Well, for me, that is. Although I have been given the clear from the consultant to ride, I really don't feel I can ride my bike. Talk about all dressed-up with no-where to go!
It's mainly a strength thing. Also, only last night, I just moved my left arm slightly and I experienced a strong stabbing pain at the point where my clavicle attaches to my shoulder. It's not just sore, it's M&S sore!!! When I get these stabbing pains, the pain subsides after about 10-15 minutes, but I get a strange numbness in my hand and forearm. After last night's pain, the numbness was still there this morning.
With all of that in mind, that's the primary reason I don't feel I can ride at the moment. I'm more likely on the bike to put my arm in an "unusual" position. If I get a stabbing pain on the bike, it could be very dangerous. I need to use 2 arms riding. I can, for short periods in an emergency, use 1 arm driving. It's also an experience thing. I've been driving for 9 1/2 years, but passed my motorbike test just over a year ago. So, I'm more able to deal with things in the car than on a bike.
It's funny, before I got the stabbing pain last night, my hubbie and I had been talking about getting me a 250 to use. It would be a good compromise between the Hornet and a 125, in terms of weight (a Honda CB250 is about 30kg lighter than the Hornet) and power.
Hopefully I improve in time for getting a little riding later in the summer. I'd like to actually wear the jacket I ordered the week before the crash at some point!
Sunday 31 May 2009
Sunday 24 May 2009
Suited and booted
In theory, I can now ride again. The Hornet's MOT'd and the consultant's given the go ahead. I've even replaced the kit that was damaged in the crash - helmet, jacket and trousers. Of course, the cost of those will be claimed against the insurers of the driver of the car that pulled out in front of us.
My hubbie and I don't need new boots or gloves as those weren't damaged at all as a result of the crash. I know of many people who think we should - "get another pair on their insurance" - but, despite it being the driver's fault, that just isn't the way we operate.
I haven't ridden yet. It's not that I don't want to but I lack strength in my left arm and occasionally get tingles and numbness in my left hand, especially if I've overstretched myself or done something I haven't done since the crash. That can be caused by something as simple as spooning rice pudding from a bowl - I kid you not!!! That's why I haven't riden yet. It's starting to look more and more likely I'll be getting another 125 to build up my confidence and strength before I get on a big bike again.
In other news, my hubbie's probably riding down to Carlisle tomorrow, to test ride a Goldwing. The Honda dealer down their is having an open day and there will be a Goldwing available for test. As the Goldwing is such an expensive bike and there's such a small market, no dealer keeps one for test rides. They have open days and Honda supplies the test bikes. Unfortunately, my hubbie's missed all the open days at the Scottish dealers. The only other way to get a test ride is if a dealer has a second hand model in but, again, none in Scotland have any at the moment.
It'll give the Hornet a good run - 120ish miles each way. Given it's only got 2400 miles on the clock (2002 model), it may be the longest run the bikes had. If he does go for the test ride (weather dependant, of course) at least then he'll know for sure that the Goldwing is the bike for him or not, as the case may be. If it is, he'll be more prepared to travel to buy a decent early model 1800. So, watch this space for updates on the search for the Pan replacement...
My hubbie and I don't need new boots or gloves as those weren't damaged at all as a result of the crash. I know of many people who think we should - "get another pair on their insurance" - but, despite it being the driver's fault, that just isn't the way we operate.
I haven't ridden yet. It's not that I don't want to but I lack strength in my left arm and occasionally get tingles and numbness in my left hand, especially if I've overstretched myself or done something I haven't done since the crash. That can be caused by something as simple as spooning rice pudding from a bowl - I kid you not!!! That's why I haven't riden yet. It's starting to look more and more likely I'll be getting another 125 to build up my confidence and strength before I get on a big bike again.
In other news, my hubbie's probably riding down to Carlisle tomorrow, to test ride a Goldwing. The Honda dealer down their is having an open day and there will be a Goldwing available for test. As the Goldwing is such an expensive bike and there's such a small market, no dealer keeps one for test rides. They have open days and Honda supplies the test bikes. Unfortunately, my hubbie's missed all the open days at the Scottish dealers. The only other way to get a test ride is if a dealer has a second hand model in but, again, none in Scotland have any at the moment.
It'll give the Hornet a good run - 120ish miles each way. Given it's only got 2400 miles on the clock (2002 model), it may be the longest run the bikes had. If he does go for the test ride (weather dependant, of course) at least then he'll know for sure that the Goldwing is the bike for him or not, as the case may be. If it is, he'll be more prepared to travel to buy a decent early model 1800. So, watch this space for updates on the search for the Pan replacement...
