Look at him. Positive no matter what. Stay strong. ❤

I appreciate your honesty admitting that poor gear choice likely caused the loss of your foot. Your videos are going to help a bunch of people visualize the importance of wearing appropriate gear at all times.

I was just thinking about how lazy I was getting with wearing my gear. After watching this, I jumped on Revzilla and ordered actual riding boots. A similar event happened a few years ago. I was thinking about ditching the full face for a half or open-faced helmet. I then saw my buddy after he went over the handlebars when a car cut in front of him. He had some aftermarket mirrors that had sharp angles on them. They looked cool but destroyed his face when he went over the bars. Luckily, he didn't lose an eye. I didn't want to experience sitting in the middle of the road holding half my face against my skull while waiting for a medic.

Somebody get that poor bastard a drink!

Glad to see your spirits are up, that goes a long way towards recovery. You'll be walking in no time!

Don’t know you personally. But as a fellow rider, I wish you a fast recovery,

Dude, I was debating if I wanted to wear my work boots or the motocross boots this morning for my Sunday ride. I finished watching the kingdom come video then your short popped up, then the longer popped up….. I just stayed home. I can’t believe the positive attitude you have, very inspiring. Hope you recover quickly. One thing now, you and the other guy with the Kawasaki “peg leg”have lots in common. Hope to see you on 2 wheels again soon. 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

3 motorcycle channels with bad accidents this week: You in hospital missing a foot and a toe. Itchy boots in hospital with a broke collar bone. Teapot One unfortunately had a fatality on one of his tours. The universe might be trying to send me a message with my thoughts on getting a motorcycle licence and doing a tour.

"I like riding my motorcycle but it's more important to be able to walk." No doubt that you'll be doing both by the end of the year, hombre.

At least you had a helmet. I only ride a 168cc scooter but my motto is “I’d rather be crippled in a wheelchair than a vegetable in a bed.” Always wear a helmet folks.

Could happen to any of us at any time. Praying for a full recovery. GL

I love riding too man! Sending you positive vibes from Denver CO!

Walking is paramount.. you can’t worry about riding if you can’t walk to the bike to begin with. I can’t imagine what you’re going through but having mangled the same foot twice on motorcycles it definitely makes me question how much riding I’ll be doing. Everything can kill you and safety is an illusion but none of us want to end up crippled.. Hell, if after a motorcycle accident you didn’t question whether you would/should ride again (at least as a mental exercise) I’d recommend you for a concussion protocol. I’m just glad you’re alive dude. If there’s anything I can do for you, you know how to reach me. - spaz 👊🏽🍺

80 mph? You’re very lucky to still be alive. I wish you a speedy recovery. 💝

I'll be praying for you, Don!

My outmost respect, so positive, stay strong Sir!

1 year ago to the day my Son was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Clarksville TN and sent to Vanderbilt. They took absolutely excellent care of him. Everyone from the surgeon to the rehab staff were amazing. You are lucky to be in an excellent healthcare facility. Best of luck to you from a fellow rider. Small victories add up to a big recovery.

Face looks better Brother. Praying for brighter days.

We don't know each other but your video came up in my feed. I'm glad you made it out alive and you're in good spirits. I'm a newer rider and always wondering if I should stop with this risky hobby. Stay strong!

I see a Honda DCT in your future, sir :D Glad you're able to be upbeat for now, but the grief will come. Lean on your friends. Glad you're alive!

You got a lot of your plate. I just wish the best for your recovery. The prosthetic limb technology is truly amazing now. Don't rush you recovery. The doctors will tell you how to prepare your leg to recieve the new fitments. No alcohol, no partying. Just getting stronger every damn day until you got this thing way way behind you., God bless you.

Praying for you and your recovery. You have my respect for getting after it, living life and not sitting on some couch covered in bubble wrap. This is a gut punch for sure but dying of old age because you never took any chances in life is a far worse fate if you ask me. Hang in there Brother.

