A Full Plate - -  April 26, 2005

The “San Diego Wanderers” ‘a family of riders’ assembled for their regular meeting and the election of new officers. Some of us had the first ‘full plate’ at breakfast before the meeting began. The meeting minutes posted on the website will relate those happenings. As is customary, there was a ride after the meeting. These are usually “Impromptu Rides” meaning there is not a formalized or publicized ride plan or a pre-planned ‘Ride Leader’ or ‘Sweep Rider’.

Doc led out 5 motorcycles [Aaron, Rod N Rose, Mike (guest), and two trikes Carole and Nancy (glad to have Nancy back riding), Kent tagged along behind]. Doc shared a very nice route out to the beginning of Hwy 94 where we topped off the fuel tanks. There is quite a variety of “neat riding roads” near Country Choice Restaurant and Doc gifted us with a very pleasant combination… curves, hills, views, low traffic and only a few stop signs. 

Aaron on his Kawasaki led us out ‘on the road’ from the gas stop. 4 motorcycles and 2 trikes - another Kawasaki, Venture, Lehman Trike, Harley Trike, Honda ST, and Valkrye, followed him. The weather was great, the pace leisurely and we had a good chance to enjoy the bounty of San Diego motorcycle roads.

The first small interrupt came when after the passing lanes; the group has a couple of cars interspersed. A short time later, before the top of the grade dropping down to Barrets Landing, came a second interrupt.

The wail of a siren and flashing lights atop an emergency vehicle approaching from behind pulled Doc and I to the shoulder.

Interrupt 3, a minute later with emergency vehicle number 2 overtakes us. OK, heads up now there’s something ahead of us that’s likely unpleasant.

Interrupt #4, Fire Truck from behind.

Interrupt #5, Fire Truck alongside road near bottom of grade.

Interrupt #6, Two emergency vehicles with full light show and siren returning toward location of fire truck.

Aaron pulled into the parking lot at Barretts Landing giving us a pause to re-group and after some coaxing, muttering, and a loud backfire from the Harley we were soon headed east again.

Once again we enjoy light traffic and some great motorcycle road on Hwy-94 to Campo. The clouds are gathering and the overcast is now predominant but the temps are about 70 and there is no wind. It’s still great riding. Just past the creek crossing, and the old Stone Campo Store (Museum) there is a left and then a right curve onto a long straight-away. As our group is in the curve to the straight, there is a cloud of dust as an oncoming single rider leaves the pavement. Aaron proceeds to get the group off roadway in a visible, wide shoulder area. I see a rider walking about looking for pieces of shattered FJ so, pull off inside the curve and put on the ST emergency flashers. Doc has stopped in a driveway / gravel turnout area directly across from the down bike and has walked over to see the driver. I proceed down the roadway toward Campo to slow oncoming traffic while observing Doc and getting indication of not serious injury.  Rod came back to check and said the rider had a bit of road rash on one arm and a dressing would be appropriate. Did you know that you could expect skin abrasion under a jacket if you only have a T-shirt on beneath it? Long sleeve cotton is a big help to reduce skin damage. The abrasions are worse if the jacket sleeve slides up the arm. Gear protects best when it fits and is properly worn.

I got the ‘fanny pack’ with a first aid kit from the top box and made sure to collect sterile gauze pads, sterile eye wash solution, and a gauze roller bandage to protect the abrasion area from further contamination and chaffing. Note: There was no dirt, gravel or obvious embedded debris in the abrasion so a sterile solution flush, a wipe clear with non-stick 4x4 gauze pad, and placing protective pad over worst part near elbow using the roller bandage to protect and hold the pad in place was sufficient and appropriate. Rose did the honors (guys don’t usually scream as loud when a lady attends their hurts).  Maybe Doc would write up a summary of his patient approach, evaluation process, and action taken?

Aaron returned to block oncoming traffic for a minute as the downed bike was moved across the road to a safe and clear pickup point for a tow | haul vehicle.

Another sport bike rider had stopped to assist. He stayed with the rider of the damaged bike (The down rider is an EMT student, only had this bike a couple of weeks, hadn’t been riding for a while).

Is the plate full yet? No.

