I'm really late with this post - so much so that I'm already on my next adventure. So now to catch up...
I'd decided that I'd seen all that I'd come to see and met all those that I'd wanted to meet, so it was time to head home. I figured that it would also be nice to have an extra day to recover from the trip before I had to go to work. So off I went. The weather for Friday was sketchy, as it was for the weekend, but I had to get going sometime.
I packed up my bike, checked and double-checked my belongings, and sat astride my steel steed ready to face the challenges of the day. I noticed that my alarm system hadn't turned itself off, which was strange. My security system (in addition to the various locks on the bike) is a fob that has to be near the bike before the ignition will unlock. And it was, indeed, in range being that it was in my jacket's pocket as always. So I figured that I just had to put the bike back on the jiffy-stand (that's a motorcycle's kick-stand - some motorcycle terminology for you there) and get the fob closer or something. Well, as I was putting it down I forgot that I'd already put the jiffy-stand up. I'm not positive what follows, exactly, but the weight of the bike with the position of my left leg contorted me even as I fought instinctively not to allow the bike itself to hit the ground. I succeeded in not letting it drop, but I heard a strange sound coming from my leg as it fell. I managed to get off, get the bike upright and back on its stand, and try a few steps. I only hoped that I hadn't broken or torn anything that would require a hospital in Canada. I didn't even know how such a thing would work, given my insurance.
I took my few steps and found that it only hurt when I tried to walk. I basically couldn't take more than about a quarter of a stride with my left leg, so I walked with a severe and painful limp. I could feel myself in mild shock as I walked around, trying to breathe normally. I found, however, that I could ride without any pain or discomfort of any kind, so I decided that I'd ride and worry about what I'd done to myself once I was back home.
After a quick stop for some souvenirs, I started my ride.
I did pretty well with the rain through North Dakota and Minnesota - either hard but short-lasting rain or long periods of light rain or drizzles. Then I crossed into Wisconsin...
