After a lazy morning at the camp of Rustic Knolls, I had a nice coffee at the Mt. Vernon and hit the road again. My plan is to arrive Bay City Michigan near the Lake Huron. When you look at the map, to cross USA from East to West starting from Baltimore is to go through St.Louis and head up North for South Dakota or just go up and than ride across in a line. For a long time I wanted to see the Lake Huron from the comic books of Capitan Miki (Tom Miks in Turkish) and his friends. Capitan Miki could be a stranger to an American reader. Capitan Miki (Tom Miks) was created by Italians in 1951 and Turkish version started in 1956 in Turkey as Captain Tom Miks. This young dude has two dear friends Doctor and a drunken guy and also a blondie lover of Tom Miks. The events are happening at the beg of 19th century USA, close to wild frontier of newly established US states. I believe Louisina purchase didn’t happen yet. In one of the book and episode, Ranger Captain Tom Miks is fighting with the help of Indians against French near the French Fort next to Lake Huron. It must the northern part. The name Lake Huron strike me while I was reading because I was fascinated by the Indians and their culture and the drawings near the Lake Huron was so spectacular that HURON name stuck on my mind. So when the opportunity showed itself, I wanted to see the lakes and Huron with my own eyes while riding. So early in my project I’ve turned north.
My ride to Bay City went w/o hassle and problem. The weather was beautiful except strong and gusty side winds that I had to fight. I was going to face the worst gusty winds yet but I didn’t know that yet. After comforting myself at the hotel, late in the night there was a storm leaving lots of rain and thunderstorms. I was lucky that I didn’t have to ride in it. Next day was cool but sunny. I had chores to do: wash my Leeloo, wash my cloths and upload videos and photos for my son to edit them. After staying two days, I started to ride again. I examined the map closely and chosen the roads that went close and parallel to Lake Huron. There were couple of state parks near the Lake and I had every intention to look at them.
As I was closing to Alpena town, there was a state park called Negwegon so naturally I went in. The road to state park was gravel road which I have managed easily no problem there. When I came to the Lake Huron, stopped, walked to the beach and started riding back to get out the state park. I couldn’t get out the way I came in, there was another road about 5,5 miles an exit road called sandy hill road. The road started as gravel than turned to sandy one. I have managed to ride 2.5 miles with no problem but I wanted to change the lane as sand dunes were getting bigger and changed I did. 100 feet later, I’ve lost the front wheel control and dropped the bike on my right with my foot stuck underneath it. I was rookie at the off road especially on the sand and mud. I had dropped the bike many times but most of them was on my left so I had to experience of saving myself when I dropped the bike on the left. The right was tricky.
Right there. I was kissing the sand and dirt on the road, my foot stuck with pain. I have to admit I have panicked at first. I was frantically trying set my foot free with no success. Than I started to try to lift 550 pound with no success, of course. I started to dig and take out the sand underneath my foot, again with no success. There was nobody around and I literally blew the horn for couple of minutes. Than I remembered to call 911. I have described my position and my condition. After I shut the phone, a young man with his truck appeared. He immediately tried to help me. Somehow he managed to lift the bike a little bit and that was enough to free my foot. As I was trying to stand on my feet, policeman arrived. After 3-5 minutes, ambulance arrived. I had first aid trainings so I by moving my right foot and trying to stand on it to understand the condition I am in, I knew that I broke my ankle.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank 911, policeman, ambulance paramedic personnel, Alpena hospital ER doctors, nurses and the young friend with truck who helped me.
After I waited for an hour at the ER, They took x ray of my foot and after waiting for another hour, Doctor said I have broken my Fibula bone but not dislocated fracture, a smooth one. She said she can talk to Orthopedician to have a surgery to put some screws to the fracture, I rejected the idea immediately. I wanted to ride on. She said “ You are very brave”, I know that meant you are stupid but hey!. She talked to ortopedician and they let me ride but cautioned that after 2 weeks I have to check with doctor again and gave me shoe like inflated cast.
To rest for a while I have checked into a hotel and decided to stay in Alpena for 2-3 days. Meanwhile my Leeloo was taken to a garage by towing company, 10 miles far away.
I wanted to keep on riding for two reasons. After the accident, I had uneasiness, a feel that needed to be overcome and I wanted and plan this ride project for so long, I can’t turn back at the 4th or 5th day, I had just started it. Next day, I went to pick up my bike. I checked everything, nothing happened to the bike thanks to crash bars and soft sand. I was nervous to ride with right foot in the cast. I couldn’t use the rear brake so I had to rely on the front brake and the engine brake. Thank to God everything went smoothly and get back to hotel with no problem.
2 days later, I was on the bike to complete my Huron route. After comics, now I had a new memory of my first accident with Leeloo. Well, it was bound to happen I guess so it happened. I took it in and go on.
