Remember what we do is dangerous.

[katoranger]

I came in to find an email.

Darrell was in a motorcycle accident on the way home from work yesterday. Fortunately, he was not seriously injured but that is not to say he was not hurt. Talking to his wife Lori today she explained he had three broken ribs and a possible broken hand. Darrell is also unable to walk due to pain and injuries to soft tissue but that will hopefully resolve itself very soon. Darrell is at the Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville in room 870 (North Bldg.). He hopes to be released today but that may be delayed pending his response to physical therapy.

He has ridden his 2005 yamaha majesty approximately 40K miles over the past few years with no scrapes. A car ran a light and hit him knocking him off and into a median.

[Weldangrind]

That's awful! I'm grateful that he survived. Do you work with him?

[SpudRider]

Thank you for the reminder, Brother Allen. I'm glad I ride in a sparsely populated area; nevertheless, I am constantly alert while riding my motorcycles. While waiting at intersections I watch my rear view mirror for vehicles approaching from behind. I also examine the cross streets, looking for people who might run the red light. Also, while traveling through intersections I check both left, and right, for vehicles which might be running the red light. I never linger in another vehicle's blind spot, and I always maintain a safety buffer with all other motor vehicles. Nevertheless, idiotic, reckless drivers try to kill or maim me at least several times a year. :evil:

I will pray for Darrell to have a rapid, and full recovery. I am grateful he was not more seriously injured.

Spud

[2LZ]

Thanks for bringing this up, Kato.....and I'm glad your friend is going to be doing well after his mishap. Sounds like it's just some patching up to do. Yes....we do enjoy an inherently dangerous hobby.

I also ran across the same news just yesterday....but unfortunately, my friend wasn't quite as lucky....though still alive. Here's an old pic of us...back when we were running together.
"Dutch"....second from the right, was on his Road Glide and had the dreaded "left turn in front of him". An extremely experienced rider as he was, he did what he could but still got his leg caught between him and the vehicle. He'll be needing a trike now.


You all be safe out there.......

[MICRider]

Sorry to hear about the injuries, riding can indeed be dangerous... I'm fortunate in that most of my riding is on open highways and not a lot in the city. Good part is less dangerous intersections, bad part is if I get into an accident it's at a lot higher speed! I always try to keep focused and watch the road far ahead. Hoping I never get into a serious accident.

[katoranger]

Darrell is our landscape architect. He is an experienced rider. Sounds like he will heal up, but I don't know if he will buy another bike.

[SpudRider]

Driving an automobile is the one of the most dangerous things most people do every day. It's amazing how many people are seriously, permanently injured, or killed every day while driving automobiles. :( Nevertheless, most people drive around oblivious to the danger, and routinely, recklessly endanger the property, and the very lives of others. :evil: Riding a motorcycle is even more dangerous than driving a car, since a motorcycle rider is much more vulnerable riding on two wheels, outside an automotive steel cage. :(

Most multi-vehicle accidents occur at intersections. An intersection is any place a motor vehicle can enter the traffic stream; therefore, alleys and parking lots are also intersections. In fact, any town literally constitutes a very large, continuous intersection. Therefore, be extremely careful while riding in any town, of any size.

Most threats approach you from the front, particularly from the left. :? Watch the left front wheel of cars in intersections getting ready to turn in front of you. If the wheel turns even a little, be prepared to take evasive action! Also watch the left front wheel of cars getting ready to enter the traffic stream from the right. Never trust eye contact! 8O

Even if you can't get stopped, decreasing speed greatly decreases the kinetic energy of any collision. Therefore, start slowing down if you see potential trouble ahead. Kinetic energy increases exponentially with speed, by a factor of two. Therefore, if you decrease the collision speed by 1/2, the kinetic energy deceases fourfold. If you decrease the collision speed to 1/3 the previous speed, kinetic energy decreases ninefold, et cetera.

Always assume the automobile drivers are going to recklessly endanger your life, and always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Any town of any size is a potential death trap; spend your time riding in the country, if at all possible. The larger the town, the greater the danger. :(

Spud

[FastDoc]

Believe me, FastDoc understands.

Its a risk/benefit ratio. As long as the joy of riding outweighs the risk of injury and death I'll be strapping on my helmet for many years to come, God willing.

Riding is one of my favorite Earthly passions.

Being a Believer death does not worry me. Worst case scenaio would be a head injury...

[katoranger]

Update on Daryl.

He has a broken hand. Lots of soft tissue damage and now possibly a broken back.

He was riding on a divided hwy in the metro area travelling in the left lane when someone used one of the emergency vehicle turn arounds and pulled out in front of him.

I believe that my days of riding street will now also be coming to a close.

[MICRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

Update on Daryl.

He has a broken hand. Lots of soft tissue damage and now possibly a broken back.

He was riding on a divided hwy in the metro area travelling in the left lane when someone used one of the emergency vehicle turn arounds and pulled out in front of him.

I believe that my days of riding street will now also be coming to a close.

Yikes, maybe a broken back? Not good. It really sucks when a motorcyclist gets cut down through no fault of their own, and it happens all too often :(. My best wishes go out to your friend Daryl, hoping he can make a full recovery and that he has no spinal cord damage.

Sorry to hear that your going to give up street riding Kato, it's a tough call, but you have to do what's right for you and your family.

[FastDoc]

I respect your decision Kato, but I hope you will continue to enjoy riding in the way that suits you best.

[FastDoc]

Easy for me to say, I suppose. I don't have a family...

[BillR]

I hope and pray the he will make as good a recovery as possible. BR

Originally Posted by katoranger

He was riding on a divided hwy in the metro area travelling in the left lane when someone used one of the emergency vehicle turn arounds and pulled out in front of him.

That is totally unacceptable.
As tempting as it is, I drive to the next exit when I miss the one I was supposed to take.
Normally wouldn't say this, but Daryl needs to get a good lawyer.
Bill R

[SpudRider]

Thank you for the update, Allen. I will pray for Darryl's recovery. Riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than driving a car, which is a very dangerous activity itself. :( Also, the danger of riding increases as the population density increases. I know I am far safer riding in rural Idaho than I was riding in Pennsylvania.

I agree with Bill. Darryl needs a good lawyer to guarantee he receives justice from the idiot who recklessly injured him. :evil:

Spud :(

[MICRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Easy for me to say, I suppose. I don't have a family...

Hey, you got us Doc! :wink: