| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
Heard on the radio (Star 94) this morning that there was a nasty, grisly bike accident. Dunno where exactly (Atlanta area, maybe?), but they said the guy was doing in excess of 100mph and tried to squeeze between 2 tractor trailers. I feel bad for his family, but I have a hard time feeling bad for him. There may be more to it, but it doesn't take a chemist to figure out "100+mph" and "tractor trailers" don't mix well. ~SM | ||
| Slaughter |
SM - agreed. Sad for the survivors - friends and family but we get too much of this happening. Stupidity and bad judgement and excess speed all can overlap but when all intersect, the paramedics get some unwanted practice. (Message edited by slaughter on August 15, 2007) | ||
| Macbuell |
It was on I-85 and a friend at work told me that reportedly, there were body parts across the highway. Then she proceeded to lecture me about how dangerous motorcycles are and how she worries about me. | ||
| Dick8008 |
My Mom does the same thing. I have to remind her that the bike isn't dangerous, it's the guy on it. | ||
| Slaughter |
Yep - stupidity is ALWAYS dangerous. That much will never change! I've done stupid stuff that got me hurt - running with shoes untied when I was about 8 - fall to the sidewalk broke a metacarpal and finger! Stupid. I still wear shoes. I still run. I just do it with either bare feet or my SHOES TIED! To do otherwise is STUPID. (Message edited by slaughter on August 15, 2007) | ||
| Fullpower |
yeah, I crashed my sporty once pretty hard. Ran into a car stopped in road ahead of me. Expensive lesson there, and embarassing too, thought I was a lot better rider. Some days ya probably just shouldn't get out of bed. But then again, I had a good friend just keel over dead in a convenience store. Heart quit. So what-the-hay..... you might get hit by lightning anytime, dont matter if you are going a hundred or laying on the couch. Make sure the people close to you know you love them, do something fun every day of your life, and try to make somebody smile along the way. | ||
| Diablobrian |
After my accident I heard a lot about how dangerous motorcycles are. I had to point out that the wreck was not my fault, or the bike's fault. I said that it is actually drivers with <300 miles driving experience that are DANGEROUS. When I made clear my intention to ride again I caught another round of the same rhetoric. My response was " If I got hit driving a Chevy I wouldn't quit driving Chevys. It was not the bike's fault." A lot of people that aren't riders, or close enough to me to really understand me don't get just how much riding becomes a part of your life. If I stopped doing the things that make me who I am would I still be the same person? I don't think so. | ||
| Slaughter |
Fullpower - I sincerely hope you learned your lesson: STAY AWAY from convenience stores! | ||
| Dbird29 |
On I80 going to Sturgis this year, I had a guy on a Harley shoot the gap between my bike trailer and the Semi in the next lane. Never saw him until he was beside my passenger door. Thank goodness I didn't flinch or he would be dead. I had to deal with that guy and his 3 idiot buddies 4 times before we got to town. | ||
| Xbullet |
i see these guys on the I all the time. i wonder if he was in leather or shorts. my heart goes out to the families, but i hope it wakes up the atlanta motorcycle community. there are too many here (and i'm sure elsewhere) who need to realize that they should be riding rebel 250's instead of gixxer 1K's. but like daddy always said, "if yer gonna be dumb, ya gotta be tough." that accident was avoidable. no question. very sad. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Fullpower, I try to live by that same creed. Seems to work so far. I'd rather have a life well lived, however long it lasts, than a long, safe, boring one. As a truck driver I feel for the drivers involved, it's not a nice feeling to know that peoples lives have been ruined due to what's happened under your wheels. Whether it's someone elses fault or not. (Message edited by Mr_grumpy on August 16, 2007) | ||
| Macbuell |
I'm with Grumpy. I don't feel any sympathy for the rider (I do feel some for his/her family) but I do feel for the drivers of those trucks. Even though it wasn't their fault in any way, it's got to be a tremendously horrible feeling pulling over after something like that and seeing the carnage. If it were me, I'd probably need therapy. | ||
| Supafast |
I saw an idiot on a crotch rocket with a death wish the other night. It was late. Maybe midnight. I was on a 3 lane freeway. I was in the middle lane, there was a pick up in the left lane and a tractor trailer in the right lane. This crotch rocket fool came up behind me so fast and then veered off to the right and went around the rig on the shoulder. If there was a parked broken down car on the side of the road that would have been it! | ||
