July 11, 2013 – I was a week back from the best ride of my life; an 8,500 mile loop around a large portion of the United States. On this trip I managed to complete 2 goals, the first was 1,500+ miles in less than 24 hours, followed by a non-stop coast to coast ride in under 50 hours. Anyway back to the point, on July 11 I responded to a request to have some SoCal Iron Butt Association (IBA) members appear in an article, I immediately responded and was fortunate enough to be asked to be part of the article/photo shoot. The photos were to be taken on July 21 @ 0600 PDT at (N34 21.749 W117 51.898), the Angeles Crest Highway; and we were asked to be fully outfitted as if I/we were to be heading out on an extended road trip or rally, so I put my panniers on along with my extra fuel cell, soft luggage, GPS, radar detector and tank bag, we were also asked to where whatever gear we would normally ware on a road trip; hydration pack, SPOT, etc.The morning of July 21 I left Malibu at 0400 in order to make the 0600 arrival time. I head out on a very short 200 mile there and back ride, instead of actually packing my soft luggage and adding weight to the bike I simply shoved white Costco trash bags into them and blew them up, giving the illusion of being packed yet keeping the weight down. At 0400 I zipped over Kanan Rd to the 101, 134, 210 and presto I exit on the Rt.2 exit in La Canada/Flintridge. It’s about 0500 and I see a couple of riders in a gas station, so I ride over to make sure I’m in the right area; they tell me I have to go about 35 miles up Rt. 2 and I’ll be at the tunnels. I thanked them and head out. Not having ever ridden this road I was not looking to break any records, I have about an hour to get where I need to be, so I’m in cruse mode, just enjoying a great road. I’m about 30 or so miles up this road when a came to a very tight hairpin turn to the left; as I said, I’m in cruse mode, so I was only going about 25 MPH; well apparently there was a bit of a rock slide there earlier in the morning just beyond the apex in the road; I hit the loose gravel and my back end washed out, I managed to recover from that only to find myself on the dirt shoulder of the road and about that time I discovered that this hairpin turn was a double apex turn, and there was no way to stop or recover from before I reached the 18 inch lip and then a sheer drop over the edge. Breaks were useless because they were anti-lock and I was already in first gear – I was screwed. I remember saying to myself “this is going to hurt”, then nothing… I came too about 5 minutes later, I was on a very steep hill side, and I was slowly sliding down, there were large boulders around me, I couldn’t move most of my body, I determined that my left leg was badly broken, I had many broken ribs, because I couldn’t breathe and there was something very wrong with my left shoulder, my beloved KTM 990 Adventure (Black) was also in bad shape and about 15 feet below me to the right; and one slight problem was my cell was in the tank bag, as it turned out my phone would have done me no good, because in this particular area there was no cell service, not even 911 service.I’m down and broken up, its dark and I’m totally alone, by about0600 the fog in my head had cleared enough to conclude that this was bad – very bad, it was also about that time I realized that I always keep my SPOT in the front left breast pocket of my Klim jacket – I remember when I purchased my SPOT 2, I got it for the simple reason that I could link it into my web site and to keep my family and girlfriend chilled out, when I go off on my hair brained rides. I reached into my pocket, took the SPOT out pulled the SOS button cover off, said a quick prayer that it would work and pushed the button… I don’t know what I expected to happen, but the SOS button started flashing. I remember I would scream as best I could with the broken ribs and wait for a response… Nothing; this continued for about an hour and a half, SPOT blinking red, screaming for help and nothing. The sun was up now but no one came by or answered my calls for help; I was feeling very faint and every time I called out I would slide a little bit down the hill and with the sun up I discovered another problem; about 15 feet below was a sheer cliff that appeared to drop straight down about 60 feet, and I knew that one would kill me.My head was playing games with me and the pain was indescribable in my left leg, I still had my head rag on, so I took my rider ID card out of my jacket and shoved the card under the rag on my forehead; I was sure I was going to die on that hill side& I figured that at least ID card would aid in identifying the body, I was exhausted, dehydrated and sliding in and out on conscientiousness; I was gone. I let out another shout for help, I could hear it echoing off the canyon walls but this time I got a response… “where are you”, I broke down; but I pulled myself together enough to attempt to describe my location. About 25 minutes later a person emerged from the brush below me, from the time I saw him till the time he reached me was a good 15+ minutes, the entire hillside was composed of decomposed granite and very difficult to climb. I asked him to carefully retrieve a bottle of water and my first aid kit off my bike and bring them to me, he gave me the water and I retrieved some things out of the first aid kit, he took my ID card and worked his way up to the road above me to try and get some help; as it turned out the group of riders I had met hours ago at the bottom of the hill were on their way back down the mountain and the first to stop; the guy that first found me flagged them down, three of the riders went on down the hill to call 911 while one of the riders stayed with me; I don’t know his name but I do know he was in full leathers and riding a Duc., he sat down on a little spot next to me grabbed hold of my right hand and refused to leave me until I was safe, I wish I knew who he was, because I would like to thank him; I don’t think he has any idea as to what he did for me that day. About 20 minutes later I heard that loud unmistakable thumping of helicopter blades; two L.A.Co. Fire helicopters were up looking for me. The Fire Hawk, circled once then landed up on the road behind me, the dirt and rocks that beast kicked up was incredible, but now the pros were here, it took them about 1 ½ hours to stabilize me and get me into the helicopter, but not once did this Duc rider let go of me, when I was finally at the top of the hill and about to be loaded into the helicopter a firefighter told him that I was going to be ok now and to let go. That simple act of human kindness, of one rider standing by another, if for nothing else than just letting me know he was there, and that I was going to be alright, meant more to me than words can express.I remember the flight to the hospital, I don’t remember landing or much of next week except for bits and pieces, almost like snap shots in time, my girlfriend standing over me, doctors telling me they needed to do surgery on various parts of me, my riding partner, Brian stopping by, but nothing more than a moment in length… it was quite surreal, that I managed to posted anything on my, The Long Rider Facebook page is a miracle, I have no idea how I remembered to do that, or what I said for that matter, I have to read it myself.To all of you who called emailed and came by to see me, thank you – I don’t remember who you are or what you said but I do know that you all had my back; thank you.I later found out that the SPOT worked as it was supposed to, the problem was I was in a box canyon and because of where I was the people at SPOT couldn’t accurately triangulate my exact location, but all the protocols that I signed up for were followed to a tee. Within 10 minutes of me pushing the SOS button my 2 emergency contacts were called, but not before, the L.A.Co. Fire Dept., L.A.Co. Sheriff & CHP, all were given a rough idea as to where I was and all were out looking.SummationMy KTM is a total loss – I’m broken hearted Left shoulder – Shattered collar bone – rebuilt with 1 plate and 9 screws Ribs – 5 broken, 3 on the left side and 2 on the right Knee – Multiple bone evulsions, first surgery screwed the bone back into place; second surgery remover the remainder on the ACL, PCL and Meniscus, as well as many bone fragments that were still floating around.Rehab to knee – regain flexibility and extension (In processnow)Knee surgery three – Replace ACL and PCL (Should be around the first week of September) Then rehab again__________________
