The farther I rolled from town the less traffic I encountered. I ignored the mileage signs until I spotted one that said I had just 8 miles to go. Then I spotted a deer darting across the highway 100 yards ahead. I took it as a warning and backed off the throttle. An L.A. second later, another deer dashed into my path. I slammed into its right hip and went down on the right side of the bike. The headlight was smashed against the animal. The brake handle dipped into the pavement and was torn free. The air cleaner collided with the pavement, the right hand grip was trashed and the right mirror was twisted. The right rear footrest was sheared off and the front forks were pushed into the frame where it punctured the oil filter and scraped the right side of the tank and exhaust system. I apparently hit the deer in its ass and the bike was doused with shit.

Veronica described it as a new meaning for the term "ripping someone a new asshole." I was slammed to the pavement and knocked unconscious. A car came around the corner 15 minutes later and swerved to miss my bike. If the driver hadn't stopped to look at the bike he would have run me over. I regained consciousness and was standing when the ambulance arrived. I had a collapsed lung, broken ribs, head injuries and some serious road rash.

At the hospital in Thermopolis, they found I had blood on the brain and was fading fast. They wrapped me up, shoved me on a helicopter and sent me to the hospital in Casper, where I stayed for three more days before escaping back to Los Angeles.

There you have it, Sturgis 2001. My big mistake was riding at night in deer country. I'm a lucky motherfucker to be alive and looking good. I was lucky to have Chris, Veronica and Deborah looking after me in Wyoming. Hamster Terry, who had the high-speed wobble two years ago, rescued the fabulous Buell and took it back to Phoenix. Layla watched out for me from the coast and riders all over the country called and offered to help in any way they could, and our Morale Officer, Dr. Ladd Terry flew to Casper to reel me back to the coast. I can't thank each and every one of you enough.

And A Special Thanks To You, Mr. Towle For Commemorating The Occasion...

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