Been a tough year in my city/county. Seems like weekly there's been a near fatal or fatal bike accident. Just today, I passed a sport bike accident that either was in a head on or major sideswipe. Couldn't tell for sure, bike was totaled for sure. I passed by an ambulance being escorted by city police, I'm sure that it was related where I saw it and eventually crossing the accident scene.

RE: Has Anyone Lost Someone On a Ride?
08/25/15 2:23 AM
hi Kruz,
sorry to hear what you are going through! its impossible to explain to those who havent experienced it and way beyond the comprehension to those that 'dont get' the whole biking thing!
ive had those times of questioning my love and desire to ride bikes, through losing friends in road racing, losing friends in road crashes and losing friends while riding out, most recently during last years Cannonball, but the worst time was last year after my own crash and the time during recovery when i couldnt hug my 2 yr old son!
you are what you are and if you deny it you may be ultimately safer but you will be unhappy....is that any good to you or anyone else? at least thats how it feels to me!
you will find your way again. im back riding in the last couple of months and was out on the race track last week beating back the 'demons' that like to torture our minds!
take care my friend
jafo

Ahh Jafo my old friend, it is good to hear from you. This tragedy had another cruel turn of events. I was not right in my mind over this whole thing and kept blaming myself. My friends were telling me to stay off the bikes until I got my head straight. Unfortunately, I didn't listen. On August 6, I high sided my '07 CBR1000RR in almost the exact same spot and had to be Lifeflighted via helicopter to Parkland Hospital trauma center in Dallas. I almost lost my right leg, complete separation of the femur at the hip socket. Now all held together by a titanium rod that runs from my hip down to my knee with a screw attaching the rod to my hip socket. I am a mess, broken up and in terrible pain but will make it through this. In a strange way it has given me closure on the fatal accident. I have experienced anger towards this person for such an incredibly stupid and selfish act which left him dead and me an emotional wreck who went out and nearly killed myself as a result. It was a string of tragic events and now maybe I can heal emotionally as well as physically. Thanks for support from everyone, I have five bikes left in the garage and no desire to ever ride again.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 8/25/2015 @ 9:36 PM *

You have got to be fucking kidding. Holy shit. Foul language is warranted
in this thread. What.The.Fuck. Man. Really? No. Just No.

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 8/25/2015 @ 9:48 PM *

On August 6, I high sided my '07 CBR1000RR

damn dude I told you hookers

Wow, Kruz. Very sorry to hear. Dunno what to say Get better soon, for one. You seem like a good guy who doesn't deserve all this crap.

Kruz, man sorry to here this drama. Glad you made it thru; you know it will take time but heal fast.

No kidding Toon, tried to listen to all the good advice here but just couldn't clear my conscience. It's clear now but a bit too late, this crash was a life changer for me. It will probably be a long time if ever before I swing a leg over a bike again. Maybe a cruiser, slow down and smell the roses kind of thing. Right now I can't even go out into the garage and look at them....life changer.

Kruz - If you ever find you don't mind posting the details, would like to know what happened to you ... what caused a very experienced rider to highside. Hot dogging and going too fast? Or something less under your control?

If you don't wanna post about it, totally understand.

That road is very dangerous, FM455, local cops call it the road of death, has lots of posted 25 to 30 mph corners and some posted 40-45mph. You know how it is on a sportbike, try to take those corners at 2-3X. Some sections are freshly paved and smooth as a race track, the first section has serious asphalt ripples and cracks. I've been riding this road for years and loved the challenge. The corner I crashed in was posted 30mph and I entered it between 65-70 mph, everything looked great as I hit the apex and I rolled the gas on pretty hard but nothing I hadn't done hundreds of times before. I felt the rear end coming around while I was still at full lean. I don't know what happened next as the bike pitched me over the top into a superman. I remember tumbling then hitting my head hard. When I came to I was lying flat on my back and tried to get up. I couldn't move my right leg, it felt disconnected. A lady pulled up a few minutes later and called 911. I was awake the whole time they were cutting my leathers off and checking me over. When they took my helmet off, one of the cops said "hey, I know you" referencing the fatal on the same road two weeks prior where I wrote a witness statement. The crash was August 6, several more sportbike said have gone down on that road in the last three weeks. Don't know why I crashed, I was thinking I'd nailed that corner perfect right up to until she let go. I'm guessing my mental state had a lot to do with this. I had thought long and hard about quitting after that fatal and I think I was riding more aggressive on the throttle to try and push myself. Maybe I caught one of the asphalt cracks or a tar snake, I just don't know.

Now all held together by a titanium rod that runs from my hip down to my knee with a screw attaching the rod to my hip socket.

You're welcome. Glad to be of service.

Thanks for support from everyone, I have five bikes left in the garage and no desire to ever ride again.

Let me know when you wiggle back into your "big girl" panties.

"Let me know when you wiggle back into your "big girl" panties"...I gotta say it...WTF are you thinking?????.Totally WRONG comment here.Dude...how bout an apology to Kruz...that'd be the right thing to do here...I'm shocked.Seriously.

He almost died doing what he loves....think about it.I suggest Kruz has probably pushed the envelope of sportbiking a lot more than most here.FWIW.

No DANISH for you today.You're grounded.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/28/2015 @ 10:16 AM *

I gotta say it...WTF are you thinking?

It's called "tough love" and I'll not apologize for it.

Okay...if that's what ya think he needs or whatever right now.Just wonderin if this was a 'mental slip' or something...guess it was intentional then...

Okay...if that's what ya think he needs or whatever right now.Just wonderin if this was a 'mental slip' or something...guess it was intentional then...

When you say it like that it makes me think you disagree with my tactic.

