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Yesterday I took the day off from work specifically to be able to do the first oil change on my new Triumph Sprint ST, and then go for a ride. I got the oil change done in the morning, and got on the bike and launched by about noon. I figured I would head up to the Kancamagus Highway. I ride up 16 to Conway, and figure I'll go west on the Kanc and slab it home on 93 since I really only had half a day.
About 3/4 of the way to Lincoln on the Kanc, as I approach one of the turn-offs for a parking area, a Camry waiting to turn left is violently rear-ended and punted directly into my travel lane. Happened in the blink of an eye.
I grab every available brake but that was futile. My left pannier struck the hood of the Camry and was launched backwards and up and smashed into pieces (witness said it got thrown 20 or 30 feet in the air). The sole of my left boot appeared to - based on the marks on the car - drag down the side of the front bumper and my left turn signal was also obliterated. The motorcycle gods were looking over me, because I was able to keep it upright and brought it to a stop in a little ditch off to the side of the road.
About 40 tourists who had been taking pictures of a stream or some crap came running over. A few people helped me off my bike and were really concerned. My situation was quickly eclipsed by blood curdling screams coming from the occupants of the Camry. Young couple, elderly parents, infant in a car seat. Bystanders helped them out, I think they are ok but badly shaken.
Cops came, got the Camry occupants loaded into an ambulance and taken away to the hospital ASAP. I declined any assistance at the scene but hopefully my foot will be ok - it feels slightly squirrelly but I don't think anything is broken.
Damage to my brand new bike is cosmetic; I will need a new pannier, new mounting rail, probably some work on the rear fairing - hopefully nothing the pannier rail is mounted to (frame) is tweaked. I rode the bike home and it feels ok.
The Lincoln cops who showed up were very concerned about me, and said they were also riders; one also has a Sprint. These guys were super cool, I can't thank them enough for helping me get through that. If you're out there - thanks!
The driver of the pickup that caused this:
View from my lane. Note skid mark from my rear tire:
Where my pannier struck the hood of the Camry:
Bike is going to need a new pannier, pannier mounting rail, turn signal, possibly rear fairing:
I figure I was about another inch or so from this having a dramatically different outcome. Ride safe..