Travis Crashes and Breaks His Leg: Canada Camping and ADV Riding Trip Gone Wrong

[@ExploreAdventureMoto]

This video is absolutely posted with my permission. Ben and I talked quite a bit about how he was going to go about it. Mostly this exists because he and I both believe in showing the good with the bad, and how to deal with the bad. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and sometimes they go VERY bad. Please do not troll Ben in these comments. He kept his cool and did what he should have done. We have had a standing agreement since last year that if anything like this happens we would continue to roll footage and talk about it before posting.

[@advmike]

Hope you heal up quickly. It’s a blessing to have a friend like Ben around in a tough situation like this.

[@PoppedBitADV]

Glad you are ok

[@thecdean]

Glad you got the help you needed! Heal up strong, I'm sure we'll see you out again on the trails next season.

[@bcarlson86]

Just shows how quickly something can go wrong. Good you had friends and people around. Heal up fast, brother!

[@mattdwyer7576]

Glad you are OK. Keeping it real is good for everyone.

[@Crittermoto]

This is a video that absolutely needs to be out there! Not only to show how things can go bad in the blink of an eye and the importance of keeping your cool…but more so to showcase the power of true friendship! Rest up Trav and great job Ben and let’s not forget Eddie who ran all the way back to the states with Ben. Love you guys!

[@roysteves]

I also love the general positivity of the comments, too. Atypical for KZbin, so appreciate the folks around DitR's corner of the 'tube.

[@DorkintheRoad]

I can't believe I forgot to include what I KNEW would be the most common question after people watched the video. "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BIKE?!?!" We were lucky to be camping with a cool group of very helpful people. TallMan Moto and MyADV360 worked together to get the bike back to camp and then the kind folks at The Adventure Cooperative volunteered to transport Trav's bike back to Victoria with them. They're headed down to Portland to visit Motorcycles and Pancakes in a few weeks and will bring the bike stateside at that time. Thanks to everyone for their support of Travis and well wishes on his recovery.

[@markbd9775]

Seems like it might be time for Travis to dump that hvy tank and get a lighter bike?...KTM 390 would keep up and weight a ton less

[@theadventurecooperative]

Hope we can all get together and catch up then. Was great hanging out with you all camp side.

[@teethofthelamb]

Haha my first question was “what about the bike” I decided to brows the comments first, thinking I may not be the first to ask. and I was correct. I’m glad that it was only a badly broken leg, something one can recover from.

[@6Twisted]

That sucks. The worst part of a break isn't the pain, it's the recovery time before you can ride again.

[@deltabravo1257]

Ditto on the recovery. Broken wrist in May ruined my summer. I just got back out riding the weekend of the 16-17th. Now the rainy season is here so it’s time to put them (the bikes) to bed for the winter.

[@emfl4437]

You got that right. Broke my leg about 3-months ago, just seeing my bikes in the garage was a huge bummer, but also motivation to keep up my physical therapy so I could ride again

[@RobotLegJim]

It’s both.

[@ko4gpa]

@@RobotLegJimdefinitely both. I’ve had that break before. Bones sticking out both sides of my leg. Also calf muscle pulled off the bone. So yeah

[@jayknight850]

I was on a solo bike ride to Mt Washington in New Hampshire from south Mississippi in August this year. Fantastic ride till…… in Vermont on highway 17 where the Appalachian Trail crosses I had a momentary lapse of attention, watching all the cars backing around the parking lot. I had pulled into a parking spot, flicked the side stand down, not realizing I was on a much steeper hill than I thought. After almost 60 years on bikes, lots of miles, a brief lapse of awareness the bike fell on my left leg, crushed both tibia and fibula. InReach punched. Surgeon mentioned that he didn’t get many broken legs till ski season! Many thanks to all the wonderful people who helped me. Now recovering back in south Mississippi. It happens so quickly and surely when you least expect it. Hope for a speedy recovery…..for us both!

[@defaultuser3410]

I love how positive everyone was during the experience, no one whining "Aw, our trip is ruined..." etc, just friends and strangers working together to help an injured rider. Good attitude, good video!

[@Meekerextreme]

I bailed during a trip when COVID just started because my military buddy needed a ride back to Colorado as they ordered him back. *shrug* It's what you do helping true friends vs complaining.

