Get better soon.

November 10, 2008 9:38 PM

Long time Mefite Ynoxas had a motorcycle wreck this weekend. He is doing alright but is banged up pretty bad. Just wanted to give the community a chance to wish him well.

He was taking a ride on Saturday and got behind a tractor, the fellow driving motioned with his left arm, and Ynoxas thought he was waving him on. It turned out the guy was turning into a field and Ynoxas clipped the front of the tractor at a good clip. He was thrown about 30 feet and got banged up bad, but no broken bones. He's resting up at home now. I got a call from his wife Sunday to tell me what was going on. Just thought I'd pass it on.

posted by nola to MetaFilter-related at 9:38 PM (99 comments total)

Wow. Get better soon, ynoxas. Glad to know you're OK.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 9:42 PM on November 10, 2008

Aw, hell, I'm so sorry to hear that. Hope you mend up ASAP, Ynoxas. Wishing you all the best.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:57 PM on November 10, 2008

well wishes, ynoxas.
posted by ms.jones at 10:17 PM on November 10, 2008

Sorry to hear. Feel well soon, man.
posted by heyho at 10:25 PM on November 10, 2008

Rest well ya old lug.
posted by netbros at 10:26 PM on November 10, 2008

Lucky man. Hope you bounce back quickly.
posted by Burhanistan at 10:27 PM on November 10, 2008

That can't be fun. Feel butter, man.
posted by cortex at 10:29 PM on November 10, 2008

Ouch. Hope you feel better soon, ynoxas.

huh huh huh Burhanistan said "bounce" huh huh huh
posted by BitterOldPunk at 10:36 PM on November 10, 2008 [2 favorites]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
posted by Lynsey at 10:51 PM on November 10, 2008

Ow, damn, dude. Heal up quick, and correctly.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 10:51 PM on November 10, 2008

Yikes Ynoxas! Glad you are in one piece and on the mend.
posted by YoBananaBoy at 11:46 PM on November 10, 2008

Ouch. I've been on the wrong end of a few dirt bike and motorcycle accidents. I wish Ynoxas the speediest of recoveries and, since he didn't break anything, that any road rash heals fast.

If you do have any road rash, watch out for hot water in the shower, it'll kill you!
posted by empyrean at 11:47 PM on November 10, 2008

Farmers: Threat or menace? Get well soon, sunshine!
posted by Jofus at 12:18 AM on November 11, 2008

Wow, alive & no broken bones, you're a lucky man Ynoxas, and I'm so glad! Get well soon, but in the mean time enjoy all the affection & catering to I imagine you'll be receiving :)
posted by zarah at 12:42 AM on November 11, 2008

Shit. I've had a couple of close calls on my bike, so this kind of story gives me the shivers.

Glad you're pulling through, Ynoxas. Hang in there.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:51 AM on November 11, 2008

Best wishes, Ynoxas.
posted by juv3nal at 12:52 AM on November 11, 2008

Hope you feel better soon. Lesson learned: NEVER TRUST A TRACTOR!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:54 AM on November 11, 2008

If you do have any road rash, watch out for hot water in the shower, it'll kill you!

Don't be silly. He lives in Tennessee: they don't have hot running water down there!

*ducks*

You do need to be careful not to spill any moonshine on it, though, Ynoxas.

*runs*
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:44 AM on November 11, 2008

Hope to see you back and posting soon.
posted by GooseOnTheLoose at 2:13 AM on November 11, 2008

so you get to hang out here all day? sounds alright.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:20 AM on November 11, 2008

Will those tractors never learn? First they signal, then they turn.

Better luck next time keeping the shiny side up and the greasy side down!
posted by ottereroticist at 2:41 AM on November 11, 2008 [1 favorite]

Wishing you a speedy and full recovery. Come back soon!
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:30 AM on November 11, 2008

Ooof. Get better, man.
posted by Stewriffic at 3:53 AM on November 11, 2008

Bike accidents suck. Hope you get better soon.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 4:00 AM on November 11, 2008

Get well soon Ynoxas; glad we didn't have to add you here.
posted by Mitheral at 4:02 AM on November 11, 2008

This just proves my motorcycling maxim: When in doubt, jump it.

Get back out there, man, and keep the rubber side down.
posted by Eideteker at 4:20 AM on November 11, 2008

Hey, no fair, where was my callout when I hit a dog on my scooter three weeks ago and got laid up with some broken ribs and a broken clavicle?

*de-friends everyone on contact list*

/coat-tail riding
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 4:25 AM on November 11, 2008

er, you hit a dog.

presumably, after two or three whiskey sodas.
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:34 AM on November 11, 2008 [2 favorites]

also: woah, broken ribs suck arse. i've had them a couple of times. no, three.
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:35 AM on November 11, 2008

Yeouch. Wishing you a speedy recovery, man.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 4:40 AM on November 11, 2008

Lucky man. Hope you bounce back quickly.

Dude! Don't tell a guy who got thrown from his bike to bounce anywhere! He already did that!

Too soon? Nah, this is MetaFilter!

Get well soon, Ynoxas.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 4:43 AM on November 11, 2008

OW. Here's to a speedy recovery, Ynoxas.
posted by goshling at 4:54 AM on November 11, 2008

All the best, Ynoxas - th' paved ocean can be rough, but you've got stronger mettle.
posted by Smart Dalek at 4:59 AM on November 11, 2008

Hope you feel much better soon. Quick recovery vibes going your way.

Um, how's the bike? Probably not too well either? Best wishes to a quick repair!
posted by mightshould at 5:04 AM on November 11, 2008

Aww, man. That's scary stuff. Here's hoping you get well soon.
posted by orthogonality at 5:30 AM on November 11, 2008

Gett better soon Ynoxas! Hope someone is spoiling you.
posted by jamesonandwater at 5:54 AM on November 11, 2008

I am glad it wasn't much worse. Heal well Ynoxas.
posted by jessamyn at 6:08 AM on November 11, 2008

glad you're resting at home, and not in peace, but that sucks, dude. heal up quick!
posted by msconduct at 6:13 AM on November 11, 2008

Dude, that sucks. Trust me (I'm nursing a shattered patella right now due to a scooter vs. car accident on the 30th) that it could have been way, way worse. I won't say that "no broken bones" will be easy to recover from, but being able to move and bend all your limbs in an independent fashion, and being able to get to the bathroom by yourself, take a shower, get yourself a cup of water if you need to ... these are all things that we take too much for granted.
posted by anastasiav at 6:41 AM on November 11, 2008

Ow, that sounds painful and super scary. Glad you are on the mend. Get better soon!
/Hands Ynoxas some Purified Water and a box of Cram.

(It was the first thing that crossed my mind. Fallout 3 has me in its claws and won't let go. Sry...)
posted by gemmy at 6:46 AM on November 11, 2008

Tailwinds, brother.
posted by notsnot at 6:51 AM on November 11, 2008

Best wishes Ynoxas!


and you too anastasiav.
posted by dog food sugar at 6:57 AM on November 11, 2008

Best wishes, get well soon!
posted by Afroblanco at 7:15 AM on November 11, 2008

Thrown 30 feet with no broken bones? This is where I accuse Ynoxas of being a superhero with a rubber and/ or Adamantium skeleton.

And this is where I wish him the best and hope he gets well soon.



And here is where I tell people to stop getting into motorcycle accidents! I want to get one again, and all this crashing into stuff is freaking me out, damn it!
posted by quin at 7:23 AM on November 11, 2008

Get better, and let us know how you're doing when you get a chance.
posted by languagehat at 7:33 AM on November 11, 2008

You know how you rub alcohol on your skin (that’s not road rashed) and it feels cool and good? Same thing if you put it on the inside. Perhaps in a lager or even porter form.
Get well soon.
posted by Smedleyman at 7:39 AM on November 11, 2008 [1 favorite]

Get better soon, Ynoxas!
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 8:09 AM on November 11, 2008

This is where I accuse Ynoxas of being a superhero with a rubber and/ or Adamantium skeleton.

Dude's a literal Viking. Damn.

All the best, and wishes for a speedy recovery.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:14 AM on November 11, 2008

Ynoxas & Anastasia, take care of yourselves.
posted by theora55 at 8:15 AM on November 11, 2008

Best wishes and get well soon.
posted by Quietgal at 9:10 AM on November 11, 2008

Now you can catch up on all that reading and masturbating you've been wanting to do! Turn your recovery into a recover-me!

(Get well soon!)
posted by klangklangston at 9:38 AM on November 11, 2008

Sorry, man! Feel better.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:05 AM on November 11, 2008

30 feet! Yikes! I'm glad you're (more or less) okay, Ynoxas. Take care.

You too, anastasiav.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 10:36 AM on November 11, 2008

Hello everyone, thank you very much for the warm wishes.

I was wearing an armored jacket, gloves, lined pants, full face helmet and sturdy hiking shoes. I have no doubt that the equipment made things 90% better than they would have been without.

Just got back from the orthopod and he says I have a sprained ankle, a broken rib, and maybe a torn ligament in my wrist, getting an MRI done Thursday. The road shredded my right shoelaces off so that shoe got thrown off of me, so I have a purple/black big toe.

But, I am profoundly lucky it was not more severe.

First serious accident I've ever been in, first time on pain killers. They're... different.

Sorry to hear of your accident anastasiav. I hope you're feeling better.

The EMTs and everyone did a great job. I felt I was in capable hands the whole time.

So, nothing serious, just a LOT of pain. Much more than I would have ever expected given the lack of injuries. But, most of my joints got hyper-extended during my barrel-roll down the asphalt, so most everything is popping and creaking every time I move.

Thanks again everyone.

Also, I want to say in retrospect, it is clear the tractor was signaling to turn, but there were no roads or driveways, and I have passed literally 100 tractors this way before. I don't blame him, he signaled properly, I just misinterpreted.
posted by Ynoxas at 11:29 AM on November 11, 2008

Jeez, a motocycle accident. Those are pretty rough. Feel better soon!
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:32 AM on November 11, 2008

Glad you stayed intact and functioning, man. Hope you're healed and back on your bike soon.
posted by ardgedee at 11:33 AM on November 11, 2008

OMG, Ynoxas is married?

It happens to the best of us.
posted by Sparx at 11:39 AM on November 11, 2008

Do you need ALL of those painkillers?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:43 AM on November 11, 2008

.Ynoxas, noos llew teg
posted by kuujjuarapik at 11:55 AM on November 11, 2008 [2 favorites]

Good wishes for a speedy recovery for all 3 of you, and the dog.
posted by scottymac at 12:08 PM on November 11, 2008

Glad to hear it's nothing life-threatening but sorry to hear about the pain you're in. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
posted by lysistrata at 12:26 PM on November 11, 2008

All best to you, those people noted in this thread who have all gotten into accidents recently and are now making me rethink my getting a scooter idea except that I really want one oh well maybe I'll get an old Opel GT instead or a small bicycle, the size that a monkey might ride
posted by davejay at 12:27 PM on November 11, 2008

Good on you for being prepared (with the gear). I hope you're feeling better soon, but not too soon as the painkillers might make for some really interesting comments. :)
posted by desjardins at 12:48 PM on November 11, 2008

and are now making me rethink my getting a scooter idea except that I really want one oh well maybe I'll get an old Opel GT instead or a small bicycle, the size that a monkey might ride

Get the scooter. Even with the accident (given the situation I would have likely been injured even if I'd been in a car) I still think its the best purchase I ever made. Can't wait for spring so I can ride again.....
posted by anastasiav at 1:14 PM on November 11, 2008

Ynoxas has been telling me for years to stop wearing a skid lid, and put on a full face helmet. I don't know if I can ever learn my lesson, but I'm sure glad he wears the good gear. Get better soon dude.
posted by nola at 1:17 PM on November 11, 2008

Best wishes anastasiav and Yonxas.
posted by Kwine at 1:36 PM on November 11, 2008

Best use of the 'Motorcyle' tag EVAR.
posted by chlorus at 1:45 PM on November 11, 2008

I hope you get all healed up soon.
posted by sperose at 1:57 PM on November 11, 2008

Take care, bro. Glad to hear it isn't as bad as it could have been. Yikes, cycle accidents scare me.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 2:00 PM on November 11, 2008

Ynoxas has been telling me for years to stop wearing a skid lid, and put on a full face helmet. I don't know if I can ever learn my lesson, but I'm sure glad he wears the good gear.

I know someone who got in a NASTY crash wearing one of those "skid lids" and he now has the mental capacity of an 11 year old and partial paralysis on 1/2 of his body. Just get a better helmet, ok?

Ynoxas - I'm glad to hear you made it through! Get well soon.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 2:14 PM on November 11, 2008 [1 favorite]

Get better soon!
posted by gomichild at 2:43 PM on November 11, 2008

best of luck with the MRI, and pace yourself on the pills.
glad you're not worse off, this helps to stoke my paranoia while riding in the city.

rest up!
posted by Busithoth at 3:05 PM on November 11, 2008

30 feet and no broken bones?! Wanna go to Vegas?