Dam man, sorry to see you all beat up like this. God bless and I am praying for to have a speedy recovery.

My heart goes out to you brother. You'll be back riding when you are ready. It's a freak accident that could happen to anyone. Wish you the best recovery.

Damn. You have a critical/scientific mind, that's for sure. Already, thinking of how gear choices influenced the outcome of your accident. A nice rigorous mind and spirit, Don.

Glad you're in good spirits. If you put your mind to it you will walk. 😊

My prayers are with you brother. God speed. We all love you 😢

I wish you all the best for the future and a speedy recovery.

Thanks for sharing. You have a good attitude. Your videos will help me and others think about gear choices.

Man, I am so sorry this happened to you. I have a ride coming up in a few hours and I think about the risks when I see stuff like this. I suppose this does motivate me to always wear the best boots I can find. Given the accident, it reinforces my belief that I will never ride with anything on the bike that's not bolted down. I had a luggage strap come loose about 3 years ago and really mess up the rear end of my scooter. I was, thankfully, not hurt. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Sending prayers and thoughts from Australia.

You are one tough guy. I would be crying all day. Get well soon…

Prayers for you brother!! Hope the surgery goes well.

hoping for a speedy recovery. You been on my mind all day.

My current boss at Children’s Nebraska was a Transport nurse at Vanderbilt. Small world. Get walking!

Your positivity is inspiring. I have enjoyed all of videos up until these last few only because its tough to watch. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Praying for you speed recovery ❤ you are strong

I hope you heal up fast Don. Hate you got in a bad wreck but I'm glad you are still with us.

We tend to second guess and re-evaluate. I was wishing you'd taken my advice to have a more scenic ride from north of Paducah, crossing the Ohio River at Cave-In-Rock Illinois, and then ride down through Land Between The Lakes in western Kentucky. I thought maybe the lower speed would have made the incident more recoverable or you'd receive less injury with the much lower kinetic energy (energy increases with the square of the velocity). Then I remembered that you like to ride fast on secondary roads so the wreck probably wouldn't be significantly more avoidable or less violent... and emergency response in the middle of nowhere on the scenic route would have been much longer. Maybe I felt a tremor in The Force. I didn't mount the Givi 30 liter roll top dry bags as improvised lightweight panniers yesterday. I was concerned that, even though they're well made bags, I was using them in a manner that was inconsistent with their designed use. I knew better than to mount them using the injection molded nylon D rings. I was planning to use the nylon webbing loops that attach the D rings, but I was concerned the nylon webbing could be cut by the Spectra cord vibrating under load. I was planning to use nylon tubing to reinforce the inside of the straps to make them cut resistant, but was then concerned that the bouncing hanging weight might cause the nylon strap stitching to fail. I was pondering that potential failure as an inherent problem with no engineering solution when I got this terrible news. I'm now scrapping the entire idea. For now, I'll double down on ultralight moto camping and stick with the roll top 66 liter waterproof duffel on the pillion and rear rack. That should be enough for warm weather ultralight moto camping. I'm definitely not interested in jury rigged bags hanging near the rear wheel. I never liked stuff hanging off my backpack, bouncing around and possibly falling off so I arrive at camp without a sleeping bag. Items possibly falling off is simply not an option with a motorcycle. If I decide that I need panniers, I'll spend the $1040 and accept the added 15 pounds of the Reckless 80 panniers or something similar. I've always tried to do dangerous (aka fun) stuff as safely as possible. For the most part, that's worked out fairly well so far. Like whitewater kayaking, flying an experimental homebuilt airplane, and a few other previous passions, motorcycling requires meticulous attention to all details. There is much that can go wrong and it's difficult to avoid all of the possible pitfalls. I've been obsessed with not being able to prevent other people from doing stupid stuff. Almost every ride, some idiot is texting and pulls out in front of me or something similar. I need to ride with as much vigilance and margin of safety for other people's stupidity as possible, but I also need to be extra careful about checking tire pressure, properly securing loads, checking chain slack and condition, tire and brake condition, etc. I've caught myself riding around with my helmet on but the chin strap not secured because I allowed myself to become distracted during the ATGATT ride prep process. When I caught myself riding with a false-sense-of-security unsecured helmet, I made that an uninterruptible process. Unless I'm on fire, I'm going to fasten the helmet strap. Meticulous attention to mundane details can keep us safe. I like simple systems. Complexity is the enemy of safety. I've seen people who pack differently depending on what they're carrying, securing loads with Rok-Straps, etc. I secure the bottom of the rear rack duffel bag so the mounting doesn't loosen when the load shifts and the dry bag deflates. I don't strap loads to the outside. Everything goes in the bag. Keep it simple. After Don's crash, I'm redoubling my load safety precautions. Don has forgotten more about moto camping than I'll ever know, and this happening to him makes me very concerned for what I am probably doing that compromises my safety. In the final analysis, life is risk. Risk management is the key. Some people are happy staying home watching Jeopardy reruns. For those of us venturing into the world to experience life more fully, risk management is the name of the game. Be mindful and deliberate. Establish and practice safe habits. Ride within your limits and try to compensate for the increasing careless stupidity of others. Beyond that, we must accept the risks to reap the rewards.

