A Small Accident and an Early Return Home

It could have been much worse

After Great Falls, I rode to Salt Lake City. I wanted to visit Arches National Park. There is a dirt road that cuts across it. I thought I would have a great time (with my newly improved riding skills) and take great pictures.

At SLC, I chose a hotel only a mile away from the Triumph shop. An oil change was due. The hotel entrance worked like a one-way road. The vehicle at the front of the line was, I believe, making a delivery at the hotel. I parked behind it to check in. A couple of vehicle parked behind me as they checked in. All very standard stuff.

Instead of pulling forward, the vehicle ahead of me decided to go backwards, trying to catch a sort of side exit. (The vehicle was at the front of the line, and it could have simply driven forward and taken the normal exit without having to wait for anyone.) The driver backed into my motorcycle, twisting the front end and nearly taking out the kickstand.

As I was checking in, a hotel guest walked in and informed me that someone had backed into my bike. The bike was not drivable. Emotionally, I was crushed.

The driver admitted fault. He said he saw my bike behind him, yet he got distracted and, well, things just happen. He shared his insurance information, and I started the lovely process of dealing with an insurance claim.

The next morning, I slowly rode to the dealership. I had to hold the handlebars in a crooked position so the bike would go straight. I was told that getting a damage estimate would take 3 to 5 days. (It was a Friday. The shop closes on Sundays and Mondays, so the earliest I would receive an estimate would be Tuesday.) Moreover, the insurance adjuster won’t call me for a couple of business days, and I can’t approve the repairs without him inspecting the bike first. So, I rented a car, drove to a few stores and purchased the biggest duffel bags I could find, took everything off the bike (including the rackless bag system), headed to the airport, and flew home.

I feel like I left something undone—like I left the iron on at home and can’t stop thinking about it. I am also not certain how I will retrieve the motorcycle. I may need to fly back to SLC and ride it home.

This is not how I wanted to end things. However, all things considered, it has been a wonderful trip. I really appreciate everyone who has been been reading and leaving comments. I feel like a bunch of friends were with me on the journey.

God bless y’all.