Take it easy and take care of yourself.
posted by deborah at 3:21 PM on November 11, 2008

Ynoxas- glad to hear things are not worse than they could have been. Heal quick & keep the shiny side up.

To those other MeFi motorcyclists or people who know motorcyclists, this is yet another real-life story as to why ATTGATT (All the Gear All the Time) is so important.
posted by gen at 3:29 PM on November 11, 2008

Any motorcycle collision that doesn't end in death or mangling is a good collision. Glad to hear it wasn't tragic.
posted by five fresh fish at 3:55 PM on November 11, 2008

I was wearing an armored jacket, gloves, lined pants, full face helmet and sturdy hiking shoes.

Time to purchase boots. They don't pull off so easily, and the armored ankle protection and additional shin protection are Good Things.

I made two commitments when I got into riding: full, quality gear all the time; and MSF riding lessons. It was money well invested, IMO.
posted by five fresh fish at 4:01 PM on November 11, 2008

Ynoxas is a good egg, hope he feels better and is back to being the Terror Of Highway 101 soon.
posted by jonmc at 4:52 PM on November 11, 2008

Hope you are feeling better soon!
posted by mkim at 5:14 PM on November 11, 2008

Speedy recovery!
posted by not_on_display at 5:27 PM on November 11, 2008

'Whew. Glad to hear it wasn't more serious, and I hope you feel better soon.

I just finished a show where I was the tech-head for the lighting crew, and a simple partial injury count included two severely sprained ankles (both members of my crew) and a badly dislocated shoulder (my roommate). Having never suffered a serious injury myself, I was amazed with the ability of everyone involved to keep their focus on the production rather than on their own searing pain (my roommate even managed to remove his costume before going to the hospital for fear that they would cut it off and destroy it there if he didn't.)

Long point short: Ynoxas, you're my hero for the day. That was an easy misinterpretation to make, and you were careful about wearing the correct gear.

Here's hoping you feel better soon.
posted by Navelgazer at 5:33 PM on November 11, 2008

Hope you feel better soon. I laid down a dirt bike on a gravel road in my younger stupid days. Shorts and haltertop...OUCH!!!
posted by bjgeiger at 5:39 PM on November 11, 2008

five fresh fish: I actually agree with you and have 2 pairs of motorcycle boots. On this occasion I was wearing the hiking shoes. I wear the boots literally 90% of the time or more. And to be honest I don't even know why I didn't put the boots on that day. I wasn't in a hurry or anything. It was obviously a bad decision.

I also am a disciple of the MSF courses.

Anyone in this thread at all interested in riding, or who have been riding but feel they need to brush up their skills (which means everyone) should pay a visit to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and find a class near them.
posted by Ynoxas at 6:16 PM on November 11, 2008

So how'd the gear fare in all this? What parts were important in saving your hide, and what parts got damaged?
posted by five fresh fish at 6:50 PM on November 11, 2008

I'm glad you're okay, Ynoxas! Wishing you a swift and minimally painful recovery.
posted by Pope Guilty at 1:59 AM on November 12, 2008

Thanks again for the warm wishes everyone. It really does mean a lot.

fff: The bike was a 2008 Kawasaki Concours 1400, insurance adjuster was not sure as of yesterday if it is totaled or not.

The helmet was a Caberg modular (flip-up) helmet. I had it in the locked closed position. It had some scarring on the side and across the front visor. I had no head or neck pain at all, and think the helmet performed fantastically. As you know, helmets are a "use once" device... once they experience a crash or impact, they are no longer any good.

The jacket was a Firstgear leather/textile armored jacket, with a back protector, that they don't appear to make any more. The jacket was scuffed in several places and also ripped across the front chest area, I assume from the windshield. The armor pockets on the inside ripped away from the liner in the right shoulder, where the main impact occurred. I would say the jacket performed fantastically as well, although the armor ripping away would concern me for higher speed crashes. It would not be useable again.

My gloves were Joe Rocket ventilated gloves with gel palms. They had no scarring to speak of.

My pants are some sort of lined pant from J. Crew or similar. They were not scarred to any significant degree.

The shoes were some kind of hiking shoe, I forget the brand. As I said, the right one the laces were sheared off. I wish I had been wearing the boots.

The helmet, without question, was the most important part. I had no head or neck pain of any kind, no concussion, and my face is just as ugly as it was when I woke up that day, but no uglier. Full face helmets really should be mandatory. As nola said above, I've chastised him several times for wearing his little beanie helmets. And I refuse to even ride with anyone who won't wear a helmet, even if it is a helmet optional state. (Which I also strongly oppose).