| Hexangler |
Ahhh, the ol' Malachi Crunch... From Happy Days... #65- Fonzie Loves Pinky (Part 2) (9/21/76) The Malachi Brothers try and sabotage Pinky's car on the night before the derby. Richie does an interview for the tv station and gives a recap of what happened in the last episode. Richie talks to Alfred on the telephone and asks him to send Fonzie over to the garage. The guys try to hide the damage (a M is painted in red on the side door) to the car. Fonzie lifts up the hood and sees the damage to the engine. Fonzie tells Ralph and Potsie to get him a gallon of pink paint and tells Tina and Lola (The Pinkettes) to get some parts from Pfister's Emporium. He tells Richie to tell Howard to delay the start of the derby. Richie tells Howard about the situation. Potsie sings "America the Beautiful" as the derby is set to begin. The Mallachi Brothers arrive and they want the derby to start. Richie announces the other entrants and reads the rules of the contest. Pinky arrives in her #7 car and Fonzie in his #6 car. Pinky tells Fonzie that she doesn't want to wear a helmet. Marion says, "Gentleman, start your stock". The derby begins and Fonzie and Pinky talk over walkie talkies. Fonzie's car stalls, but he is able to start the car by hitting the dashboard with his hand and escapes the Mallachi Crunch. Six cars remain and Rocco throws some flour into Lefty Banducci's face and they take him out with the Mallachi Crunch. Rocco tries the same stunt on the Fonz, but the Fonz pulls out a hair dryer and blows it back at him. Two teams remain (Fonzie and Pinky and the Mallachi Brothers) in the competition. Pinky stalls and she goes out to fix her engine and the Mallachi Crunch strikes her car. Pinky is hurt and taken to the hospital for x-rays and gives Fonzie her pink scarf. To be continued. Directed by: Jerry Paris Written by: William Bickley & Michael Warren Guest stars: Roz Kelly as Pinky Tuscadero, Michael Pataki as Count Mallachi, Al Molinaro as Alfred, Ken Lerner as Rocco, Doris Hess as Tina, and Kelly Sanders as Lola. Note: A banner reads "Leopard Lodge #196 Demolition Derby". The demolition derby entrants include: Boo Boo Fox and Mad Man Mahocky, Filthy Marvin and No Nose Quick, and Count Mallachi and his brother Rocco. Al has a stand selling food and drinks at the derby. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
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| Wile_ecoyote |
Maybe too much Nick at night? | ||
| Hexangler |
You know what they say: "If you have to explain a joke..." See the Malachi brothers would take their demolition derby cars and get on either side of an opponent and smash the opponent like pickle in the middle. I remember this from 1976 and have always been aware of the danger of getting between two moving trucks--now I am really dating myself... Hex | ||
| Ryker77 |
I was in Atl area last week for work. Watched a guy lane split in traffic several times. Funny thing was he never actually got anywhere any quicker. Bought my first Harley/bike from a guy who moved to Atl and was too afraid to ride it. I think there is a 100% wreck rate for bikes....????!!! | ||
| Glitch |
I live about 30 or so miles north east of Atlanta. I work in Atlanta. I can see why your friend is afraid to ride around here. I commute often on my bike. It is definitely the land of the quick and the dead. You have GOT to have your wits about you regardless of where you ride. I will admit though, Atlanta traffic is the pits, and the drivers here have got to be among the worst. And don't get me started on cell phone drivers... | ||
| Djkaplan |
"I commute often on my bike. It is definitely the land of the quick and the dead." ATL is the pits. I lived there for 21 years and have absolutely no desire to ever go back... strictly because of the traffic and the clueless drivers. Atlanta proper is so poorly administered and what administration there is has been so crooked, it's on the verge of being labeled the 'new' New Oleans. Atlanta's new slogan should be, "The city that's too dizzy to hate", or "Atlanta: We're still not as bad as Detroit". | ||
| Sanchez |
The accident happened in the wee hours of the morning, and the interstate was blocked off for so long that police had to go from car to car waking people up when they got it cleared. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I just got the news that a guy I went to high school with wrecked his bike "going excessive speed" and died last week. He was 23. He didn't ride through high school, which means he was a fairly new rider. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
atlanta scares me if i'm going through in my pickup or on the bike. i avoid going home just so i don't have to drive through that city. a freind that got a job down there takes the buses and such to get around instead of dealing with the traffic. | ||
