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First time back after paralyzing crash

Discussion in 'General' started by 50Joe, Jun 1, 2019.

  1. 50Joe

    50Joe Registered User

    Video and pics from my practice day at Road Atlanta yesterday. We missed the morning sessions due to some issues but rode the 3 afternoon sessions. The video starts with me being pushed to pit out and the first time ever back on a motorcycle one day prior to my 6 year crash anniversary. I'm pretty sketchy the first session out. At 6:41 the video flips to the third session and I'm already much more comfortable. I took about 30 seconds off my lap times from just the first to third sessions. Got down to a 2:11 in the third session which is slow but I was still being conservative since it's all still new to me. Before my crash I think I turned 1:44's at Road Atlanta on my Aprilia/RZ 396cc 2T hybrid. Huge props to Doug McCracken. I wouldn't have been out there if it weren't for him. More mods to the bike are coming. Also have to thank Sue, Dustin Ducote, Pops, Richie, Edwin, Stick, all of WERA and many more who helped me along the way to get me where I am today.

    I decided to not race today because I would have to start from pit lane and I know I'd get lapped. Some racers have traveled far and are spending hard earned money to race and I don't want to get in their way if fighting for a win or position. We had a great day and much to build upon.

    Dustin made a great video and was my track guide.
     
    tigerblade, Photo, ToofPic and 65 others like this.
  2. 50Joe

    50Joe Registered User

  3. 50Joe

    50Joe Registered User

  4. SpeedyTide

    SpeedyTide 'Bama's Bad Boy

    Saw this on Dustin's FB page. So, that was you?!?!

    So awesome to see this! Very happy for you!
     
    50Joe likes this.
  5. TLR67

    TLR67 Well-Known Member

    So friggin awesome...words can’t tell..
     
    50Joe likes this.
  6. you go, Joe!
     
    50Joe likes this.
  7. Brad

    Brad Swollen Member

    So much AWESOME!!!
     
    50Joe likes this.
  8. SPL170db

    SPL170db Trackday winner

    [​IMG]
     
    SpeedyE and 50Joe like this.
  9. lizard84

    lizard84 My “fuck it” list is lengthy

    Very happy for you Joe!!
     
    joec and 50Joe like this.
  10. zamboiv

    zamboiv Well-Known Member

    Super cool! In all seriousness. We’re you nervous, excited, jittery, calm or what right after the bike fired up once you were on it again? What were the emotions? I can’t even think about what must’ve been going through your head!

    This would be a great story to share with some mainstream media. Unbelievable willpower, determination and comeback story!
     
  11. evakat

    evakat Well-Known Member

    So great to see this!!!
     
    SpeedWerks Racing and 50Joe like this.
  12. BC

    BC Well-Known Member

    Got something in my eye.....ill I be back in a few.
     
  13. Venom51

    Venom51 John Deere Equipment Expert - Not really

    You look like a boss....bad ass Joe. Even if it is on a diesel. :D
     
    cajun636 and 50Joe like this.
  14. rd400racer

    rd400racer Well-Known Member

    You're the coolest, dude! You were always nice to me when I asked stupid rookie questions and if I was even close to you in a race I felt like I accomplished something. I'm busting right now at what you've accomplished. Got a damn tear in my eye.

    Bastard!
     
    galloway840 and 50Joe like this.
  15. Banditracer

    Banditracer Dogs - because people suck

    Joe, don't know you other than from here but my hat is off to you sir. :bow:
     
    50Joe likes this.
  16. motoboy

    motoboy Well-Known Member

    Turning faster laps than I ever did. Great job, Joe!!! And eveyone that helped. You're heroes too!
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2019
    50Joe likes this.
  17. BrianC636

    BrianC636 Well-Known Member

    Great job!! That was a great video to watch.
     
    50Joe likes this.
  18. StaccatoFan

    StaccatoFan My 13 year old is faster than your President

    Great merge of technology and determination to never quit.
     
    50Joe and motoboy like this.
  19. 50Joe

    50Joe Registered User

    I didn't know what to expect and to be honest I thought I was going to get very emotional but the engineer brain kicked in and I went into problem solving mode and relearning how to ride. I had 100% concentration on figuring out what inputs to give the bike, the electronic shifting, braking technique, etc. I never raced using hardly any upper body effort and now it is 100% upper body so it's totally different. I figured out I could actually help steer the bike by using my chest against the tank and leaning against it along with countersteering. Doesn't work in all turns but really helped in T5, T12 and T1. The T3 chicane was hardest as it's a quick flip flop and that's really hard without body weight shifting. I was really slow through there. The esses weren't too bad because I had enough time to get good countersteering input in. The full gravity of the day still hasn't hit. I keep thinking about what we can improve on the bike and what new techniques I can try next time on the bike. The gears are still spinning in my head. I also learned some things that I feel could help able bodied riders but I'm not so sure they could understand them unless they too had non-working muscles in a lower part of their body. It's pretty interesting how the human mind will overcome and adapt if you are willing to let it and also push past some boundaries.
     
  20. beechkingd

    beechkingd Well-Known Member

    Awesome!!
     
    yzfpat and 50Joe like this.

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