We again regrouped and Aaron led us on to Lake Morena for a visit, view, and butt break. There was a large crowd at the main campsite area. It looked like a ‘backpacker expo’ with an array of various tents and gear setup. A sign told visitors to stop at the Ranger Station to pay day use fees. Ours was to be a very short stop so we proceeded in to the old boat launch parking lot (still quite a distance from the low water mark) [Smooth, orderly, and professional job parking people! Wish we could always be so proud]. We chat. Mike puts in his jacket liner ‘cuz it’s cooling a bit. We continue to enjoy the view and good company. Within five minutes the Park Ranger tracked us down and nicely told us we were required to pay a fee even if we were not picnicking or camping. Since our group used ‘quick pit-stop facilities’ we gave Aaron $2 apiece to pay Ranger Rick his fees (the view alone was worth it) and suggested he try to negotiate a bit since we were so polite, unobtrusive, and only there a very short time. As Aaron is exiting the ranger station we have gathered around his machine and we make a quiet orderly exit to salutes, waves, and cameras of campground users. (Aaron had negotiated a $1 per bike fee. Extra proceeds to benefit the charity fund.) Life is good.

We headed back to the Buckman Springs road and Old Hwy 80, on through Pine Valley, Guatay, and as we took the Cuyamaca exit north on 79 Rod and Rose waved good-bye and headed home. The rest continued for about a mile when Carole pulled off to don another shirt. It had cooled a bit and the ride to Julian showing increased overcast promised more of the cooler weather. Doc gave Aaron a shout on the Chatterbox to advise of the pull off. By the time he returned Carole, Nancy and Doc had decided to ‘head for home’ too.  Guess their plate was almost full for today.

Mike returned to the pullout place just after they had departed. We took a couple of minutes to recheck our gear (During that time I noticed Mike adjusting his pant cuff more on that in a bit) and again Aaron led, with Kent in middle as Mike and Aaron had Chatterboxes working.  There had been some traffic pass and we somehow managed to pull out shortly after a slower moving vehicle with a burned out left brake light (very apparent since the driver braked in every curve). This driver was not about to let us pass even though they are going 10 mph or more below posted speed limits. Oh well it’s a nice ride today anyhow. We followed along past the big campground that’s about 3 miles south of Lake Cuyamaca and the driver would still not pull aside a bit to allow a pass. Just past the campground area I don’t see Mike behind in the mirror.  (He must have dropped back to let us get ahead so he can enjoy the curves at a bit faster pace.) In less than 30 seconds Aaron is signaling for a stop and u-turn. He pulled off in a wider shoulder area and I opted to continue on to the next side road another 1/8 mile beyond. After the u-turn and back ¼ mile or so there is Aaron pulled over on a curve, Mike’s bike is down. Mike has the helmet off and is walking around holding his left arm. Damn! Anyway I continue past, make another u-turn and return to where they are parking in a visible area that allows access for another vehicle, put the side stand down and activate the emergency flashers.

Might be a good time to:

-         Review the San Diego Wanderers website.

-         Attend Doc’s Ride leader series.

-         Update your first aid skills.

-         review the paper on ‘Accident Scene Management’ at http://www.molenda.com/accident.html - two

In some motorcycle rider training classes they use the word SEE to represent Scan, Evaluate, Execute. An accident also requires that you SEE with slightly different focus:

Secure the immediate safety of all present and all who may happen by.

Evaluate the physical and mental health of those present

Execute the action to reduce adverse impact of injury (immediate and long term)

Let’s take a moment to explore details of EVALUATE for this particular circumstance…

Aaron:

-         was on immediate alert when his helmet sounded off “I’m down!”

-         alerted Kent by hand signal and manner

-         returned safely and promptly to assist

-         parked his bike to protect Mike and his bike where they were

Mike:

-         Awww $h*t

-         Damn this shoulder hurts.

-         Hmmnnn, this is not one of my better days.

-         At least when we stopped earlier and that damn dog ran out to bite me on the leg he didn’t break the skin.

-         Maybe there is some sign here?

-         Damn this shoulder hurts.

-         How are we gonna get the bike back?

-         Hope the CHP don’t write me a ticket for this.

-         Sometimes there is more “help” than I ever wanted.

-         Damn this shoulder hurts.

Kent

-         Took a second option to make the u-turn

-         We are .3 miles past the Cuyamaca Park at the top of the hill.

-         On return surveyed the incident scene for location, access, traffic visibility, passed by, returned and parked accordingly.

-         Asked Mike and Aaron for status update (left shoulder hurt, holding arm)

-         Asked Mike to allow further examination of injury, permission granted

-         Asked Mike to sit down on rock and put arm in most comfortable position

-         Checked circulation, and nerve function by asking Mike to grip an outstretched left hand. He did. The hand was cool, the color returned to the nails soon after releasing the clasp indicating near normal circulation to extremity and major nerve and muscle function.

-         Conversation was calm. Mike had full control of his faculties and understood the situation. There was no indication of head or neck injury.

General

-         Aaron got a water bottle. (Thirst is an indicator of shock)

-         Mike did not feel faint. His shoulder hurt.

