Ride on Sun. 5/31

[Chuckman49]

Hello my fellow VFRW friends! As you all know, I am still a newb, when it comes to twisties! However my commute to and from work (35 miles each way in a straight line, all freeway!) has forced me to replace my rear tire last weekend so now I have to break in this thing so I figured why not get some help with that! I want to ride Big Bear on Sunday morning 5/31 and would like to know who can join me. I haven't seen some of you in a while and am getting anxious to get better at the twisties! Let me know who's interested, my rear tire is depending on your cooperation!

[02 VFR Rider]

well get your arse up here
I figure you will need to stay a week to whip you into shape.

[Chuckman49]

Kev,

Trust me when I say that I would be stoked to have your mad skilz teaching me to hit those twisties, except you're like a gazillion miles away, and I have these little things out here holding me back, like a wife, a 5yr old, mortgages, a career, a sick Mom, you know, little stuff like that

[Chuckman49]

So.... Since no one has responded, I take it nobody wants to ride with me?? Damn do I smell that bad??

[crustyrider]

So.... Since no one has responded, I take it nobody wants to ride with me?? Damn do I smell that bad??

you do smell bad chucky........would love to come ride.............I'm fighting that weekend... and I have a broke dick bike right now

[vfrchick]

Hey, a few of us did a meet in the middle at Big Bear a few weeks back... hang on, let me see if I can round up some troops....

[Vifferaver]

Greetings from Big Bear, Chuckman,
I hereby enlist on the dotted line for the 31st. Great - I'll have a chance to show off my cornering 'skills' (hahahaha!) I'll be happy to make a round-trip to Riverside on Sunday, unless rain stops play.

[Born2Run]

I would LOVE to go - those Big Bear roads are a good set o' twisties. But I have a better offer - I'm driving a U-Haul truck at 60 mph in a straight line from Fl to Ca. With that kind of adrenaline rush, you can understand why I'll have to take a raincheck on Big Bear.

[cebuVFR]

got family activities that day my friend....maybe next time chuck.

[vfrchick]

Well, I checked in with the troops and no one else can go. I prolly won't ride out there by myself. Looks like you have at least one riding buddy though Chuck. You guys have fun out there and be careful!!

[xeipher]

Count me in. Let me know when and where I should you meet you chuckman.

[sixweeds]

Chuck...I see you read the thread on Angeles Crest (for those of you who didn't, check it out).

I'd love to come down and join you but can't. On your Big Bear trip, you're gonna dig the section between Arrow Bear and the bridge/dam at Big Bear.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&...,0.065918&z=14

"My favorites were the stretch between Snow Valley east of Running Springs to Big Bear...mostly 4 lanes of some of the most insane cork-screw, perfectly cambered and radiused turns that you could see 3-4-5 turns ahead. Riding two abreast, each in his own lane, cranked over with knees draggin' like synchronized swimmers was truly a two-wheeled, crotch-rocket ballet. I'm getting excited just reminiscing! Me on my '82 CB900F or '86 FZ750 and my buddies on their '85 RZ350, '83 VF750 and 750 Katana. We would ride to Big Bear, down the back side to the dessert into Apple Valley at the base of the north side of the San Bernardino Mountains, over to Hesperia and down the Cajon Pass, and back up either highway 18 (Waterman Canyon - another awesome 4-lane experience) and across the Rim of the World Drive to Running Springs."

Google Maps

Any chance you can join us June 19-21...See the thread "Eastern Cali... Drewl posted[/QUOTE]

[Chuckman49]

Chuck...I see you read the thread on Angeles Crest (for those of you who didn't, check it out).

I'd love to come down and join you but can't. On your Big Bear trip, you're gonna dig the section between Arrow Bear and the bridge/dam at Big Bear.

Google Maps

"My favorites were the stretch between Snow Valley east of Running Springs to Big Bear...mostly 4 lanes of some of the most insane cork-screw, perfectly cambered and radiused turns that you could see 3-4-5 turns ahead. Riding two abreast, each in his own lane, cranked over with knees draggin' like synchronized swimmers was truly a two-wheeled, crotch-rocket ballet. I'm getting excited just reminiscing! Me on my '82 CB900F or '86 FZ750 and my buddies on their '85 RZ350, '83 VF750 and 750 Katana. We would ride to Big Bear, down the back side to the dessert into Apple Valley at the base of the north side of the San Bernardino Mountains, over to Hesperia and down the Cajon Pass, and back up either highway 18 (Waterman Canyon - another awesome 4-lane experience) and across the Rim of the World Drive to Running Springs."

