My OG mend has started.

[NorCalBusa]

Before buying, I'd want to see a few pairs after Low, Medium, and High speed crashes.

 

[budman]

The A-star sneaks look cool. Questionable protection though?

Totally agree on both points.
I am going to do a Cycle Gear fly by tomorrow and see what they may have on hand to look at. Hope to see a pair of these. but leaning towards the short boots in the first pic.

Choose the ones that are easies to put on and off? Maybe there is a middle height version with a bit more protection? Or perhaps modify one of your old pairs(cut out and resew leather around hardware)?

You give me too much credit on doing shit myself.

But yeah a middle weight version might be around.

 

[budman]

Before buying, I'd want to see a few pairs after Low, Medium, and High speed crashes.

I hear that but where do you get to do that?

 

[NorCalBusa]

I hear that but where do you get to do that?

I'd start with the manufacturers, though I doubt their attorney will let them release shit. If they are super new models there won't be many stories out there. Hmm, if only there was a webpage that did motorcycle gear failure analysis using a reasonable method...

Decades ago, there was a huge company in Menlo Park- 101/Marsh SE side of 101 that did and was named just that. I want to say they changed the name, but they rocked if for a very long time. I doubt shoes was in their inventory...high ticket stuff I'm sure. Found it w/new name Exponenet; https://www.exponent.com/offices/menlo-park

I think they need a new HQ lobby and exec offices!

Well-Known Investigations

Learn about scientific and engineering investigations that have made headline news and gone down in history.

www.exponent.com

 

[easy wind]

lol, gotcha. Since that hardware more than likely isn’t going anywhere, at least any time soon (some has to be taken out occasionally after a couple years like my ankle hardwired friend) and shoes don’t break in, only feet do…trial modification of any old boots that may have survived purge city is worth a $200 for unwanted shorties try. That hardware can and sometimes does poke through the skin with outside pressure.
Now perhaps ask for help from any willing participant. Mebbe start with putting on the old boot, take a sharpie and mark out the problem area? Sharp shears or exacto backed by wood and cut it out. Super glue any layers at the edge. Old boots ride again. If it works find a shoe repair person to do the nice ones properly and elastic can be inserted in the void.

 

[ThumperX]

I hear that but where do you get to do that?

We have several insurance folk here. Put out the call for a moto specific adjuster. My knowledge is too old to contribute but I saw a lot of feet, ankle, and leg damage in my day.

 

[budman]

Too much work.

I know they will not be as good and I will ride with more risk of ankle / lower leg injury. Just have to decide to accept that or not.

Dumb ass kid me would have loved those AStar tennis shoes. Major safety upgrade there.

 

[ThumperX]

Probably biggest threats are rocks to the shin or peg puncture to the calf.

 

[budman]

True. Going to take some extra risk for a couple months. I will probably then sell them.




Tried on a bunch. These are pretty light compared to most and probably 1/4 or more of my standard AStars

 

[tuxumino]

I've been rocking some Revit Mission shorty boots, they're not race/sportbike level protection but they a lot easier to walk in.

 

[budman]

Another Rally had. No lightweight boot worn.
Mrs Budman nixed them as unsafe compared to real boots. I had to agree really. Returning tomorrow or Tuesday.

I took it easy at the gym and skipped the day before to help save some strength.

I launched Thursday riding solo to Ft Bragg.
Nice ride 220 miles and about 5 hours. I felt fine on arrival and soon a few friends joined me. Lonster, KTM Russ, Go Go, Planegray and Norcal Factory made leaving early pretty cool.

We got a Taxi to the Restaurant as I did not want to walk to the Noyo Harbor Bistro. I was going to ride but Go Go found Rex and his Suburban.

Dinner was excellent.


The next morning Atoyf joined us and we rode up 1 and over to Leggit in a sort of high fog participation. It took the sporting fun away sort of but it was still fun.

We hit the Eel River Brewing Company in Fortuna for lunch and then rolled 36 to 3 to 299 to Weaverville in nice weather and some smiles were had.

About another 240 miles and 6 hours. I was tired and I could tell the leg was weakened but not as much as it was in Mariposa.

Lonster and his Wife Robin were kind enough to drive me to dinner. Again minimized the walking to try to keep the leg in order.

Spent Saturday hanging out chilling by the pool with friends. I was a good boy too not doing any alcohol. That changed with dinner as I had one cocktail and two beers.

Today was a long ride. Just shy of 300 miles thanks to the direct route. 299 - 5 - 80 - 680 - 17 etc. mean dad joined me and we got an early start and of course saw some deer on 299 while cruising in the early AM sunshine. It was a chilly 53 degrees but 71 by the time we hit 5.

Really did not warrant being as tired as I am. Mrs said I look spent. Did not eat a big meal and retired to the bedroom to relax and bury the shoulder and leg in Bengay.

Shoulder hurts. Leg is tired. Overall I feel like it took more out of me than usual. Proof I am still working my way back.

Super fun to ride and spend some moments just feeling normal while feeling the flow.



We’ll see how the gym goes this week and a PT check in on Friday might highlight some impact I am not aware of.

 

[Lonster]

Thanks for toughing it out. This shows that you had a plan, worked hard for 7 months, and twice now have answered the question of whether or not you are physically capable of riding long distances to attend rallies.
And we're all glad that you did.

 

[NorCalBusa]

I was concerned not seeing scotch or bourbon at the dinner table. Boggled the mind (what's left of it). I think pushing reasonable limits is needed in recovery, minor pain tells us its working. Should we start a betting pool on when you're "healed"? Winner get a free pair of used ear plugs!

 

[CDONA]

That contest would be hard to determine a winner,
for me, it was hard to notice, just when the pain stopped, , ,
I was still grittin' my teeth, carrying my cane, that weekend.
Not the following week.

 

[tuxumino]

I had a collapsible cane in my luggage just in case. didn't need it, thankfully.
Good to see @budman poolside and moving fairly unconstrained.

 

[budman]

Today was my first PT session in 3 weeks. A couple things of note:
1. My quad needs more stretching. She noted it is keeping the leg from making more progress in bending.

2. She showed me a different sort of bending stretch to add to try to work the bend while the quad is still a fricking rock. Guess I need to do the face down / strap pull quad stretch. I will add that tonight.

3. Also one new core strengthening exercise. Laying on my side and extending the upper body up with the arm and doing hip raises. It goes right to the bootie spot which remains just a little tender.

4. The basic leg stretch which is bringing your heel towards the opposite knee was the best ever at 28 degrees. That was a bit of a surprise actually given the long moto ride and two solid leg days at the gym this week.

5. I actually got down on the floor and back up for the first time since I broke the fucker. It is challenging because of the fake knee but it went AOK. That is a happy spot as now I feel fine about getting down on the floor at the gym. It would be old man embarrassing to not be able to get up at the gym.

6. She said I only have two sessions left and I told her "You know me... I am making progress. The check ins with you are valuable to judge progress and adding new stuff as I get stronger is valued".
She noted that I said all the magic words and continue to show progress so PT will be extended. I am well beyond that most people will get from Medicare and that is because I am working it and making progress and that is the ONLY way it can be extended. It will stretch out to once every 3 weeks instead of two, but that is fine. Time flies!!

 

[Lonster]

"4. The basic leg stretch which is bringing your heel towards the opposite knee was the best ever at 28 degrees. That was a bit of a surprise actually given the long moto ride and two solid leg days at the gym this week."

See..., riding a motorcycle is good for whatever ails you. Ride more, get better.

Dr. Lonsterknowsall.com