Staying alive is harder every day...

Last week I lost a friend of mine in Malibu... I was behind his group by a few minutes, by the time I had gotten there the first responders had just gotten on scene. No one's sure exactly what happened because no one was right there, but for whatever reason he lost control of his Ducati 848EVO and ran wide in a corner, low siding into the guard rail. He was airlifted to the hospital really quickly all things considered, but due to the severity of his injuries he didn't make it. He will be missed greatly.

This evening I had a near death experience as well. Splitting lanes in some heavier traffic I lost my balance when a car made a move towards the center line, and literally brushed my leg against another car. Now I knew I brushed against this car and I heard her horn so I made the next possible exit off of the road. Next thing I know she's tailgating me like a mofo and flashing her lights and horn, and I'm like "WTF no where to pull over anyways what's the big deal?" I make the next possible exit off of that street and start heading over to the side of the road when this b1tch pulls across the lane up next to me and literally tries to force me into the back of a parked car. Now I'm really mad, I pull my helmet open and start shouting at her "WHAT THE F8CK ARE YOU DOING ARE YOU INSANE?" etc. etc. Eventually she lets me by to get to the parking space, bear in mind she's basically stopped traffic on this road being stopped right in the middle.

Basically what comes from the whole thing is she's mad because I "might have bumped" (her words) her "expensive" car and I was "running" (ie hit and run) by not stopping IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WHEN I BRUSHED HER TIRE. There was no damage to her car and everybody knew it. Ended up calling the cops because I thought her and her husband (who by the way was a total sh1t the whole time) were going to follow me home or something, they were really freaking me out. Cop that came did nothing whatsoever, was way nicer to the people that tried to kill me and gave me "a talking to" for splitting lanes legally and telling me "that I brought the whole thing on myself." Bear in mind that I respect police officers and really wanted to be one for a long time, but I seem to always get stuck with the really shit police officers. And thanks then c*nt, glad that you equate my life with a possible ding in your stupid f8cking car. Rot in h3ll.


I'd have to say my state of mind right now to be "disillusioned." Caught myself writing a cycletrader ad for my VFR. 6 months ago I would have never considered leaving motorcycling come h3ll or high water, but after 3 accidents, losing a friend, and nearly being run off the road and killed, all within the span of 2 months, it's hard to tell what to do anymore. Might be time for a break. I just don't know anymore.

 

Caltrops... Apologies, this kind of stuff makes me criminally insane. Been a bad year. Worst ever. 33 years old and my friends are dropping like flies. WTF is going on. Thought this $#!+ wasn't supposed to happen for at least another 25 or so, years...
Just got back from a "break" myself. If you love it you'll get back in the saddle ASAP. If not, f'it no one will think any less of you. Its a lot to take in. For some, riding just 'aint worth it...

 

do what you feel is right brother.... throw a cover over the bike and keep it in the garge... you will be back on it when you feel the time is right.. Shoot I was out of riding since 95 ish, sold my ex500 for gas money.. I had two bikes laying around in non-running condition, when my GF's Brother in law was killed in a unexplained hit and run, I came home from the hospital went and got one of the bikes running( the one he gave me) and haven't stopped since then, he died April 06...
hope you figure it out. My condolences to his family and friends.

 

gota love that quote crusty-1 - Good story too!

Mystery16 sorry about the loss of your friend.

Only you can weigh the dangers of riding/racing and make that final decission. We all have close calls, in my plus 200,000 street miles, I only had one accident with a car (mo-fo turned left at an unctrolled intersection) I lived! and I rode home in the wrecker that was flat bedding my totalled Nighthawk. I never once thought about throwing in the towel, matter of fact that week I was either thinking about an FZR 1000 or the 750 Viffer. Best damn thing totalling that Nighthawk, I gots dah best bike cause of it - 17 years later and still going.

My parents fully supported my love of motorcycles and never swayed me an ioda - Matter of fact when I raced I used to take my father as my pit tootsy. I felt worse for him when I had to be helicoptered out of the race track. I lived thru that one too.

If its in your blood,,,its in your blood. Nothing your gona do about it other then keep plodding along.
Just keep urself sharp and edmucated!

