The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => Ride Reports and Event Reviews => Topic started by: Milo_357 on August 04, 2011, 06:44:57 PM

Title: Crash on the Dragon kills motorcyclist
Post by: Milo_357 on August 04, 2011, 06:44:57 PM
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/aug/03/crash-on-the-dragon-kills-motorcyclist/?partner=popular

Sorry to have to report this after leaving a thread about how much fun I had a few weeks back, but PLEASE be careful out there.

It wasn't the riders fault.  Some Idiot was driving a Semi(!) on the route.

IDIOT.

Dell
Title: Re: Crash on the Dragon kills motorcyclist
Post by: nhmaf on August 04, 2011, 09:23:00 PM
That is very sad.   Of course, many ignorant non-riding people assume the blame is on the motorcyclist.    If it isn't illegal to drive a tractor trailer rig on that road it certainly should be - NO WAY can a rig with a 55 foot long trailer negotiate many of those turns without completely blocking off both lanes at numerous points along the way.
 :(
If it is illegal/posted for semi-rig operation, I hope that the operator gets hauled into court, loses his CDL and is charged with negligent homicide.
Title: Re: Crash on the Dragon kills motorcyclist
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on August 04, 2011, 10:41:28 PM
Unfortunately U.S. 129 wasn't built for the pleasure of motorcyclists in mind.  It is a public thoroughfare like any other.

Take it to the track, where everyone goes the same direction and no trucks are allowed.

How would you like to ride "The Dragon" on this?
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=35.466018,-83.919883&spn=0.023418,0.038581&z=15&layer=c&cbll=35.466117,-83.919899&panoid=WbsLulwMIeOcWU2wMjidjA&cbp=12,348.51,,0,18.32

Shiver me timbers!
Title: Re: Crash on the Dragon kills motorcyclist
Post by: k_enn on August 05, 2011, 12:01:19 PM
Quote
<snip>Sorry to have to report this after leaving a thread about how much fun I had a few weeks back, but PLEASE be careful out there. <snip>Dell

According to the rescue paramedic that ran a seminar at the National rally, it takes over an hour for an ambulance to arrive at the scene in the Dragon, and the cover is so dense that an air lift is not possible.  Further reason to be very careful if you run the Dragon.

k_enn
Title: Re: Crash on the Dragon kills motorcyclist
Post by: Ed Miller on August 05, 2011, 12:28:21 PM
I've gone around a blind corner and met a truck coming my way in my lane (he was passing a garbage truck in his lane).  But I was going slow enough to stop in time, as was the other driver.  Curves suck you in and convince you that there's nothing on the other side, but sometimes they lie.

Title: Re: Crash on the Dragon kills motorcyclist
Post by: Milo_357 on August 05, 2011, 07:18:47 PM
There are so many blind curves on that things it's not even funny.  I am really glad you were able to stop that time.