[admiral]

Normally, I would not post a motorcycle crash, but while surfing a TV Stations news where I use to live, they posted the story of a motorcycle crash, and when I saw the picture it sure looked like a TW. So, with that said, here is the story. So sorry this has to happen no matter what the bike.

LEWISTON, Idaho - A Lewiston man died following a motorcycle crash Wednesday.



The Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office said an 81-year-old Lewiston man struck rock landscaping at the entrance to Hells Gate State Park just after 11:45 a.m. Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy, said the cause of the crash is unknown.



"It's kind of like a jigsaw puzzle," said the Chief Deputy. "You take what you find at the scene, the witness statements and the drivers involved statements and try and piece everything together and make it fit. We don't have a lot on this one, so it's going to take some work." The Chief Deputy said there's no indication as to why the rider veered off the road into the rocks. The rider was transported to St. Joe's where he later died as a result of his injuries. No other vehicles were involved in the wreck. Officials were unable to confirm whether the rider was wearing a helmet.



I removed the names from the story for privacy.

 

[lizrdbrth]

Dang. That stinks.



Seems to me that if you're still riding at 81 you should get a free pass which allows you to ride til you depart this world from natural causes.



Prolly also the reason why I'm not a payed philosopher.

 

[sinophilia]

Maybe he did die from natural causes... maybe a stroke or something made him lose control of his bike.

Well if he was still riding at 81 he certainly had a strong spirit. I'm sorry he couldn't go on for longer.

 

[phelonius]

Considering that he was alone an on such a forgiving motorcycle as far as handling is concerned, My first opinion would be that some other vehicle forced him off the road, then left the scene.



Phelonius

 

[Dark Sol]

Considering that he was alone an on such a forgiving motorcycle as far as handling is concerned, My first opinion would be that some other vehicle forced him off the road, then left the scene.



Phelonius

very plausible, heartless bastards if that's the case. Anything coulda happened really, especially at 81. maybe a body complication that made him lose consciousness or at least divert his attention enough to make him go off course, or just simple slight rider error which I would assume at 81 you would have a harder time correcting than a 20-30 year old, cause your reaction speed and body inputs are definitely slower.



Let's be happy for him. I bet he had a fun filled riding career with all kinds of cool bikes, and finished up his career with a light, very fun TW cause that's probably all he could physically handle at his age.



I hope you have enjoy your after life / next life / whatever happens when you die, 'ol slain TW'er! Thanks for proving if you ride, you must ride until the end!

 

[Defens]

Another speculation: Perhaps at 81 he had learned that he was terminal with some disease or another, and simply went for a ride and decided to not come home. Having just spent the summer in chemotherapy, and now finishing up, I could see where someone much older myself, with more medical issues, might make that choice. I always figured I'd rather die on a mountainside by falling in a crevasse, rather than in a hospital.

 

[805gregg]

He was probably riding without protective gear. I read about an experienced ride that sold BMW's he got on a bike to take it around back to the shop, he fell hit his head and died. ATGATT.

 

[PJungnitsch]

Not the worst thing, to die in the saddle at 81. At that age you are going to go from something pretty soon.



I hope I'm still riding at that age.



A bit like Leslie Nielsen going out. Sure he died, but doing what you love until the end is a win IMO.

 

[Gerry]

Good Lord, I will go along with PJ. This fellow was OLD. If he was on a motorcycle, to me it suggests he liked motocycles. He died doing what he enjoyed and there was no suggestion he had a breathing tube stuck down his throat for three months. In my opinion, if you get to 'go' doing something you like, and your passing takes little time, thats the jackpot.... Believe me, life can present you with ALOT worse. Why look for a villian?? Just my opinion. Gerry

 

[uktw125]

Any death is always a sad affair, but I have to agree with Mrgizmo on this one.

 

[davidsonsgccc]

to die on a bike enjoying life sure sounds alot better than sitting in a chair in a nursing home waiting on someone to give you a tray full of slop to eat. i hope i can still ride or even drive at his age.

