Adventure on Two Wheels: A Rider’s Global Rescue Experience After a Motorcycle Crash

Article Highlights

• Vernon Naake fractured his clavicle during a motorcycle accident in the Northern Cascades while on a multi-day motorcycle tour.
• Global Rescue immediately arranged ground transportation and a business-class flight to ensure his safe return to Denver for surgery.
• Naake successfully underwent surgery after returning home and credited Global Rescue with making the process stress-free during a difficult time.

Vernon Naake, an avid motorcyclist from Denver, Colorado, experienced a sudden end to his annual motorcycle adventure when a crash left him with a fractured clavicle deep in the Northern Cascades. Luckily, Naake had a Global Rescue membership, a service he had signed up for in case of emergencies while on his many motorcycle travels.

A Passion for Motorcycle Touring

For Naake, motorcycle touring is more than just a hobby – it’s a lifestyle. Every year, he and his close friend plan a multi-day adventure on their bikes, traveling through some of the most remote and beautiful landscapes in North America. “This year, we planned a 12-day ride that started in Boise, Idaho, went north through Idaho and Canada, and then looped back down through Washington,” Naake recalled. The trip had gone smoothly, and they were on their ninth day when the unexpected happened.

While traveling along a narrow trail in the Northern Cascades, Naake encountered a truck coming the other way. “It was a small dirt road, more of a trail than a road, and I was going about 25 miles per hour when I saw the truck. I had to put my bike down to avoid a collision,” Naake explained. Unfortunately, Naake landed hard on a rock just off the trail, causing immediate pain in his shoulder.

After assessing the situation with the truck driver and his riding partner, Naake managed to get back on his bike and ride the six remaining miles of the trail, but the pain in his shoulder was growing worse. “We rode into Omak, Washington, and went straight to the local hospital. An X-ray confirmed that I had fractured my left clavicle,” Naake said. The injury brought the remaining three days of the motorcycle tour to an early end.

Calling Global Rescue: A Lifeline for Motorcycle Touring Riders

With his shoulder in bad shape, Naake needed to get back to Denver for surgery, but the logistics of traveling with a fractured clavicle posed a significant challenge. That’s when he remembered his Global Rescue membership. “This was my second year with Global Rescue,” Naake said. “I first signed up in 2023 for a 14-day motorcycle ride in Ecuador. Although I didn’t need them on that trip, I knew they’d be there if something went wrong. Now, I needed their help.”

Naake contacted Global Rescue, and the medical operations team immediately jumped into action. “I explained what had happened, sent them my X-rays and information from the ER, and they started coordinating everything from there,” Naake said. Global Rescue’s doctors reviewed his medical reports and recommended that he take a business class flight to minimize further injury to his shoulder. They arranged for a private car service to drive him from Omak to Spokane International Airport, about 2.5 hours away, where he would catch his flight home.

“The team at Global Rescue was incredibly efficient,” Naake said. “They found the driver, booked my flight, and kept checking in with me throughout the entire process.” The total cost of the ground transportation and flight from Spokane to Denver was nearly a thousand dollars, and it was all handled by Global Rescue. “It was such a relief not to worry about logistics or costs,” Naake added.

Smooth Transport and Constant Support

Global Rescue ensured that every part of Naake’s journey was as smooth as possible. “They followed me every step of the way,” Naake said. “From the moment I got picked up in Omak to when I landed in Denver, they were always checking in to make sure everything was going well.”

Naake’s transport to Spokane International Airport went off without a hitch. The car service driver ensured he arrived safely and on time for his flight. “The whole experience was seamless. I didn’t have to worry about a thing, which made a huge difference when dealing with a painful injury,” Naake recalled. Once Naake landed in Denver, his family was there to greet him, and Global Rescue stayed in touch until they knew he had made it home safely.

Shortly after returning home, Naake underwent surgery to repair his clavicle. “It was a pretty bad fracture, and they had to put a plate in,” Naake explained. “But I was relieved to be home and getting the care I needed.”

Trusting Global Rescue on Every Adventure

Naake’s experience with Global Rescue left a lasting impression. “You never know how valuable a service like this is until you need it,” Naake said. “When you sign up for something like Global Rescue, you hope you never have to use it. But when the time comes, you’re incredibly thankful it’s there.”

Naake and his friend, who had been traveling together on their motorcycles for years, always prepare for the unexpected. “We always travel in pairs for situations like this,” Naake explained. “And we’re both Global Rescue members. Knowing that we have that safety net gives us the confidence to go on more adventurous trips.”

For moto travelers like Naake, Global Rescue provides peace of mind that allows them to enjoy their adventures without worrying about what could go wrong. “It’s about being able to take on new challenges and know that if something happens, you’re protected,” Naake said. “My family would be a lot more nervous about me going on these motorcycle tours if I didn’t have Global Rescue backing me up.”

Looking Forward to the Next Ride

Despite the injury, Naake isn’t ready to give up his passion for traveling with his motorcycle. “I don’t think I’ll be ready to ride again before the season ends in October, but ski season is coming up, and I’m planning to hit the slopes this winter,” Naake said. “And next spring, I’ll be back on my bike, planning my next motorcycle tour.”

Naake’s experience highlights the importance of being prepared, especially for adventure travelers who take on remote and challenging locations. “When I tell my friends and family about Global Rescue, they’re amazed that there’s a service like this out there. But I always say I’m lucky I knew about it and signed up.”

For those who enjoy motorcycle touring or any adventurous travel, Naake’s story serves as a reminder that having a service like Global Rescue can make all the difference when the unexpected happens.