-         We slipped the riding jacket loose to examine the injury site by palpation, without removing the arm fully from the left jacket sleeve. The collarbone was intact, there was no pain with pressure applied to the collarbone, the scapula was not displaced, there was no severe displacement of the shoulder. There was tenderness at the point of the rotator cuff. No apparent bone displacements.

-         The jacket was wrapped back over the right shoulder to maintain body heat.

-         It is apparent that Mike is not going to ride any more today and that transport 2-up is not viable for many reasons. You can supply many reasons for this with the information given.

-         The cell phones had no signal (we were in a ‘pocket’ surrounded by hill and trees)

-         The bike is righted and inspection found it undamaged except for scratches and paint.

-         How to get Mike and his ride safely ‘home’.

-         No diagnosis but best suspicion is that Mike suffered a shoulder dislocation which may or may not have reseated properly.

-         Continuted monitoring indicates adequate circulation

-         There is tenderness and sign of swelling in immediate shoulder injury area.

-         Mike is uncomfortable, it hurts. He is helping us explore options of medical assist? tow truck? next step?

About 5 minutes after Mikes surprise ‘get off” there were sirens and flashing lights. Two Park Ranger vehicles arrive on site. A passing car had alerted them.

The first park pickup on scene was driven by a female ranger. She carefully parked her vehicle for visibility, and the protection of people and property and approached Mike immediately to evaluate his condition. After an almost identical survey to determine injury, She clearly stated her responsibility to advise that he accept medical assistance but was not bound to do so. A second park pickup operator brought out a medical kit. She asked to see Mike’s helmet and carefully examined it for signs of impact stating words to the effect: ‘I’ve had others say they are just fine and then keel over on me.’ I complimented her on her training and top level professional care practices.

In a few more minutes there was a CHP and ambulance ‘on scene’.

Mike, Aaron and Kent considered various action plans to get Mike in for better med. exam and get his bike home. If a friend could help with transport, it would make logistics much easier. What resources are available? Who could ride Mike’s bike back? Can someone give Mike a ride home to Oceanside? … Does Mike have any friends available right now? No.

Anyway, here is one for you. How many Wanderers could / would ride Mike’s Kawasaki sport bike? Sean (where is he today), Rob (Temecula – I don’t have his phone #), Kent (someone else could ride the ST), Joe (hard to get free on short notice and was not at meeting). Scott (at work), Jim? Anyway you see the problem here. Get a trailer? Greg? Sean? Doc? Rod?  Rent a trailer? Use Carole’s hitch cradle?

Aaron rode Mike’s bike back to the Park Visitor Center. Kent shuttled him back to the scene to pick up his bike. The CHP officer took Mike back to the Park Visitor Center. The phone had 1 bar (low signal).

Solution:

Call Rod and Rose Fleming. Maybe Rod would ride one of the bikes? Maybe Rose could bring the car and ride Mike home? Maybe they have another idea?

We called the house and they had just arrived home. A short discussion on a shaky phone link determined: We can and will assist as able. We will be there within the hour. And so it was done…

And now you might ask is the plate full yet?

Well, not quite.

Rod chose to ride Mike’s “crotch rocket”. (Why have two operators on unfamiliar machines). As we approached Cuyamaca Lake and Lodge the fog was so thick we had to slice out a piece, put it on our plate and drive through the hole. The fog cleared as we neared Sunrise Highway junction and then returned with a vengeance swirling in the wind at Pinezanita. Again we cut another slice out of that fog, added to our plate and drove through the hole to emerge in Julian. Yes, our plate was full. As we progressed to Santa Ysabel the fog thinned, the temperature rose above 55 and soon we again enjoyed the warmth of the afternoon sun.

Rod was the master of that machine. He kept the front wheel on the ground at all times. He kept the rear wheel on the ground at all times. In fact he kept both wheels on the ground all the time and didn’t allow anything else to touch down : )  I was hoping to see a smile on his face like the photo from Starks but seriousness prevailed. Rose and Mike met us at Mike’s place and the yellow (Bill E. would have approved the color) Crotch Rocket came to rest gently on the side stand in the garage.  Rose has displayed her patience and successfully herded three wayward males to the safety of hearth and home.

We are all very fortunate and offer a huge thanks to Rod and Rose for their help and assistance in time of need.  It is indeed an honor to be so rich with friends who selflessly share so much.

Thank You!

p.s.

We stopped to meet Carole for repast at Bully’s East and it really was ‘a full plate’.

p.p.s. Mike suffered a broken shoulder bone. No surgery is required but immobilization till it heals … takes everyone at least 6 weeks for bone to heal.

Addendum: Shoulder Injury info.