[@DorkintheRoad]

Thank you to @Crittermoto for organizing an amazing fundraiser campout for Head Up Guys. More info here: headsupguys.org/

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

As a first responder with chronic PTSD, thank you for supporting men’s mental health. Secondly, prayers for Travis‘s recovery. I don’t wish that on anyone. I travel with a Gen 3 Spot, and so far, thank God, I have not had to hit the button.

[@joelwerre]

Good comment saying relavant nice things. Also, good and nice with a bit of happy.

[@scottverbeke359]

Dork, the spirit of friendship on display out there is deeply touching. With acts like that there still may be hope for our species.... Travis has taken a beating this year, what with the BDR heatstroke episode etc. Much love going out to you guys and wish a speedy full recovery to Trav.

[@DorkintheRoad]

It was the least I could do. I just wanted him to be able to focus on surgery and getting better without worrying about getting home.

[@ken503]

You all absolutely did your best in the situation, keeping calm, making sure that Travis' immediate needs were taken care of, and getting emergency services contacted and there in short order. It's especially tough to keep your cool when it's a friend involved and you all succeeded in that. I think we as motorcyclist all know and accept the inherent risk that comes with doing what we love. This really goes to show how quickly things can go sideways while we're out there doing it. But with the right level of preparedness and keeping a level head, an emergency situation can be dealt with appropriately. Travis, I hope you heal up fast from your surgery and begin your way to a quick recovery. We'll have to compare war wounds next time!

[@russellborn515]

Best wishes for Trav. I broke my leg on the second day of a BDR this summer, really makes you appreciate your buddies when the shit hits the fan.

[@shredvisionfilms]

Travis hope you heal up!!! I was on the way home from Sturgis last year and broke my leg as well after getting hit by a car in Utah. I ended up riding home all the way to California before having surgery on my leg. 14 months later I am finally on the bike again. You can check out the Sturgis Adventure documentary on my page. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Great job in posting this video and showing everyone the hard times that we can face when on 2 wheels.

[@SchoolforHackers]

Holy shit! You must be made of iron!

[@shredvisionfilms]

@@SchoolforHackers now I am made of screws and plates haha. Was a wild ride fore sure.

[@SchoolforHackers]

@@shredvisionfilms Damn. I am impressed, truly. And I have an artificial hip, a rod in the other femur, pins in both heels, a plate and screws in my elbow, and pins in my wrist. But all I could do was lay there and scream. 💀😂

[@shredvisionfilms]

@@SchoolforHackers yea that is really rough, mine injuries were my first time ever having surgeries. It was very difficult. Hope you are able to recover and get back out on the bike.

[@darksidemachining]

Absolutely a necessary video as a cautionary tale. Until now I was a fool who always wanted to go riding out in the woods by myself and many times without electronics (no means of outside contact), no first aid kit, and sometimes with only a helmet (no other protective gear). This video knocked some sense into me. For now on AGATT and also if possible ride with a friend(s) wherein we could watch each other’s backs like you guys did. Thank you for this video… it may very well have reduced the chance of an extremely life threatening situation.

[@ebiebrahimi7472]

That's absolutely true. The nature has always the high hand .

[@wiseoldman5841]

Good to be riding with a buddy in case of the unexpected. Went off roading into the woods last year. The bike was on top of my legs. Would have been there till now if i was solo riding.

[@marklemist6928]

I almost broke my leg last week. Your video hopefully teaches new riders the dangers of offroad riding.

[@BrianDoherty-e8s]

This was a great documentary on a team working together in an extreme emergency. Great outcome for Trav after recieving total care by you guys. The X-rays showed how extreme the injury was and the team's good care on the bridge reduced the chance of him going into shock.

[@osimnod]

Edge traps like those train tracks are really treacherous. No warning and you're on the deck. Best wishes for Travis' recovery -- dude has some of the worst luck -- and return to the adventure.

[@frank_jk]

Damn. I had basically the same injury in 2021 but from a skiing accident. Tib/fib fracture in three spots. Now I have some sweet titanium hardware. Good news is I made a full recovery and am back at it. It’ll suck, but he will be back. The marvel of modern medicine.

[@ebhkkc1]

sorry and thankful for our first responders...without them, we are lost

[@MartinEllisEssex]

Superb! Thanks for the video. It can happen any time anywhere.

