| Author | Message | ||
     Jb2 |
Talked to a good friend this evening and heard of all the events over this last weekend. Against my better judgment I read this thread from beginning to end. Floods of memories flush the senses. Bear with me here. I seen my hero laying in a pool of his own blood, dead. On the road and cold. I watched in disbelief as they washed what seemed an endless amount of blood off the highway. I followed the ambulance to the hospital riding the Honda... the most eery 10 miles of silence I've ever rode. Killed by a teenager who was driving well over his ability. 1)May '99. Group Ride. After passing through an intersection I attempted a left turn into a gas station. Next thing I remember was coming to on the pavement. Buell trashed. Cracked ribs and hip. I was hit from behind by a GSXR traveling at nearly 60mph. The rider veered left into my turn when he tried to overtake me. The rider of the other bike was a close friend who simply got swept up in the enthusiasm. 2) BRAG event, Mid-Ohio '99. Rider near the center of the lead group crashes hard right off the bat. His lucky day, he rode away. Fence posts and trees lined on both sides of his swath through the culvert. 3)Kinzua Ride '99. Kid on Sportster crashes hard into guard rail(in a construction zone no less) after trying to catch the lead group of Buells. It was real ugly. Those rails are like big ol' steak knives lining the edge of the road. He lived to ride again. He was lucky. 4)BRATPAC '99 was already planned and I was starting to have major second thoughts on group rides. This would be my last. Well almost. At least this time everyone who made the ride made it home safely. Fourth time's a charm. I went back to solo riding and riding with one or two friends. It's comfortable. It's safe. It's knowing what to expect from the guy who's behind you. I did lead a group ride this spring to dedicate a roadside marker for Dad. It was a small group but we were unable to escape that volatile ingredient, testosterone. At a time during a ride to commemorate another rider's death we zested for life by twisting the grip. In a moment quiet as a whisper and so close to the edge of living I shared a mutual close call with a dear friend. He later declined a trip over the Dragon, stating that he'd been spooked by the earlier event. I understood. Not only do I have a great amount of respect for his decision, but I love him like a brother. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to turn off the switch. The group thing just magnifies this 10 fold or more. The more people you have, the more chances you take. You can prepare all you want and if you're listing events that prove me wrong it's only cause it hasn't happened to you, yet. We came up with a very nice roadside cross for Dad that looks similar to the one proposed for Daryl. I tried to scan and upload it but I am a computer idiot. Maybe someone here(Court, Ferris,...) who got a cross or invitation could scan and post it for Jim Witt? Daryl's friends or family are more than welcome to adopt the idea for his cross. Jim, I'll help in anyway if you need it. I hope to travel with all the good friends I've made here again in the future. One or two at a time from now on. Until then let's all keep our shit together and ride safe. God bless Daryl's family and friends. JB2 edited by JB2 on October 09, 2003 edited by JB2 on October 09, 2003 | ||
| Dblast |
I am the wife of Jeff, the XI rider in the accident on Saturday. We send our deepest sympathy to Daryl's family and friends. This has been a very traumatic time for our family also. We also have three children and cannot imagine the grief they are going through with the loss of their dad. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them. I am SO THANKFUL to the Lord above that my husband is with us today. Jeff has damage to his knee which we don't know the extent yet--his knee is filled with stitches and we have to wait for the swelling to go down to do further testing. He is bruised all over. His right shoulder is very sore (along with his entire body) and testing will be done on that too. He has no broken bones. Jeff has rode motorcycles for 24 years and is an avid reader of badweatherbikers. I have always been supportive of his passion for motorcycles and he too wanted me to share in that passion and bought me a Buell Blast in March. I just got my license a few weeks ago. The ride was too far for me to go so I stayed home. I always knew the importance of "gear" but after seeing my husband's chunked helmet, shredded leather jacket and riding boots, I cannot imagine the condition of his body without them. He chose not to wear his full leathers because he knew it would be hot. This was a choice he regrets. He knows his knee and legs would have been a lot better off if he would have. This tradgedy has showed me just how fragile life is. I know Jeff will continue to ride as this is what he LOVES to do and I will not hinder his decision. I will just do alot more praying when he is out riding. I'm not so sure if I will continue to ride. Again, we send our deepest sympathy to Daryl's family and friends. Ride safely... | ||