 

Without going into a long ramble. There's only one thing to do. Change your thinking!!

Easier said than done, I know. But your best thinking has gotten you where you are to day. If there is something you don't like about your self or surroundings, then change your thinking. Then the other changes can take place.

Sorry for the loss of your friend. It's never easy and always brings questions. Some that can't be answered.

Take a break from doing anything right now. Put it down and come back to it later with a clear mind.

What ever....good luck

 

I'm really sorry that you lost your friend. Your disillusionment is completely understandable. I agree with what others have said, cover your bike and take a break. You shouldn't ride unless your head is in the game and right now, for obvious reasons, yours isn't. I also wouldn't rush out and sell your bike or make any big decisions until you've had some time to deal with everything you're going through. Take your time, honor your friend, love your family. When the time is right, you'll ride again or you'll choose not to. Either way, do what your heart tells you to do.

 

Woke up and knocked out 100 miles this morning. Ride was nice and there was little traffic. I really don't want to give riding up, I've always had a blast riding and couldn't survive without a motorcycle...

 

Now you know why I ride 10x more off road, both on my mtn bike and on my dirt bike. Riding on the road is just asking for someone to run you over.

I recently have seen some youtube videos of people pretending to be racers on the street, way too ffing scary or boring, depending on the moment.

 

I'm sorry for you loss and all the random shit that seems to be happening. The one thing you have to remember about riding is that there is an increased inherent risk when riding. Only you can decide if that incresed risk is worth it to you. If you think you need a break, go for it. I get a 3-4 month break from riding every year during the winter and it is almost more than I can stand.

The one thing that I always like to consider is this: You don't know when your time is coming... nobody does. You're just as capable dying in your car from being t-boned, walking down the sidewalk and being shot, or sitting at your desk at work tomorrow and having a random heart attack. You might as well at least have the chance to die with a smile on your face while you're on two wheels instead of being that pissy b1tch in the expensive car that tried to run your ass over.

Take a night out and relax. Drink a beer. Hell, drink two... You've got a recently lost friend to remeber. Then wake up and go have a ride for him like he'd want you to do.

Just my $.02.

 

Lane splitting is not legal here so I don't do it. I did some lane splitting along the 101 south of San Francisco on my way to Slo three it was I think. Very heavy traffic. Some assholes did try to block me. Most who knew I was coming seemed to give way a bit. But most of the traffic did not know I was even there. And it wasn't as if I was zipping along 50MPH or anything like that. Maybe 30 tops. Most likely about 20 MPH. But I gotta tell you, I was freaking all the time it did that, and I care not to do that anymore, legal or otherwise.

I feel for your loss. I agree if need be, park the bike for a while. If you do not regain your interest, then sell. I too have had a few close calls and I have only been riding since 2006. A couple were purely my poor judgement. Most were others. Inherent risks of the activity. Cyclist have the same problem, maybe more so with assholes opening doors from parked cars. Just be aware of the assholes out there and be guarded. And if the activity is worth the dangers on a risk management basis, then ride, ride, ride. If not, I am sure you will be comfortable with any decision you make. What others think really does not matter does it.

 

Post-weekend report. Definitely feeling much better about everything that's been going on today than I was on Friday. Nothing puts you into a worse mood than some crazy b1tch trying to run you off the road. But it wasn't really the first time, and I'm sure it wasn't the last time some total dumbshit will do it, so just have to keep moving forward. I really enjoy riding and I can't see myself giving it up any time soon. I guess I just have a problem wrapping my brain around the idea that some people would be willing to run someone off the road or try to kill them over something like an "assumed bump" in traffic. I guess sanity is being rationed out during the economic slump...

Definitely going to invest in a video camera soon. This will hopefully be the last time anything happens to me where I don't have evidence I could bring to court if any such need arises.

