I lost a good friend yesterday...

[GForce]

His name was Jan. He was one of the most experienced riders I have ever known. One of his bikes (he was not riding on yesterday) was a 2003 Goldwing. Since he purchased it new, he had ridden it over 116,000 miles, and had been to 49 states. Recently, he purchased a new FZ1 which he was riding at the time of the accident. I think he was probably around 55-60 years old. He was in the process of getting his life in order so he could retire.

He was the epitome of an avid rider.

Yesterday we began our ride at Ginger Brown's in Ft. Worth. From there we headed towards Hico. After stopping at the Koffee Kup for some pie and coffee, we headed south. I believe we were on FM1238, but I'm not sure. While running a left hand sweeper, something happened and he left the road. There were 6 of us in the group. The rider who was directly behind him was his best friend who witnessed the whole thing. There were no other vehicles involved. There was no gravel in the turn, either. We are all at a loss as to what could have happened. I don't think excessive speed was a factor.

Everyone please be careful out there. If it can happen to such an experienced rider like Jan, it can happen to anybody.

Rest in peace my friend.

Eric

[Tourmeister]

:tab I'm very sorry to hear this Eric. We lost a friend in a similar situation a few years back. There was never a satisfactory explanation of what happened in his case. Likewise, he was an experienced rider that was not known for bouts of squidliness. It was a very sober reminder of the fragility of this thing called life and how quickly it can go from wonderful to disaster. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for the family, even if it is just having a presence at the funeral.

[sparkyphotog]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. Prayers sent for you, his friends, and his family. †††

[Tim Kreitz]

The rider who was directly behind him was his best friend who witnessed the whole thing. There were no other vehicles involved. There was no gravel in the turn, either. We are all at a loss as to what could have happened. I don't think excessive speed was a factor.

Did he have a heart attack maybe? I'm sorry to hear about it. Best wishes.

[RedPill]

I am so sorry for your loss. His family will be in my prayers.

Whenever I hear of an accident of this sort, I always wonder if there was a stroke or heart attack involved, or some other medical condition that caused a loss of consciousness. My son's best friend died a few years back while "skiffing" on a skateboard behind a pickup, but from the way he fell, and some medical problems he had been having, they think he may have blacked out before falling.

The grief and the loss are the same regardless of the cause.

[sharkey]

Wow, not much to say except I'm sorry.

[scar04]

condolences

[Manfred]

Sad part of life. All the more sad for those who refuse to live, because of risk. A reminder to everyone that man knows not his days and we must each face judgment shortly after death. Get right with the Judge - seek refuge in Christ Jesus.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)

[GForce]

I don't believe it could have been a heart attack, stroke, or any other similar condition. He was pretty healthy, as far as I know. He had changed his eating habits during the past 20 months which resulted in him losing over forty pounds.

Where he left the pavement you could see a trail from his tires that didn't show any skidding or sliding. Even the grass, and weeds looked to be in pretty good shape. But, somehow he managed to hit a telephone pole, and the paramedics said they thought he had broken his neck. I don't think he was traveling very fast because when we got to him he was literally right next to the pole and so was the bike.

We appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers, and condolences. I will definitely pass them along to his family and friends.

Although Jan probably did not know anyone on this forum, I know he would have been excited to meet you guys and gals simply because you all ride.

Thanks again,
Eric

[sparkyphotog]

I don't believe it could have been a heart attack, stroke, or any other similar condition. He was pretty healthy, as far as I know. He had changed his eating habits during the past 20 months which resulted in him losing over forty pounds.




My Dad was in the same situation health wise, and he had a major heart attack. Came out of nowhere. You just never know when something like that will hit you. Fortunately, he came through it OK, probably becasue he was in such good shape.

[Keith]

Sorry to hear of your loss. Please pass our thoughts and prayers to his family.

[Kidder]

Godspeed, Jan.

[Drewcati]

Hey Eric,

I was the red 998 in the group of four that passed by. After we passed, all of us motioned to each other, "Is that what I think it is?" We all were pretty certain and it definitely put a check on our riding the rest of the day.

I'm so bummed for you. As one of my riding buddies said, "At least he died doing what he loved."

