ROT Death Poll 2006 [Archive]

John Bennett

06-01-2006, 01:46 PM

It's time once again for the Republic of Texas Biker Rally Death Poll.

Rules:

- Must be going to or from the Rally, one day window either side.
- Must be at the Rally, or on a motorcycle to & from. Cars don't count.
- Poll ends at 2:00pm Sunday, June 4th.

Winner will receive a new, in-the-box CD/DVD holder cabinet. (Holds 56) Prize must be picked up within two weeks, will not be shipped. Winner selected via lottery from all correct answers.

Cruzintexas

06-01-2006, 01:55 PM

dutchinterceptor

06-01-2006, 02:16 PM

Woo Hooooo!!!! More Dead Motorcyclists!! Let's celebrate!!

:thumbd:

Nico

06-01-2006, 02:20 PM

it is a pretty morbid poll. I sincerely hope that there are no deaths, however I have a feeling that a few will occur despite best intentions.

Nico

SRADkneedragger

06-01-2006, 02:24 PM

Ahhh the ages old "Dead Pool" game! everyone puts in $1 picks a # and the winner gets the pool. And I thought I was the only morbid one!

kurt

06-01-2006, 02:27 PM

Gates opened at 8:00 and I'm STILL on vacation! Woo-Hoo! :sun: I hope for none, but voted 4-6. The kicker will be that the rally will claim none of them if it doesn't occur at the Expo Center. I hope they all have a blast, spend lots of money and leave safely on Sunday.

whoa

06-01-2006, 02:28 PM

No starvation, war, illness, motorcycle fatalities ... it would be nice.

I've heard all kinds of projections on number of attendees, no doubt it will be larger than last year. God help our two wheeled brothers and sisters. A big fat zero would be a wonderful tally to end up with.

I've heard there have already been several accidents, and there are tons of bikes roaming the streets of Austin now.

wonder91178

06-01-2006, 02:37 PM

Ahhh the ages old "Dead Pool" game! everyone puts in $1 picks a # and the winner gets the pool. And I thought I was the only morbid one!

I can be quite morbid myself. I guess maybe it's me, I can't help but not feel TOO bad, while I don't want anyone hurt/killed, a lot are conciously making efforts to maximize their chances of injury/death.

I, for one, will always try to minimize that whole chance of death by wearing gear, not drinking and riding, etc, etc...yadda yadda yadda.

You know what I'm sayin'. :mrgreen:

WoodButcher

06-01-2006, 02:46 PM

No starvation, war, illness, motorcycle fatalities ... it would be nice.

I've heard all kinds of projections on number of attendees, no doubt it will be larger than last year. God help our two wheeled brothers and sisters. A big fat zero would be a wonderful tally to end up with.

I hope for zero also, but based on last year I have to expect some. Did you find it interesting that they were expecting 40,000 bikes, but 200,000 extra people in town?

phuffstatler

06-01-2006, 04:32 PM

Not funny.

kurt

06-01-2006, 05:35 PM

Nope, deadly serious. Squeaky was somewhat alarmed when she came and rode with me last year and I told her the likelyhood of us going on a fatality collision that night was just about 100%. It was statistically likely, and very predictable. Sure enough.... I didn't see it as derogatory, rather just a sad reflection of the type of event this is. It's no different than being prepared for any large scale event and predicting the outcomes.

whoa

06-01-2006, 05:47 PM

Not funny.
No, its not funny, nor is it meant to be. Lets hope all the riders take it seriously this time around.

40,000 bikes, but 200,000 extra people
Man, I was trying to do the math on this one too. How many "up" can you get on those things?

My buddies rolled into town with a huge caravan. At least most were on two wheels, but there were several supporting trucks, trailers and non-riders in the group.

kurt

06-01-2006, 05:55 PM

It's amazing how many come and never register or attend the rally. They just participate independently.

HiSPL

06-01-2006, 07:58 PM

Not funny at all.....

But true.:giveup:

I voted 4-6. That seems to be the most popular choice.

There's an event here called Chilifest. It's an excuse to drink yourself into a stupor. Kids die there. But they give money to charity so the public thinks they must be doing something good. Right? They get drunk, get nekkid, get stoned, and set things on fire. Oh yeah, I think there's a chili contest in there but I can't tell you where to find it. It's good clean fun brought to you by Miller high life.....

