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Jim_sb
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 12:22 am: | 
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A very difficult thread. So many things can happen. Animals, bees, mechanical... Danger is out there.
I love riding, but have no desire to test the capability of my gear.
quote:Don't cross the Double Yellow, unless you can see the future
Excellent advice. BTDT. It's on my list of things called "never again".
Amen.
Jim in Santa Barbara |
Skyguy
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 12:31 am: |
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Here in SoCal most drivers are used to lane splitting. I tend to setup at the rear left of the car I wish to pass and wait for a minute. A large number of drivers will move slightly to the right allowing you to pass without crossing the yellow line. Blind turns are russian roulette..... |
Jima4media
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 02:48 am: |
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I have relabled the pictures over on SacBorg, and added new ones. Too tired to do any more tonight, but here are some links...
http://www.sacborg.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=013222
http://sendstory.manilasites.com/pictures/
Jim |
Moniquem2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 02:14 pm: |
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After reading all your posts, I have to comment..
First, thank you for your comments, well wishes, etc. Some of you never even knew Gordon.. he was something (too smart at times).
I too have many unanswered questions.. something is just not right.
I was first told last Thurs morning, about Gordon, and how he tried to pass 3 cars and did not make it. He passed one car, the middle car slammed on their brakes - skid marks on road).
Yes, you can see where Gordon started applying his brakes on the road. It is a down-hill, straight-away with a little kink - but I have passed people in my Mustang in that same area, and from the very, very top you can see almost down to the bottom (where it curves to the right). But as you approach down you cannot see around the kink so well.
I heard this Tuesday, that supposedly Gordon was attempting to pass 5 cars.. I say "no way"! He was no dummy. Very calculating person.
Pearci (his best bud), and I have walked those marks many times, and feel after he passed the first car, and then the second - he tried to get back over (into his lane), and we feel that MAYBE he was not let in, thus making him, make a split- second decision, to dump it - at the end of his skid marks they bear left (on opposite side of road). I think he was going to try to dump the bike in the side of the hill, but maybe his depth perception or timing was off. Or just plain chaos.
Gordon had just had lunch with his old co-workers from Ultron, he did not drink that day, I asked. He was not a huge drinker, but he could drink a beer or two - never saw him tipsy, beligerant, while on the bike or in his car for that matter.
Back to our theory... yes I too would like to find the driver of the second car (accident report should give me a name) the one who slammed on their brakes.. it seems they were trying to make room for gordon?? not sure, their skid marks are way up the hill, many feet from where the bike skid marks start.
I also heard (and I don't understand), from witness accounts... that he put on the brakes, almost lost control, regained control, and then again lost control.. why???
He was hit by a Izusu Box Truck (med size delivery truck) square in the chest. They say his heart stopped immediately, and they tried to recessitate (sp?) him. (I don't want to think about him suffering).
I know him well, he was not a HUGE risk taker, there was always logic behind his decisions, and that is why I feel there was another factor involved.
I have heard about people on Bear Creek rd, putting oil on the roads, because they are sick of the fast motorcycle riders..
Hey, everyone goes way over the speed limit on that road: cars, bikes, and bicyclists too.. and even me! In fact, on my way up on Tues to "The Site, Mile 7.6" I was almost hit in my car, head-on with a friggin white box truck. He was in my lane, and when I came around a very tight corner he almost hit me, I am not sure how he did not -must have had gordie looking out for me, because there was not even a-thousands of an inch between my car and the truck.
p.s. Sheriff dept will not give his brothers his helmet, or the bike.. they say it would be a biohazard. OK well let me just look at it then.. again, strange.. to me.
I hope I did not depress anyone.. not trying too.
I feel when it is time for us to go, it is time.. Someone needed Gordons electrifying spirit!
Thanks everyone..see you friday at Vasona Park. |
Firstbuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 02:49 pm: |
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Gordon's memorial RIDE - Sat 8/20 - 11am sharp departure
NOTE: Please arrive earlier than 11am, for social time and reminiscing. Our mournful, yet spirited, 80-mile tour will begin at exactly 11am.
The start site is the Sempervirens Point Overlook, a roomy paved lot with a great view - one of Gordon's favorites. It's located approximately 2 mi. beyond the Saratoga Gap's Hiways 9/35 crossroads. After halting at the Gap's STOP sign, take Hiway 9 towards Boulder Creek/Santa Cruz. Once you've traveled about 2 mi., the wide-open Overlook appears on the left, along a straightaway, opposite the Chesebrough Boy Scout camp entry.