| Glitch |
the events at the Torque Fest have touched us all in one way or another, I'm not sure you know how true this statement is. | ||
| Ferris |
Debra, thanks for the report on Jeff's condition, and for your kind and thoughtful words. please pass on our thoughts and well wishes during his recovery. i'm glad that he will continue to ride, and i hope that you continue to ride, as well. this stuff is tough, and some serious soul-searching is one obvious byproduct of what you've both been through. again, please know that we're all pulling for you guys. Ferris and Denise | ||
| Cj_xb |
Jb2, very nice post, good to see it !! dblast, good to hear the report on your husband Jeff, I hated to read this thread and prayed for all involved, it does make one think !! CJ XB | ||
| Henrik |
Jim; thank you my friend! Dblast, thanks for the update on Jeff. Good to hear that he is ok ... all things considered. Good on you that you'll *let him* keep riding  Henrik | ||
| Al_lighton |
Dblast, Thanks very much for the update on Jeff. Other than the very gnarly gash, he seemed pretty OK at the scene, but sometimes adrenaline masks an amazing amount of damage and pain. Good to hear nothings broken, and here's hoping that the gash is nothing more than that. Give him our best. Al | ||
| Ferris |
JB2, you know where my heart is about your Dad. i'm looking very much forward to our next ride together. FB1 | ||
| Careyj |
WOW all I wanted was a few details on who was involved in the accidents and it had now taken me an hour to read ALL the posts, I was not able to go on the ride and I'm shaken up. I have seen bad things like this happen to good people and it hurts and I'm glad people are talking about it. My deepest sympathy go's out to family of Daryl, and wish Jim a speedy recovery. Carey J. | ||
| Ferris |
that's nice, JW. very nice. FB | ||
| Bikerguyx1 |
I just got back from a noon visit to the hospital and Jim was being taken off of the ventilator as I got there. I got to go in and hang out with him for about an hour and he is doing pretty good. We laughed and cried but most of all just kinda looked at each other and shook our heads. He is coughing up alot of crap but breathing pretty good on his own. I'll update as the days progress. chad | ||
| Bomber |
Guy thanks for the update . . . let him know we're thinkin of him (check that, I'm sure you have) . . . . | ||
| Al_lighton |
To all those present at the last gas stop in Glenwood, NM, before Daryl's wreck... At that stop, Daryl was organizing a group photo with his and other bikes, as well as all the Buellers he could round up, in it. I was in the line for the rest room, and didn't get in it or get the shot. Did it happen? If yes, it's probably not only the last photo of him alive, but also, a photo of him happily in his element, joking and laughing with other Buellers. Did anyone get that photo? If yes, I'd bet his family would love to have a copy. If he had a camera, it's probably in his stuff that should make it back to them. But I don't recall if he did. Just a thought... | ||
| Bikerguyx1 |
Yeah, this should go in the jokes section but since we have all had to ponder life this past week, I thought you all would appreciate it. LIFE AND A CAN OF BEER When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar...and the beer. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends, your favorite passions--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. "The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else--the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house, and fix the disposal. "Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers." | ||
| Al_lighton |
Dblast, I'm Joanne, Al's wife. I don't usually post on this board (I'm a lurker), but I had to respond to your post, because I can relate to your situation quite well. My husband Al has ridden for at least 25 years, and is he's definitely what you would call an avid motorcyclist. We have a young son, and I just recently started riding again. I had started riding shortly after I met Al, over 20 years ago, then I stopped before our son was born, about 9 years ago. Just this past year, Al's gotten us all interested in riding, me on an SV650 and TTR125 (dirtbike), Zach on his dirtbike. Knowing that street riding and dirt bike riding can both be very dangerous, I had my reservations at first. My family is very important to me, and I don't want to see them hurt. Of course, Al feels the same way. So we always stress the importance