You may want to be a little wary there hagrid.
What works for you may not for others.
Everyones different.
Some need sympathy, some need to talk, some need to do it their way, some need to be left alone, and yes, some need tough love.
I hope you know Kruz well enough to make the call for him in what is an incredibly difficult time he is going through.

If you do, I apologise for my soap box rant...

* Last updated by: yannih on 8/28/2015 @ 6:19 PM *

Kruz, If you are still reading here I would like to offer this up for you.

I am a big fan of trying to find something positive in everything, no matter how small.
And with the little I know about your situation, there is one thing that seems to stands out to me

The young man who lost his life made poor decision(s) and unfortunately he paid the ultimate price.
You recently had a pretty major off and have done some serious damage to yourself.

Regardless of circumstance, cause and effect, reasoning behind why/what/where,

THE YOUNG MAN AND YOURSELF WERE DOING SOMETHING YOU BOTH LOVED.

You were both very aware of the risks but you were doing something that gave you great pleasure and all was 100% your decision to participate in the game you both were playing.

There are so many that are not fortunate enough to have the luxury of doing something they love.
There are so many that lose their lives through pain and suffering not of their choosing with no positive to consider.
What if the young man lost his life while walking down the sidewalk and being hit by an out of control drunk driver?
Or some coward detonated a bomb and the young man was one of the innocent victims?

I am not saying all of the above is the answer and makes everything okay.
But the young man was living his life and doing something he loved via the freedom of choice.
So were you.
It is a decision and option you were both very fortunate to have and I believe that stands for a lot.

We never want to go, but if we have to I can think of far worse and more pointless ways than that...

* Last updated by: yannih on 8/28/2015 @ 6:20 PM *

I hope you know Kruz well enough to make the call for him in what is an incredibly difficult time he is going through.

These are sage words... and I have heard them.

My words have never worked for me because I've never been allowed to wallow in self doubt.

My knowledge of Mr. Caruso encompasses his Emmy award winning performances on CSI:Miami and his moving to the Lone Star state.

I've adopted a "no nonsense" attitude with Mr. Caruso, not because I want his hade clear to get back on his scooters, but because he's going to need to re-learn how to walk.

It won't happen if he doesn't harden himself mentally and "nut up".

The equivalent of wiggling back into ones "big girl panties".

Anyone see where I'm coming from?

hagrid - This is some serious shit Kruz witnessed and is now going through. If you were in person with him and had a feel that he'd be accepting of tough love, and could convey it with words, intonation and visually, that'd be one thing, but over the 'net it comes off as damn-what-a-dick! Now that you've explained it, though, it's probably fine* ... but by explaining yourself now you've lost the 'tough' part

* although that's for Kruz to decide, not me.

Hagrid? >

Hagrid? > teddybear

You make the call.

*wink*

Thanks for all of the great support here guys, we're all one slip away from eternity but most of us shrug it off and just keep doing what we love. No animosity towards Hagrid, he said what he felt and that's OK. I'm not trying to wallow in self pity here, I'm not the first nor will I be the last to go down, it was just my turn. I had a good run, probably got away with a lot more than I should have but it all caught up with me. I'm not going to sell any bikes until my recovery is complete and then will see how I feel. Hopefully some day this will be just a distant memory. Everybody enjoy your ride and keep the shiny bits pointed up.

Is that Marty Stouffer?NOW I know why he called his show..."Wild America".

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 8/28/2015 @ 8:58 PM *

No animosity towards Hagrid, he said what he felt and that's OK.

Hmph. Wait until you see my the rapist bill.

Sorry. That shouldve said therapist bill.

And Marty Stouffer wishes he was this pretty.

Hey Kruz. I'm sorry to hear of your hard time. Please allow me to tell you that this is a temporary condition, only being allowed because you are empowering it. The more weight you place on trying to rationalise this, the less you can. Playing the "what if" game is fruitless and destructive. There is no real rhyme or reason, and certainly no secondary blame. It's part of the game, and can't be changed. The only way it can change is if you change the game, the rules, or play a different one. I have also been in a similar scenario, and thought it was a life and game changing event. It still weighs heavily on my mind, but I am reluctant to give up my primary passion. I have just chosen to play it better and improve my most likely outcome. I love riding my ZX14R quick (for me), and I'm not willing to give that up. It has given me so much pleasure. I had to accept that the other guy made a mistake, a serious error in judgement. Luck and skill both play a part in what we do. The harder you work to minimise the risk, the luckier and more skilful you get, and the more fun you have. I personally think IMHO that Hagrid was a little insensitive in his delivery, but the message I think is fair. Take a little time to let the shock of this subside, and once you have...... GET your ass back on that bike and have fun again. Go easy and enjoy it and it will all fall into place.

Thanks for that insight Sweet, I've decided not to let this break me, I will ride again, just a matter of time and healing. My experience with the medical field has not been positive. This is the first time I've had to deal with a serious medical issue since Obama care passed and the nature of the industry has changed. I had to go back to the emergency room again Friday night for severe neck pain. They ran a series of X-Rays ony cervical spine and confirmed Parkland's findings that my neck is structurally sound but I have severe whiplash. They put me on Flexeril, a muscle relaxant as my neck muscles are knotted up. I can't get into see a doctor for three weeks hence another trip to the hospital. So far the relaxers are not working, neck pain is worse than my leg pain. All of the problems they said we would have under ObamaCare are true, getting help even with good Blue Cross insurance is problematic. If I can just get past this whiplash I'm going to be OK. The leg is healing and pain levels are dropping there.

Kruz,

I don't know you but you sure seem like a nice guy. I sure hope you feel better soon, it sounds like this is really wearing on you.

Time heals all, brother, my thoughts and prayers are with you.