The Golden Triangle Rider

Davidfl · Posted: 19.02.2007, 04:52 Post subject: Finally Did It....

DATE; Friday 16th Feb 2007
Dropped the Africa Twin whilst riding it! It's only taken 180,000 kms.
Result lots of pain – a broken arm, plus a broken mirror & turn signal on the bike. Not much eh.

What happened – riding down a steep descent & hit a rock in bulldust, which tucked the front wheel straight under & instantaneously down I went, shoulder first into the dirt. Sort of like a stab in the back it was all so sudden & without any gradual loss of control.

The spill happened between Hongsa & Nam Ngeune / Huay Kon border crossing, checking out the road & border crossing prior to our scheduled departure on the 19th.
Within 15 minutes I was on my way back to Hongsa in a pick up. Now let me tell you that bouncing around in the tray of a beat up old pick for 20 kms on a bad dusty corrugated road has been the most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt in all my bike spills so far. AND. this was preceded by the tail gate of the pick up collapsing as I was sitting on it & trying to edge my way onto the tray. The fall onto the ground was as sudden as the spill off the bike!

The Hongsa hospital (more like an outdoors field clinic) is better than the one in Muang Sing as it was made of cement & not wood. But Hongsa has no X-Ray facilities, not that we needed them, as it was pretty obvious it was broken.
The Lao recommended I be trucked to Xayaboury – 4 hrs & 96 kms away on a very bad road, where I could be x-rayed & then moved to Luang Prabang, all in the wrong direction for me as Chiang Mai & home was to the west-north-west.
So the ol GT Rider put his battered thinking cap on & decided that the best way was straight home, with the bike if possible & direct to his fave doctor, & GT Riders' hero Dr Sudhee the orthopedic surgeon.

Amazingly the Nokia phone of Som, Armin’s female companion for the Hongsa elephant trip had a strong Thai GSM signal, whereas the other 3 phones a PDA, Siemens & another Nokia had zilch & we arranged for The Snail, alias David Lek to cruise over the border at Huay Kon & pick me & the bike up.
The next step was to be transported to the Lao / Thai border. This was a slight problem, because the 2 official hospital pick ups were being used for ferrying Lao govt officials around for the Elephant Festival & they did not want to let them go for medical business. Eventually we found a pick up belonging to a Dr from Xayaboury who offered to transport us to the border.
So after a night in the Hongsa hospital it was off to the border & get picked up by The Snail & transported back to Chiang Mai with the broken arm, tucked up inside my t-shirt & wrapped with the one small bandage (it was better than nothing Sudhee said) the Hongsa hospital had. 6 hrs later I was in Cnx at 9.30 pm, showered & tucked in bed hoping to last out the night, testing out my pain limit, with a planned visit to Dr Sudhee, at his Sunday clinic.
Well I did not quite last the night & at 11pm had to slip down to Ram 1 hospital for a jab of Tramadol & the compulsory X-ray (No X-ray = no jab). Surprise, surprise indeed my left humerus was broken right at the very top – but in 4 places making it almost shattered. I resisted the greedy Drs request for an immediate op to pin it & returned home to bed with my doting teerak, now the not so happy go lucky g/f singer.
Today after a visit to the good Dr, who says hello to all the GT Riders who have used him, the news is not so great, as it is probably going to be too difficult to operate on to insert a pin or a plate, due the presence of a main artery running through the joint, and it will be a long wait, hopefully & a successful natural healing process. So it looks like the GT Rider himself is going to be off the road for quite few months, and the only thing that will make me happy & jealous at the same time is lots of road & trip reports coming in good folks…...
Ah yes the photos inserted were taken by my good self, before Silverhawk & Armin could take theirs. So despite being somewhat battered I still beat them to the draw, as well as legally crossed the closed Lao (Nam Ngeune) / Thai border at Huay Kon first.
Next clinic appointment is Tues after which I hope to be up & about in the Kafe sometime.
More funky hospital photos will come from Silverhawk…….so you can all have a laugh at my expense, while you can mates.

filip-gsa · Cyclist Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Belgium

Hello David.
I wish you a good recovery.
Filip-gsa

mja34 · Posted: 19.02.2007, 05:59 Post subject:

david
get well soon,see you at the kafe,all the best from me and the oapillion.

mcgriffith · Posted: 19.02.2007, 06:04 Post subject:

Sorry to hear it David. Broke my humerus (upper arm) at Willow Springs Raceway March 05. Very bad break, couldn't do surgery, etc. Took a lot of Vicodin, tough sleeping for ~ 2 months. 4 months after accident rode my Aprilia at a very brisk pace (please forgive my immodesty) to Moto GP at Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA. Back roads only, with serious knee scrapping...There is light at the end of the tunnel! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

OAPillion · Posted: 19.02.2007, 07:09 Post subject:

You boys! It must have been an incredibly painful experience - wish you a swift recovery - DO WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS - if he's so good you lasted out a day without treatment, do at least listen to him -Mother talking! Any goodies you fancy in the food line?

pikey · Posted: 19.02.2007, 07:47 Post subject:

Unko,

Yep, listen to "mum" and "DO WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS". However, (with the utmost respect to OAPillion), if you start getting cabin fever, gimme a bell and I'll taxi you about in the truck some times to get out on the piss. Better leave that for a short while as we are off riding offroad to Soppong/Pai e.t.c for the next few days. Will send a report once done and I will press Luke into writing it so it will be a good'un!