As far as protection per square inch, my jacket was the star. I have no road rash at all, zero. The zipper did not fail, and basically everywhere I made contact with the street there was armor strategically placed.

In the very hot summer, I have some mesh armored jackets, but I sometimes have ridden with no jacket at all. After this, I don't think I'd be able to do that again. I think a mesh armored jacket is a minimum requirement.

Gloves I always wear hot or cold, because almost any crash, even a low speed tip over, will usually result in road rash to the hands. I also think gloves are just more comfortable... no sweaty palms to lose grip on the throttle, no sunburning, and some protection when a junebug smacks your knuckles at 70mph.
posted by Ynoxas at 6:53 AM on November 12, 2008 [1 favorite]

Yow, Ynoxas. Glad you're mostly all right. Take care of yourself. (And you too, anastasiav.)
posted by tangerine at 10:30 AM on November 12, 2008

Add me to the chorus of hope you heal fast and glad it wasn't worse. Wow.
On the positive side, now you get to go through your Bob Dylan post-motorcycle period.
posted by chococat at 10:35 AM on November 12, 2008

Wow - amazing story! So glad to hear that you're doing well. Best of luck for the rest of your recovery.
posted by jasper411 at 1:35 PM on November 12, 2008

Wow, glad you're ok dude!
posted by dejah420 at 3:06 PM on November 12, 2008

I've been there, Ynoxas. The worst part of my wipeout was that I was on my old 1972 BMW R75/5 at the time. I was bruised up pretty good, but I was more upset about the left jug getting dinged up.
posted by NoMich at 6:11 PM on November 12, 2008

Glad you're alive and functioning Ynoxas. Good on you for being savvy about protective gear.

helpful? The Impact Jacket

d30 . jackets

Hope you feel better soon.
posted by nickyskye at 7:14 PM on November 12, 2008 [1 favorite]

Followup: Bike was indeed totaled.

Insurance also "totaled" my helmet and jacket, and reimbursed me for those.

Doctor ordered a full bone scan, as I think he suspects hairline fractures in some places. Get MRI results and bone scan results tomorrow.

I'm still hurting like the dickens, much more so than I would have ever imagined. I can get out of bed by myself now which is a step up, and I've started working 1/2 days at the office.

The doc gave me pain pills that could be taken every 6 hours but I'm only taking every 12 hours, one at morning, one at night. A pain pill problem is absolutely the very last thing I need in my life.

Heard this thread mentioned in the podcast. That was both neat and gracious. Thanks.
posted by Ynoxas at 12:37 PM on November 19, 2008 [1 favorite]

Smart move, Ynoxas, to cut that pain pill dosage in half: I reckon you're suffering more right now, but in the long run I'm sure you'll be better off. And try to take it easy, man, as much as possible. Even 1/2 days of work might be... well, just try not to push yourself beyond what you can reasonably do! Wishing you a speedy recovery.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:37 PM on November 19, 2008

just try not to push yourself beyond what you can reasonably do!

If you need some pointers on how to do this, I could whip up a reasonably-priced webinar on how to maximize your inactivity.

Well, I could probably whip one up if I wasn't so lazy.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:06 PM on November 19, 2008

I recommend continuing to lay off the pain pills, a decision for which I commend you, and upping your consumption of marijuana and whiskey. It won't make you heal any faster but it will make you feel better about feeling bad.

And listen to your doctor. They went to school for that shit.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 10:32 PM on November 19, 2008

maximize your inactivity

Yes.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:25 AM on November 20, 2008

results:

3 broken ribs broken wrist arm now in cast. typing 1 handed.

boot on ankle another MRI monday

trying to setup speech in microsoft office

this sucks

thanks all :)
posted by Ynoxas at 7:39 AM on November 21, 2008

Aww, jeezis, you were banged up worse than you thought. Damn. Hang in there, Ynoxas.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:27 PM on November 21, 2008

Hey, any motorcycle accident that doesn't leave you permanently disabled is a good accident. If Ynoxas' ankle wasn't shattered, he's come out of this one pretty much on top. He's not dead and it doesn't sound like he'll be in permanent pain.

I'm glad he took the smart attitude for motorcycle sport: dressed for the unexpected crash. Because in the end, they're all unexpected.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:07 PM on November 21, 2008