Feb. 14,2009, getting ready for the first round of the GNCC series things went wrong and I found myself halfway down a steep hill with my femur in eight parts, and my KTM screaming wide open, and my wife waiting at home with a candle light Valentines dinner.(yes, I am still married!) After an expensive helicopter ride, the docter put me back together but was pessimistic about my recovery. I worked very hard to get movement and strength back, and by July I was walking pretty good, but then the plate holding my leg together broke, and I was back for another operation. This time the Doctor is optimistic, says everything is healed up except for a missing piece, and that he can fix it with a long rod. I am back up much quicker this time, but had to start all over again with the therapy. By November I am moving good again, and I decided I still wanted to ride, but needed a change of scenery, so I parked the KTM and bought a 09 wr125 from Cafe Husky member John47. Started yard testing it in Dec., but wanted to make sure I was strong enough before I went on a real ride. I made my comeback March 20 on a event with my club, www.volunteerriders.com, I was pretty nervous at first, but after a few miles it felt great and I think I surprised everyone with my fitness and the ability of the little 125. I had to endure a lot of heckling at first about the bike, as I was in a sea of orange, but that went away in a hurry. I have ridden a few more times since then, and I am so happy to be back riding again, and I just love my Husqvarna. It is different, looks great, and handles unbeleivable. As you can see, at 6'-3" and 165 pounds, I was made for the wr125! GP
Good one Mate. Glad to see you got over your setbacks and followed your passion. Good luck on riding back into form. Also pleased to see you joinging this august body of Husky loving men and women.
Glad to hear you are back on the bike and doing well. Classy looking 125 also. Makes me miss mine. WR Bob
Thanks! Until now, I have never taken the time and money to do a bike like I really wanted, now I don't want to get it dirty! GP
Good on you, and good luck going forward. he he he, sounds like every ride i take my 125 on. The shutting up starts when you disappear out front. Love those little 125/144's BTW, great looking bike!!!
Man, you really want to ride don't you? That bike brings the passion back! Be careful! Well, as careful as possible. Good luck & many happy trails!!!
Glad to see you are on the mend. Take it easy though. Great looking Husky....it's a great weapon. I'm sure you will do well on that.
Good luck on your riding and great looking bike ... Did your outlook on riding change after the crash?
I have raced powerboats all my life, but always wanted to race bikes a little just for fun. I have dropped my bike racing aspirations and just want to trail ride, and have done pretty well resisting trying to race everyone in the woods. One never knows how they will react after something like this, but I got back on like I had never missed a day. I think it helped mentally to get a new bike, and the wr125 made it easier, it is such a great bike. Do have to be careful, don't think my wife will stand for another big accident. I have reached a point where it is time to give up the boats, so I just feel so fortunate that I can still ride my bike, because if I had to give that up too, there just wouldn't be much left of who I am. GP
Yep ... most of us have our crashes ... we all react differently ... Most come back but with a different attitude ... One of the PRO ama guys just crashed on a double and his kidney is toast ... He'll probably retire if smart enough to... After the breaks I have, and the pains, I think I'm lucky to be riding today ...Without glucosamine for my wrist, I doubt I could dirt ride any more ... 7-8 hrs MAX time in one day is all I can do now before calling it quits due to the pain... My sight is so bad now, I gotta slow down or else it is just stupid on my part ... I figure in 8-10 years I might be a street rider only ... And that will be OK if I still have a Husky Be smart and enjoy the ride ... Pick UR spot to make a move on the trails ... It'll be fun and U can laugh about it together later ;0 )
