Wytheville, VA

[Bludy L]

Last weekend I rode in SW Virginia with my buddy Bill and son Dan. The good news first. The riding is fantastic. We follow one of the loops for the Wytheville "Shamrock Tour" from RoadRunner magazine. The one we did included the "Back of the Dragon" and Big Walker mountain. Spectacular riding. My son called Saturday the best riding day of his life!

Also I happened to meet "snarl" from the forum. He has left Connecticut and now lives in Tennessee.

The bad news. After riding some crazy good roads on Sunday in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee we were headed back to Wytheville on a simple, straight Virginia highway when my son started thinking about something other than riding the motorcycle and drifted off the road. He almost pulled it off but crashed. It could have been really horrible but it was just bad. His Bonneville is totaled. He got no road rash, didn't even tear his jeans or jacket, but he landed on his backside and wrist. There is a wrist fracture that will probably need surgery. He has a minor fracture to his pelvis which is considered minor and should heal without issues. The bigger concern is a spine issue initially described as a compressed disk. Specialists here in Ohio are a little more concerned than the quack at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, TN. He has an appointment next week for careful analysis. He's getting around, slowly and with pain but so far all is encouraging.

The bike is totaled but Progressive are giving him a reasonable amount for it. He won't be riding for a while anyway but he's already thinking about options to replace it.

I recommend riding in southwest Virginia, just don't let your mind wander.

[Xhdracer]

Glad it wasn't any worse than it was. The bike can be replaced. Wishing a speedy recovery.

[Bludy L]

Thanks. I'll up date the forum as we learn more.

[nervouswreck]

There is some good riding in that area.  Hope your son has no lasting effects and heals quickly.  There have been times on longer trips that I caught myself day dreaming.  Very disturbing and dangerous.

[Stoney]

Rooting for your son to have a quick recovery.  Best thing is that he's already thinking ahead to his next bike!

[Coconut]

Hi Bludy L,

Wishing your Son a full and speedy recovery 

Regards,

[Verdun95]

Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery to your son

[silverstripes]

Best wishes from over the pond for your son's recovery