Well, I had an interesting experience on the 4th. I went out 4-wheeling with my brother in New Mexico. I've been on a 4-wheeler before but not in this area.

As we were heading back to meet up with everyone he got way ahead of me because I kept stopping for pics. So I was in a rush to catch up with him (Bad idea #1). Then I got stuck behind some stoned kids in a Tacoma truck who were doing about 2 mph and not letting me go by. They finally let me go by so I speed up and probably should have known better (bad idea #2). The road was a forest road so plenty of turns on it. I was feeling good about them and not really worried. I kept slowing down plenty slow to make the turns. Then, something stopped working. I came up on one turn and slowed to a crawl and then noticed it was just a slight change to the left. So I accelerate towards the next turn figuring it was the same (bad idea #3). As I reach that turn I start to realize its a sharp turn. A really sharp turn. I'm trying to slow down but was just going too fast. I then fully realize the problem as the turn is a 90 degree turn. I'm turning hard and the ATV starts to come up on 2 wheels. I tried to move to the other side and get it down but it then stops turning. so instinct then takes over and all I remember is jumping off the back of it as I'm going over the embankment into a bunch of trees.

Luckily my brother was just on the other side of that turn and saw it all happen. He was down the embankment and by my side within a minute or two. Apparently I was face down just lying on the ground. He came down talking to me all along and I was able to respond but just out of it. He checked my neck then turned me over and checked everything out. Nothing stuck in me, no major bleeding, and I could tell him who and where I was. He left me there to go get the others and I lay there for a few minutes before pressing on diff parts of my body and feeling no pain of any funny give. So I then walked up the embankment to the road and sat down again. I was lucid and back to normal pretty quickly but we still went to the ER. Took about 6 hours including wait time but they did CT Scan and X-Rays - Nothing wrong, no broken bones, just a concussion. It was a damn good thing I was wearing a helmet. Interestingly, I took one down there with me b/c I didn't think they had any (they didn't). Well worth it. Anyways, I'm good. Have some tree rash on my left shoulder and a bit of pain in the shoulder but they expect that to go away pretty soon.

Here's some pics (don't worry, none of me in here)

 

my goodness! i'm glad that you are okay! what an eventful weekend you had!

happy to hear you're recovering well!

 

time to throw out that helmet. good to see your ok.... would have been a better story if you made the leap in the car.

don't use that lid again it's no longer in your best interest.

 

Wow that's crazy. I was ATVing in Alaska 2.5 years ago with a bunch of buddies & my cousin flipped and rolled stuck to the atv about 5 times (his foot got caught on the shifter) he broke his foot, broke his back, ribs, shattered his femur, punctured his lung... he was MESSED UP. It took him a long time to recover but he's back on his feet and has even gone ATVing again since...

 

^^ouch! glad he's okay. one day, i'll tell you about my snowmobile story. let me just say this.....i/my sled made the "wall of shame" wall of pictures at the place. =P

 

nice rear exit. glad you're okay!

 

Glad to hear that there are no broken bones and that you’re okay and stop doing stunts.

 

Yup, helmet is definitely toast. I kept it just for a souvenier but already ordered a new one to replace it. I'm glad I had it on though. It did its job. $200 cost is well worth what it saved me in pain and who knows what else.

 

That's nuts. Glad you're OK but do buy some good disability insurance.

 

If we were meant to fly well, glad you are ok..

 

Wow, thank goodness you are ok!

 

I do have great disability through work so I think I'm covered there.

I know I was very fortunate to walk away from this crash, actually to have even survived it. I must have flown/bounced/landed in just the exact right spaces to walk away with the few injuries I did have. Does make me think more though about enjoying what ya got b/c it could just disappear. Time to drive the G more

 

It didn't burst into flames after going off the cliff?

Glad you're ok.

 

Damn! Reminds me of some of my dirtbike wrecks...I actually did a 4 wheeler worse than that though =)...hill climbs suck if you fail to reach the top...

 

I'm glad I didn't wreck this one any worse. They looked at repairing it and the only must do things are the handlebars and controls on the bars (brake, throttle, start button, etc). We're going to leave the plastics as they are since the ATVs are never used for carrying much anyways.

Oh, and no, no flames off the cliff It was leaking gas while upside down but they righted it before we left for the ER. The next day we went back and pulled it out.