Friday 22 May 2009
MOT'd
Following our good news at the consultant's my hubbie took the Hornet for it's MOT. It was only out-of-date by a month. Oops! But, it was off-road and we weren't in a position to ride before the consultant said so.
It passed. There wasn't much surprise there, though. I bought it last year, with 1200 (genuine) miles on the clock. That was an average of 200 per year, as it was 6 years old when I bought it. Between the MOT before I bought it and the MOT the dealer did when I purchased it, it had done 17 (yes, 17!!!) miles. From the second owner's house and back.
Due to the really bad weather last summer and the crash, I hadn't been out on the Hornet as much as I would have liked, but I still doubled the mileage!!!
The thing is, although the Hornet's not a big bike, neither am I. Prior to the crash, it was almost on the limits of what I could ride, given my strength, riding experience and confidence. Now, I know it is too big for me, which is a total pain, as I really enjoy riding it.
At least my hubbie can ride it at the moment, so it's not just an expensive piece of garden furniture. In the meantime, I need to build up my strength and confidence, so I can get back on it. In the meantime, I may have to get another smaller bike. Possibly even a 125 again!
I've always go the car, but on night like tonight...well, I would have been on my bike like a shot normally. Ne'er mind, it'll all be okay in the long run.
It passed. There wasn't much surprise there, though. I bought it last year, with 1200 (genuine) miles on the clock. That was an average of 200 per year, as it was 6 years old when I bought it. Between the MOT before I bought it and the MOT the dealer did when I purchased it, it had done 17 (yes, 17!!!) miles. From the second owner's house and back.
Due to the really bad weather last summer and the crash, I hadn't been out on the Hornet as much as I would have liked, but I still doubled the mileage!!!
The thing is, although the Hornet's not a big bike, neither am I. Prior to the crash, it was almost on the limits of what I could ride, given my strength, riding experience and confidence. Now, I know it is too big for me, which is a total pain, as I really enjoy riding it.
At least my hubbie can ride it at the moment, so it's not just an expensive piece of garden furniture. In the meantime, I need to build up my strength and confidence, so I can get back on it. In the meantime, I may have to get another smaller bike. Possibly even a 125 again!
I've always go the car, but on night like tonight...well, I would have been on my bike like a shot normally. Ne'er mind, it'll all be okay in the long run.
Monday 18 May 2009
The all clear?
My hubbie and I were back at the consultant's today. The X-rays show we're both healing, which is a huge relief. 1 in 10 people with plated clavicle breaks don't heal. I was really worried we'd (or at least one of us) would be the 1 in 10. My hubbie's to o back to see the consultant in 2 months time as his break isn't healing as fast as I am. He had a complex break, with 2 shards of bone as well as the 2 main pieces. The next appointment is just to check all is well. I don't need to see the consultant again. Well, not that one. We see another, independent, one in July for our personal injury claim, but that's "paper work", so to speak.
The consultant seemed a little surprised we hadn't ridden since we'd last seen him, but we did what we were told (not the norm, but these aren't normal circumstances!). Now we're healing, Officially I can now ride a bike. As I say , officially. The Hornet is at the limits of what I can ride in terms of size for my strength and pre-crash ability. Given I get painful twinges in my shoulder when I do something different, I don't want that went riding. Also, I can just get my foot down on the Hornet, which was fine before the crash, but I don't know if I could cope with that at the moment. I might get a smaller bike (a 125 or 250) to build up again. In the meantime, my hubbie is going to ride the Hornet until he gets a replacement for the Pan. He took it for its first run today - for its MOT. It's only a month overdue!!!
Need to get a new lid now. I've replaced everything else, but had been putting off replacing the lid. The other things can go back to the shop if unused, but not the lid. I suppose I was really paranoid I'd never be able to ride again. Now I think I will, but it'll take time until everything is back to normal, whatever normal is...
The consultant seemed a little surprised we hadn't ridden since we'd last seen him, but we did what we were told (not the norm, but these aren't normal circumstances!). Now we're healing, Officially I can now ride a bike. As I say , officially. The Hornet is at the limits of what I can ride in terms of size for my strength and pre-crash ability. Given I get painful twinges in my shoulder when I do something different, I don't want that went riding. Also, I can just get my foot down on the Hornet, which was fine before the crash, but I don't know if I could cope with that at the moment. I might get a smaller bike (a 125 or 250) to build up again. In the meantime, my hubbie is going to ride the Hornet until he gets a replacement for the Pan. He took it for its first run today - for its MOT. It's only a month overdue!!!
Need to get a new lid now. I've replaced everything else, but had been putting off replacing the lid. The other things can go back to the shop if unused, but not the lid. I suppose I was really paranoid I'd never be able to ride again. Now I think I will, but it'll take time until everything is back to normal, whatever normal is...
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