On Saturday, Deceember 28th, I was going to meet friends to have breakfast and take a short ride. Less than 10 minutes after leaving the house, as I was riding a road that I have ridden a thousand times, a deer, hit me on the right side. I saw this poor animal for less than a quarter of a second and the next thing I remember is being loaded into the ambulance. I was extremely fortunate in that I did not suffer serious injury. Scrapes and bruises and aches in places where I didn't know I had places, but, overall, I am in much better shape than I had any right to expect. I hit the deer at 55mph. This was the speed limit and I never had time to apply the brake. I killed the deer. And alas, I totaled my motorcycle, ruined my helmet and destroyed a set of good motorcycle boots. I had on really good gear and this likely saved my life.Anyone that thinks it is never going to happen to them, or that any helmet other that a full face one is sifficent is only kidding themselves. If you ride long enough, you are going to need the best gear you can buy. I have ridden over 52 years and never had a moving accident. This was unavoidable from my standpoint. To all of my motorcycling and bicycling friends out there take heed. ATGATT. All the gear all the time.