[@Desertfox92308]

Get better Travis! You have had a hell of a year...heat stroke, broken bones...rest up.🤕

[@TallManMoto]

Travis may have gotten a broken leg in Canada... but at least he also got some Timmies. So glad you're ok Trav; send us all a link to that convalescent channel. 🤣🤣

[@bigdh2os814]

Great job all! That bridge had some rigid steel exposed that could trap a motorcycle tire & break some bones fast! Glad he is fine and hope the recovery is strong and swift. Thanks for covering this event. It is helpful to learn from, as this can happen to anybody.

[@hillquestdualsport]

Horrible bad luck with that fall. My buddy always says that big bikes break bones and he was there for me last weekend when I too experienced a fall and broke my arm. All good, no surgery needed in my case. Wishing Travis a speedy recovery. He will be all mended for spring riding.

[@YTReid755]

Referring to it as Canadia cracks me up. Glad to hear Travis was (mostly) okay and hopefully he heals up quickly.

[@DorkintheRoad]

I'm glad someone finds my schtick amusing. I don't know why I find it so funny to say it that way, but I can't stop.

[@SchoolforHackers]

Funny thing is, that’s what I’ve always called it.

[@MinnowMoto]

Awe man. Sorry about Travis. I know If that happened I would be glad I had friends like you close by.

[@Ozzie8404]

Knowledge is always powerful, thank you for making this video.

[@heleti0000]

I am in (very painful) recovery after a stupid mistake resulted in a very low-speed “incident” - broke 4 vertebrae, 5 ribs, shoulder / collar bone, hand and fingers. I wish I had someone following with a video, to show others how concentrating on other traffic can result in something so simple yet so serious, in order for them to avoid something similar. You guys did absolutely the right thing - others may learn from this both to avoid (hopefully) something similar and how to react if something goes wrong with a fellow rider (or even a stranger). Speedy recovery Trav 👍❤️ - lucky you’ve got good friends looking after you (well, not lucky, Riders tend to look after each other, as they did with my accident).

[@bytesandbikes]

Props to all, including the first responders. Things go wrong, coping with them is what counts 👍

[@F1since79]

I went down on 6/25/23, on the first morning of the first day of the NMBDR. Broke my left hand and right ankle. I was so fortunate to have the best riding buddy ever with me. Wilderness first-aid trained, he managed both me and the situation perfectly. Thanks to wearing good gear (DO NOT SKIMP ON GEAR, PEOPLE. ESPECIALLY BOOTS!) I was able to ride to the hospital in Alamogordo and walk into the ER. I have been running again now for three weeks. Can’t wait to get back on a BDR. Ride with buddies when possible, wear good gear and stay calm. Any of us could be in either position at any time. Speedy recovery, Travis.

[@BlazinBlades]

Yes! More and more riders in situations like this agree No Adventure boot is built strong enough to save your foot and tibia in a bike pin down situation. You have to go with the absolute toughest Motocross boot out there to even have a chance Some people are lucky in sandy situations but not over rocks or anyother hard surface.

[@wanderlpnw]

Glad Travis is recovering. Sorry you both missed the event. You're such a great buddy to go get him. We pay all that money for these things to use them when shit goes sideways. It was smart not to hesitate even if you decided to cancel later.

[@richardtaylor7441]

Everyone needs friends like you thanks for taking care of trav

[@mistihurst]

Thank you for sharing this! We only met you briefly but were all so concerned about Trav. This reminds us of the importance of being prepared. ❤ glad he’s on the mend. See you at the event next year!!! (And hopefully before then!)🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@Solderpro_1]

Travis was wearing proper moto boots too. I had a similar fall during the Touratech rally and MAN it hurt. luckily I did not break my leg but I now wear all the time motorcycle boots. Get better Travis

[@SchoolforHackers]

I’ve been the guy laying there with (many) broken bones (some of them sticking out). What you guys did was perfect. 1) Make decisions quickly, 2) get help coming quickly, 3) assure the person you’ll take care of their shit so they can forget it, 4) TALK TO THEM AND KEEP THEIR MIND OFF THE PAIN!! A good sense of humor helps.

