Montana fatalities

[rinty]

Just a note for you who have Montana in your itinerary for this summer: there were 4 rider fatalities, with three deaths, last week on Highway 89 near Glacier Park. All the riders were Calgarians, one being an acquaintance of mine. It's not completely clear in the newspaper report, but it seems the accidents were in the section between St. Mary and Kiowa.

This road (it has always been my favourite) offers great scenery and technical challenge, but you may want to back off a notch if you're going through.

Rinty

[GSJIHAD]

What caused the accidents?

[Burnszilla]

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=3ae03fb1-b0c1-4468-bc54-e2355d78718e

Sorry to hear this.

[PAGoldsby]

Wow. My sympathies to the families and friends of the motorcyclists involved in these accidents. I really feel bad for the young man whose father was killed.

[rinty]

After starting this thread, I remembered that I almost bought the farm on the same stretch of road about 30 years ago. I was riding my friend's KZ 1000 Kawasaki "wobble frame" , which was one of the early super bikes, just north of the Kiowa corner. I had wicked it up on the long straight past the chicaned railway crossing, and which transitions into a left hand uphill curve. Going into the corner I realized I was too hot and had the usual instant life flashback. I somehow got through the corner and, heart thumping, backed off to a more moderate pace the rest of the way to St. Mary.

There are numerous traps on that road, and I've decided that I've used up all or most of my alloted luck in my riding career (see my exit post in Campfire this evening).

Sorry...Burnzilla

Excellent research, Stephen: that's the article.

Rinty

[BuddingGeezer]

6 motorcycle fatalities last week end in Arkansas. We have to be careful.

Ralph Sims

[Peter_Krynicki]

6 motorcycle fatalities last week end in Arkansas. We have to be careful.

Ralph Sims


It strikes me that at least one good thing about $4.00 and more gasolene is fewer cars on the road, fewer big cars on the road, morer, small cars on the road, and maybe more bikes. This might raise the awareness of motorcyces.

Pjk

[AKBeemer]

A BMW rider died here in Fairbanks over the weekend. He made some very bad choices (alcohol & high speed), but it is still very sad.

http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/jul/01/fairbanks-man-killed-motorcycle-accident-johansen-/

[BuddingGeezer]

6 motorcycle fatalities last week end in Arkansas. We have to be careful.

Ralph Sims

The article in the paper about increasing motorcycle fatalities in Arkansas really did noy go into the type accidents. It did say that 45% of fatalities are people over 40. many accidents are caused by middle age men with little or no experience buying a 700 lb cruiser, Goldwing, or LT not having the strength manage a bike that large. Most around here are cruisers, that don't turn well and wearing a t shirt and bandanna. I read in the paper where someone misses a curve and dies. The middle age body can not absorb the punishment younger bodies can.

I had a car hit me when I was 13. My buddy and I were knocked over the car and landed 50' down the road on our feet. We did not have any road rash. I don't think that at 57 that would still be the case.

Ralph Sims

[BigSkyRider]

Yesterday I was flying up I-90 near Deer Lodge Montana when in a split second I felt a jolt and saw a magpie (fairly large local bird, google it) wrapped around my rear view mirror. I reached over and dislodged the poor guy with out crashing but it reminded me of how it could have turned out if it would have hit me in the face with my visor up or no helmet. My new BMW jacket was covered in blood and guts but that was the extent of it.
I wear an Arai Quantum and sometimes I leave the face shield up, I'm not sure I'll do that from now on.

Be safe, have fun.....

P.S. I arrived in Missoula in the afternoon and that evening I heard about a Harley trying to pass on Highway 12 on a double yellow and he met a truck head on......killing him and his wife.

[Montana]

...And they were towing a trailer! Passing at milemarker 1 on Lolo pass, that is just stupid.

Lots of riders overestimate the Montana roads. If you aren't from here, don't pretend you know how to ride these roads. Treat it as an experience, not a conquest. Plenty of people do, in fact, survive riding in Montana. Some of those that don't, well, sometimes it wasn't their fault, the car and truck traffic this time of year is as bad as anywhere else in proximity to resort areas.

Ride safely, ride smart. Please.

[rinty]

...I reached over....without crashing...BigSkyRider

Pilots have a good saying: "Always fly the airplane.." i.e. when something happens while riding / flying that is a huge distraction, keep the machine under control.

A bird strike would definitely be a major distraction; coming back from the Redmond National, I almost hit an eagle.

