I may try and follow the ride with a camera, though. I complain every year I can't ride and do the story properly, so here's my chance.
Then, in the first week of the January is the NZ Safari.
I love that ride SO much!
The Brittens have invited me over, and I'm busting to do it again. There are a few changes this year, including a dedicated adventure bike ride before the Safari, and you can bet I'm busting to be there. I think I'm reasonably safe to make that one, but I won't count my chickens until the horse has bolted. I still need Yamaha NZ to say they'll give me a bike, so there are a couple of things need to fall into place for that one.
That'll lead into making decisions about the 2010 race season.
I'm busting to run the 125 next year, but I wouldn't take such an old bike in a Four Day, and we don't know yet whether or not there'll even be an AORC, so that's still a bit up in the air.
Meanwhile, it's all issue #31 for the next couple of weeks. I'll be head down/leg up, trying to get it all sorted without leaving my desk.
It'll be a big ask.
TF
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Speaking of Wattsy i say ride the KTM in the 4day. I remember watching Ballard race the 6day in Italy in 97 on an old( it was old even then) Maico 490. He was getting along rather well until it died of an electric problem. The KTM should breeze through a 4day.