RE: a rather grim request (maybe fluff to some)
My oldest brother Freddy, 42, lost his life yesterday when his TDM 850 collided head-on with a car. His wife, Marian, 39, was riding with him and is now being kept under induced coma after major toracic surgery, with no definite prognosis at this time. Both were properly attired, in particular my brother who was wearing full body armor when the accident happened, but to no avail. He's leaving two kids, 16 and 13. This is the second death in my closest family in two weeks. Probably against family wishes, I've decided to keep on riding, as I guess that's what I'd May I, because of this, ask for a small gesture from you guys, of salute and respect for a fellow biker you never got to know. Will you please, next time you ride -as hard as always-, don your protective gear, and even if it's just this once for some of you, please keep your tires away from the centerline and remain in your lane with bike and body and head, in a demonstration of trajectory control. I believe he'd appreciate the gesture, and I know I will. Thank you very much, and please excuse me if you feel I'm using the list for venting my personal affairs. Roberto: I'm saddened and shocked for your losses, particularly since they seem to have come out of the blue. I don't think you've wasted any of our time, but I can't speak for the rest, so I'll just speak for me. You are a member of this list, and sometimes you need a pat on the shoulder, or even a shoulder to cry on. As far as I'm concerned you always have that right here, though perhaps Michael W. would disagree. I'm glad you'll continue to ride. I'd bet your brother would want it, and if it makes you happy, then you should do it. Let your bro know that I always wear my protective gear...if it is that hot that I would even think about not doing it, then I don't ride, I take the air-conditioned car. Regards, Henry S. Winokur 94 GTS1000, AMA, MRF, MD/MSF Certified Instructor West Bethesda, MD
a rather grim request (maybe fluff to some)
Dear all: Desperately trying to while away the wait for a loved one's burial, in the wee hours of the night, I've decided to turn to you all, riding friends in the distance, with the news and a small request. This is a very intimate post and I'll understand if some -or even most- of you stop reading right here. My oldest brother Freddy, 42, lost his life yesterday when his TDM 850 collided head-on with a car. His wife, Marian, 39, was riding with him and is now being kept under induced coma after major toracic surgery, with no definite prognosis at this time. Both were properly attired, in particular my brother who was wearing full body armor when the accident happened, but to no avail. He's leaving two kids, 16 and 13. He had just days before borrowed my GTS. He loved it so much he offered to buy it if I ever got tired of her. I have ridden his TDM many times too, just for the thrill of the twisties. He was always cautious, warned me about keeping an eye on my speedo, for the GTS made it feel as if one were riding much slower than the real speed. There was a time we rode identical XJ 600 Diversions, mine green, his red. Almost never rode together, but we always had time for a bit of "bike chat" when we met. This is the second death in my closest family in two weeks. Probably against family wishes, I've decided to keep on riding, as I guess that's what I'd expect from him if it were my turn, and because people die in car accidents every day and quitting driving because of it is out of the question anyway. May I, because of this, ask for a small gesture from you guys, of salute and respect for a fellow biker you never got to know. Will you please, next time you ride -as hard as always-, don your protective gear, and even if it's just this once for some of you, please keep your tires away from the centerline and remain in your lane with bike and body and head, in a demonstration of trajectory control. I believe he'd appreciate the gesture, and I know I will. Thank you very much, and please excuse me if you feel I'm using the list for venting my personal affairs. Thanks to all of you for reading this far. Roberto Alonso Zero Zero fotografía y diseño Tlf/Fax: (+34) 986 49 34 60 Móvil: (+34) 607 30 20 47 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: a rather grim request (maybe fluff to some)
Roberto, First, your message is in no way an abuse of the list. For all of our frequent silliness here, and some disputes on occasion, most of us would agree that we're all friends here, even if it's "friends afar" at times. Your message was appropriate, and heartfelt. Second, and more importantly, I'm sorry for what you've had to endure. Those of us who ride have all experienced the loss of a rider friend at some time. Having no brothers, and two sisters who don't ride, I've never lost anyone the way you just did. It has to be hard. About a month ago a friend was killed here, riding his Goldwing. I met him when I moved here in 1987, we did a lot of service work together, and he was the attorney who handled my divorce a few years back. At the time of his accident, his helmet was safely stored in the luggage of his bike. The accident was not his fault, a very convoluted affair caused primarily by a car that pulled out into traffic and set off a series of lane maneuvers that caught Ernie off guard. I've talked to two police officers familiar with the accident on a couple of occasions, both agreed that with the helmet on he'd have walked away from it, with only minor scrapes and bruises. As is, he's left us as a former District Judge, much respected by all who knew him, with three daughters and a wife left to grieve. Little can be said to ease your very real pain right now, Roberto. I for one understand your desire to continue to ride. The dangers now are the same as they were before the accident. I'll depart the soapbox, sorry to those not inclined to fluff. Phil