Google Maps

Any chance you can join us June 19-21...See the thread "Eastern Cali... Drewl posted

[/QUOTE]

Sounds like that would be a fun ride too, but my family and I are taking a vacation that week so unfortunately I won't be able to make it. I'm from the Bay Area originally so I would actually love to hit some roads up there! Have a great time and ride safe...

[shaynej]

per our conversation earlier, I'll try to put the bike back together by next Sunday... See you then...

[Chuckman49]

We will meet at the Chevron station at the corner of the 330 and E. Highland ave. From there we will ride up to Shayne's favorite place - Neo's Burgers for something to eat. More to follow... Here's a google map.

CLICK ME

Meetup Time at 9 AM, Start time 9:30 AM, more map route to follow. Hope to see everyone there!

[Chuckman49]

Meetup Location: Chevron at 330 & E Highland Ave.
Meetup Time: 9:00 AM
Departure Time: 9:30 AM
Stop at Neo's Burger's: approx 10:00 AM
Approx Finish Time: 1:30 PM


View Big Bear Rte 1 in a larger map

[got2twistit]

Chuckman,

This looks like a cool ride. Got room for one more? Be great to join you guys.

Russ (got2twistit)

[shaynej]

K, bikes put together, sending off the spare rims to get the new tires on tomorrow (Bridgestone BT016), so I'm tentatively in. Will be breaking in so expect speed limit speeds from me for the first 5 miles...

[shaynej]

RIDE ROSTER

chuckman49
Vifferaver
xeipher
got2twistit
shaynej
betayzman
michaelf3
hidesertmlb
wheatie
redneck7769

[Chuckman49]

Chuckman,

This looks like a cool ride. Got room for one more? Be great to join you guys.

Russ (got2twistit)

OF COURSE!! The more the merrier! See you there!

[betayzman]

Chuckman, Thanks for organizing the ride. I'll be there! David

[betayzman]

xeipher, I'm planning to go on Chuckman's ride tomorrow and I noticed you live in La Jolla/UTC. I'm assuming you'll be coming up the 15 through Temecula?? If so, would you like to meet here and then ride up to the meet at the Chevron of Highland? Let me know. David

[xeipher]

Hey awesome betayzman. I was looking for someone to ride with upto Chevron of Highland. I will PM you my number, call me and we shall plan to meet close to your place and then ride up.

[shaynej]

just got back from scrubbing the tires. Looks like the list is up to 10. See you in the morning...

[Chuckman49]

SWEET! Gonna be a blast! Weather is looking good too. Partly sunny 'til 10AM then clear and 70 degrees. See you all in the morning. To Xeipher and David, I will be at the 215N and Van Buren exit in front of the March Air Base Museum entrance until 8:30 AM if you guys want to ride up with me, otherwise I will see you guys there.

[betayzman]

Chuckman, Xeipher and I plan to meet up with you @ 8:30 off the 215 and Van Buren exit. See you then. David

[shaynej]

Latest information on VIFFERAVER (Dean)

he was taken to Arrowhead Medical Center. Michael (hidesertmlb) is enroute. He is ok. They will keep him overnight for observation.

[got2twistit]

That's great news!

[speed]

Hey what happened to VIFFERAVER ? im in lake arrowhead so maybe i should join on the next rides ?

[hidesertmlb]

I posted this on my home turf (VFRD.com), so I'll re-post here. No disrespect to VFRWorld peeps, which is also a great site dedicated to VFR owners. To a lesser extent on this board, the anonymity of my post is self-evident, but I'll copy-and-paste anyhow.

Know that he is OK, but in pain. We should wish him a speedy recovery so he is back on two feet.

-------------

originally posted here:
A First Responder's Account Of A Rider Going Down - VFRD


It's been a long day for those of us who went out on this morning's ride. I just wanted to let those involved in this morning's ride know that the rider who went down, who I will refer to as RiderX for the remainder of this post, will be OK. I just returned from the regional medical center where he was admitted, and had a chance to briefly chat with him. He is coherent and responsive, but in a lot of pain. I'll do my best in trying to be succinct (I'm really gonna try)...