Hang in there! There are only a few of us that are still riding on the highways. Even fewer at my age. Good luck!

At least it’s the rear brake foot and not the shifter foot. Prosthetic should be good. Just keep positive.

Stay positive dude! Best wishes and positive vibes from New Zealand.

Sending positive vibes your way, brother!

We have riden together a few times and I live pretty close to you. When you get back home, I'd be glad to run some errands for you or anything to help. Vanderbilt is a good place to be. I was airlifted there a few years ago. They're also pretty lenient about the bill. Best wishes.

I am a biker from the uk 45 years riding ,I have met people who have lost a leg or an arm and still ride without any problems what so ever ,right now you might be thinking how you will cope but once healed and up walking again you will be surprised. You are still alive and will make a good recovery I am sure. Keep your spirits up and don’t be afraid to get yourself some therapy to avoid pts symptoms. Get well soon buddy

Hang in there man. Glad your still with us! That could of been worse. Focus on yourself buddy.

😢 well that answers all my questions! I’m 62 and ride to work every day. My 14th bike and I still worry every day!

Hope for a fast recovery man, love your work I been following from your south dakota stealth camping video I think a year back.

Man so sorry to hear brother, sending thoughts and prayers. Get better soon man!

I came across this channel casually wearing my gear when i choose. I have tech 7s and will not ride ever again without all my gear on sir. I'm so sorry this happened to you but it high InSite it just might help others. I will follow you content from now on, thanks

Sad news to hear/see this Don, I hope your recovery is swift and can goes well

Just imagine the looks you & Richard will get now when you ride together lol

prayers are with you man! stay strong.

Dang man sorry to hear about your accident. Best of luck on the recovery!

Speedy recovery Don. I saw a video on your channel with a guy that lost his foot, and he was riding with you only a short time after it happened with no apparent ill effects. I hope you recovery is as smooth.

You are my hero. I got no words .

2:11 - "I mean I knew in the back of my mind this day was coming, because all my friends, they've stopped riding... It all comes down to choices." You're going to walk again, AND ride. You're just like me. I've been riding for 52 years so far, and I don't plan to stop until I meet my maker. I'll go it alone if I have too. If I get slow or gain a slight disability, I'll make the necessary adjustments to myself and the machine and overcome it, and you will too. Nothing you are facing has to take you from any of the things you love to do.

Good thoughts from Norway

Staying positive with a still great sense of humor... Hell yeah!

this guy is made from the right stuff. i've seen both ends of the spectrum in this situation, this individual is one of the stoic's..

25 years ago a car hit me and I lost my left leg BKA. I’m not going to lie the recovery takes time. Like any injury there will be ups and downs. Hang in there and you’ll be riding again. I do!