Why do people think this is fun?

kurt

06-01-2006, 08:02 PM

Where? :rider:

focus frenzy

06-01-2006, 09:22 PM

hope for zero but realistically, it is going to happen.

I expect 8 fatalities.

I am filling in at another location so the guy there can go.
my boss is going and his boss is also going.

bluedogok

06-01-2006, 09:24 PM

Adult spring break with drinking and riding being the most popular activities, you can see why there will be problems.

HiSPL

06-01-2006, 09:45 PM

Where? :rider:

Snook (really!)

It's right outside College Station.

http://www.chilifest.org/home.htm

bushwhacker

06-01-2006, 11:32 PM

Snook (really!)

It's right outside College Station.

http://www.chilifest.org/home.htm

Never been to the festival above but I like Snook. Been to the Czech - Tex Steakhouse & Barbecue restaurant on several occasions, usually while attending Dawgs on Hawgs when it was at Big Creek park in Sommerville, another great festival dedicated to hedonism and debauchery.

Is this a great country or what!

That being said, and before I get any grief over this, let me emphasize that I do not drink and I do not condone drinking and driving.

-

jussi

06-01-2006, 11:39 PM

fallendown

06-01-2006, 11:53 PM

One of the most idiotic things I have seen on this forum :(

Sad, really sad...how about if we bet how many US soldiers will die this week in Iraq? Would that be cool? C'mon, some sort of sence...

Jussi

U.S. Soldiers in IRAQ are not there for recreational purposes. There is no comparison. They are doing a job, and a noble one at that. The ROT is self inflicted. I dont want anyone to die, I hope they all make it home safe. I hope they present a good image to the rest of the world about people who ride motorcycles, I doubt either will happen. If you play russian roulette, sooner or later you have to pay the price.

My best hope is that no one has there life cut short due to the actions of some one else. Innocent people being killed by irresponsable people...thats what bothers me.
:giveup:

jussi

06-01-2006, 11:59 PM

Self inflicted? What planet do you live in? Show me one rider that wants to get hurt or die.

Betting on people dying is macaber no matter what the allmighty purpose for someone's death is. Period.

Jussi

U.S. Soldiers in IRAQ are not there for recreational purposes. There is no comparison. They are doing a job, and a noble one at that. The ROT is self inflicted. I dont want anyone to die, I hope they all make it home safe. I hope they present a good image to the rest of the world about people who ride motorcycles, I doubt either will happen. If you play russian roulette, sooner or later you have to pay the price.

My best hope is that no one has there life cut short due to the actions of some one else. Innocent people being killed by irresponsable people...thats what bothers me.
:giveup:

fallendown

06-02-2006, 12:27 AM

I live in a realistic place! self inflicted..well lets see..IF YOU DRINK AND RIDE YOU ARE GOING TO GET HURT....maybe not the first time, maybe not the second. I didn't vote , so dont drag me into it. But for you to compare members of the armed forces losing there lives to a bunch of people who might die as a result of there own actions, seems in poor taste. You dirty the names and memories of those of us that have served, been injured, and carried our dead brothers home. It was our DUTY, not a fun weekend in Austin. THERE IS NO COMPARISON.

I am sure lots of people go to the rally and behave like adults and make it home safely. I've seen both the good and the bad, and I wish them both the best. I bear no ill will to either. I want to ride, not die. So that means being alert to my surroundings, and staying focused. I don't think I could drink and ride. So I'm not even gonna try it. I might get hurt, or hurt some one else.
Not everyone shares that same outlook. To me people who drink and opperate motor vehicles are a danger to themselves, and everyone around them. But they made that choice, they knew what the worst possible outcoe would be before the bottle was opened, and the key was turned.

jussi

06-02-2006, 12:40 AM

So with all this mambo jambo you are saying that if someone who works in the rally dies, it will not be counted? Is that it? Everyone who is not drunk and die (accidents happen every single day you know), that's not counted on this sick betting either, correct?

Duty? I think they get paid for what they do, don't they? It's a duty if your armed forces are based on non-paid service time which is half mandatory. If you get paid for it, it is a profession and it is up to them to do what they do.

I am out of this sickening thread.