And I've had a door pop open in an airplane on climbout: you get an instant hurricane.

Rinty

[rmarkr]

Two bikers died in our small community last week - both late night single vehicle crashes (a female passenger survived one of the crashes)

Interesting statistic - Charleston County (SC) reported 18 M/C deaths in 2007 - 15of them had no helmet. I dont think its the fact that they were helmetless, its the attitude that comes with it.

A note about visors - ever had a bee or wasp trapped in your helmet stinging you on the temple? Keeping control will become of secondary importance - don't ask me how I know!

:blah

[BigSkyRider]

This is just sad......North Carolina Harley dealer was killed this past Tuesday on his way to Sturgis passing on a double yellow area of Lolo pass.

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/07/31/news/state/64-harley.txt

[Sue]

This is just sad......North Carolina Harley dealer was killed this past Tuesday on his way to Sturgis passing on a double yellow area of Lolo pass.

And yet, in a convoluted way ... he died doing something he loved, on what could arguably be one of this country's most beautiful highways.

And so - sad? Yes. But compared to some of the ways there are to die, I think this would be my preference.

[knary]

This is just sad......North Carolina Harley dealer was killed this past Tuesday on his way to Sturgis passing on a double yellow area of Lolo pass.

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/07/31/news/state/64-harley.txt

I wonder if it did indeed signal a left hand turn or just slowed down and turned left.

This maneuver catches too many riders. I, like many, will pass on a double yellow but when I see a car slowing I always assume it's to turn. If you're going to pass, do it when the car's intentions are perfectly clear.

Sad.

[rinty]

I, like many, will pass on a double...Knary

"Two lines, two can pass!"

But you have to be careful, and quickly.

Rinty

[kbasa]

"Two lines, two can pass!"

But you have to be careful, and quickly.

Rinty

Yep. It's not like you can just jump out to the other side and decide to roll on like you're on I-80 or something. Some folks are going to hate me for saying this, but every pass has to be a full blitzkrieg pass. Down a gear, bike at the torque peak, watching up the road for potential oncoming traffic and the like. Accelerate from a ways back so you're at a speed that will absolutely minimize your time in the other lane. Watch the situation closely as you hit the go/no go point and be ready to nail the brakes and jump back in your lane.

This is good advice for any passing maneuver. The idea is to get around as quickly as possible.

Potential problems are many, so be aware and be ready for the completely unexpected. Sample scenario: You're passing in a passing zone and a car comes over the hill hauling ass. You nail the brakes to get back in your lane and discover that the car you're passing is doing the same thing. What do you do?

And don't forget to use your signals and give the recently passed a friendly wave.

[DarrylRi]

Some folks are going to hate me for saying this, but every pass has to be a full blitzkrieg pass.

Not me, I agree fully. I hate hanging out in the opposite lane, makes me very nervous.

[knary]

And don't forget to use your signals and give the recently passed a friendly wave.

Better yet have a passenger give them a wave that if interpreted correctly means, "Neener neener neener!"
:D

I wave but wonder how it's taken by the slow cars out there.
And motorcycles. I think I passed more bikes than cars heading to Gillette. :ha

[Sailingfool]

So I get a frantic call the other night from my mother (who hates me on the bike). The news had just flashed about a 2-up motorcycle wreck on the road I commute on. Had to know if I was alright. Next morning at work, it turns out it was a co-workers Mother and Father, and she died. They had swerved to miss a deer on their GoldWing. She died onsite, and he had a crushed hand and collar bone, but is expected to make a full recovery. Physically anyway.

Both were wearing helmets, alcohol or speed not a factor. Many, many miles of experience. Estimated the wreck happend at 50 mph.

We like to think that as Beemer riders, we are a little safer and smarter than the Hog/Ricer crowd. Maybe so. We must keep in mind we are not invincible. Ride safe, ride aware, and pay up your life insurance.

She is the 6th fatality in this area this summer, and we're talking of a 40,000 person population...not good odds!

:cry
JC

[dpryan]

We like to think that as Beemer riders, we are a little safer and smarter than the Hog/Ricer crowd. Maybe so.

I'm sure there are some folks who think this way, but I was struck by some comments I read the other day from an experienced rider and MSF coach ..... basically saying that, despite plenty of experience, they try not to let their ego convince them that they're beyond a mistake, accident or mishap if they let their guard down. I'm sure most on this forum are pretty thoughtful about their riding, and that's always a good thing.:thumb

Really sorry to hear about your co-worker's folks, too. More proof that you can be doing everything right and still.....

