More shaving. 6/27/2005
I got an e-mail from my brother Bill, who works in law enforcement in the United States. In the e-mail, he detailed an accident he had recently, which left him with 4 cracked ribs, and a semi collapsed lung with fluid in it. The bike was a total write off, insurance wise. He’s ok, and back at work.
But I am now beginning to have the screaming heebie jeebies. Yes, I’m afraid. I’ve lost many friends, and mates, and buddies, and brothers across my twenty some years of riding. I’m beginning to be gun shy about getting on a bike. Coupled with a new addition to my reponsibilities, I don’t know how much longer I can indulge in a high risk hobby. Yes, I know that in a previous post, I said that riding is as safe as you make it, but road riding has too many variables in it. I have to face the fact that I can no longer look fear in the eyes.
Earlier this year, I mentioned to 2 friends that I was thinking of giving up riding. They refrained from comment, mainly because they knew that it was just pessimistic talk from me, and that I would get back into the saddle and continue to burn rubber and terrorise people waiting at bus stops. But Khalid’s passing has shaken me up, a lot. More than it should. It has been preying on me, and sitting on the back of my mind. I have to face my own mortality, and Khalid’s death drove it home.
And in case anyone wants to know, I haven’t been on anything with 2 wheels since I posted about Khalid’s death.
- Posted in : General
- Author : thesnark
Comments»
I too have to consider my own mortality everyday that I get up and go to work, being in law enforcement in the US and specially in Los Angeles California is by no means a picnic. After my little mishap, the 4 cracked ribs and all the other stuff, I fear the bug of buying another machine has gotten the best of me and I’m currently looking for my next ride. I promise it’s not going to be a rocket like the last, but even cruisers are dangerous if you don’t know how to handle them. So I continue looking at life living it just like it is, one day at a time and keep my insurance and will up to date..
what happened to “nothing to fear but fear itself?” am I just too much of a greenhorn to understand?