After our 11am sharp departure, we'll return on Hiway 9 to the Gap; turn left onto Hiway 35 to Alice's Restaurant; turn left onto Hiway 84 to San Gregorio; turn left onto Stage Road to Pescadero; turn right onto Pescadero Road to Hiway 1; turn left onto Hiway 1 to Whale Bakery in Davenport for refreshments. Then we'll continue S on Hiway 1; turn left onto Bonny Doon Road/Pine Flat Road to Empire Grade Road; turn left onto Empire Grade Road to Jamison Creek Road: turn right, descending Jamison Creek Road to Hiway 236; turn right onto Hiway 236 to Boulder Creek; turn left onto Hiway 9 and continue back to the Overlook.
Whether you're astride a bike or driving a car, please join us this coming Sat..... |
Shotgun
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 03:13 pm: |
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Monique, thanks for sharing that. |
Jima4media
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 04:14 pm: |
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Monique,
Hearing that Gordon lost control of his XB9 does not seem right. That bike should really be checked out by a knowledgeable Buell dealer like Santa Cruz, San Jose, or Fremont Cycle Center.
Buells may be a lot of things, but they are not biohazards.
I will talk more with you and Gordon's brothers about this on Friday.
Jim |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 04:28 pm: |
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thank you, Monique. see you Friday.
Ferris |
Jima4media
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 06:09 pm: |
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Attention All BadWebbers -
Monique and Gordon's brothers are looking for any will that he may have put together. They have found something that looks like a will template from a Bill Smith.
Does anyone on BadWeb know of a Bill Smith that might be a laywer?
I did a search for Bill Smith but didn't find anything that looked right.
Yet another reason to not remain too Anonymous.
I know after Andy died, and didn't have a will, that we all said we were going to do one.
Has anyone actually done that yet? I know I haven't.
Another thing that I would like to see started in addition to the RAN file, is an ICE file - In Case of Emergency - to notify next of kin, family, etc. People are starting to do that with cell phones, and it seems like a good idea. We would have to have someway of protecting private information from the open internet however.
Thoughts?
Jim |
Stevem123
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 12:52 am: |
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Hi all,
It's been a long time since I posted here.
I checked the crash site with Gordons family and a few others I know yesterday. Feike is right. I have passed in that location before and I agree with Monique that there is something missing in the whole story. I don't think Gordon would have put himself in that situation intentionally. The rumor that he lost control is bunk I think. His skidmark is straight and single meaning that he wasn't sideways or anything like that. He was clearly trying to scrub off speed in a hurry and the end of the skidmark indicates he tried to dive to the left towards the hill at the very end just before hitting the truck.
Bear Creek road is one of those love-hate roads. It's way too fun but at the same time, everyone on that road is driving like it's a competition.
I swear that no matter how fast you go, someone else is determined to go faster. I finally decided to quit pushing the limits and let the idiots go by. I want to live a little longer.
We'll probably never know exactly what put Gordon in that position but rest assured, if someone in that group of three cars prevented him from getting back into his own lane, they will have to live the rest of their lives with the knowlege they caused someone to die. If that's the case, then I hope they go insane with that knowlege and burn in hell for it.
Sorry for the rant but I really hate the way people drive on that road. I'm glad I don't commute that direction any more because my stress level has gotten much better since I began commuting to Hwy 1 where I now work at Big Creek Lumber. It's very relaxing and much cooler to work on the coast.
Rest in peace Gordon. We'll remember you!
BC Steve |
Firstbuell
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 01:57 am: |
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Guys,
First off, I simply HATE this after-the-fact, amateur accident reconstruction. It's usually uninformed dribble.
That said, I, too, was at the site with BCSteve, and I, too, just don't get it - it doesn't add up.
Safe to say we don't know [and we likely never will], but upon returning home I told Tuono Joice that either Gordon made a BIG [& fatal mistake]
OR
he got hung out to dry [most likely by another's incompetence rather than malice].
So Bezelbub, if our conjectures are true, then get out those bellows to raise the temperature in Hell for any SOB who nerfed our Gordon upstairs....
rant over. |
Lake_bueller
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 05:51 pm: |
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I've been following this thread for some time but haven't known exactly how to put my thoughts into words.
First....my sympathies to the Gordon's family and friends. I hope that when my day comes, my wife, family and friends are surrounded by as caring a bunch of people.
Now on to my thoughts....I've been reading a lot here and on Sacborg about Gordon's "skill" and "care" as a rider. I think if this accident happened to me, you'd hear many of the same responses from my friends. But let's be realistic for a moment. We ALL do stupid, reckless and dangerous manuevers. This time, Gordon's gamble didn't pay. Even if somebody was "messing with him", he shouldn't have let it effect his safety. But he did (and WE DO)!!!
Sorry to be so cold and cruel, but that's life sometimes. Gordon died doing something he enjoyed. We should celebrate his life. BUT remember him next time you have a slight bit of road rage or feel like making that "I know I can" pass.
God Speed Gordon!!! |
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