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If you think you enjoy riding your Victory, you should meet Gary Shelton. This is a guy who really, really appreciates riding because he, well, he probably shouldn’t be around to ride.
In September 2008, Gary was driving his pickup truck when he suffered a stroke. The truck went off the road and Gary suffered a long list of fractures. He broke his right hand, every bone in his face broken and he broke his back in three places.
Oh, wait, he also broke pelvis, right hip and right shoulder.
It might be easier to list bones he didn’t break.
He underwent two immediate operations lasting 14 hours. He was almost left blind by the injuries to his face, and his left side was virtually paralyzed for about two weeks.
Doctors told him he certainly wouldn’t ride again, and he clung to that prognosis as motivation to recover and ride again. He set a deadline of January 15, 2009, and vowed to be riding again by that time.
“On December 10 [2008], I got on this thing and rode it,” Gary said, referring to his 2002 Touring Cruiser. “I was very weak, and low speed riding was very difficult.”
Little by little, Gary rode more and more. The riding was like part of his recovery therapy, and it seemed to work. When Gary spoke to the VRA Page staff at Sturgis 2009, he had logged 2,150 miles on the trip from his North Carolina home to Sturgis.
“I might go on to California after this, I’m not sure,” he said. “I’m more comfortable on this bike than I am sitting in a chair.”
Sounds like Gary doesn’t sit around much, but is instead out on his Victory, enjoying every minute and every mile.
Congrats on your recovery, Gary. Take care and keep enjoying the ride.
Let’s See Your Victory
Victory Riders who want to submit photos of themselves and their bikes to be considered for the V Rider of the Month features can send photos and some bio info to: victorymailbag@polarisind.com
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