| Gmc310 |
everyone dies ,Not everyone lives | ||
| Edstevens |
10 years ago my wife and I went on our daughters band trip to Disney World. With motionsickness I ride in the front seat of the charter bus. The bus driver says "Look at the speedometer then in the lane two over." We're doing 85 mph, the slowest thing in six or eight lanes on I85 and this little old grandmaw is passing us. Yes I have fear and respect for Atlanta roadways. | ||
| Macbuell |
Thanks to that idiot the four main counties of Metro Atlanta cracked down on speeding motorcyclists over the weekend. They called it Operating Fast and Furious. It was covered on the major news stations on Sunday. Some idiot around 4AM on Monday morning decided to speed away from the cops and ended up killing himself. It's nice to know that there are plenty of these idiots killing themselves and further perpetuating the already negative stereotypes associated with our bikes. http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/atlanta/stor ies/2007/08/20/cyclecrash_0820.html?cxntlid=homepa ge_tab_newstab Notice the story at the bottom of the page that got no pub regarding a motorcyclist killed by someone running a red light. | ||
| Ducxl |
Thanks to that idiot the four main counties of Metro Atlanta cracked down on speeding motorcyclists over the weekend. traffic law is unenforceable.Today i was hanging around downtown.I saw at least 4 cars violate the "No turn on red" signs at stoplights.And saw one speed through a crossing lighted intersection that was red for pedestrians.Someone could've been hit by the car. When i pointed this out to my wife she asked about our behavior whilst motorcycling yesterday.We were part of a group which passed on double yellow a number of times. We're headed for total anarchy if we do not all change OUR road behavior. | ||
| Ryker77 |
"traffic law is unenforceable" There are about 5 major traffic jams in the Atl area. All due to people NOT merging into traffic in the correct lane. They will drive all the way up to the last few feet then wedge a nose into the off ramp. Causing all traffic behind them to stop-- This is on a highway!. Never understood why jonny law couldn't just set down in a chair and hand out tickets. Or do like Fla does and put up those plastic poles that prevent late merging. -- I've visited Italy and other countries. Those guys make us all look like perfect drivers. Mopeds will not only lane split but use ALL lanes both directions and the sidewalks! | ||
| Cruisin |
Ducxl - in Vermont it's legal to pass on a double yellow unless otherwise posted (usually around schools). I know I've been in other states leading group rides and gotten some funny comments after doing the same - it wasn't until recently I found out it wasn't legal in all the states. There's enough wind tossing me around when I pass one tractor trailer. I couldn't imagine going between two, that's just stupid. Ah well, if nothing else hopefully he died doing something he loved and had a nice insurance policy to take care of whoever he left behind. The truck drivers will be taking some time off, no doubt. A friend was driving a garbage truck and someone crossed the center line. The car was several feet shorter than before the crash and the woman died instantly. He was in pretty rough shape but with some good counseling he's doing alright. Brian - I used that same logic with a friend of mine who just started riding. She had a close friend who got stupid and killed himself on a bike. She didn't like them for years until her current boyfriend managed to get her on one. She loves it but made the comment that if they crash, she's not getting back on. I asked her if she crashed her car would she never drive again? She gave me a look and then she realized. Yes, it might take time and on her own terms, but don't say never - you might miss out on something great! | ||
| Jackbequick |
"..in Vermont it's legal to pass on a double yellow unless otherwise posted..." Maine was the same way until this year, the double yellow was advisory and meant pass with caution, adding a Do Not Pass sign to a double yellow meant just that. But Maine rolled over and changed a double yellow to mean no passing in order to qualify for some Federal highway money or something like that. The bad part is that the guys that are painting the double yellow lines have not changed the double line lengths or locations. So now there are miles and miles of roads in Maine now where you used to be be able to pass over a double yellow safely on a bike (or the right car) and those are now all no passing zones. I still apply the old rules occasionally to get around a slow mover safely. I'm going to plead ignorance or hope that common sense will prevail if I ever get stopped for it. Jack |