Keep smiling mate and sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery.

BTW, next time you find yourself in similar riding conditions, best consult "Bull Dust Bob" as to how to tackle them! [ Wink

]

Cheers,

Pikey.

rene-s · Biker Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Thailand

David; i wish you all the best to recover quickly and get on the road again with the twin!.
Rgds, Rene.

BignTall · Biker Legend Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 463

David,

i guess I know who'll be a constant companion for me across the bar now , eh?

Sorry to see you in pieces.

The important question now...is it the right or left arm? If it's the left arm at least you can be mobile on an automatic scooter for getting around.

Hats of to Snail for getting you back to the snuggling bosom of the HGL G/F singer.

We of course want to see all the incriminating photos from Silverhawk.

solent01 · Posted: 19.02.2007, 18:15 Post subject:

Sorry to hear about your spill, hope your arm knits together again quickly, at least it will be stronger than before when it does.....

scot harper · Posted: 19.02.2007, 21:31 Post subject:

M8, sorry to hear you bought the farm!
get well soon, Mekongs the go, or if'n youv'e got some mate get them to shout you a bottle of Chivas, The pain will still be there when you sober up,but what a nite[} Smile

]
Scott...got any more pics?

wimpy · Posted: 19.02.2007, 21:34 Post subject:

Ouch! Sorry to read about your spill. Sounds like a pretty miserable experience. Kudos to Snail. Hope you mend quickly.

turkish · Motorcyclist Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 31 Location: USA

Sorry to have missed you in Hongsa, especially given the cirucumstances. That dust is a bitch! And the front brake is not your friend.

Heal up quickly!

Cheers,

Andy

rodav_1 · Pedestrian Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Thailand

David,
Sorry to read about this David. Sure hope you are up and running again asap. Take care and best wishes, Robert

Shawn in Oz · Cyclist Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Australia

Look on the bright side.

At least with that fall it should have shaken your electrical problems outta your bike
and you only need one good arm to hold up a drink.

The way David Snail has been despatched lately for your electrical/self-inflicted oops he'll have to rename himself David Nightingale.

Get well soon
Shawn (Got my tickets, should be in CNX middle of July!)

PICO-PICO · Posted: 20.02.2007, 04:26 Post subject:

David,

you make it sound as if it is a piece of cake, the pain etc.
I broke my humerus head ( upper arm ball ) when taking photos of one of my most sexy models. Standing on a bench the model came too close, I took a step back and fell off the bench. To make a very, very long 3 year story short, try to can get the best surgeon before doing anything. I had my humerous head operated on twice. Second time by THE shoulder specialist in Europe.
But even he could not prevent a psydartrosis, (spelling?), meaning the humerus head bone never grew together again.
So to speak I have now two limps in my shoulder, and I am much restricted in movement and strength.
This is not to scare you but please ask more than 1 doc. I have met serval patients in that Special Shoulder clinic, who were in pain for years.

mcgriffith · Posted: 20.02.2007, 06:05 Post subject:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PICO-PICO
 David,

you make it sound as if it is a piece of cake, the pain etc.
I broke my humerus head ( upper arm ball ) when taking photos of one of my most sexy models. Standing on a bench the model came too close, I took a step back and fell off the bench. To make a very, very long 3 year story short, try to can get the best surgeon before doing anything. I had my humerous head operated on twice. Second time by THE shoulder specialist in Europe.
But even he could not prevent a psydartrosis, (spelling?), meaning the humerus head bone never grew together again.
So to speak I have now two limps in my shoulder, and I am much restricted in movement and strength.
This is not to scare you but please ask more than 1 doc. I have met serval patients in that Special Shoulder clinic, who were in pain for years.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hey PICO-PICO,
I also suffered a similar injury. In March 05 on a race track on my Gixxer 1000 had a low-side, did a slow-mo tumble down the track (@ 100 kph!) Broke off the ball at end of humerus, AND (my emphasis) the detached ball (inside rotator cuff) was broken into 4 pieces. Ouch. My surgeon (top guy at UCLA, treats LA Lakers, #1 sports medicine dude) says: "No surgery". I go "no way, I want titanium pin, surgery tomorrow, etc." He says: "If I operate, your recovery time will be TRIPLED. You want me to cut through your ROTATOR CUFF?!!!!?" Then he showed me an anatomy chart...
Got second opinion. Dr. #2 said same thing. Sometimes not operating and throwing money at a problem can be the best solution. I have a very slightly diminished mobility as far as reaching far back down my back with my left arm; other than that fine. All with no surgery. The body has a remarkable ability to heal itself.
Con Mucho Gusto,
Marcos

mcgriffith · Posted: 20.02.2007, 06:20 Post subject:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Big & Tall
 David,

i guess I know who'll be a constant companion for me across the bar now , eh?