[@luvnotvideos]

Excellent reminder that no matter how good our gear is, how careful we plan, or how great our riding skills, sometimes thing break. Super glad Travis is in good spirits and recovering back home. Also super glad y'all were there to see what happened and could get help right away.

[@bluhoss4768]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Travis. Ben your the bestest best friend ever!

[@SulCoCrazy]

How grateful was he??? 😂😂😂…. Must be a fantastic guy! What a trooper he is, and what great friends you guys are. Travis must be one heck of a friend as well to have guys like you return the favor. THIS is what motorcycling is all about.

[@alfshether5219]

Thanks Trav for sharing your experience with us. Heal well. When I worked at the railway driving trains we would do a root cause analysis so others could learn from accidents to help avoid similar pitfalls. Appreciate all the knowledge that can be gleaned from you allowing Ben to share this.

[@jasonshortphd]

Damn that was QUICK. And those railroad ties were a hazard for sure. Scary, glad you all had the right gear for getting help there.

[@mattschmitz2566]

Had a couple riders tangle on gravel unexpectedly on a road trip, bad rash and a broken thumb ended both their day. We were close to our cabin and handled it. My partner was on the ride and an RN, both of us MSF instructors and had seen our share of falls so we went right into triage mode just as Ben did. He and Eddie handled it very well. Calm, collected, took care of Travis' immediate need then did what needed to be done. Bravo gentlemen!

[@RaptorPackAdventures]

Anyone who posts any negative comments about you posting this content doesn’t know you. We’ve had the blessing of meeting all of you guys and you definitely have a heart and compassion for each other. The Raptor Pack thanks you and Eddie for being there for Beards and not leaving him. Heal up Travis

[@muddysidedown]

Speedy recovery Dude! 🤘🏼 I hope your next visit to Canada is a little smoother and with far fewer ferry crossings!

[@Toddler_Dew]

Two broken bones isn’t enough to hold Travis down. He’s one tough ombré. Speedy recovery Travis!

[@479_adv]

Travis doesn't know it but he's my best friend and I love the "roll with it" attitude he always has 🤣 I hope he heals quickly

[@Austin.TaylorAdv]

Videos l8ke this are needed. With the great comes the occasional really bad. Glad you guys decided to post it. Heal up quick Travis

[@stephenjacques554]

Itchy boots just broke her hand so your in good company, it's a risky endeavor and shit happens. Hope you heal fast and ride again soon. Good job taking care of your friend and great response from emergency people. Your very lucky be well soon. SJ

[@glenncombs9278]

im sorry your friend got hurt i hope he get better soon you guys graet job getting help

[@Motoramblings]

The absolute best thing about this video is seeing how people come together to help each other out! Friends going above and beyond to make sure the fallen are well cared for, and the camaraderie the community has to band together when the situation calls for it. Great job with the video, and a greater job taking care of our own!!

[@AWAG_FK]

Get well soon, Trav! I’ve been there. Broke my tib and fib on my right leg just like you. Push hard on the PT!

[@ianferrier235]

Thanks for sharing Ben,get well Travis.

[@owenlushadv]

I think it’s great you guys showed this. Shows the reality of the sport, and what can happen, also how important it is to be prepared for anything. You guys stayed calm and handled the situation very well. Well done. Hoping for a speedy recovery for Travis!

[@pinecone3604]

Very educational! Glad you put it out there and hope trav a speedy recovery.

[@ChuckButtercup]

Thanks for sharing. I usually ride alone, and this will not continue. I definitely need to find a group of friends in case something happens on the trail.

[@grayghost1423]

I hear you.

[@shaundisch2020]

If I waited on friends I would rarely ride. InReach to the rescue.

[@theadventurecooperative]

We were all shocked to hear about Travis. It was great seeing what true friends do for each other. Well done Ben. See you all soon with a motorcycle.😉

[@DorkintheRoad]

Thank you for all your help as well!

[@14sgs]

Awesome to have a solid team when the shizzy hits the fizzy. Job well done.

[@markl8043]

Awesome job in a stressful situation. I’ve been in the same situation with my best buddy. Smart decisions need to be made quickly and I think u guys did a great job!!

