Sobering sight yesterday

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by rvmiller, Jun 1, 2015.

  1. rvmiller

    rvmiller New Member

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    One of the local bike dealerships is always putting together events to keep the camaraderie going in this area. Yesterday morning May 31, they had a MotoGP "watch" party (free breakfast), followed by a group ride

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    This is my second event with these guys and everything is done 1st class.

    Anywho, after the race the ride got setup/ organized

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    I set out with a small group including two guys that had their sons riding with them. We weren't quite out of the urban Tampa area when we came across the accident scene: 2 bikes (outa 4) down, the police and a Firetruck/ Rescue were on scene. One rider was on a gurney the other rider was on the road under a sheet.

    We were directed around down a road and then had to loop back up to get around... So we got two different views/aspects of the entire scene and the SUV that was struck. People were everywhere and all looked at us as we were also on "sport bikes" An older lady looked at me and shouted "Please be careful" as we passed by; I nodded.

    That was my First time being on my bike seeing a motorcycle fatality. It was very sobering/ somber experience and I was glad my daughter was not with me. When we got to our mid point/ rest area we all expressed our views, both the dads had told their boys to look away. We ended up having a great ride and we all did make it home safe. I have crashed before and been taken to the ER in an ambulance ( road rash) but I pray I don't come across one of ours down again, although it is the Risk we all take....

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    Stay Safe / ATGATT!!!

    Rob in Tampa FL


    Ride Red!
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2015
  2. f3racer

    f3racer New Member

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    That sucks man. In the army we loose around 75 soldiers a year on motorcycles. I run the mc safety program here at ft stewart and it sucks everytime i see one come across my desk.

    I know a few riders who get affended when someone in a car tells them to be careful. I just take it as someone who cares.
     
  3. rvmiller

    rvmiller New Member

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    I have been to Ft Stewart. I was a Soldier from 88 - 98. I began riding while stationed in Augusta @ Ft Gordon back in 1995.

    Very sad situation, but makes me grateful in so many ways. I will ride as long as I remain able to; I called my son later on (he has a Honda Rebel) and told him what I had seen and yelled at him because he had took a spill @ a week ago and come to find out he didn't have his jacket or gloves on but luckily only suffered a scraped elbow/ hurt his pride mostly....

    From what I saw at the scene (damage to bikes & SUV) reckless speed was the biggest factor. One bike was in literal pieces and parts were still all over as we passed.

    As we got to the twisties, all that was temporarily forgotten

    Ride Red!
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2015
  4. Lint

    Lint Member

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    OP, that is never easy to see. It's on my mind as a cautionary tale each time I rode.


    F3, I hear ya. I have people tell me all the time to ride safe and I never discount it nor find it offensive. Quite the opposite actually. The folks don't have to say anything and some may be reflexively saying it, but I still appreciate it that they care enough to say anything. There are risks and I say drive safe to my friends and family when they are in their cars. They say the same to me on my bike. It's all cool. The vast majority of people are good and they do care what happens to others.
     
  5. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Lee Parks' Total Control Class is free to US Marines and I assume that the USMC pays for it rather than the individual Marine. When the class asked why they did this, the answer was that the USMC was seeing more Marines injured/die on US soil from motorcycle accidents than on the battle field. When I took the class, more than half of the class were Marines based out of Camp Pendleton.

    Whenever someone says to me "Be careful", my response is usually the same..."I always am. It's just out of my control if someone else isn't being as careful"
     
  6. f3racer

    f3racer New Member

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    Unfortunately i have been unsuccessful getting my commanders to pay for the total control course. I havent given up yet.
     
  7. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    This year Lee Parks won the bid for MC training here in So Cal. They now have a new curriculum and the old MSF is now gone, it's now the CMSP. Not sure if he is still doing the TC ARC class for the Corps or not. I would imagine so but I didn't see it on their schedule.
     
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