 

Sorry for your loss Mystery, I heard about that accident from a friend . Just the other day cruising to work minding my own biz when this mini van decides she wants over with out looking or signal---- so I got a chance to use my steblel horn(the best investment ever) and she decides to get behind me about 2 feet off my rear, so I get on the 170 south in the fast lane a throttle up a bit when she gets on my right and starts swerving back and fourth to wards me-- then starts coming into my lane pushing me all the way to the double yellow, let off the throttle and she cuts in front of me and slams on her brakes ( all because I honked at the bitch(with two kids in the back) pulled over and called 911 and reported attempted murder . Went down to CHP and he checked out the license plate I gave him and it came back as a SHERIFF . SO WTF its being investigated but I'm sure nothing will come of it. SO , deal with what life throws at you with all these knuckle heads out there and NEVER GIVE UP on what you love . Just chalk it up, file it as just another incident and get back on that puppy and RIDE . Thats all you can do

 

Had the same thing happen to me a little while back. I carry though... Took about half a second to draw and aim... Never seen anyone hit the brakes so hard in my life


M16- Sorry about your loss bro. Glad to see you holding your chin up. Just do what's right for you in times like these and you'll get by.

 

You are not quite correct Duc. There is more you can do. You can ask and for that matter, demand what the outcome of that investigation is. Most people here seem to think that police get away with impunity. You know, some things we do. Most people who work at Walmart get a discount on jelly beans. But when it comes to public complaints against us, we do not. We are scrutinized far greater than the general public are on a similar complaint. And I don't know about down there, but here, we are subject to double jeopardy. I could have been charged in Criminal Court and found guilty. Then they could have turned around and charged me in Service Court and found me guilty as well. Service Court for the outfit I worked for means you were charged under a Federal Statute. Even for a traffic matter. The civilian population are not.

Now I am going to accept that the events unfolded exactly as you stated. You have given me no reason to believe otherwise. And if we hold out that what you say is correct, then the driver of that van, even if it is the President or any other high placed official, has to be accountable. Unfortunately foreign diplomats are not but they are not immune to death.

Years ago, I went through a red light. No siren, but I had all other emergency lights on. And it was dark out so I was far more visible than I would have been during the day light. My light has "just" turned red. I was about 10 yards behind another police vehicle operating in the same manner. Lights no siren. His light was yellow. We were responding to a confirmed B&E in progress. I has slowed to about 20 mph if that. Why I did not see that Bronco leave a point of safety and pull in front of me I do not know. And despite that driver being pissed, and pleading guilty to impaired driving, my supervisor investigated my accident. He forwarded recommendations to Crown Counsel ( same as you DA) recommending charges. The local office sent it up the chain of command in the prosecutions offices to a much higher level because my wife worked at the local Crown Office. Police were looking at this. The driver of that Bronco was watching this. His passengers and families were. The insurance companies were watching this. It was reported in the local news so they were watching this. My point is, my actions were scrutinized probably 10 fold more than if it were Joe Citizen who was involved in that accident.

So. Check back. What was done. But be prepared to accept the end result or take it higher. I suggest you take someone far removed from personal interest in this to give the end result an objective look at this. Because you cannot. And I don't mean that in a derogatory manner. You simply are to attached to the incident.

I retired from that line of work some 8+ years ago. Now I am not bound by Code of Conduct shit. If I think someone is a fucking asshole, I say so. And quite loudly too. I am not held to a higher standard than the rest of society anymore. Even on my days off. I was before. Even on my days off. But many people still think I should be. Well fuck them I say. 78 font bold and bright red.

Rant over.

BTW. Your 6th Gen patch is still in the mail.

 

I hear you Randy, when I was at the Sheriffs office they told me now a CHP is coming to the station to do his report and would you believe he was on a bike . Great guy and pretty much told me there was two ways to go about it , citizens arrest or a investigation were they don't know who I am and I wont know them . He said that the citizens arrest could turn on me legally. Its been a month and Officer Zac called me two days ago and said that nothing has come of it yet and I would hear from him shortly . I surely hope SOMETHING is done , if not me maybe next time she will kill some one.