[@easy4steve]

hey great video , unfortunately these things do happen , great effort by everyone , thanks for sharing Steve/Australia

[@phansen657]

This video and that experience is a good example of why you always have to remain focused when on a bike. Things come out of nowhere and can change in the blink of an eye. Glad Travis is ok and hope he is back in the saddle soon!

[@BoogerEaterBare]

This is heart-wrenching to watch. I know you care so much for Trav and you have a big heart. I can't imagine the stress and anxiety you felt upon seeing someone you care so much about hurt like that. You did a great job.

[@rkpalmerjr]

Best wishes for Travis' recovery. Those x-rays are impressive. I'm sure he has some cool new hardware now. I broke my fibula this past May riding a CRF300L. Recovery has been process for sure but I'm just now starting to get back on the bike after 4.5 months.

[@legokid201]

Man he was going so slow too. It just goes to show how quickly and simply a crash can happen. Which is why I am so baffled when I see videos of people going "wild" on their bikes. I really hope Travis has a speedy recovery and you guys get to ride that trail again.

[@bigdave6194]

I did almost the same identical break years ago on a big 1100 yamaha. Its a long recovery and I wish him well.

[@DEVILFISH1122]

You guys did awesome, getting help ASAP be it 911 on scene or sending somebody back we’re there’s cell service to call is the right thing to do , you guys rocked it in a difficult situation

[@MrEtnorb]

2 years ago I stalled my bike doing a slow speed u turn in a quiet street and the bike fell on my right lower leg. Luckily for me, no injuries but here is what prevented that. Bike is a ktm500(lightest possible adv bike), I had wide soft panniers on which cushion the impact and I wear Gaerne SG12 boots. Not sure what would have happened if I had worn typical adv boots. Thanks for showing this.

[@RetroXPodcast]

I think the value in the education is important not only for you guys that were there, but even for us watching. Having good meetings and conversations with everyone after the event (post action reports) can be vital for finding out what worked, what didn't, and what needs improvement, so when it happens again everyone is better prepared and can even act quicker and more efficiently. Good on everyone involved for staying calm (arguably the most important part, because you need to think clearly) and putting Travis' care and comfort first. Best wishes to Travis in his recovery.

[@AndrewChristopherEnriquez]

Injuries are so much a part of our sport that to hide them or not make videos of those parts would do the whole hobby a disservice. I’m really glad you shared the BDR sections that had the injuries and this one as well. In fact I love seeing all the hard parts. The type 2 and type three fun sections. It really balances out the coverage because soooo much of our sport is in fact that. I see so many older people getting into adventure riding them get hurt then sell their bikes immediately. More videos like this hopefully will help set expectations, increase training, and teach people to carry trauma kits and satellite communicators. Oh even the videos covering the heat stroke from the Oregon BDR was amazing info and will hopefully save lives. Thanks for making these videos. I find them personally so helpful. Thank you. And thanks to trav for allowing us to share in some part of the experience.

[@AndrewChristopherEnriquez]

Also what a friend man. Coming back to pick him up is some really good vibes type stuff. Love it!

[@cerberus2881]

Travis will be back out there in no time, stronger than ever!

[@CraigSmith568]

Wishing Travis a speedy recovery. That would be a real punch in the gut when you realized he was really hurt. I think when riding off-road you expect mishaps, but always hope any injuries are minor.

[@mkramsauer]

Outstanding job fellas Trav is lucky to have you along first on any scene can definitely hype you in a way you forget what to do but you guys did awesome

[@skdemars]

Three years ago I was Travis. Similar Tib/Fib fracture in a low speed event and had to get hauled out on a litter. The bike was the last thing on my mind - especially after the ketamine! Seriously though this is a good opportunity to see the right way to respond when things go sideways; stay calm, assess the situation and ensure there is nothing life threatening, call for professional help, do what needs to be done to take care of your crew. Bravo! What I didn't have to deal with and I'd love to hear about is how going to hospital in Canada worked for someone from the US. I'm sure Travis feels as fortunate as I did to have great people around to take care of him as much as possible. I married my riding partner but I'm thinking that's not for you and Trav ;)

[@SomeBoldAdventure]

It’s interesting the juxtaposition between having a great time and then something bad happening - a reminder of how quickly things can change. It was handled so well by everyone involved - thanks for sharing the video.

