Its always sad to hear stories like this. To the OP, you probably dont realize how much you being there for her friends helped.

 

Thanks everybody for the supporting comments and for taking pause and thinking about how we ride.

I stayed on scene for a little-over three hours and had numerous discussions and supporting words for the group of riders who were personal friends. They were comforted to know that prayers were spoken and that there was nothing humanly possible to do with the trauma sustained by the rider. There were enough of us trained in First Aid/CPR, actually two nurses at one point, who just knew (from what was presented) that nothing could be done.

The professionals on scene (when they got there) spent less time that we rookies coming to the same conclusion.

Obviously nobody wakes up in the morning planning to have accident. Therefor we must proactively don our gear with hopes of it doing its job if necessary.

A good "sweep" in the back of the group may have interviened before things became a challenge for an inexperienced rider. Maybe a game of follow-the-leader at a slower pace may have put this rider in a different frame of mind, or taken away any sense that she needed to catch up. A good "Lead" may have better counted headlights to know quicker that someone was missing. In hindsight, those were a very long fifteen minutes before getting back to their friend. One of the group's biggest regrets that day.

Safe isn't accidental. Hugs to all my friends who read this.

 

Sorry you had to see that but I am glad you were there to help those people.I was on that road Sunday but in a car.

 

You are right on the money with this comment.
I'm not blaming anyone but she obviously wasn't the caliber of the others and should never have been the last bike. the road captain should have put her in the middle of the pack and stated that the faster riders would always slow down after the twisties etc and wait for the others. that way there is no concern by the slower riders that they will loose the group. I've ridden this area behind a sport bike road captain and I'm the last guy. I always knew he would be waiting for the harley riders to catch up.
Too many riders don't even know what a road captain is and how to ride in a group. Every man/woman for himself/herself.

 

Sorry you had to see that Paul. Good observations by all. Prayers for all those involved.

 

Best advice I ever heard givin while riding was from Jimbo (Redman), talking to Steve (SoFla) a few years ago when he first started riding. " Never, ever, ride beyond your abilities, we will wait for you to catch up, don't worry, just stay upright and ride safe".

 

you know when you are new-ish to riding or even new to a group you may not be sure that people will wait for you and there can be pressure to keep up. It is not easy for a newbie to ask the road captain or leader of the group to wait if they fall behind, and the road captain may not think to check if the newbie knows they will wait further along the road when it's safe to pull in.

I know when I starting riding again last year, on bikes that were way bigger than a Suzuki 550cc from nearly 30 years again I was less able and more afraid than I am now. I am grateful to Gator for leading a ride at a slower pace until he asked if it was ok to speed up.

The onus is on the group leader to ask new people what their experience and riding skills are. What would you guys suggest if an inexperienced rider wants to join in again, next time, once you've seen how they ride and don't think they are up to it?

 

Wow Paul,
What a tragedy. I know how you feel. I have seen several fatal traffic crashes in my life. Each fatal crash gets no easier then the first. Prayers go out to her friends and family.

 

Mine was along the same line. Heard one rider tell another after he was berated for riding too fast for the group. "You ride your bike, and I will ride mine. No one is making you ride faster than you want too."

 

Good job poorboy.
Makes ya think.
Try n detach. Know that you did good when it counted.