smack28752
08-09-2008, 11:29 PM
My son & I went out this beautiful morning for a ride up our favorite road here in western North Carolina. We had hoped to get a couple of passes in before the tourist traffic got too heavy. Sportbikes were heavy this morning and we met some very serious riders clipping along at a very quick pace, heading down the 10 mile stretch of of road as we started up the first time.
Up the road we noticed some cars flashing lights and riders indicating to us to slow our pace. We came around a curve and saw the scene of an accident that had just happened. As we pulled off the road to see if we could help, I noticed a couple of riding friends of ours directing traffic. They had been riding with a young man who, on the downhill run, had crashed hard. Too much speed in a fast, off camber right hander. The bike crossed the road, traveled over a ditch, up a bank and trough some trees. Many tried to help but were unable to do anything as the trauma was too great. He died at the scene.
From what we gathered, he was an experienced rider who rode in that area often. He was wearing full protective gear, leathers, premium helmet, back protector. It just was not enough. On public roads, there is no runoff. There is no forgiveness. On the track, the young man would probably have gotten up without much physical damage and would be figuring out how to repair his bike...
This was a sobering experience, one which will have a lasting effect on all who were there. My 19 year old son has been street riding for two years (dirtbikes before that), has completed the MSF course, Reg Pridmore's safety school has done NESBA track days. We always discuss before going out on a ride that we are to RIDE YOUR OWN BIKE and to KEEP PLENTY IN RESERVE to deal with unforseen circumstances. I hope he continues to ride. We have had tremendous times together so far, participating in this beautiful sport. The fraternity of motorcycle riders is unmatched by any other thing I have done before.
Tonight we mourn the loss of one of our brothers. Please pray for his friends and family. Godspeed.
Up the road we noticed some cars flashing lights and riders indicating to us to slow our pace. We came around a curve and saw the scene of an accident that had just happened. As we pulled off the road to see if we could help, I noticed a couple of riding friends of ours directing traffic. They had been riding with a young man who, on the downhill run, had crashed hard. Too much speed in a fast, off camber right hander. The bike crossed the road, traveled over a ditch, up a bank and trough some trees. Many tried to help but were unable to do anything as the trauma was too great. He died at the scene.
From what we gathered, he was an experienced rider who rode in that area often. He was wearing full protective gear, leathers, premium helmet, back protector. It just was not enough. On public roads, there is no runoff. There is no forgiveness. On the track, the young man would probably have gotten up without much physical damage and would be figuring out how to repair his bike...
This was a sobering experience, one which will have a lasting effect on all who were there. My 19 year old son has been street riding for two years (dirtbikes before that), has completed the MSF course, Reg Pridmore's safety school has done NESBA track days. We always discuss before going out on a ride that we are to RIDE YOUR OWN BIKE and to KEEP PLENTY IN RESERVE to deal with unforseen circumstances. I hope he continues to ride. We have had tremendous times together so far, participating in this beautiful sport. The fraternity of motorcycle riders is unmatched by any other thing I have done before.
Tonight we mourn the loss of one of our brothers. Please pray for his friends and family. Godspeed.