I haven't always been the most safety minded individual around until it hit home a week ago. My father and I have matching 2001 TB's and we absolutely love riding together. I just recently went on vacation and part of my trip was to stop by my dads house in Sumter, S.C. and hit the trails. My dad and I left his house on the 17th of May never knowing that ours lives were going to change that day. When we reached our destination, Manchester state park we unloaded and prepared for our ride. Just before entering the woods my dad looked at me and said lets take it easy, and I said I'm following you. This was my first time on this particular trail and was really in that big of a hurry anyway, but Keep in mind I generally ride pretty hard so who really knows what taking it easy is. Anyway we started down the trail and in less than 100 yards my dad had left the trail smashed head on into a tree. His bike really looked worse than it was but he on the other hand had a sevre broken elbow. I got him out of the woods, loaded both bikes and got ready to take him to the hospital. He refuse to leave a vehicle and bike behind. His truck was a standard, mine automatic so he drove mine 20 minutes back to his house. I'm still amazed that he could do this knowing the pain he was in. I finally got him to the hospital and like I said the elbow was toast, it had to be completely rebuilt. It looks like it's going to take a while for it to heal and their may be some loss of movement but as tough as my dad is I doubt it. Bottom line I love to ride and I enjoy riding with my dad more than anything in the world. I'm 37 and my dad is 56. I hate to think that I've lost that so do yourself a favor and always think before hitting that throttle. I will from now on.

 

Beefy250,
safety should never be taken for granted,sounds like you and your father quickly found that out.

I have been riding 3 and 4 wheelers since 1983,and I too have had a few close calls in my earlier riding yrs.It is my opionion that ALL first time ATV riders should be forced to take the 4 hr ATV rider safety course before they can legally ride.

I was riding at my local riding area this past Sunday,and the Ambulance was carring off a fellow who was hill climbing on his Grizz when it fliped over on him.The guy broke his neck.Things like this DONT have to happen.

Anyhow,I wish your father a speedy recovery,and hope you both learned something from this,best of luck,
Bill