Bicycle Mishap

The day after we took delivery of our machines (C50 and Hyabusa) turned out to be a nice sunny day. Being a bicyclist I decided to get a little exercise. It wasn't long after I was riding that I had an accident, hit the curb and landed on my shoulder. I seemed to be o.k., I ached, but other than that I was fine. I continued my ride for the rest of the hour. When I got home, I took a look at my shoulder area and it was very red and started to feel sore. We went to the hospital. After an x-ray, they thought it was dislocated. The emergency room personnel had another doctor read the x-ray. The conclusion was that I had a broken collarbone. I would be out of commission for at least six weeks would have to have physical therapy. I was heartbroken. I had a new Suzuki C50 in the garage and all I could do was look at it. How disappointing!

Fortunately I was able to go to work during my healing time. Everyday when I got home I would go out to the garage and sit in a folding chair and look at my motorcycle-how pathetic! I passed time by reading motorcycle magazines, how-to-books, and by watching motorcycle shows on TV. During this time my wife and I took a three day trip to Starved Rock and stayed in the lodge. Weather was nice and we were able to sit on the veranda overlooking the Rock River. From this vantage point, we were able to see the roads that ran throughout the park. Watching motorcyclists enjoying excursions through the park was agonizing. Beautiful, bright sunny days-it looked like they were having a great time.
After biweekly trips to the orthopedic surgeon for x-rays and consultation, I was ready for physical therapy. The therapists were helpful. Each session lasted thirty to forty minutes. I was given various exercises to strengthen the muscles that had gone unused for over six weeks. Additional exercises for home were prescribed. After a months time, I was beginning to feel fine and was ready to ride the motorcycle again.

For many weeks I practiced riding throughout the area where I live. As I gained more experience my practice area increased in size. I had goals, I had places I wanted to go. As the weather got better, I carried out my plans.

One place to go was the Illinois Railway Museum, a thirty mile ride one way-basically on a two lane road. On a hot July day, I left home at 10:30 A.M. and headed west on Illinois Route 72. Riding through picturesque towns like East and West Dundee and Sleepy Hollow cannot be described. On the way I crossed the majestic Fox River, passed new housing developments, rode past countless farms. In a modern car with filtration systems you seldom experience the smells of nature. In the spring with blossoms on the trees, you are there first hand, when fall arrives and people burn leaves, you are there. It's just great, what a beautiful world we live in.