Jussi

I live in a realistic place! self inflicted..well lets see..IF YOU DRINK AND RIDE YOU ARE GOING TO GET HURT....maybe not the first time, maybe not the second. I didn't vote , so dont drag me into it. But for you to compare members of the armed forces losing there lives to a bunch of people who might die as a result of there own actions, seems in poor taste. You dirty the names and memories of those of us that have served, been injured, and carried our dead brothers home. It was our DUTY, not a fun weekend in Austin. THERE IS NO COMPARISON.

I am sure lots of people go to the rally and behave like adults and make it home safely. I've seen both the good and the bad, and I wish them both the best. I bear no ill will to either. I want to ride, not die. So that means being alert to my surroundings, and staying focused. I don't think I could drink and ride. So I'm not even gonna try it. I might get hurt, or hurt some one else.
Not everyone shares that same outlook. To me people who drink and opperate motor vehicles are a danger to themselves, and everyone around them. But they made that choice, they knew what the worst possible outcoe would be before the bottle was opened, and the key was turned.

fallendown

06-02-2006, 01:03 AM

Well, goodbye. I hope you are safe, and I think you misunderstood me. I thought I said it often enough, I hope everyone makes it home. But if you get drunk, and crash, and kill yourself, well, It won't keep me up at night.
If you get drunk and kill some one else, you should suffer far worse than anything the judicial system will ever do to you.

How you can equate serving your country and being killed in the line of duty to getting slobbering drunk in Austin and KILLING YOURSELF on the way home is beyond comprehension to me. Those men and women are HERO's.....

I can not morn the loss of those who drink and drive....
My mother is a drunk, she drives drunk almost every day. I can't stop her. When she does crash, I pray that she dosent hurt anyone else. As for herself, how can she blame anyone else.

I am speaking only about those that drink and drive, no one else. I know you are not defending them, because I read your last post. If you have to go to the rally because it's your job, bless you, my prayers are with you. If you go and drink till you can't remember your own name, that's ok too, as long as you don't drive....

kurt

06-02-2006, 06:39 AM

DPS estimates highway death tolls for every holiday weekend. They are usually pretty accurate too.

Cruzintexas

06-02-2006, 07:20 AM

My best hope is that no one has there life cut short due to the actions of some one else. Innocent people being killed by irresponsable people...thats what bothers me.
:giveup:[/QUOTE]
That is the problem they hurt others! They need to be locked up inside a fence to play there stupid game!
Steve

Cagiva 549

06-02-2006, 05:59 PM

Re: ROT Death Poll 2006
So with all this mambo jambo you are saying that if someone who works in the rally dies, it will not be counted? Is that it? Everyone who is not drunk and die (accidents happen every single day you know), that's not counted on this sick betting either, correct?

Duty? I think they get paid for what they do, don't they? It's a duty if your armed forces are based on non-paid service time which is half mandatory. If you get paid for it, it is a profession and it is up to them to do what they do.

I am out of this sickening thread.

Please clarefy if you will , Are you saying the armed forces are paid so they should be considered professional so if they die thats just part of the game . If I misunderstand your post I appalagize . I havent been to the ROT in several years , Used to take the RV and in the evening the bikes were parked and the party started . It's living proof that somebody watches over fools . I dont see how there are not 20 to 30 deaths each year with some of the stupid stunts I have seen there . SEYA

kurt

06-02-2006, 06:45 PM

Well after driving to San Marcos and back today, I saw hundreds of bikers on all kinds of bikes, mostly Harleys of course. I am pleasantly surprised to report that I didn't notice nearly as many obnoxiously loud pipes, and a larger percentage of women I saw were not pillions, they were piloting their own bikes. :thumb:

And not one random act of stupidity even though traffic was horrendous even at 2:00.

bluedogok

06-02-2006, 09:01 PM

You weren't at I-35 and 290 around lunch today, they were crawling all over the hotels in the area unloading their trailers and revving them up. Naomi said several times she had to pause on the phone as the rode by since her office is ground floor facing LaPosada right in the middle of the hotel distrcit up there. I did see more wearing helmets today than I have in the past, but I have been noticing more helmeted cruiser riders lately just riding through town the past few months.

pinecone

06-02-2006, 10:47 PM

pinecone

06-02-2006, 10:52 PM

FWIW, I voted more than 9.

Austin is weird. Even weirder with drunken posuers roaming the streets.

Voltar

06-03-2006, 06:38 AM

I don't think it is suppose to be 'cool' or 'funny', etc.

I look at it as an awareness campain. I mean, the courthouse in my hometown puts a red light on the Christmas tree for every traffic death in the county and there are several other awareness campains like that.