Maybe a bike with linked brakes, My goldwing I can just use front brake as it is linked to rear. So maybe just road bikes in the future. Love the positive attitude. Stay strong get well soon.

Wishing you a speedy recovery

I'll help ya install a left hand rear brake anytime Don. Might have to recruit a certain crazy Kyle to do it properly though.

It totally sucks, but your brain is intact. Everything else is secondary and can be dealt with in time.

We are all with you my friend.

Having a KZfaq channel to create videos while your so badly injured, I’m speechless, Get well soon.

Damn. Prayers man. 🙏

Yes Don is in great spirits.

I'm looking at your channel, and I don't understand: one day your doing adventure touring, and now you don't have a foot? More info please. Your attitude is amazing. Definitely a warrior and it sounds like you have excellent support. Looking forward to your follow up vids. What you said about gear hits home with me...

Hope you’re back home and healed up soon! 💪🙏👍

Wondering just how to camouflage a Miata while stealth camping. Much easier to pack that's for sure

You will walk, how soon will be down to you. You may not walk as well, you may need a stick but who cares? You are alive, breathing and from what I see in your videos, you are not a quitter. Enjoy the drugs while they last, the surgery will happen at exactly the time it is meant to. It’s all down to you bud to make your world work again but I am sure I speak for all by saying if good wishes and thoughts could make you well then with the amount being sent to you would make you live a thousand years. 😎

Dang I’m sorry to hear this. At least you seem to be in good spirits. Don’t know if you remember but I met you last year in Ontario oregon. Sounds like I’m going to wear my tec 6s every time I get on my bike. Hoping for a speedy recovery and I’ll keep you in my thoughts.

All riders know this day could come. It's part of the risk/thrill/scare of riding. But yeah walking > riding again. Speedy recovery!

Don going to miss your adventures. Been following you since Oklahoma Vagabond I have a MotoGuzzi. Best wishes speedy recovery! Looking forward to your next adventure. Get a sidecar or a trike Mabe a Jeep! Loving my Gladiator. Will catch you down the road!

You sir, are made of IRON. - Frank

Stay strong brother!!!

Stay in good spirits, may God bless you and your family 🙏🙏👍👍

Your in my prayers man you will be up and riding in know time

Sending love from the UK

Left Hand Rear Brake... there's a really cheap and easy way to mount a mountain bike master cylinder to feed hydraulic brake at the rear slave cylinder... it you can use a cable to the foot brake. I've done both, they're fantastic. I'll get you links or help you do it when you're ready.

So very sorry for your wreck and loss of your foot.

We never got to do the moto camping/cooking event. Heal up and I hope we get a chance to meet.

youll ride again sir. hang in there.

So sorry for you. Peace be with you.

I live in Nashville. If there is a way I can help you maybe we can figure out how to touch base,

What kind of bike were you riding?

Hurts better than the alternative, bro. Besides, brake side is easier to get away with

A few scratches……. It’ll buff out 🤷‍♂️ You’ve got a great attitude. Might be rough for a little while, but you’re going to be just fine. 👍😉

I hope you ride again man. Personally I can't imagine if it were me not riding. If I lost both my leg I'd have to find a way to get in the wind.

What type of work do you do?Hopefully you have a cool boss.Once again i wish you good luck.

Always secure your load. Always.

Stay strong!

Question would the good boots have saved the feet or no ?

One step at a time ya Giant( pun intended lol) you’ll get there, stay positive Don

MotoGiant won’t need trike. I don’t believe so. Ive only know him from a few dozen videos but I will bet all Giant needs is a rear brake mod and a new helmet. Giant, keep it pointed into the wind you will be fine soon. Looking forward to your quick recovery.

Sorry bro, hang tough man. We all know this can happen or worse but we ride anyway. Hard road ahead Im sure. Keep POSITIVE as you can. Praying for you and your family. Semper Fi.

Get well soon.

Man. I just watched one of your vids, there was nothing about your foot! I don't know what to say, don't let it get you down!!!🤞🤞🤞🇬🇧