Rider down

[speediva]

Hey guys,

Just a sobering reminder about being careful out there: http://www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/...orcylist-death

The kid was my best friend's youngest brother. He was like another little brother to me. He learned how to ride an old Zuk GS last year, but insisted he needed to "upgrade" to a "real bike" this year. I knew he liked the speed, and I told him I'd introduce him to the right people who have the right places (like the track) where you can *more* safely do the speeds he liked. I can't believe he's gone.

Keep shiny sides up, please.

[aussieidiot]

I'm sorry for your loss.

We all hear stories of someone close to us having died in motorcycle accidents but never this close.

[richtazz]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss Speed. We all know our hobby is dangerous, and being careful is always my #1 concern. You have to have your head on a swivel, and be on the lookout for crosstraffic at intersections. By the report, they don't mention excessive speed, but not wearing a helmet on the street is a bad idea.

[speediva]

The report doesn't mention excessive speed, but I can't figure out why he was going to work from that direction, so unless he was headed to work from somewhere else, I imagine he got to the road because it's 2 lanes separated by a turning lane and the speed limit is set at 40 in that area. It's a pretty heavily trafficked thoroughfare, and people routinely run 50ish, thus why I am assuming that he was at least participating in some speeding... it's not a blind hill, so had he been paying any attention, he would have been able to see the car by at least a football field's length...

[richtazz]

That's tough Speed. What happened is bad enough, but if there's no obvious reason for the accident it makes it even harder to accept. You know you have friends here on AF, so if you need a shoulder, we're here for you.

[speediva]

One year later. Still hard to believe he's gone. Rest in Peace, Fred!

[richtazz]

Observing a moment of silence for your lost friend Speed, RIP Fred!

[speediva]

What's more is that I found out after I posted that ANOTHER friend of mine passed away last night. He was a motorcycle rider - but he died of a heart attack. I guess June 23 is just a crappy day for motorcyclists.

[-Jayson-]

IM sorry to hear for your loss, its a sad fact of the dangers of riding a bike. I hope this can also serve as a reminder to always wear your helmet and get the right riding gear, jackets, gloves, pants, boots.

[speediva]

Originally Posted by -Jayson-

IM sorry to hear for your loss, its a sad fact of the dangers of riding a bike. I hope this can also serve as a reminder to always wear your helmet and get the right riding gear, jackets, gloves, pants, boots.

+1 to that Jayson!

The BAREST minimum I'll wear riding (after all the accidents my friends have been in, and WATCHING my mom wreck) is my helmet, mesh jacket, jeans - which may soon be replaced by a better alternative - leather gauntlet gloves and over-the-ankle boots. My mom could have saved herself so many surgeries and months (actually years) of recovery had she been wearing better gear. And my buddy "Fred" might still be alive.

[-Jayson-]

Yup, i sweat like crazy wearing all my gear, but i think its worth it. If you are like me and dont want to ride around in leathers all over town, get the Max Sliders blue jeans. They have kevlar over the knees, butt, and hips. The reviews on them have been really good, customer reviews of everyone who has fallen said the jeans held up really well.

[aussieidiot]

I ride in nothing but a green Mankini!

Rich has seen the photos!!!!1

[speediva]

Originally Posted by -Jayson-

Yup, i sweat like crazy wearing all my gear, but i think its worth it. If you are like me and dont want to ride around in leathers all over town, get the Max Sliders blue jeans. They have kevlar over the knees, butt, and hips. The reviews on them have been really good, customer reviews of everyone who has fallen said the jeans held up really well.

Most of the reinforced jeans don't come in ladies' sizes... and even those that do don't take into account that I'm nearly 5'11" so the inseam could get me through a Nashville flood (oh, wait... bad joke... too soon?)

I'm looking at getting mesh pants because the southern heat is damn near unbearable and my only alternative right now to jeans is black textile with NO ventilation. That or my full track leathers that are not perforated. It SUCKS! But I'd rather be a hot, sweaty mess than look like ground beef!

[richtazz]

Rich wishes he HADN'T seen those photo's Blayne , the disturbing images are now burned in my brain ...yet I find them hauntingly alluring ....LMAO!!!!

[richtazz]

I cannot believe how many people ride in shorts, flip-flops, etc...yet wear a $1000 full race carbon-fiber helmet. Minimum of gloves, jeans, shatterproof eyewear for me, even though I don't believe in riding as if you are going to fall, otherwise you shouldn't ride.