 

[Casper]

to die on a bike enjoying life sure sounds alot better than sitting in a chair in a nursing home waiting on someone to give you a tray full of slop to eat. i hope i can still ride or even drive at his age.

 

[Casper]

That is sad , I hope my next crash doesent happen till I am 81 .

 

[vuldub]

Honestly, we have no idea how or why he crash, so why suggest he was forced off the road! Maybe a bee got stuck in his helmet and he lost focus for a minute?? Maybe an alien landed and frightened him and he lost control?? Wild speculation is dangerous.



RIP Lewiston rider.



Sure hope I'm riding at 81, that would be the way I would prefer to go.....

 

[Izzyblue]

I bet his family is saying right now..." well you know Bob, this is the way he would of wanted to go"



At least I hope so.... still always sad...

 

[phelonius]

A year and a half ago I was basically killed on the road when a deer took me down at 40 MPH. For the curious I had what is called flail chest and some other broken bones and punctured lung. I credit an amazing job by the EMTs on scene and a helicopter flight to the best trauma unit on the west coast with my current life.

On the road I opened my eyes some time after the crash and realized the strange sounds were coming from me. I was in tremendous pain and watching blood pour from a hole in my hand in front of my face. This gave me to know that I had been in a rash and was badly injured. I was struggling hard to breathe and did not know why. I saw a duput in uniform and asked him to knock me out and he said he wouldn't do that. I begged him to shoot me and he wouldn't do that either. I focused my mind on trying to do a mind over matter thing to reduce pain and as the pain began to subside, I remember saying, " I'm going to a quiet place. Then I did.

I awoke three and a half days later in an ICU belted to a table with tubes running into and out of me every where. I had an electric button taped into my left hand, the one I could still move a little, it was a control for the I V morphine drip. I used it as much as I could. It had a governing device that kept me from killing myself with morphine.

Then came the long painful recovery.

This experience gave me insight as to both what it was like to die on the road and what it is like to be helpless on a table with wires and tubes keeping you alive.



I would rather die on the road than die slowly on the table. The pain of injuries, even severe injuries, followed by death would be preferable to me compared to living a slow death helpless on that table.

I now wear dog tags of the medic alert type stating that I refuse blood transfusion or organ transplant. If dead I wish to stay that way. A man should only have to die once.

BTW there was no light at the end of a tunnel, just peaceful oblivion. At least I now know what to expect.



Phelonius

 

[qwerty]

I had surgery for cancer this summer. I went to the doctor and asked fr meds only to alleviate the pain, I wished to die with some modicum of dignity. I passed out from pain and woke after surgery I did not want. I will never forgive those involved in keeping me alive and suffering on and on. I would consider myself lucky to die in or shortly after a crash while riding.

 

[peruano]

Gentlemen, I shall treat your comments with the maximal respect that they warrant. We have all had thoughts like those expressed in this thread. At the same time, it is important to say that decisions about when life should be prolonged or death should be accepted can only be made once and in most cases are final. We all want to die with the maximal modicum of self respect and minimum of pain, but should also realize that there is nearly always someone else who is worse off than us who is seeking to continue. Live life to its fullest and accept the end when it comes. Ride on. Tom

 

[phelonius]

I had surgery for cancer this summer. I went to the doctor and asked fr meds only to alleviate the pain, I wished to die with some modicum of dignity. I passed out from pain and woke after surgery I did not want. I will never forgive those involved in keeping me alive and suffering on and on. I would consider myself lucky to die in or shortly after a crash while riding.

Do you still ride?

I do, every day. I am unable to drive a car or truck. My bikes are my disability vehicles. The T dub is light enough I can still hold it up at a stop, but my serious transportation is my two sidecar rigs.

If you ever start to have problems like this, give a thought to a hack. I used to do them because they were fun, (I built my first sidecar rig in 68), but now I depend on them.



Phelonius

 

[qwerty]

Yes, I still ride. Tdub rolled over 46,000 miles today. It was 8*F when I rode to work this morning. I stopped trying to explain as those who can understand need no explanation and those who want an explanation cannot understand.