[GForce]

Hey Drew,

Yes, I remember you guys coming by. I was the big guy wearing the bright orange shirt. Kinda hard to miss.

Yeah, Jan definitely died doing what we loved. Some of us were talking last night and saying that, lately, Jan had been in very high spirits. About 18 months ago, he lost a daughter to an auto accident with a drunk driver. It's only been during the past few months that he had been coming to terms with it. Sunday morning we made a fuel stop in Granbury. When Jan got off his bike he smiled really big and said "Wow!! I need a cigarette after that, and I don't even smoke!" Then after having apple pie and coffee at the Koffee Kup Kafe in Hico we were at the gas station accross the street. One of our other riders who was riding a Gold Wing (also Jan's best friend) turned up his stereo, and one of those old classic rock songs came blaring out of the speakers. Then, as I looked over at Jan I saw him kinda dancing around out in the parking lot while still wearing his helmet. It was a classic moment. Jan was normally a pretty conservative person. But, then, less than 30 minutes later........he was gone. Forever.

I told my wife last night. "If you ever see me happy enough to be dancing around in a parking lot of a small town convenience store, right after eating a piece of fresh baked apple pie, and 30 minutes later I'm killed while riding my motorcycle......rest assured that I died with a huge smile on my face.":rider:

Eric

[Kidder]

Eric,

I am a coworker/friend of Lew's. I understand that he was on the ride with you guys.

I hope you guys are able to heal from this loss. And, I like your perspective on the matter. He left us doing what he loved.

Kidder (Judd Emerson)

[Squidward]

My condolences to Jan's family and friends.

RIP(ride in peace), Jan.

[Red Brown]

I don't believe it could have been a heart attack, stroke, or any other similar condition. He was pretty healthy, as far as I know. He had changed his eating habits during the past 20 months which resulted in him losing over forty pounds.
Thanks again,
Eric

Good grief!

I am so sorry to hear about this. They might want to do an autopsy to find a possible problem. Sometimes a person can have an ischemic stroke which is mild but can impact coordination.

Another idea is going from a long-term riding of GW, of which he had 100K miles into an FZ1 might be part of the problem. The center of gravity and amount of sudden speed one can generate on the FZ relative to a large bike like a GW could have caused him to under/overestimate the turn and perhaps pushed him to the outside of the turn and off road.

When you ride a LARGE bike for over 100,000 miles then switch into a FZ1 type of nimble, "turbo" bike you basically have to relearn the center of gravity and the new massive improvement in torque.

My condolences to you and his family.

RB

[Dub]

Sorry about the loss of a riding buddy Eric.

Ride in peace Jan.....

[Snoopster]

We lost a friend in a similar situation a few years back. I thought of Mark too when I read this. I still remember what a great guy he was & thought of him just this week as I pass by his accident site.

Eric, so sorry to hear about your friend Jan. I'm sure the family was comforted to know that he was not alone. My condolences go out to you & his family.

[GForce]

Thanks again, everyone, for all your kind words. I will relay them to the rest of our group.

Please ride safe!!

Eric

[Faylaricia]

RIP.

I was at my parents all last week and our place is right off Hwy22 between Meridian and Cranfills Gap. There were a lot of bikes out last Sunday. I think I heard a group ride by every half hour, it seemed. It sure was beautiful weather. If he broke his neck, at least it can be assumed it was quick and he didn't feel anything. I am sorry for your loss, Eric.

[FZ6biker]

So sorry for your loss Eric.My condolances. May Jan RIP and God give his family and friends the strength to overcome their loss.

Mark

[leekellerking]

:tab I'm very sorry to hear this Eric. We lost a friend in a similar situation a few years back. There was never a satisfactory explanation of what happened in his case. Likewise, he was an experienced rider that was not known for bouts of squidliness. It was a very sober reminder of the fragility of this thing called life and how quickly it can go from wonderful to disaster. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for the family, even if it is just having a presence at the funeral.

My condolences to Jan's friends and family.

Life is fragile, as Scott says, even if you are not riding. A friend of ours fell in his driveway and hit his head a couple of months ago, sustaining a closed head injury. He was back home and we thought he was mending (with issues) when he had a relapse. Next thing we knew he was gone.

It was an eye opener.

God bless,


Lee