Ok so I know some of you are really sick of seeing me post stuff about my bike. But guess what guys? I'm just way too excited about it still, to no post! Guys, I bought a motorcycle. Just let that sink in for a sec... Could anyone imagine I would do such a thing? I coudn't until recently. Jer introduced me to riding last summer, and I fell in love with it. It's super freeing and fun and scary. It's a challenge to overcome and you can always improve. My new favorite saying is "If you ain't crashing, you ain't learning." I crash a lot.
Anyway, this is Pancake, my beautiful Kawasaki 250f. She's an 2004. I love her. This is the day I purchased her. Now now now, before we get too carried away, and think Nichole is crazy and just went out and bought any old motorcycle she pleased, you're wrong. I had my trusty mechanic Jeremy come along with me to test out the bike before I bought it. Since, lets be honest, I know nothing about the mechanics of a bike. Except good news, I'm learning. I now kinda know how to change my oil filter, put the coolant stuff in it, fill it up with gas (as long as my gas can works), screw in the screws, and stuff like that. Hey, I'm practically an expert! ;)
So Jer is kind enough to let me borrow all his spare gear when we go riding. So maybe I didn't think that part through when I bought the bike... But, I now have my own knee guards, elbow guards, and a really big jersey. So hey, I'm getting there. I am also accepting donations.
I think this was my first ride on Pancake ever. We went up Pole Haven. It was so great to ride my own bike and not be worried about breaking someone else's.
Brock was even able to come with us on a ride. He rode Jer's cute little 100. I called my bike Mamacakes and Brocks bike babycakes on that ride. Cute huh? Side note, Brock freaking rocked! This was his first legitimate motorcycle ride and he was amazing! I was a little put out on how well he did because I did horrible my very first ride. But hey I gotta hand it to him, he has no fear. But I'm still cooler than him ;)
This is one of our more recent rides. Do you like my flowing hair? I do. I wore a bandanna under my helmet and it sure did help the frizz factor.
Look at me and Jade! She came riding with us too! I wish I was as good as her! Pink and Blue power rangers baby! She is so beautiful. Love my Jadey!
This is just another selfie of Pancake.
Wanna hear about my some of my crashes? Ok. Well one time we were out on the west side of Utah lake and I was going into this corner. But I got a little nervous and went up on the berm and hit my front brake to hard so I crashed. Except I whipped my head into the ground and I'm pretty sure I got a minor concussion from that. Helmets rule people.
Another one, is actually when I went on the ride with Brock. He was doing really well and was ahead of me so I was going fast to catch up with him. I went into a corner too fast and crashed and sprained my thumb. That was probably the most painful crash. My thumb is still not what is should be, but it's getting better.
The most recent crash is when I was going really fast on this dirt road. But bad news, I didn't see the little baby woops ahead, so I hit those lost my balance and crashed. I made a dirt mushroom cloud on that one. I just got this gash thing on my leg but good news, my dad has duoderm and it healed up quite nicely.
Good thing I wear all of my protective gear, right?
Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!
Nichole-xoxo
This is the song I'm obsessed with right now. Enjoy!
Disclaimer, I'm a really sporadic blogger. So, I'm going to catch you guys up on a few things. I shall start with this post being about my dads bike crash he had a little while ago. First off, we should all remember that my dad had a full knee replacement surgery in February I believe. So he was just feeling good and getting into his biking again. Second off, we should know that my dad has been known to say "One day when I' m 70 I'm going to be riding on my bike and someone is going to be texting and take me out." Comforting, eh?
So I was at work on a Friday when my dad left work a little bit early to go on a bike ride. Since it was a Friday there were very few people at the office, so it wasn't too busy. About an hour and a half after my dad left, I get a call from my mom and right off the bat she says "Did you hear what happened to dad?!" Initial reaction, my heart sank somewhere down to my feet, second, that love phrase my dad loves to say went racing through my mind. A million things were going through my mind. I said "No, is he ok?" my mom then proceeded to tell my that my dad had been in a bike accident and the ambulance had to be called. She was at Costco buying my dad his birthday present when she got the call from Mason who got the call from our home teacher, who was on the ride with my dad. Through the game of telephone, not much information was related. I hung up with my mom and immediately went to find our home teachers number so I could call him and get more accurate information. Meanwhile, the tears are already flowing for me. I was able to look up Ryan's number and give him a call. He told my they were all riding in a pace line and the guy in front accidentally hit a pot hole of some sort and went down, which made my dad basically t-bone him since he was right behind the guy. This launched him in the air and he came down on his head and shoulder and landed on his back. He told me that he thought something was wrong with my dads back and blood was coming out of both ears. All I knew was when blood comes out of the ears in the movies, things aren't good. I started to lose it on the phone. But Ryan told me everything was going to be ok, but to bring consecrated oil when I came down to the hospital in Payson. I hung up and called my mom back and told her what I had found out. After that I was in a mad scramble to find some oil. Finally I gave up and called Jeremy and asked him if he had any since his office is right off the Springville exit. He was able to find some, and I blazed a trail to go and grab it and then continue on to the hospital. Let me tell you, that was the longest drive of my life. I felt like everyone was obeying the speed limit and it was driving me nuts. I was able to stop off grab the oil then continue down to the hospital. I was crying the whole way down, imagining my life without my dad. Let me tell you, it was one of the worst things to experience. I needed to see/hear my dad before I could be comforted that he was going to be alright.
I finally, finally, FINALLY was able to get to the hospital where I met up with my mom and some of the guys on my dads ride. I was so relieved to have been told that my dad was talking and being his stubborn self. I remember just hugging my mom and crying with the sweet sweet relief. I wasn't able to see my dad at the Payson hospital because he was transferred to the Provo hospital right when I got there. They wanted to life flight him, but my dad being stubborn told them no way Jose! Because it would take the same amount of time whether to be flown or driven.
So we all got to the Provo hospital where my dad got stitched up in the ER and put on a lot of pain meds. Are we ready for the injury count?
Not too shabby for one wreck, huh?
The guy who went down in front of him had a separated shoulder as well as a concussion and major road rash. Luckily for us, everyone was going to be ok. My dad had to spend his birthday in the hospital, which was pretty unlucky. But after five days in there, he was able to be released! Wahoo! Recovery is going pretty well, in fact, he has actually been on his bike a few times. You can't stop and Ironman. All I know is, I sure do love my dad. With all my heart, and I'm glad he's ok. I am also so grateful of all the concerned family and friends who were willing to drop anything in our time of need. Our home teacher, Ryan especially went above and beyond taking care of us. As well as Ryan Fish, Kyle Marshall, Rob Franks, and everyone else I'm missing. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Nice stitching job, Trauma Tom!
Pain meds and stitches.
Ryan and Ryan stopping by for a visit.
Kyle stopping by to see my dad.
They're pretty worn out.
True brotherhood.
Grandpa talking with my dad.
Grandma taking care of my dad. So great.
My favorite aunt Dawn!
Love.
Reading Jechelles hilarious poem she wrote my dad on Fbook. He was trying not to laugh because it hurt his ribs. Classic.