Getting people to realize that bikers are out there and in danger doens't offend me. I can use the help.

One of the most idiotic things I have seen on this forum :(

Sad, really sad...how about if we bet how many US soldiers will die this week in Iraq? Would that be cool? C'mon, some sort of sence...

Jussi

Loyd

06-03-2006, 09:57 AM

I'd be all for a running death toll for the soldiers too. Way I see it, such scrutiny would bring public awareness up on how many sons/daughters are dying for this war. It could also go far to raising public scrutiny for the "why" for this war and any future military incursions. Whether you prefer too see the #'s, knowing they're out there does have an effect.:-)

I vote 9 btw.

Cruzintexas

06-03-2006, 07:46 PM

I'd be all for a running death toll for the soldiers too.

You must not have ever been on

John Bennett

06-04-2006, 08:17 AM

Sunday morning and I heard about a couple of motorcycle wrecks, but no fatalities.

This could turn out to be the best ROT ever. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Zero.

kurt

06-04-2006, 11:02 AM

I've heard about one, but have yet to see anything about it. No idea whether it was associated with the rally or not.

WoodButcher

06-04-2006, 12:25 PM

I've heard about one, but have yet to see anything about it. No idea whether it was associated with the rally or not.

I assume you are talking about the one at 2am on RM620 near O'Connor rd. That is just a couple miles from the my house. Big ranch land on the south side of the road, mostly developed on the north side. Got to wonder if tiredness and/or Bambi had something to do with it.

griffin515

06-04-2006, 01:42 PM

I'm new to this site.but if you pick more than zero? Well .......

Griffin

Tourmeister

06-04-2006, 11:49 PM

Do people think if you pick any number other than zero that you are actually hoping people will wreck!? There is no money being bet here, nothing to win. It is just pure speculation. Does it help to raise awareness? I seriously doubt it as it is preaching to the choir. The people that need to be aware are unlikely to be surfing TWT :shrug:

Loyd

06-04-2006, 11:53 PM

Hoping? I sincerely doubt it. I don't see it as any different than any other topic debated here myself. It's not like Hitler/Stalin/ G.W. read this board either.

John Bennett

06-05-2006, 03:48 AM

griffin515

06-05-2006, 05:30 AM

:giveup:o.k. maybe the topic could raise awarness,or maybe not .it just struck me wrong at first.I'm so accustom to defending motorcyclist rights to the general public for the last 30 years I was too quick to respond,afterall the readers of this site arn't the general public.I like every motorcyclist have a need for freedom but not at the loss of responsibility.no offence was intended.none taken I hope.

Griffin

P.S. there is a prize for the ...Winner. according to John Bennetts first post.

DaveC

06-05-2006, 07:31 AM

Scott, I think it does raise awareness. Anytime we can remind people how exceedingly dangerous motorcycle riding is, we keep them alert.

For example, yesterday one of my friends was killed on his motorcycle by a hit-and-run driver. Thankfully, his wife survived and is in the hospital today.

Here's his photo...
http://invisionfree.com/forums/ETMotorcyclists/index.php?showuser=405

Here's the story...
http://www.lufkindailynews.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/6/5/crime/fatal_wreck.html

I ride through that intersection frequently. Because I read lots of motorcycle news on the web, I'm reminded daily of how easy it is for cars not to see me.

At that intersection I slow down and trust NO ONE.

Perhaps it's gallows humor like the Baghdad E.R. doctors use, but awareness and vigilance in whatever form is what allows us to continue to successfully ride.

Are there any surviving children? Pass the prayer bucket, the wife is gonna need them!

Chirpy

06-05-2006, 07:50 AM

Okay, it's done...where's the official count!

kurt

06-05-2006, 08:43 AM

Officially, it's zero. No word on the guy's participation on 620.

Chirpy

06-05-2006, 08:47 AM

Didn't go, but notice in my weekend travels attendance looked a little light. Or maybe just no one headed north east.

Also a lot more female riders...bravo! I'd say that "The Rider's Edge" offering dedicated woman's classes has paid off, and a lot of ladies are moving from pillion to pilot.

I also didn't see any overt stupidity, which has usually been easy to find in year's past...

bluedogok

06-05-2006, 09:21 AM

On the 10pm KXAN broadcast last night they had a story about a rider who had attended ROT that hit a fence in South Hays County and died. It was some kind of red cruiser. They had no other details.

