Author Topic: More Sad News (Read 2549 times)

Nacho2059 · « **on:** July 17, 2006, 08:57:43 PM »

Just like SmokeyandtheBandit, I too have a tragic story. Be sure to read the replys by readers at the end of the article, one in paticular will surely stand out.
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/11/news/state/55-dies.txt
I was in a group of 22 riders and was 3rd on the scene, about 40 seconds behind the event. All riders, those in the wreck and those that were not were wearing helmets and a jacket of some sort, wheather it be leather or textile. Jason was wearing a leather jacket and the unfortunate thing is that speed had to have been a major factor. Both riders were very experienced and the rider closest to the two said he was doing around 120 and was passed at one point by the two like he was standing still. A very big wake up call for all of us there than no one is going to forget for a long time.
I will also add that David, the one that survived with a broken leg was on a ZX-14 that had just turned over 436 miles, hadnt even been broken in yet, too bad.
Ride Safe All

PaulVS · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2006, 09:10:48 PM »

Condolences to all involved.

Let's be careful out there.

SmokeyAndTheBandit · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2006, 10:53:28 PM »

My deepest condolences go out to you. I'll keep you guys in my prayers as well.

Red01 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2006, 10:34:19 AM »

Sorry to hear of your loss. Bummer of a thread to read as my first one back to the Alley since it's revival.

gyrogearcrunch · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2006, 10:48:04 PM »

Quote from: Nacho2059

Just like SmokeyandtheBandit, I too have a tragic story. Be sure to read the replys by readers at the end of the article, one in paticular will surely stand out.
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/11/news/state/55-dies.txt
I was in a group of 22 riders and was 3rd on the scene, about 40 seconds behind the event. All riders, those in the wreck and those that were not were wearing helmets and a jacket of some sort, wheather it be leather or textile. Jason was wearing a leather jacket and the unfortunate thing is that speed had to have been a major factor. Both riders were very experienced and the rider closest to the two said he was doing around 120 and was passed at one point by the two like he was standing still. A very big wake up call for all of us there than no one is going to forget for a long time.
I will also add that David, the one that survived with a broken leg was on a ZX-14 that had just turned over 436 miles, hadnt even been broken in yet, too bad.
Ride Safe All

No need to be going over 120 to have a deadly accident. 30-40 mph is deadly enough. I know that I've written about my "adventures while young" on this site, but those are experiences I always walked away from. I don't talk much about the 13 times I've been down in my riding experience, but maybe I should. Once a bike goes out of control, only lady luck will save your ass. I like to think that skill and experience are also factors, but that may be more of an ego thing than fact.

Just recently, a highly experienced Motorcycle Safety Instuctor got killed on the way home from Texas. He was riding north alone at night in deer country. So you see, it isn't just the nutters who get it - fate also has a hand. Why did this experienced rider decide to go home at night? I don't know, but his decision played a fatal role.

Recently watched a show on the Military Channel (cable) where the discussion came around to what makes a good fighter pilot. The one quality absolutely necessary for a good/great pilot turned out to be "good situational awareness". They said that this same quality is found in good motorcycle riders (eh?). Guess Lawrence of Arabia didn't have it. I call it just "riding scared".

Herb 0