Fall fell.

[KenH]

As summer's heat slips away I hope everyone lucks into at least one of those Golden Days that becons the long way home before the cold of winter arrives. Ride safe.

[Gravel Guy]

sounds like a prayer.....amen..

A dude from Tulsa, Oklahoma recently crashed his brand new BMW K1600GT bike...here is the story:

Well, I suffered my first motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon after nearly 20 years of riding with essentially no close calls. I was riding through some very curvy sections of hwy 82 north of Spavinaw (ne OK) when I came to a slight uphill section and three slow moving vehicles. I glanced at the surroundings and figured I could sneak by quickly. I passed the first car instantly but the second vehicle, an older pick-up truck, cut me off and rolled down his window to yell something. He pulled back over but I was focused on him and looked up to see a truck in front turning left. It was too late and I cut left and collided with his front end. I remember parts flying and and hitting the ground on my left shoulder and the side of my head. I rolled at least once and remember trying to push the bike away from me as we slid. Fortunately, the big GT ended up to my left and side and never contacted me during the tumble. Gear - Shoe Neotech helmet, long sleeve shirt with KTM riding skins jacket, Kevlar jeans with Aerostitch Darien over pants, Sidi boots and summer gloves. No road rash whatsoever - I did suffer bruises over much of my body. I rolled over on my knees to collect my thoughts and immediately pictured my wonderful family - wife, 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son - wondering *** am I doing. I stood up and walked around to shake things off (old football term but felt pain in my right hip. The driver of the pick-up truck was yelling something at me but I waved him off and asked to be left alone since I was hurt. I took my helmet off and was relieved to see no major damage but my vision in my left eye was hazy off to the side.

The ambulance arrived quickly and we took off for a 11/4 hour incredibly long trip back to Tulsa. My vision returned to normal quickly during the trip. We spoke with my wife by cell to assure her it was ok and the tests at the ER were negative (CT scans for neck, head and x-rays for hip). My neck muscles are sore but it could be from being uncomfortably tied to the board for so long. I haven't been able to move my hip much and the latest x-rays show possible fracture. A bone scan is scheduled for tomorrow. My vision is fine and no headaches. The hip is feeling a little better and I'm hopeful it's only soft tissue damage. I have been running a low grade fever but its probably the trauma.

We found the bike and its being shipped back to Tulsa BMW for inspection. I kind of hope the GT is totaled and I get to start over with a new bike. I have other bikes to look at while recovering. My one lingering thought is why - why did I put myself in that situation with an aggressive pass. I'm generally a cautious rider who takes safety very seriously. Obviously, I also question why I'm riding right now with two little kiddos. It made me so sad to think of their life without Dad. But, it is part of who I am and it speaks to me to ride and focus on being in the moment. I thought I would share the story with those who could take something positive away . . .

---

I worry about the deer rutting season. Too many close calls to name!

RB

[Desert Skies]

We can protect ourselves from ourself if our will power is strong. Sometimes, a new powerful bike reduces this power.

People or animals reacting against us is totally out of our hands.

His statement about riding with kiddos is exactly why I didn't ride for almost 20 years.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by Red Brown

A dude from Tulsa, Oklahoma recently crashed his brand new BMW K1600GT bike...here is the story:

Well, I suffered my first motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon after nearly 20 years of riding with essentially no close calls. I was riding through some very curvy sections of hwy 82 north of Spavinaw (ne OK) when I came to a slight uphill section and three slow moving vehicles. I glanced at the surroundings and figured I could sneak by quickly. I passed the first car instantly but the second vehicle, an older pick-up truck, cut me off and rolled down his window to yell something. He pulled back over but I was focused on him and looked up to see a truck in front turning left. It was too late and I cut left and collided with his front end. I remember parts flying and and hitting the ground on my left shoulder and the side of my head. I rolled at least once and remember trying to push the bike away from me as we slid. Fortunately, the big GT ended up to my left and side and never contacted me during the tumble. Gear - Shoe Neotech helmet, long sleeve shirt with KTM riding skins jacket, Kevlar jeans with Aerostitch Darien over pants, Sidi boots and summer gloves. No road rash whatsoever - I did suffer bruises over much of my body. I rolled over on my knees to collect my thoughts and immediately pictured my wonderful family - wife, 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son - wondering *** am I doing. I stood up and walked around to shake things off (old football term but felt pain in my right hip. The driver of the pick-up truck was yelling something at me but I waved him off and asked to be left alone since I was hurt. I took my helmet off and was relieved to see no major damage but my vision in my left eye was hazy off to the side.

The ambulance arrived quickly and we took off for a 11/4 hour incredibly long trip back to Tulsa. My vision returned to normal quickly during the trip. We spoke with my wife by cell to assure her it was ok and the tests at the ER were negative (CT scans for neck, head and x-rays for hip). My neck muscles are sore but it could be from being uncomfortably tied to the board for so long. I haven't been able to move my hip much and the latest x-rays show possible fracture. A bone scan is scheduled for tomorrow. My vision is fine and no headaches. The hip is feeling a little better and I'm hopeful it's only soft tissue damage. I have been running a low grade fever but its probably the trauma.

We found the bike and its being shipped back to Tulsa BMW for inspection. I kind of hope the GT is totaled and I get to start over with a new bike. I have other bikes to look at while recovering. My one lingering thought is why - why did I put myself in that situation with an aggressive pass. I'm generally a cautious rider who takes safety very seriously. Obviously, I also question why I'm riding right now with two little kiddos. It made me so sad to think of their life without Dad. But, it is part of who I am and it speaks to me to ride and focus on being in the moment. I thought I would share the story with those who could take something positive away . . .

