Alabama has some crazy weather, ya’ll. Because it’s SO humid here, the hot is TOO hot and the cold is way too damn cold. There are, however, a few short weeks in the year that are absolutely magical. October 8, 2021, was during one of those weeks that felt like pure magic when you stepped outside. I remember exactly what I wore this day: An olive green pair of Carhart skinny jeans, my husbands Cabbage Patch (name of a bar in Daytona Beach, FL) t-shirt his brother got him, and my black Chaco leather boots. I was REALLY excited because today I was going to ride the new motorcycle for the first time. The new motorcycle that we (and by ‘we’ I mean mostly me), just haaaaaad to have. Now, I was not new to riding motorcycles, but this was a new bike to me and it was quite a bit bigger than I was used to riding- my last bike that I sold was a Harley-Davidson Street Bob (LOVED this bike!). Anywho, all of that to say that this was the perfect day for a ride on the most beautiful bike I had laid eyes on and I was ecstatic!

My husband was about an hour away on a weekend boys’ camping trip, but because I’m the upstanding responsible adult I am, I made my dad ride over on his bike so we could ride together that way I wouldn’t be alone on my first adventure out. I was mostly worried about getting in a sticky situation like parking in a weird spot and not being able to get the bike out on my own. It’s a good thing I asked him to come because as I was pulling out of the barn, the front tire got into some wet grass and slipped out from under me and I dropped the bike. I was unhurt and not phased in the slightest and after my dad picked it up for me, off we went. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Christy, this should have been your sign. You dropped the bike before you ever left the house and you still rode it.” You bet your sweet ass I did! I am the definition of determination and stubbornness; quite a dangerous mix.

I didn’t want to have to think about a route so I just told my dad that I would follow him and off we went. It wasn’t too far before I realized he was taking me to Cheaha- the tallest mountain in Alabama. Cheaha is a very popular destination for sight-seers, motorcycle enthusiasts, hiking, camping, and more. I’ve spent a lot of time on that mountain over my life and am often a go-to person for questions about camping and hiking trails. We rode for a good hour or so, and I felt mostly comfortable. I hadn’t had any problems, but I was very much aware of this bike’s size and weight, especially at slow speeds. We rode up the backside of the mountain, and I remember passing the state park entrance and seeing all of the people hanging around enjoying the perfect day like I was. There’s an extremely curvy section of the road for a few miles just past the state park, and to be honest, I don’t even really remember this part. All I remember is that I was repeating the same things over and over in my head: “Don’t be too scared to lean with the bike”, “check your speed”, and “easy on the curves”.

I really don’t even know how to write about the events that followed. The ride at this point was so normal, mundane even, that I don’t remember anything at all until just a couple of seconds before the crash. If it weren’t for my dad, I wouldn’t even be able to tell you exactly where the wreck was… all I can remember is that it was a curve that went to the left. I don’t have any great explanations for what caused me to wreck. It wasn’t speed-related, there wasn’t some hazard or great surprise on the road, and I wasn’t being careless. It. Just. Happened. I honestly think that the curve was just sharper than I anticipated and I didn’t make it. I only had a couple of seconds of knowing that I was about to wreck, and it’s so strange because I was so calm; I wasn’t panicked, and I didn’t jerk the bike, or attempt any crazy maneuvers. I was aware I wasn’t going to make the curve, I saw the guardrail and thought to myself, “this is going to hurt,” and then….. nothing.

Wreck site.

5 thoughts on “It’s a Beautiful Day to Start a Nightmare

  1. So… first. I don’t know you but I’m so proud of you. Thank you for sharing your life with us. You have me realize my own fears or at least confront them. I had a street bob. Which I loved!! I decided to get a street glide… ride it once. Was scared if it’s size and never rode it again. Sold it not to long ago and now I’m glad I did. I will probably ride again someday. I’m stubborn too lol!!! Seriously though…. Keep writing your story. It’s a miracle ❤️❤️❤️❤️

  2. Your Second Chance on Life is a True Blessing! I was completely drawn into your TikTok video and I was eager to get to your blog. My name is Christy as well and I have grown up riding motorcycles. My daddy would drive, Mama would sit on the back and I would be sandwiched in between. I wish you and all of your family the very best and I cannot wait to read and hear more about your journey! There is one thing about, “Christys if we get something in our minds to do something (you were going to ride that day), we are GOING to DO IT!

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