(btw, after riding a Concours for 4 years I unfortunately haven't experienced a sudden increase in intelligence and riding skill from buying a BMW :stick : Or maybe that comes with the new/expensive ones? :D )

[rinty]

....every pass has to be a full blitzkreig pass...Kbasa

And that's one of the features I like best about many BMW models: their mid range power. The engineers have designed in a good mix of horsepower and torque.

I think I passed more bikes than cars....Knary

I find long strings of bikes the most difficult to pass. With a bike, you can usually hop scotch through, but it's often impossible with a car. In June I came up on a bunch on the Duffy Lake Road north of Pemberton B.C. I was in a sportscar, but couldn't get by any of them, they were so tight. So after a few klicks we pulled over at a lookout and took pictures. On that day, that worked, because there was very little traffic. But it's frustrating when you're wasting all those good corners.

Rinty

[SIBUD]

Yep. It's not like you can just jump out to the other side and decide to roll on like you're on I-80 or something. Some folks are going to hate me for saying this, but every pass has to be a full blitzkrieg pass. Down a gear, bike at the torque peak, watching up the road for potential oncoming traffic and the like. Accelerate from a ways back so you're at a speed that will absolutely minimize your time in the other lane. Watch the situation closely as you hit the go/no go point and be ready to nail the brakes and jump back in your lane.

This is good advice for any passing maneuver. The idea is to get around as quickly as possible.

Potential problems are many, so be aware and be ready for the completely unexpected. Sample scenario: You're passing in a passing zone and a car comes over the hill hauling ass. You nail the brakes to get back in your lane and discover that the car you're passing is doing the same thing. What do you do?

And don't forget to use your signals and give the recently passed a friendly wave.

Right on. No reason to dally. Get around, get back in line. He who hesitates is lost.

[SIBUD]

Potential problems are many, so be aware and be ready for the completely unexpected. Sample scenario: You're passing in a passing zone and a car comes over the hill hauling ass. You nail the brakes to get back in your lane and discover that the car you're passing is doing the same thing. What do you do?



You mean after cursing the idiot that forgot the lesson from drivers ed which said, if you are being passed, maintain your speed???? :scratch

[Montana]

And yet, in a convoluted way ... he died doing something he loved, on what could arguably be one of this country's most beautiful highways.

And so - sad? Yes. But compared to some of the ways there are to die, I think this would be my preference.This is an easy way to die. Just pass in a no-passing zone, on a scenic mountain road, in tourist season, in a wildlife corridor. Works every time, as we see time and time again on Lolo Pass! The officer quoted in the article, Hintz, is a God Wing rider and most of his famiy are bikers, too. I imagine he gets real tired of this stuff. You'd think a Hamster rider would have known better than to assume it was safe to pass in this situation. We currently have the USA Hell's Angel campout in Missoula this weekend, the Testicle Festival and the motorcycle traffic going to Sturgis. It's a biker nightmare, traffic-wise.

[swall]

I got pinched one time by a patrolman for passing on the double yellow on the Blue Ridge Parkway . He didn't see me do it, but noted where I was when he passed me oncoming and noted what vehicles I was ahead of when he pulled into the rest area where I had stopped. Gave me a warning.

[rinty]

Michelle:

I last rode Lolo pass during the '98 Missoula National, and the traffic wasn't too bad. Then we drove it, in October, in a sports car and had it all to ourselves. It sounds like it might be getting busier in there now?

I won't ride Going to the Sun in July or August, it's just too frustrating. But, as Voni has mentioned, early in the morning it's nice and quiet. I like it in June or September, and combine it with Marias Pass and the Kiowa Cut Off for an easy 750 km day loop out of Calgary. I do it counter clockwise so I have an extra 30 feet from the cliff. :D

Rinty

[themayer]

I rode the Lolo Pass on the way to Gillette. It was early on a Monday morning - saw little traffic, and no cops, the entire 180 miles from Lewiston ID to Missoula MT. Just lucked out, I guess. Had to have been the best couple of hours in a 4500 mile trip.

[bobh41]

From Kbasa This is good advice for any passing maneuver. The idea is to get around as quickly as possible.