[@johnpagejr.7628]

Great video Ben! There is nothing like the motorcycle community that look out for each other and step up to the plate when a brother or sister is in need of help. Best wishes and fast healing Travis. May you heal up and be in the saddle in a couple month's.

[@a1scoot]

This one brought me flashbacks from 2015 when I was out riding singletrack alone and went down hard breaking my tib/fib… had to remount and ride out… 14 screws and 2 plates and a year recovery.. Hope your buddy heals quickly 🙏

[@MattPerry]

How did that happened?

[@mountdore]

Get well soon Travis! Thanks for sharing the lessons!

[@irishflyer6377]

My best wishes to Trev, heal well and with physio you’ll be riding again in three months. I’ve made a bad habit of turning motorcycle trips into hospital visits over the years, 1) broken collar bone 2) other collar bone and some ribs 3) shoulder in 3 place and thumb 4) Achilles Tendon. BUT I’ve also been very lucky and had friends who helped make sure I was OK and helped get bike and bits home for me. Get well Trev and ride again soon.

[@unclebadger597]

Thanks for sharing guys. Get better fast Travis 👍🏍️💨

[@roysteves]

Okay, prioritizing the garmin inreach as my next accessory purchase. Loud and clear. Best wishes to Trav!

[@DorkintheRoad]

1000% worth the money spent if you ever have to use it.

[@MegaLurch]

Reminds me of one year I went skiing on Mt Bachelor and hurt my leg badly on my first run. Totally sucked at the time because we had just started the day, but was super grateful for the ski medics and my friends that helped me get off the mountain and to the hospital. Speedy recovery Travis!

[@seanb1081]

Everyone needs a good mate like you!

[@rbrown1339]

I know exactly how things like this can happen in a flash! Broke my ankle on Hagerpass on the COBDR in August. Hanging in there Travis, get back on the bike as soon as possible and speedy recovery!

[@dsquires16]

Thanks for sharing the story of your friends accident and how you all handled it. Well done guys, he’s fortunate to have good friends like you all.

[@robertlucas8599]

Ben, you are a such a good friend, thanks for posting and prayers to Travis for speedy recovery!!

[@parkerazz4385]

I'm triping out to California tomorrow!! So excited me and my KLR have made the trip once before its definitely a task but soo worth it!

[@nickanderson3986]

Great video man as usual. Kind of cool to see the Coho Ferry. I work in the engine room. Small world.

[@slhorner]

Good Luck on your recovery Travis

[@PigeonSpeaks]

Travis always seems to have a great attitude even when faced with adversity. Hope he heals up quickly and gets back on the road.

[@jimmallery294]

You are a good friend for Travis.

[@IRQ1Conflict]

God Bless Travis! Take care of that leg.

[@jonaswythe2583]

Shitty way to end a great weekend. Was still cool to meet you guys. Glad to hear he’s gonna be ok. Hopefully we meet up at the next year’s event

[@JoeImburgia]

Wow. What a positive response to a tough situation! Glad to hear Travis is doing well. Hoping for a speedy recovery.

[@tjs201971]

All prayers with Travis! Always good idea to travel with buddies! God bless you guys !! Amazing brother hood!!

[@roymctarsney5655]

Prayers are going up for Travis! Speedy recovery! Be well and heal quickly. Ben, awesome job keeping a level head in a very chaotic situation. Thanks for sharing this story with us. I truly appreciate it. Travel safe…🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Rolltide530]

So sorry to all of you guys and especially Travis. Hope he's better soon. Be safe.

[@butcherknife59knife46]

Well late but hoping Trav is doing well back at home. Heal fast and strong rider.. Around Bend Oregon out on 2 wheels

[@rollingsteady3107]

This is an unfortunate situation but a reminder that you should be prepared for all situations. Imagine if he was by himself with out communications. A remember to purchase a emergency satellite communications unit. Thanks for sharing.

[@J8zzy]

Speedy recovery to Travis and thank you for sharing this.

[@BrettConroyDrums]

I commend you all for staying so calm in a very stressful situation! Prayers for a speedy recovery Travis!

[@alexanderkjartanson1769]

Good friends and hard times. I'm sure you guys will be on another trip soon laughing and reminiscing about this adventure. Thanks for sharing, great reminder on how to plan a big trip safely. Hoping for a quick recovery.