Sorry to see you in pieces.

The important question now...is it the right or left arm? If it's the left arm at least you can be mobile on an automatic scooter for getting around.

Hats of to Snail for getting you back to the snuggling bosom of the HGL G/F singer.

We of course want to see all the incriminating photos from Silverhawk.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I happened to be on thaivisa.com; there was a (heated) discussion about Chiang Mai Ram 1 Hospital. David posted re: his treatment there; mentioned it was his LEFT arm (my emphasis). Great luck- auto scooter enabled. When I broke my left arm 2 yrs ago, I owned a (left-hand drive) VW Jetta GLS 5 speed. Became quite adept at steering with my knee whilst double-clutching/speed shifting...For right hand drive here somewhat problematic...

PICO-PICO · Posted: 20.02.2007, 06:41 Post subject:

Perhaps, Marcus, the specialist would have given the samesame opinion not to operate if, yes if I hadnt been so stupidly idiodic. Didnt tell, that for that shooting I had 6 models flown to Spain at my own expenses and the broken shoulder happened on day 1 of a one week shooting. Sh.....
When I went to the hospital, no pain, still in schock, Doc told me operation was needed. OK, next day operation. Day 2 I had myself released against of course signing a waiver and did my one week shoot with 1 hand. climbing on the gas tank of Palma de Mallorca. 'Great pics !, really great, but the screws in my shoulder didnt last long enough..........

www.pico-pico.de

AK47wildwacko · Posted: 20.02.2007, 07:50 Post subject:

get well soon dave, id offer you my recovery dvd player and collection of eastern european classics but im sure youve already got them all, im off on a 3 day dirt ride tommorow and if my record is anything to go by then ill probably see you at doctor sudhee's surgery soon, if not hope we can catch up when we get back from pai.

mcgriffith · Posted: 20.02.2007, 07:51 Post subject:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PICO-PICO
 Perhaps, Marcus, the specialist would have given the samesame opinion not to operate if, yes if I hadnt been so stupidly idiodic. Didnt tell, that for that shooting I had 6 models flown to Spain at my own expenses and the broken shoulder happened on day 1 of a one week shooting. Sh.....
When I went to the hospital, no pain, still in schock, Doc told me operation was needed. OK, next day operation. Day 2 I had myself released against of course signing a waiver and did my one week shoot with 1 hand. climbing on the gas tank of Palma de Mallorca. 'Great pics !, really great, but the screws in my shoulder didnt last long enough..........

www.pico-pico.de
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
That's a major bummer. All you can do is work with what you have left- one good arm, 2 legs, and an excellent brain! I checked out your website and portfolio- you are a very talented artist!
Here's wishing David a speedy recovery, and a good medical treatment.
[8D]

Tom Forde · Posted: 20.02.2007, 12:35 Post subject:

Bloody hell Dave, you get yourself into some strife, hope it wasn't your drinkin arm.
All the best for a speedy recovery.
Any serious damage to the old Africa Queen?
See you sometime this year.
Cheers
Tom

mikerust · Posted: 20.02.2007, 16:24 Post subject:

My commiserations to all with present or past equilibrium problems.
At the risk of being humerus [ Very Happy

] you guys are sure on the right forum. If you went to www.gtriders.com you would have a whole heap of other stories to tell.
[img]http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s170/mikerust/index.gif[/img]
[img]http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s170/mikerust/index.jpg[/img]

There but for the grace of god..........

anon · Cyclist Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 15

Sorry to hear about your spill and the pain.Heard a story from an English girl yesterday.It is not about bikes but it might take your mind off your arm.Anyway she was watching a rugby match in England and one player got hit so hard he dislocated his pelvis.A medic ran on and popped the joint back but the poor player then started to really scream.Seems one of his crown jewels was stuck in the joint.

SilverhawkUSA · Posted: 21.02.2007, 00:51 Post subject:

Sorry guys, you are going to have to wait a little while for the much anticipated photos of Davidfl and what they referred to as a "hospital".

Just home from Hongsa myself and still cleaning dust out of every crevise in the motorcycle and my body. I do have to hand it to David. He was just getting up as I came around the corner. The first thing he did was get his camera and start lining up a shot, one handed. As you can see above I was not yet off my bike and he was shooting. I shouted "Are you OK" as I assumed no problem when I saw him with the camera. After an initial, "My arm hurts a little" it became much more descriptive language describing how much his arm hurt, as it hung limply at his side.

This trip had more drama and events than any other David and I have done together. Reports forthcoming.......

Peter Hooper · Posted: 21.02.2007, 02:27 Post subject:

Looking forward to the reports and wish you a speedy recovery.
It always amazes me after all the life threatening situations one encounters in that much motorcycling that such a seemingly innocuous situation is often our undoing.
Get well soon,
Cheers, Peter