I was out this morning with my usual Sunday morning group, we were about 12 bikes in the left lane in a nice formation on a side road towards a dealership, when one of the riders decided to break out of formation and race the group.

I was towards the front of the pack (3rd) when I heard a bike to my right, I looked over and my friend was doing about 70 I'd say, coming towards a very tight right hand bend in the road. As soon as I realized his speed I knew an accident was about to happen. He just carried on accelerating into the corner, ran out of road, fishtailed into the left lane, narrowly missed the 2 front riders, hit the median and catapolted over the bushes into the oncoming lane. His bike went through the bushes too, he slid maybe 70 ft on his front.

We did all the correct first responder things, reports from the hospital show broken right arm and hand, supposed no serious head injury despite a closed right eye and head trauma, lots of road rash. No he was not wearing a helmet. Bike is a mess.

We were all very shaken up obviously, it was a pretty horrific crash to watch. He is lucky he is not dead, nor any of the rest of the group injured or dead. His bike went between the first 2 riders and he missed them by inches. Once the initial shock had passed there was a lot of grumbling about leaving the group formation and the dangerous situation he put us in. Obviously our group will discuss safety next week and future weeks.

I'm thinking a stiff drink this evening to calm my nerves.

 

Tough that it's your friend but sounds like a ban is in order. The group I ride with that would not be tolerated and the offender would be gone. Glad everyone is alive.

 

Here is hoping your friend recovers. This caused me to have a stiff drink...

Trucky911

 

Glad the fool didn't take out anyone else.

 

I have no use for group riding.

 

Omg, I am so glad you are ok along with the rest of the group. Glad your friend will heal up ok. Seeing an accident like that is so scary, especially when it came so close to you and the other riders.

 

Based on how you wrote your posting "I looked over and my friend was doing about 70 I'd say, coming towards a very tight right hand bend in the road. As soon as I realized his speed I knew an accident was about to happen. He just carried on accelerating into the corner, ran out of road" I wonder if its possible he had an issue with the throttle.
I'd be interested to hearing what he has to say after he is released from the hospital.
Glad everyone else in the group is okay.

 

Watching someone hell bent on self destruction is always bizarre. One can only wonder what they are thinking.

 

It's always a shame when it's a dumb move by a rider. $hit happens real fast in a pack.
He's a young guy with just a couple years riding and a recent upgrade,, Right?


I was on a run today too, 70-80 bikes for a fund raiser. I was on the outside right and broke off to block an intersection (I know-I know but I'm olde school) I was not impressed with the behavior of the back of the pack when I pulled back in. I bowed out on a right hand side turn,, 4 followed me and we enjoyed a safe ride back to the starting point.
Some guys just don't understand maintaining a position in a pack.

 

nope he was grinning as he passed me, but I knew a blind corner was coming, he was not aware of it because the bend is not obvious from further back. If you do the speed limit of 35mph you are fine on that road, if you're doing 70mph there's just no chance on bagger on the inside lane with 2 rows of bikes on your left. I am positive he just felt like opening the throttle.