Trip's over in Maine

[tsanterre]

Sorry to hear man...heal up quick!!!

Glad the bike is okay...

[markbvt]

Now, the question everyone is asking: how?

The crash was the result of basic stupidity on my part. After 3000 miles of wide-open roads, I forgot to keep my guard up riding in traffic. Got distracted by the thought of a lobster roll for lunch, glanced at a roadside lobster place for a moment, when I looked back the truck in front of me had slammed on its brakes. So I grabbed too big a handful of front brake for the knobby tire to keep traction, it locked up, and down I went. Stupid.

--mark

[MotoFreak]

Thats a bitch of a crash story Mark. These things happen though, and we are glad that you are ok, and not banged up worse. What were you wearing for gloves?

[markbvt]

What were you wearing for gloves?

Aerostich Elkskin Ropers. Thick leather, but no armor -- but I'm not sure armor would have helped in this case anyway due to the nature of the injuries.

--mark

[NobodySpecific]

Aerostich Elkskin Ropers. Thick leather, but no armor -- but I'm not sure armor would have helped in this case anyway due to the nature of the injuries.

--mark

I don't know, my Cortech gloves have armor in seemingly all of the spots that took major impact (such as the gauntlet on the wrist, and armor on each finger, and the knuckle protector which may have minimized the impact on the back of your left hand). I also don't know how you fell though, so a demonstration may show I have made an incorrect assumption or two. If it was more pulling forces than impact forces then armor probably wouldn't have done much.

[MotoFreak]

I don't know, my Cortech gloves have armor in seemingly all of the spots that took major impact (such as the gauntlet on the wrist, and armor on each finger, and the knuckle protector which may have minimized the impact on the back of your left hand). I also don't know how you fell though, so a demonstration may so I have made an incorrect assumption or two. If it was more pulling forces than impact forces then armor probably wouldn't have done much.

Armor is kinda a funky thing on moto gloves...depending on what company, and the level of protection, as some times it seems its only there more for looks. The usual combination of protection is a soft to medium density foam under a hard plastic/carbon/metal overlay, which offers impact and load disbursement, along with a higher abrasion resistance.
While we might look at the sewn in plastic sliders as gaudy, the combination gel/foam/double leather pad they are sewn into actually provide a distinct amount of energy absorption and disbursement that may be the difference between a bruise/sprain, or a broken bone. These protection features are usually found on the more expensive, higher end street/race gloves.
But, as Keith said, we don't know the specifics of Marks crash, nor the impact zones, or how the gloves were made. Aerostich makes high-end products, and many times, it doesn't matter the level of protection of the glove/boot/suit if the forces are great enough at the time of impact.

[jcbell1007]

damn mark, I just saw this. I was in maine this weekend too. I could've helped had I known.

Let me know if you need anything and I'll come help out. hope you heal up quick.

[DucDave]

OK...so you crashed....sorry about that.

Now, how can you and I and a few others get together and discuss the actual trip. I am planning this for next year and have lots of questions!!!!

[markbvt]

We can meet up for a ride when I can use my paws again and discuss the trip over lunch.

I'm also working on a ride report to be posted over at ADVrider. I'll post a link here.

--mark

[joeswamp]

Sorry to hear of your crash, I had a similar accident with similar gloves almost exactly one year ago today and nearly lost my left pinky due to a crush injury. Never again will I ride the street without armored gloves...

[catamount]

That sucks!




I say we take a collection for Mark tomorrow night and buy/make him a lobster roll to make up for the one he missed out on.

[markbvt]

I say we take a collection for Mark tomorrow night and buy/make him a lobster roll to make up for the one he missed out on.

Ha, thanks, but it wouldn't taste as good now since that damn lobster roll cost me three bones. Literally.

--mark

[AHAMAYs2]

Ha, thanks, but it wouldn't taste as good now since that damn lobster roll cost me three bones. Literally.

--mark

Since it's soooooo expensive....doesn't it have to tase even better?

[catamount]

doesn't it have to tase even better?

[markbvt]

I've started posting my ride report to ADVrider, in case any of you FFs are interested:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...php?p=14010619

--mark

[markbvt]

Ride report's done. Go check it out.

--mark

[dhawks]

Ride report's done. Go check it out.

--mark

Read through the ride report last night, Mark. Naturally sorry to hear how it ended, but you've put together an excellent account nonetheless.

[markbvt]

So I lasted 10 days before sheer frustration overcame common sense and I went for a ride. Got out the Honda and rode over to Jason's party and back. Operating the clutch was the hardest part -- my left hand is still weak and I can't really use my middle finger, so pulling in the clutch lever is more of a full-arm motion. The throttle was no problem -- Throttle Rocker worked like a charm once I got it positioned right. And front brakes were no problem either.

This morning I was so stir-crazy I thought I was going to explode. Feel much better now.

--mark

[MotoFreak]

You tough old bastid! Way to be Mark...just don't lengthen the healing process eh!

[sandros]

All right, boys and girls. Gather around and cringe.

Left hand. They just splinted this one because the bone will heal fine on its own.


Right wrist. Part of the socket formed by the end of the radius broke off, allowing the whole joint to dislocate. Looked gnarly when I took my jacket off.


They installed a plate to shore up the joint.



And a pin to fix the fifth metacarpal, which was busted at the proximal end. The pin will be removed eventually; the plate stays in.


--mark

They did a great re-approximation. This is a fairly standard volar displacement fracture of the distal radius with intraarticular involvement (aka: Frykman type III or IV). Its hard to see if your Ulnar styloid is involved as well without a "front-to-back" view of the fractured wrist, but in one of the fluoro films (circular images) it looks like the tip of the ulna is misaligned/fractured (which is common to nip as well with the fx/dislocation).

The surgeon did a fine job of repairing the wrist. When you get the cast off, the key will be regaining range of motion. Lemme know if I can answer any questions.

[MotoFreak]

Sandy V, you know shit.

[markbvt]

Its hard to see if your Ulnar styloid is involved as well without a "front-to-back" view of the fractured wrist, but in one of the fluoro films (circular images) it looks like the tip of the ulna is misaligned/fractured (which is common to nip as well with the fx/dislocation).

Good eye, Sandy. There was a small chip broken off the end of the ulna, but the orthopedist felt it wasn't worth messing with.

Cast came off today and the pin was removed. Dr Bruegel was very pleased with the healing and has cleared me to leave off the left splint unless I'll be doing something that could be rough on it, and the cast on my right arm has been replaced with a velcro splint, which I can remove for showering. She also cleared me to begin PT, so I'll be calling tomorrow morning to schedule my first appointment.

I am SO happy to have that fucking cast off.

--mark

[AHAMAYs2]

Good eye, Sandy. She also cleared me to begin PT, so I'll be calling tomorrow morning to schedule my first appointment.

I am SO happy to have that fucking cast off.

--mark

[SVenpointsixtwo]

Good to hear, Mark! When are you up for longer rides again?

[sandros]

Sweet Mark! That's great. Remember to "enjoy" PT!!