March 15, 2006 Riding in Northern Georgia, USA

Picture:  Pam enjoys the view in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

 

A wonderful day of mountain riding came to an abrupt halt as we rounded the tight left down hill turn.  I was in the lead on the REB with Pam following on her Rebel.  Although we were going slowly I knew the large patch of loose gravel could be trouble.  My rear wheel wiggled a bit and I slowed to a near stop to check on Pam. As I looked the my mirror I saw her front wheel wipe out and went down and slid across the road coming to a stop against a sign post that saved her from going into a small lake.  By the time I got back to her she was on her knees holding her right shoulder.  A local guy on an old dual sport who had been trailing Pam also stopped to assist.  We got the bike up, kicked the front end straight and dug the mud out of the controls.  It was rideable and she thought she could make it to the next town but the pain in her elbow got so bad we had to stop and seek assistance.  Luckily we came upon a large hiking supply store and the very helpful staff drove her to the nearest hospital ER.

  Long story short………Called Eric, he brought up my truck and met us at the ER, we went back up the mountain and loaded the REB (it was getting dark and cold and I didn’t relish the two and a half hour ride back)and since the truck is too small for two,left the Rebel and headed home.

  Oh! she broke a bone in her elbow and has an appointment with her doctor this morning. Not too serious but points up how easily it is for something to go wrong on two wheels.  Had it not been for her protective gear it would have been a lot worse.  In our "debrief" we concluded that the unknown rider behind, although riding safe and at a decent distance, made her loose concentration.  Ride Safe.

P.S.  The spill occured on highway #180 halfway between Suches, GA and US #129.  We found out from a local rider we meet at the ER that gravel on the road is common as it washes down during rains.  They usually sweep the roads around the end of March, a little too late for Pam.