Raleigh Euro Bike

[msbuck]

So, NCSteve told me all about his great gathering happening April 10th (today) in downtown Raleigh where all the EuroTrash was going to meet up and swap stories, etc.  I fully expected to see him there...NOT.  I also was hoping to meet i-man and see his new frankenbeemer...NOT.  

That's ok, because I had a great time and saw loads of fabulous bikes!  I might even share a picture or two...  

Couldn't have asked for better weather and the bikes came out in droves.  Saw Ducatis, BMWs, Triumphs, Urals, Vespas, Laverdas, Nortons, BSA, Italian-made Harley (Aermacchi), Lambretta, Rickman Metisse, Moto Guzzis, Aprilias and some Jap stuff, too.  

Here's a taste...



Want to see more?   http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/cabcgec/Motorcycles/Euro%20Rally%20April%202010/

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Thanks Aïda!

[NC Steve]

Guilty as charged, please accept my apologies.
Some conflicting info & obligations prevented me from making it, I rode up to Willville later for a quick overnighter instead, and Will helped me install new shocks on the Britster. Or actually, I think I helped him.

But I hear it was a really big shew, and enjoyed by all.
I'll steal some more pics from the Guzzi site if anyone wants to see them.  

[NC Steve]

As a postscript to this gathering, I awoke this morning to the news below. Some of you may know Mark Seagondollar, who basically created and organized the whole Eurobike day, which I've heard from many was a roaring success. Mark has been on the Raleigh European bike scene for a long while now.

Hello,
Mark's wife Meredith informed me he was in a serious motorcycle accident on Friday the 16th of April. He is in the hospital and will be undergoing surgery on Monday from the reports. It includes lumbar, rib, and other serious areas. Please send positive thooughts and keep him in your prayers. He hit the back of a vehicle and was flipped over the bars landing on the pavement, from what is currently my information. Before placing him in sedation they verified he could move his fingers and toes, so it is presumed that there is no paralysis. Meredith is spending most of her time in the hospital with him, so don't expect to hear much from her.
Since you were all on the list for the eurobike pics, I took the liberty of sending you this update. Please share this informatioin as you feel is appropriate. This is all I have at this time but you can reach me at mecmagus@prodigy.net . Those of you who have known Mark for as long as I have may know me as "Custer".
Thank you for your prayers,
Charles Warden

Please say a prayer, keep your fingers crossed, or whatever is in your nature to send good thoughts to a fellow motorcyclist, and a really great guy to boot.

[NC Steve]

Here is another update on Mark's condition:

Hello to all,
I spoke with Meredith this morning, and this is the latest info I have as of 0845 20 April 2010.
 
Mark underwent back surgery to fuse four broken vertebrae at the T-12 position on Sunday the 18th. That seems to have gone well mechanically.
He is responding to pain stimulation but is not reponding to verbal stimulation at this time.
There is bleeding into the brain/skull case, and that is being monitored.
He is kept under the majority of the time and brought up at 4 hour intervals for neuro testing and stimulation.
Currently  he remains in the ICU, but they hope to put him in a regular room shortly as in possibly next week.
Meredith is in a state of overwhelm and can't respond to all the calls being made to her at this time. She hopes people will come visit him in the regular room which I will inform you of as soon as she lets me know he has been transferred.
I am planning a trip down this weekend to be there. She hopes everyone will understand he will need all of our prayers, good wishes, and blessings. He may need a lot of therapy once  the injuries are under control and a lot of support from each of us.
Merdith's brother is an insurance adjuster and he is investigating the accident for them at this time .
Again, as I receive information I will pass it on to you for dissemination to the people you feel are appropriate.
Thanks to Charlie Fletcher for going by to see her last weekend, she is truly grateful to you.
He is in Wake Medical Center on New Bern Avenue in Raleigh and is in the ICU with limited visitation right now. I will pass on anything that you send me as soon as I can, she is not able to receive any calls in the hospital and that is where she is spending the majority of her time right now.
I send you all my thanks and hope you will join me in prayer and support of both of them.
Charles (Custer) Warden

Again, please keep a longtime fellow rider in your thoughts & prayers.

[nhmaf]

Thanks very much for those great pictures, Aida!  It looks like the weather was great, too!

I am very sorry to hear about that terrible accident that Mark S had - he will be in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery.

[SCJJR65]

Great pics, Aida!!  Absolutely LOVE the ones of the dog in the sidecar!!

I also will keep Mark in my thoughts and prayers for s complete and quick recovery....  Having been in a serious motorcycle accident myself and also having to care for a loved one who was seriously injured while riding a bike, I can somewhat understand just how hard this whole experience can be to deal with.

[NC Steve]

Thanks for the good wishes for our friend Mark.
Although there's been real improvement yet in his condition, he's at least stable, so we can keep our fingers crossed.

For those who might like to see more pics from the Eurobike Rally, I won't slather them here, but here's 2 links I got from other friends and attendees.The 1st were taken by Mark himself.


http://picasaweb.google.com/Seagondollar/RaleighEurobike2010#


http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii70/phoenix929/Raleigh%20Eurobike%202010/


And for the locals, don't forget the show in Spencer on May 1st.



Fourth Annual
CAROLINA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOW
Saturday May 1, 2010 (Rain or Shine)
At the North Carolina Museum of Transportation
      Spencer, North Carolina
Open to all motorcycles from around the world from 1900 to 1990.

Bikes don’t have to be perfect. Come show what you’ve got!
People’s choice awards. Everyone participates!
Gates open 9:00 AM. Registration open until noon. Entry fee $10 per
bike ($20 max for multiple bikes) Public access to show is free. Awards
at 3:00 PM. Ends at 5:00 PM. Proceeds go to benefit the museum.
Info: 336-924-8705 or e-mail carolinamcshow@aol.com

[Semper Gumby]

Prayers on the way as always!