This morning we had a planned ride meet. We met up at 9:00, to depart at 9:30. I dusted off my 4th gen prior to this morning's ride, excited knowing that there was another 4th gen on the roster. Since I've started riding with other local VFRD members last year, it's been a fun experience for me. I was looking forward to familiar faces and some new ones who were on this morning's roster. There were a few riders who frequent the other VFR website who were at the meet-up site today. In total, there were seven of us. Before departing, a call-out of ride order was made, based on riding speed preference and a gauge of rider skill. As with my usual slow self, I'm OK hanging out at the back, so I was to be at position #5. RiderX said he was a slow rider so he comfortable in taking position #6. So there it was- riding position was set. Everyone concurred it was time to depart and start riding.

We headed off to the CA-330 which would take us on the first leg of our morning run up the mountain, to Neo's Burgers in Running Springs about 20 miles up. We left the gas station, stopped at the traffic signal. Once we took off, heading north on CA-330, RiderX passed me. I didn't give it much thought as the speed limit was 55 MPH; we were all within the speed limit +/- 5 MPH. I'm happy riding at my slower pace, so I figured I'd stay put. About a mile further, RiderX was now at position #4, but still, as what it appeared to me, to be a reasonable speed. There was a wide, left sweeping turn. Posted speed limit was not yet reduced, and that's when I saw the bad event unfold.

RiderX started to enter the turn, but did so rather late. I did not see a reduction of speed entering the turn, and even if an attempt of lean-in was made, all was done late. At the split second prior to impact, the rider in #5 veered to the left, narrowly missing RiderX who attempted a last minute act of braking. BAM! An explosion of red plastic, and RiderX into the guardrail. The momentum carried him along the guardrail until he tumbled into the northbound lane. The VFR carried along without its rider along the guardrail until it came to rest and fell over.

This was such a surreal site. I couldn't believe what unfolded before me. There was no shoulder on the road, but a thin enough margin for me to stop alongside, get my bike on the sidestand, and run back to check RiderX to call for help. I threw off my backpack, and ran hoping that RiderX would be alert. It didn't dawn on me that there could be traffic rolling around the turn and both of us in the lane exposed- I didn't care at the time. RiderX was breathing, but unconscious. He had some unconscious reflex to attempt to curl on his side, but I told him to stay still and tried to keep him from moving. I phoned 911 and at that time a U.S. Forest Service employee in his personal vehicle rolled up. He positioned his vehicle to provide cover from oncoming traffic. He assisted to stabilize RiderX as I provided 911 dispatch location and type of incident. Riders 1-3 in our group did not catch what went down in their rear view, and the two other riders were making their way down and/or controlling traffic on the other end.

CHP made their way on scene, and just as they were rolling up, RiderX started to come to. I don't want to get into the specifics of the injuries, but to the casual passerby, the remnants of the accident made it look grim. In the time making the 911 call and seeing the minutes elapse while RiderX was unconscious, it was nerve-wracking to say the least. I provided the CHP with information as a witness. Throughout the while, traffic was blocked, measurements were taken at the scene, a flatbed tow truck rolled up, and Riders 1-3 made their way back. As the scene was being closed up, I asked the EMT where RiderX would be taken to. He named two area hospitals where he would likely be admitted. Our rider group met up after the incident, we shared thoughts on what happened, and disbanded afterwards to head home with RiderX in the back of our mind.

When I got home, with what information I gleaned from the 10 minutes of acquaintance with RiderX (first name only), I called the two regional medical centers where he might have been admitted. I managed to find out where he was staying which was about 50 miles from where I lived. They said he was stable, and as a first responder, they would see if they would allow me to visit with his consent. I drove down to the hospital, and he was getting set up in the trauma recovery center. He was in pain, but nonetheless, expressed gratitude for stopping by and for being with a group of riders who shared concern. I am uncertain of what type of support unit he has to turn to (nobody else was there), but I left my contact information just in case along with a Smithsonian and Sports Illustrated magazine so he can read. I told him that his gear saved him, and that he is fortunate to be conscious and escape with recoverable injuries. As I was telling him this, I see his helmet on the counter- a reminder that this miraculous piece of engineering that we take for granted saved his life.

That's all I really feel like recollecting for the evening. It just makes me cringe to see the vulnerability of things- whether it be motorcycle riding, boating, on-the-job, etc.. Anything can happen.

I will say that I can't stress enough of ATGATT. While I only got to chat with this guy for only 10-15 minutes prior to heading out, here is a couple points of advice that stick out the most for me:

• Get to know your fellow riders, especially the new ones.
• Emergency contact information. Don't leave home without it.
• Not feeling good or 100%? It is probably best to pick another day for riding.

That's all for tonight...