I Did it ! I took my first motorcyle ride since Bpi today :)

[John K]

Ok some of you are going think im crazy but the Bikers here will appreciate it. I rode for the first time today, The bike is a custom built Harley "Hotrod" I built before i had my accident. I still have some mods to do to make it safer and more rideable for me but for know i just flopped the clutch cable to the right side and lost the front brake mostly just to see if i could do it.

It was shaky at first only took me a week after i retrofitted it to try to ride it. I made my brother ride it first w/ two arms to see if it would work. Once i got the nerve up (pun intended) to do it i did the parking lot for 15 mins and i was off about 7 mile run down the lakefront. Wow I feel as though i found life again. I really needed that ride.

Now i have to finish ut make it safer and easier to use. I hope to do a page on my website on the bike and its retrofits to share with everyone i'll let you know when i get it up.

I saw below the post on the Gauntlet. . . . Hmmmm how can i fit this into my riding and everyday life as a mechanic? Sounds cool as well.

I Love you all. I havent posted a lot lately but sometimes we all need a break. I hope everyone is doing well.

John

[lizzyb]

YYEEEEHHAAARRRRRR!!!WAAAY TO GO JOHN!!

I can just see ya now....!! although I found 'biking' after my bpi, I was soon hooked, and can well appreciate how fantastic it must feel to get back in the saddle after a truamatic injury such as bpi. I've met quite a few bikers now who have overcome the injury, done the modifications and rode off grinning from ear to ear!!

I would love to see pics of your mods. if poss; the folks at NABD would be interested to see 'em too...

...ride free mate!! Liz x

[Kathleen]

Nice to see you again John...

Never having been on a bike... It scares me...
Good luck with your adventure back on the bike.
Kath

[Dave m]

Yeah good going John! You have to send pics of your hotrod Harley mate, they look good i reckon it doesnt hurt to make em go good too!
It must have felt great, i bet you were going a hunderd SMILES an hour eh?? we're threatening to do daytona bike week in march so if we do i'll be calling by to check the beast out, good to hear from you, happy riding dude :O)

[George]

GO JOHN !!!!!!! I can only imagine what you must have felt crawling back into that saddle again. Very proud for you !!!! Seven miles of awsomeness huh? Your spirits sound high John....keep it up....you deserve every swinging minute !!!!!! George )

[admin]

It takes guts and a whole lot of determination to back on a bike. Good on ya mate. Lay them ghosts to rest once and for all.

[John K]

I ventured out for about 1o miles again today. Seen lots of friends at the local Biker Bar. Was a great Day. No toddies for me though althogh one or two would probably helped the jitters. I feel im getting the bike thing down. My next big hurdle is who's going to tell me Mom, Lol.

Cheers and keep the Greasy side Down

John

[Kathleen]

I knew it JOHN... I just knew it!!!!

I just could not imagine your Mom loving you on a bike again...

Ahhh now I feel better knowing that you still have to tell on yourself...
Can you guess the reaction... LOL...
Keep us posted... and be careful...
Kath

[admin]

Really pleased for you.
Psychologically I felt it was one more step in trying to get back to normallity when I got back on a bike.
OK I only feel safe riding a Honda 70 now but I use it most days and enjoy it.
Phil

[dennisbk]

Congratulations John! I think my wife would kill me if I ever got back on a street bike. However, she is really wanting me to try off road riding again, as that was our main hobby before my accident. Since my hand works fine, I could do it, but I think it would cause a bit too much pain in my shoulder. I don't last too long without a sling, so I think subluxation is still a big problem for me.