I live in the Pacific NW part of the US - EA WA and NO ID which in local terms means the "dry side" of the wet State of WA. We enjoy an 8 mo riding season with 6 of those as prime riding season. We're blessed with great roads, little traffic which means few law enforcement in much of it.

While enjoying a weekday ride with my friend Roger (we're both retired so we ride mostly we days only to avoid you know what) on one of our fabled great roads which runs down the east side of Coeur d Alene Lake, in NO ID to the small towns of St Maries ID and Harrison, ID. I ride an 08 Superduke which I absolutely love and Rog rides an SMT.

As fate would have it we had just rounded a nice sweeper past one of the many bays, the road began to straighten for one of it's few straight stretches and out of nowhere came bambi shooting out of the brush on my left. She was flying and literally flew over the lane next to mine and stopped directly in front of me.

The outcome is, that I/m here to tell about it and aside from 8 broken ribs, a fractured collarbone and a bruised lung, I'm golden.
Instead of feeling bummed, I am healing and recuperating in a state of gratitude and deep thanks that it wasn't worse. I think of all the more horrible things that could have occurred at that very instant, I got off very very lucky.

As for the bike, well all I'll say is that it's in better shape than I am according to the service manager at our local dealer.

A lot of thoughts have been running through my head about whether I should keep riding or not. I am 72 years old and in good health, though an MRI revealed some serious issues with my cervical canal, unrelated to this incident which according to the
neurosurgeon places me in a high risk category for serious injury. I'll need a consult with him to know more about that in a month or two.

Meanwhile I/m savoring my lazy days of reading, whining, hurting, sleeping and watching movies. I am blessed to have a loving wife (that gets to go to work every day to avoid having to listen to me). Our daughter who lives in NYC has brought her work home to spend 10 days taking care of her dad- I almost wept when I heard she was going to do that.

Life is indeed good.

Steve Berde
Spokane WA

So is the deer ok?










Seriously though, glad to see your in one piece, my Dad is 72 or 73 (I can never remember) he still rides bikes and windsurfs often, as long as your fit and able you should be riding, keeping active keeps YOU active.

Get well soon.
Your feeling a bit vulnerable after the accident, this to will pass.
Seventy two is the new 61, You have to get back on a bike. Have your doc tell you riding good and golf a no no.
Enjoy your daughter's time. Noone will treat you better. Have your bud learn how to make jerky and chew on bambi while playing chess on the back porch.
Ride

I hope I can have that kind of attitude at 72..

As a teenager (early 70's) I was riding down a wooded road, where my family had a camp trailer. A deer literally jumped across my front fender. Always felt fortunate to have missed injury, on that one! Sorry to hear that you were not quite as fortunate. Age is a number. I ride observed trials regularly with a 74 year old guy, that is more prone to do crazy stuff than I am, at 55. Motorcycles have always been dangerous, even before you found out about your spine. You have always been one fateful move away from serious consequences, so don't let it freak you out now. Say you prayers before you go riding, and know that God has always been, and will always be, in control. When He says it is time, it is time, no matter what you are doing, at the moment.

Heal well Steve.

Grendel has said it before, Steve's Beard is indeed long. There is a lot of wisdom there. Heal fast, heal well. Remember, do not give up a something based upon logic, instead only do so it you know it in your soul.

Get wel soon mate and as they say if yo ufall of the horse get back on to it!
Respect! My old man is the same age as you but hardly interested in doing anything as moaning, so sad. Now he's crook and has not long to go and regret sets in, something I will avoid at all cost. (regret that is)
Rock on!

All the best to you Steve, hope all goes well.