Thanks for the wisdom, it's excellent reinforcement for my passing style. I usually feel a little guilty about cranking it up to the max to get around one or two cars on the country roads I travel - 'cause it feels so good (okay, so sometimes I have to double the local speed limit.) ;)

But it's clear to me that riding well away from cars - no matter what it takes - is the best strategy. If for some reason I can't pass I fall back to stay out of harm's way, but I've found that staying ahead of most cars is the safest place to be on the road.

[Montana]

There is nothing about the recent wrecks that couldn't have been avoided; that's the lesson to take away. None of these things were mechanical or accidental; they were pure negligence. Someone stopped thinking.

How busy a road is, when you are there, is no measure of how busy it gets, when it gets busy. I still get amazed when I find myself the only vehicle on I-90 for three or four miles at a stretch. That's just weird.

[535is]

A note about visors - ever had a bee or wasp trapped in your helmet stinging you on the temple? Keeping control will become of secondary importance - don't ask me how I know!

:blah
No; but close. I tend to ride with the visor open, but only one notch or two, for ventilation. I am very aware of getting an eye hit, the visor is my eye protection, and I use it.

Nonetheless, I managed to catch some anonymous stinging insect one fine day on my way to Road America. Just as I was about to make a turn, I felt something 'hit' me on the side of my neck, below the helmet. I didn't think much of it. Bugs hit you sometimes. By the time I got to the track (another 10 miles), my neck was burning, so as soon as I cleared the gate, I rode straight to the medical center. There, they iced the area (it looked like two stings) and treated me (OK; watched me for awhile to see if I went into anaphylactic shock). I was duly grateful. The thing swelled up to near-softball-size over the next few days and hurt and itched like a sum'bitch before it went away. But I'm not dead. :thumb

[BigSkyRider]

Okay.....



I'm just speechless!

http://www.kpvi.com/Global/story.asp?S=8815025

[deilenberger]

Okay.....

I'm just speechless!

http://www.kpvi.com/Global/story.asp?S=8815025

A FWIW:

The chap who crashed was a member of a Yahoo group I'm in. The group is a bunch of gearheads - both cars and bikes. The story as reported above is inaccurate (what a surprise!) - He had started his pass in a passing zone. Turns out this particular stretch of road is known for these sort of accidents, and not all involve motorcycles. The chaps name was Dan Erwin, and he was known to swing a leg over a BMW (he was on an FJR at the time of the accident.) There was an eyewitness report that had information on how he started the pass.

He had been riding with some other friends from the Yahoo group, and was headed to meet up with a few other people from the group (some riding BMWs.)

Just setting the record straight.. God Bless Dan..

[GlobalRider]

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=3ae03fb1-b0c1-4468-bc54-e2355d78718e

"In another case, the motorcyclist ran head-on into another car. The victim was Gregory George Chambers, 43, also of Calgary".

So who was in the oncoming lane...the car or the motorcycle? As it is written...sounds like the motorcyclist.

[rinty]

The story... is inaccurate...Deilenberger

And the Calgary Herald story suggests that Doug Dunwoody (who was a great guy) crashed on Highway 89, while the Casper Star Tribune has the crash occurring on Highway 212 near the Beartooth.

Not that the crash site makes any difference.....

Rinty

[laterider]

I am not wanting to die on a motorcycle, in a helicopter, skydiving, scuba diving or swimming with my grandchildren. Under no circumstances should anyone excuse a stupid mistake that I make that kills me and traumatizes whomever I hit by saying that I was doing what I loved. I love LIFE. If I kill myself living, put stupid on my tombstone.

[rinty]

...put stupid on my tombstone. Laterider

I like to think of it a little more charitably. There is no question that making an inadvertent mistake while participating in the activities you mention can have lethal results. But anyone can make a bad pass on a bike, or improperly pack their chute lines...

Rinty

[derail412]

From Kbasa

Thanks for the wisdom, it's excellent reinforcement for my passing style. I usually feel a little guilty about cranking it up to the max to get around one or two cars on the country roads I travel - 'cause it feels so good (okay, so sometimes I have to double the local speed limit.) ;)

But it's clear to me that riding well away from cars - no matter what it takes - is the best strategy. If for some reason I can't pass I fall back to stay out of harm's way, but I've found that staying ahead of most cars is the safest place to be on the road.

I couldn't agree more with these comments. Accelerate as fast as safely possible, pass vehicle quickly and resume safe speed. Stay out of harms way is the approach that has always worked for me!!!