I almost died on the Kanc.

**mojobreakfast** · 10-03-09, 07:43 AM

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..

**DuncanMoto** · 10-03-09, 07:47 AM

WHOLY CRAP!
When you used the word "violently" you were right on the money.
I'm impressed the kid in the Camry is O.K. Good thing the parents used the correct child seat setup.
I'm glad you're O.K., but you really should go see a doctor to be safe. You never know when there's damage to your ankle that will show up and cause you problems in 10 years that could have been fixed easily now.

**idratherberidin** · 10-03-09, 07:50 AM

Glad your ok. Its amazing how fast stuff happens. After seeing something like this I'm sure your mind is full of "What if's". Looks like you did everything right.

**Stoneman** · 10-03-09, 07:53 AM

One of our own NESRians is a Lincoln cop...

**scubasteveRR** · 10-03-09, 07:55 AM

gald you came out pretty much ok, hopfully nothing is wrong with your foot.

**Kenn157** · 10-03-09, 07:57 AM

Have that foot checked out! Glad you're ok!!

**mojobreakfast** · 10-03-09, 08:01 AM

Yeah thanks guys, the foot is fine really, I think it's mostly in my head. I may have it checked out later today.

Stoneman, the two Lincoln cops who showed both said they ride... one of them must be the NESRian you speak of. I am grateful to both of them for helping me calm down and get my shit together, and get rolling.

I didn't notice the skid mark until after I got the pictures off my camera. Pretty sure it's from me, anyways. I don't remember the brakes locking but there was a lot happening at once.

**The Snowman** · 10-03-09, 08:09 AM

Wow. Glad you were able to keep the bike to the right of the car and didn't head-on into it. You should have the foot checked out and don't forget to mention the claim number when you see your doctor.

**gixxersixxer** · 10-03-09, 08:13 AM

Damn. Lucky save! Heal up!

**Sportygurl131** · 10-03-09, 08:13 AM

wow... seems like everyone had a gaurdian looking over them.. glad ur ok!

**caddydaddy** · 10-03-09, 08:16 AM

I was leading a group of riders coming the other direction with my Sprint when we came upon the scene. I saw your bike in the weeds there and I thought you had just avoided the accident. I didn't think your bike had the panniers on, since I could only see the left side of your bike.
You're damn lucky to only have lost a pannier!

**mojobreakfast** · 10-03-09, 08:22 AM

caddy, I figured someone on here probably saw the scene, since a lot of bikes rolled by.

If someone is in the Lincoln area I am somewhat interested in recovering the pannier parts, primarily to salvage the keyed lock, I think these might be difficult or time consuming to get new ones. The pannier parts went with one of the cars on a flat bad to a local tow yard. If someone is interested in helping me with that please PM me and I'd owe you big.

**obsolete** · 10-03-09, 08:23 AM

Holy shit balls! Go play the lottery before that horeshore falls out of your ass.

Glad every one is ok. That is scary as all hell.

**ctbandit** · 10-03-09, 08:34 AM

DAMN! You're quite lucky and skilled to keep the bike upright after a knock like that to a side case. Great job being aware and avoiding something that could have turned awful for you.

**Evil_Weasel** · 10-03-09, 08:40 AM

yikes!! that was a close one.

glad to see you walked away. some crazy random shit happens out there on the roads.

**DucDave** · 10-03-09, 08:44 AM

FAK....Calling Nikon...where you there dude?

What a bone chilling moment mojo. Looks like experience, skill, training, gear and luck all had a role. And your panier probably helped too!!!

Glad to hear you're OK!

**whynot** · 10-03-09, 09:05 AM

Glad to hear you're in one piece and here to tell the tale, and no one else hurt, just shook up. For sure, get the foot checked out ASAP!

**hqp921** · 10-03-09, 09:11 AM

That's it, I'm definitely getting the hard bags for the VFR!

Glad you're okay.

Yikes to the back end of that Camry...

- HP

**Trajiks9** · 10-03-09, 10:02 AM

Glad to see that you're alright. You were definately riding 1 up with your guardian angel that day. I wish you a quick recovery, heal up.

**Pestilence** · 10-03-09, 10:11 AM

Holy Shit

Glad you're OK and rode home from that, couple more inches and this post could have taken a dramatic turn.

**Chippertheripper** · 10-03-09, 10:20 AM

that story is awesome. glad the outcome is "as is".

"we just melvinned death!"

**bostongixxer** · 10-03-09, 10:26 AM

Wow, dude...that's some scary shit. Glad your ok. We need to get that ride soon if you're up for it. Congrats on the new bike...and, heal up.

**markbvt** · 10-03-09, 10:28 AM

Holy crap. Glad you're okay!

It boggles my mind that the pickup driver could have hit the Camry that hard. I see from the photo that he'd just come around a bend, but still, everyone who lives in Vermont and New Hampshire knows that the roads (especially ones like the Kanc) get clogged with leaf peepers at this time of year. I just rode the Kanc a week ago, and it was crowded.

Thank god his stupid mistake didn't cost anyone their life.

--mark

**lrrs313** · 10-03-09, 10:34 AM

Wirelessly posted (BB Tour: BlackBerry9630/4.7.1.40 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

Damn. Glad you're OK. Leaf peepers are out in force and I've seen some of the worst displays of driving I've ever seen. Be careful everyone, especially in tourist/scenic areas.

**caddydaddy** · 10-03-09, 10:37 AM

It was fairly crowded in some spots yesterday, but most people were driving slow. Except that old bastard in the pickup truck obviously!

I almost died on the Kanc.

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