Ouch!

Recently some of you may have heard that I got into a gnarly crash racing in Sturgis for
the 80th rally this year, for the rest of you this is the first time. The short story is this. The bike
got loose coming out of a corner, wanting to high side me to the mat it bucked me off my foot pegs
and into my handlebars, subsequently breaking a rib, and costing me to lose my footing.
In turn, I got my right foot caught under the frame of the bike and as it rolled over, it crushed my
foot. I broke my tibia, fibula, and crushed four metacarpals in my foot.

That night there was chatter in the pits that the track was slick, it had glazed up like a
ceramic pot far too early. I noticed this fact too in practice, and in turn, I made adjustments to
the bike. It was going to be slick racing all night and I knew this fact. Honestly, I felt really
good in practice. The bike felt dialed in and I was ready to do some battle in the ring. All
weekend I knew I’d be chasing the fast guys and not doing much in terms of finding a podium,
but that’s not where this rookie gets his bread buttered. Personally, I felt good in the idea of
running fast enough to secure a spot in the main event, and that to me, was going to be my
victory. It was the goal I set for myself that night. The deck of cards was there, and I had the
opportunity, I just didn’t get dealt that hand. In my heat race, I jumped off the line just behind
the 2 fastest guys. Tucked in behind the leaders, I was battling with a racer for 3rd spot.
Coming into turn 3 nicely, I had the inside line on him, and coming out of turn 4 I was looking to
put some distance between us. I gave the bike gas. It was too much, and it was too early. I
had found where the edge resides. Whaam!

Now, not every racer finds themself on the mat with a crushed leg. Hell, that’s
something we try to avoid at all costs, but eventually, every racer finds themselves on the mat
one way or the other, and it’s a humbling experience. It’s something we all signed up for from
the very beginning, written in plain words on the waiver form we all sign every night when
entering the pits. An accepted consequence in the search for the fastest line. In this sport its
a harsh reality, but that is exactly where the magic lies. When we can dance elegantly right on a
fine line, on the edge of control, in the exact moment of crazy, and that is where I feel most
alive.

Doc says I have a solid 4 months wearing a boot and an uphill battle with rehab and
physical therapy. The break was compound. Broke the skin just below the ankle and I was at
risk of infection. Thankfully, it didn’t get infected. I received a long rod in my leg the length of
my shin with screws and a pin in my foot holding the crushed metacarpals together while they
heal.

Do I regret it? Not for a second! I learned a valuable lesson. Nobody wants to get hurt,
that’s not our plan. It is what you do in these moments of adversity and how you react when
you’re down that builds the most character. The struggle is only going to make the victory that
much sweeter. So, what’s next for me? Am I going back? You better gosh darn believe it! I’ll
keep my eyes on that horizon and in search of the fastest line for that checkered flag, and I look
forward to getting on that magic dirt circle again.

Your hooligan racer,
Shakes
9x