---

I worry about the deer rutting season. Too many close calls to name!

RB

Up hill, no passing zone, failure to look at the entire situation meaning what was the first car doing and why everyone was moving below the speed limit. Just saying, very preventable.
The guy in the truck was yelling" what are you doing you moron? Thanks for messing up my day and making me late for my appointment."

Originally Posted by Desert Skies

We can protect ourselves from ourself if our will power is strong. Sometimes, a new powerful bike reduces this power.

That is a keen observation.

For me, I really don't have an interest in powerful, fast bikes anymore. I really prefer comfy "dual-sport" bikes with highway potential like the 800cc twins, which are so appealing to me. Of course, a beastly 1800, 1000 pound Honda cruiser is ok as well for the multi-day long slab rides too.

I am hearing from the power users of large bikes on forums more often that are wanting to switch to the new 2012 Honda Crossrunner for the above reason as well.

RB

Originally Posted by DaveC

Up hill, no passing zone, failure to look at the entire situation meaning what was the first car doing and why everyone was moving below the speed limit.

I don't know for sure, but I think the rider had a degree of hubris. A new POWERFUL sport-touring bike made him feel that somehow he could pass with ample time to avoid a crash due to the large/torque engine on his bike.

I wonder if would have engaged in the same risky approach if he was on a WR250R?

I think this is the reason a large number of folks on really fast bikes who come from slower alternatives get into trouble real quickly.

RB

[kojack06]

Well, we had a GREAT 190 mile DS ride on Monday. Started out from municpal parking lot in San Saba, headed west on 190 through Richland Springs and the a left turn on a country road toward Deep Creek Ranch and Mason. Roads were low dust with some mud from recent rain. Fly Gap and Spiller Mine roads were great fun. Had a great lunch at Nachos in Mason.

[jimhaleyscomet]

Originally Posted by KenH

As summer's heat slips away I hope everyone lucks into at least one of those Golden Days that becons the long way home before the cold of winter arrives. Ride safe.

Nathan and I had one already!

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77424

Still I wish I could write that thought as well as you did.

We are still waiting for the cool autumn days here in Houston. So far we have to settle for "less than hotter than **** days". Fall will come to Houston but more likely the end of November.

Jim

[CleatusJ]

Cold winter. You mean those 10-15 days we have each year before summer starts.

[cdc]

Originally Posted by Red Brown

I don't know for sure, but I think the rider had a degree of hubris. A new POWERFUL sport-touring bike made him feel that somehow he could pass with ample time to avoid a crash due to the large/torque engine on his bike.

I wonder if would have engaged in the same risky approach if he was on a WR250R?

I think this is the reason a large number of folks on really fast bikes who come from slower alternatives get into trouble real quickly.

RB

That was my first thought, he probably felt he could pass them quickly...
Something to keep in mind for sure.

[bluedogok]

We had a big wind storm move through last night but did leave some snow on the mountains, they were visibly white on the way to work this morning. On the news last night they were saying many places in the mountains should get 3-5 inches of snow. Arapahoe Basin opened the ski season today.

[Xdriver]

I'd read that accident report a few days back and thought about it today.

Wanted to experience some Fall, so I rode from DFW up through Durant, Atoka, Talihina, and then got some Fall on Hwy 1. 69 degrees, leaves turning, and cool damp air as low clouds blanketed the highest areas. Didn't have time to run all the way to Mena, so headed back down 259 and home via Paris and Bonham. Nice 530 miles rountrip to get some Fall.

Running through OK, I thought of that guy each time I started to pass someone. Garmin showed my top speed on the trip to be 95, which I'm sure was passing. Probably need to tone that down a touch in hindsight given what happened to that guy.

On a side note, if anyone heads that way in the near future, some recent chipseal work was done on the OK side of hwy 1. It's a mess. Lots of lose gravel bits and no warning.

[KenH]

Originally Posted by Gravel Guy

sounds like a prayer.....amen..

We call it a "Warm Fuzzy" and it is a type of prayer. There is evidence that a Warm Fuzzy can transcend miles and time to touch another in a positive way.

Originally Posted by jimhaleyscomet

Nathan and I had one already!

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77424

Still I wish I could write that thought as well as you did.

We are still waiting for the cool autumn days here in Houston. So far we have to settle for "less than hotter than **** days". Fall will come to Houston but more likely the end of November.

Jim

Fall in Texas: Tuesday 100* drought; Wednesday green; Thursday brown; Friday bare; Saturday 32* sleet.

This is the best time of the year to ride Arkansas roads. If I was stuck in Houston and had the means I'd load up the KLR, head out for Arkansas (~8 hours) early one weekday AM, ride that afternoon and the next day, then drive back on day 3. Cheap psychotherapy.

[tshelfer]

Originally Posted by KenH

As summer's heat slips away I hope everyone lucks into at least one of those Golden Days that becons the long way home before the cold of winter arrives. Ride safe.

I'm headed for Talihina next Tuesday, with the tent strapped on the back of the Strom. Here's hoping for a couple of golden days.

[Desert Skies]

Originally Posted by tshelfer

I'm headed for Talihina next Tuesday, with the tent strapped on the back of the Strom. Here's hoping for a couple of golden days.

Be bummin' around all week, may bump into each other. I'll be the fat old guy on a dirty GS.

[tshelfer]

Bright red VStrom with a Givi tail box and TWT stickers at both ends - it's pretty easy to spot. I'll be staying in Talimena State Park Tuesday & Wednesday nights. I'll watch for the dirty GS....

[KenH]

I expect the Talimena is pretty this time of year. Be safe.