of proper riding gear, riding within your limits and safety rules to Zach. It is still a risky sport, but by addressing the things that are within our control, we can minimize that risk. No one can tell you whether you should be riding after this or not, only you can know that. But I think that you would likely become a safer rider than most, given time, because you have seen the consequences, and have a deeper respect for them than the average guy who just buys a motorcycle because he wants to go fast. My thoughts and prayers also go to Carole and Daryl's family. The night before the accident, I overheard much of the conversations about Al's bike as Daryl, Al, Murrae, and others worked on it. I thought at the time that I would have liked to meet Daryl. His voice was distinctive, with his New England accent. Even though I didn't meet him personally, I could tell he was a very likeable, energetic, full-of-spirit guy. But for the grace of God, it could be any one of us. Hopefully this will not stop us from living our lives fully, savoring every moment. But please, ride safely, everyone, and live to tell your loved ones your stories! Joanne | ||
| Turnagain |
Mr. Witt, In case you'd like to change the image: It can probably stand a bit more work, so just let me know. Steve(2) | ||
| M2me |
Dblast (and anyone else for that matter), Maybe take an MSF course if you're unsure about continuing to ride. I've personally thought about taking the advanced course for years but haven't done it. Too busy, forgot to sign up, blah, blah. I took the beginner course back in 1992 and I learned more and gained more confidence in those two days than I had in years (I had ridden before 92 but I had never had any formal motorcycle instruction). The MSF courses are great and I'm going to really make an effort to take the advanced course next spring. | ||
| Thad |
Al, I took a digital shot of the bike lineup and Daryl. The whole group picture thing never happened, but I got this one..  He isn't in focus too well, but you can tell he is smiling. Kinda wish I had taken a couple more as I didn't feel much like taking pictures after. Thad | ||
| Ferris |
Jim, i like the design beter without the Pegasus on each side. it's cleaner, simpler, more elegant IMO. and it would be cool to have the bike model he was riding on there. cool picture Thad. FB | ||
| M2me |
Jim, I would lose the pegasus logos and put the dates back where they were. Don't sell Buells, just honor Daryl. The new bike from Turnagain is great. I would keep that. Thanks for asking for comments. | ||
| M2me |
Looks like me and Ferris think alike. I didn't see his post before I posted mine. It took me about 20 minutes to write mine. Reminds me of something Erik Buell quoted at the 20th anniversary dinner, "Sorry, this memo is so long. I would have made it shorter, but I didn't have the time." | ||
| Ferris |
Reminds me of something Erik Buell quoted at the 20th anniversary dinner, "Sorry, this memo is so long. I would have made it shorter, but I didn't have the time."  FB | ||
| Carole |
This is Carole, Daryl's girlfriend. I want to thank all of you for you kindness and support. It has been a very difficult time but I take comfort in knowing that Daryl was doing what he loved to do. He will be with us always, watching. His services are this morning and I have made sure that there will be a group of Buell riders leading his way. His bike will be the first in line. The out pouring of sympathy from the Buell community has been overwhelming. I do not know what I would have done without it. Carole | ||
| Cj_xb |
Carole, my sympathies and prayers are with you !! CJ XB | ||
| Ebear |
Carole , I only wish I could have met Daryl.... MY thoughts and prayers are with you and Family. .................GODSPEED DARYL................... | ||
| Gravedigger |
Carole, You and your family will be in Heather and my thoughts and prayers. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies. We are truely sorry to hear about your families loss. Keith p.s. my nickname is not intended with any disrespect, especially in a situation such as this. | ||
| Reindog |
Carole, Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Like the other Buellers, I too, extend my sympathies. Tom. | ||
| Ferris |
thank you, Carole. our thoughts and prayers are with you. Ferris & Denise | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Carole, You and your family are in our thoughts. Jim edited by pdxs3t on October 10, 2003 | ||
| Sparky |
Carole, Our prayers and sympathy go out to you for your loss. Daryl impressed me as a friendly, knowledgeable, super enthusiast. I was quite shocked when I recognized him at the scene. Then we realized we'd just lost a friend. We offered a prayer in his behalf. Darryl & Jen P.S. We are standing right behind him in Thad's photo. |