Tourmeister

06-05-2006, 12:38 PM

Sorry to hear about your friend John. :-|

pinecone

06-05-2006, 05:24 PM

Scott, I think it does raise awareness. Anytime we can remind people how exceedingly dangerous motorcycle riding is, we keep them alert.

For example, yesterday one of my friends was killed on his motorcycle by a hit-and-run driver. Thankfully, his wife survived and is in the hospital today.

Here's his photo...
http://invisionfree.com/forums/ETMotorcyclists/index.php?showuser=405

Here's the story...
http://www.lufkindailynews.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/6/5/crime/fatal_wreck.html

I ride through that intersection frequently. Because I read lots of motorcycle news on the web, I'm reminded daily of how easy it is for cars not to see me.

At that intersection I slow down and trust NO ONE.

Perhaps it's gallows humor like the Baghdad E.R. doctors use, but awareness and vigilance in whatever form is what allows us to continue to successfully ride.

May Becky have a speedy and full recovery. May Jeffery find peace in the Lord.

Yep, motorcycle riding is dangerous. Yep, we should be on our guard at all times.

HOWEVER,

Predicting how many folks will die at a rallye is crass, rude, and impolite. You may relish in gallow's humor, I don't. Perhaps if I was a cop or EMT seeing dead folks on a daily basis, I might find humor in it. But since I'm not, I choose to react adversly to seeing other riders die.

Loyd

06-05-2006, 06:56 PM

Pinecone:

Respectfully, I do not think the purpose is to be polite, but to raise awareness. You do not have to like something to take notice. Having spent time as a volunteer firefighter/paramedic I may be more desensitized to what you folk are seemingly appalled by, I do also realize however that not all effective methods of raising awareness are sugary. In fact most folk will tend to ignore things that are presented to them in such a fashion. For instance, I sat in one evening on a film they show to the drunk drivers class... You can sure bet that has had a LASTING effect on my thoughts about drinking and driving anything. Would you stop speeding if an officer asked you politely? Would you wear gear if I quoted you statistical models of the lessening of serious injuries due to gear? What if I showed you graphical pictures of what happens to your body at even a 20mph crash in bluejeans? For that matter do you even really realize what can happen to your body at such low speeds? I bet the graphic pictures would have a greater, lasting impression. You don't have to like the method for it to be effective.;-)

WoodButcher

06-08-2006, 09:55 AM

I assume you are talking about the one at 2am on RM620 near O'Connor rd. That is just a couple miles from the my house. Big ranch land on the south side of the road, mostly developed on the north side. Got to wonder if tiredness and/or Bambi had something to do with it.

Just a follow up on this accident. I noticed a lot of cars at the house of a younger couple across the street for the last few days. Turns out the husband was the rider that died and those were people here for the funeral. We didn't know them very well, I couldn't remember his name but knew he rode a harley. I never mentioned the name from the article to my wife so we never put two and two together. Tye worked odd hours so he may have actually been coming home from work or at least he was used to being up at that time so I doubt sleep was an issue. So that leaves alcohol or Bambi and knowing the area I go with the forest rat.

Anyway, I guess we will cook something up and take it over. Kinda of sucks to find out it was a neighbor...even worse that I didn't realize it right away. He seemed like a nice guy, his pipes weren't even loud. Just wish he wore a helmet.

whoa

06-08-2006, 12:36 PM

Turns out the husband was the rider that died and those were people here for the funeral.
Last year a young man died near my office by riding his bike into a construction barrier. I recognized the last name but didn't hear anything so assumed it to be a stranger. He turned out to be the son of a family friend. Same thing with the recent car crash in San Marcos. It sure makes a different impact when you can associate with the trajedy.

Very sad. I suppose you can see a little "I told you so." in your wife's eyes as well.

Cherioer

06-11-2006, 11:10 PM

Officially, it's zero. No word on the guy's participation on 620.

As I was at the rally, I personal saw two fatalities just out sude the grounds within 5 minutes of one another and heard of at least 2 more. The two I personally saw were cut off situations. It is a shame even a mile or two from the rally people aren't looking out for us. I also had two close calls the ONE time I ventured aware form the camp ground. Very sad, but that pretty low for all number that attended anong with number of the intixicated and inexperience riders there that weekend.
Definately make you think before doing something stupid.