WILDMAN 2013 (Fall Edition) November 8, 2013 - Day 1

The day turned out not quite as we expected.  We all met at the Whataburger in Sealy Texas at 9:00 am.  I did not get a count of how many in the group, but it is at least 10. These are not my normal riding friend, and I only know a couple of they guys in the group.

The weather was perfect.  It was cool and sunny, with just a little bit of wind at the start.  We started on the back roads towards New Ulm and then over to Fayetteville. After passing through Fayetteville, one of the guys went down.  I was a couple of hundred yards back and all I saw was the guy start to sik his brakes, the bike went down and he was rolling down the road.

I was the first one that got to him, and I was glad to see that he was conscious and speaking.  He did have some apparent road rash, but from the visual inspection I could not see any obvious broken bones.  While he was being attend to by a couple of others, I called 911 and got an ambulance on the way.

The ambulance arrived a few minutes later with a Texas State Trooper and some other local Law Enforcement officers.  He was quickly loaded up and transported to the hospital in La Grange.  No one really know a this guy, but one of the guys did know a good fried of his, so a call was made and his family was contacted.

I took a bunch of pictures, but no I won't post them on the web out of respect for him.  That would be his decision if he wants any of the pictures posted.  I also found out that no one planned to go to the hospital.  I know his family was contacted and was encountered, but even though I did not know the guy, I felt someone should at lest go by the hospital.

Jeff and I decided we would go to the hospital.  When we arrived I sort of felt foolish because I did not even know his name.  I went up to the reception desk and explained the situation, and she let me back to the rider who I learned was named French.  Yes, just like the country.

I spoke with him, and saw for what he went through he didn't look too bad.  He was in good sports, but was upset because of the accident.  He even told me he had no idea what happened.  I told him that I could tell him the cause.

Here is what happened, he was about the fourth guy in the group.  Our speed was the speed limit, but in this section of road it as a 70mph posted.  It was a straight section of road with good visibility.  There was a car in the front that was turning left.  The three guys in front of him slowed down, but evidently Frencho did not notice this in time, and when he did he slammed down on his real brake.  I know most of the folks that read my blog are not motorcyclist, but in short, that was a bad idea, he should have used his front brakes.

Because he locked the rear brake, he started sliding.  He then at some point let up off the braked, but probably still have so e throttle on and it caused what we motorcyclist call a "high side".  What that means is his tire suddenly obtained traction, which caused the basket rear to wip to the left.  It is all over at this point.  There is rarely an recovery after that.   The bike, went down and he went off.  The rest is history.

While at the hospital, French told me that he has spoken with his wife and it would be about three hours before she arrived.  He told me and Jeff to go on, since there was no reason to stay just to wait on her arrival.  After speaking to French, we decided to go ahead and go.

We were able to catch up with the guys in Luling at City Streets BBQ. We had a quick lunch and the headed out.  We later split into two different groups, and headed to Kerrville.  We arrived in Kerrville and checked I to the local Motel 6.

Dinner was left over BBQ.  Tomorrow we plan to ride the roads locally known as the "Three Sisters"