 

The CHP officer was right in that a citizen's arrest exposes you to liability. While officers are typically protected from civil suits when they make an arrest that later turns out to have lacked probable cause (qualified immunity), private citizens don't enjoy the same protection. When you make a citizen's arrest, the liability is on you. The officer is simply doing his or her duty in making the arrest. If the crime is a serious one (and the one against you certainly was), that arrest would be followed by the suspect being taken into custody, transported to county jail and booked. If you have the wrong person arrested or it later turns out that you lacked probable cause for the arrest, you could be sued for damages (financial losses + emotional distress, pain and suffering, etc. - and heaven forbid they get hurt by another inmate while in custody). So, think carefully before deciding to do this.

As for the investigation, the suspect would not know who you are and you would not know them in the initial stages. If this investigation is going to go anywhere, you will most likely be asked at some point to look at photographs to try and identify the driver of the mini-van. The driver may or may not be in the photos shown to you. You will not know any of their names. But if the case is eventually presented to the District Attorney's Office and if the reviewing DA decides to issue charges, you will eventually learn the name of the suspect and the suspect, through copies of the police reports will eventually learn your name. The suspect should not, however, learn your address or phone number. It's good that you have an officer who is keeping you informed of the progress of the investigation. Has there been a detective assigned to the case? That is the person you need to be talking to. Just realize that in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, there are things they simply cannot tell you even though you will feel you have the right to know. The last thing they want is to taint your memory or give you information that can later be argued affected your statements or testimony if it gets that far. So, if this matters to you, and it clearly sounds like it does, stay in touch with the detective but don't be an ass. Be patient but let him or her know that you are serious about pursuing this if in fact you are.

Did any other motorists stop and provide statements? Although having additional witnesses is not necessary, it's obviously helpful. Not only to substantiate what you say happened but also to possibly add details you may have missed. You may even consider putting an ad in your local paper or online (Craigslist?) asking for witnesses. If the incident was as obvious as you described it, there were probably plenty of witnesses. If you do decide to run an ad, provide the date, time, location, direction of travel, and just a general description of the incident. True witnesses will know exactly what you are talking about with a simple "incident between a motorcycle and mini-van". If you give too many details, whackos will simply parrot back what you told them in the ad and then be able to make up the rest to sound believable. So, don't give the make or model or color of the mini-van. Don't say whether it was a male or female driver. Don't say if or how many passengers there were. Don't describe your bike. If a witness is able to give all that information without having read it in your ad, you're golden. People answering the ad should be directed to contact the detective assigned, not you directly. Of course, let the detective know that this is something you'd like to do or would like to have them do; especially if they've truly gotten nothing after a month.

I'm glad you're okay and that no one was hurt or killed. Whether or not you decide to pursue this, be grateful for that.

 

82nd Grease Monkey,
Sir you have the correct attitude. I practice drawing and shooting while riding my bicycle offroad. Combines two sports like a biathlon.

Be careful guys, when you share a lane with a 4 wheeler, it just takes a moments inattention before you become a bag of shit leaving a grease spot on the bumper.

 

Thanks Metally. Good advice about the add . To tell you the truth all I was focusing on was the van it self and the traffic, all I know it was a woman with dark hair thats it. She was so close to me I could of put my hand flat on her door. This cop was great, was all over it being hes a motorcyclist . I asked him when was the last time he rode a street bike other then his cruiser and he said just that weekend and couldn't believe how motorist treat motorcycles being cut off by two that day, being of course every one around him on his CHP steed are all there best behavior . Thanks again

 

Seriously!?!? :crazy::crazy::crazy:

I've fired from moving vehicles, and from the door of a helicopter- but that's just damn Barnum & Bailey...

 

Check this out. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/MortFinal2007_Worktable310.pdf

If you survive the first couple of years, then your chance of dying declines until you are 9 then increses until you are 22, then decrease (relatively) until you are 31 then in a one way street after that. with a less than 50% chance of making it to 65, which the polititions fail to tell you when you are saving for retirement !

This link CensusScope -- Population Pyramid and Age Distribution Statistics shows it more graphically, look at the 0-4 age & then the 65-70, note there are less than half that number in the later group. These are from year 2000 census, you can see from the male figures that from 35-45 the numbers walking starts reducing.

Sorry to be the teller of bad news, but your assumption on when people die is flawed