. . . All It Takes Is Time
The Harley sits, waiting for me to heal...and haul.
The doctor said to expect 4-6 weeks to heal. It's been exactly one month to the day that I dropped the new Harley.
It happened at a stop sign - taking off on a right-hand turn. The son on his Ninja was leading. He went. I stopped. Chug-chug-quit ... and down it went. One broken collar bone. No real damage to the bike beyond a broken nib on the front brake handle and a couple of light scratches in the exhaust covers.
Two weeks later, I rode it down the street and back. But with the shoulder stiff and no strength, it could have made for a possibly very bad day.
Yes, I want to ride. Yes, I feel the need to get back on the horse, so to speak. Two weeks isn't long enough. Once around the neighborhood is.
Since then I've tried to ride it at least a mile or so every day. I've almost dropped it again - on a real road and on a steep down-hill sloping stop when a BMW thought it would be funny to turn in front of me. He was laughing as I held on, unsaddled and pulled it upright.
Today is a different day. I stopped by the local Harley dealer to cancel an order for the new lever for that front brake - my wife found me one while in Kentucky - and ran into an old acquaintance. Turns out, he owns the franchise. Way to go Dave! Wish I had known that in July when my wife bought me the bike...
I push the Harley of the garage and point it toward the street. It's cloudy and sometimes it looks like it might rain - but the forecast says not to worry.
Gear ready? Check.
Bike ready? Check.
Rider ready? There's no reason I can think not to go.
The first trip around felt good. The bike was responding and I could push the corner turns without pain or stiffness in the shoulder. Once more, I thought.
After the fifth time rolling slowly past the three ladies out for their midday walk, they probably thought I was stalking them. Time for a decision - out on the road, or home.
I elected home - but only after passing those ladies twice more.
The shoulder feels okay - no real pain, just some soreness and a bit of stiffness when I laugh. Next week is the last follow-up with the doctor.
I expect a full bill of health.
All it takes is time.
And I still have time to ride this year.
