| Author | Message | ||
     Bartimus |
Back in 2003, BRAG sponsored a ride in central Arizona called the "TorqueFest". People came from all over the country, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, and roads that Arizona has to offer. One of them being HWY666, (no renamed 191 for political correctiveness). I was one of the attendees of this event, as was Daryl Levesque. Daryl was from New Hampshire, and was one of the friendliest, most outgoing people I have met. There were two threads regarding the original 2003 Torquefest ride, unfortunately, only one has survived, the second thread was banished to the backfire board, and I can no longer find it. The second thread that was lost, had many pictures of Daryl, and discussions on the incident. Suffice it to say, Daryl went down on a corner, on AZ78 between Mule Creek, and Clifton, AZ. And lost his life... Many of us, have never forgotten that outgoing man, that enjoyed the Buell lifestyle so much. Jim Witt, AKA smokedaddy, had a memorial made for Daryl, and traveled up to the spot where he lost his life, and cemented the memorial in place.  In April 2005, I hosted an event called the SpringFast, that retraced the BRAG Torquefest route. We stopped at Daryl's marker, and paid our respects. Jerry Haughten, AKA Ferris, had some correspondence from Daryl's Mom, and we placed them in a tube on the back of the marker. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=6817&post=475953#POST475953 I have hosted the SpringFast event every year since, sometimes we have a good showing, sometimes there are only four of us. But every year, we stop at Daryl's marker, and pay our respects. For FIVE years now, that marker has stood tall. I just hosted a fall ride up in the mountains of Arizona, and we once again retraced the 2003 TorqueFest route. We stopped where Daryl's marker used to be... Unfortunately, I am sorry to say, it is no longer there.  I'm not sure if the AZ dept of hwy took it down, or if vandals removed it. But, I couldn't even find a hole where it used to be. I am very saddened by this, as a lot of people went out of their way to create this memorial, and to help the family overcome their grief. I plan on going back, and painting some words in Memory of Daryl on the guardrail. I don't think anyone will REMOVE the guardrail. I would just like to keep the memory of Daryl alive. May he rest in Peace... | ||
| F_skinner |
Thanks for sharing that Bart. I read the link and thank you to FB as well. It is times like this that I am proud to be a Buell Enthusiast. There is not a finer group of people on two wheels any where and you two are proof of that. Frank Rest In Peace Daryl (Message edited by f_skinner on October 11, 2010) | ||
| Jb2 |
Bart, I remember the story well. We had just designed that cross for my Dad's roadside memorial and I offered it up to those who were creating Daryl's. Sad that they took it down. We've been fortunate to be able to place Dad's off of the highway easement. Our biggest fear was the gentleman at fault would return and vandalize it but he has not. Painting it on the guardrail might be a good idea but it also may warrant a citation for defacing public property. Is there a way to get the same marker a little further from the road? Just an idea. JB2 (Message edited by jb2 on October 11, 2010) | ||
| Ulywife |
Bart, Thanks for sharing your story. It's sad that the marker has been removed, but Daryl's memory will live forever in hearts of people like you, Smokedaddy, Ferris and others that knew him. | ||
| Strokizator |
I rode on 191 this summer from Springerville to Clifton. I appreciate it even more now. | ||
| Pwnzor |
For those looking for the location on a map, Highway 666 is now 491, not 191. R.I.P. Daryl, I didn't know you but it sounds like you had a lot of good friends. | ||
| S3ters |
While making a night time delivery at a local steel mill here, I checked in with the guard and asked about the Firebolt in the parking lot and the guard said it was his,or rather it was his dads, and since he had several Buells he had given it to him. We B.S.'ed for a moment and mentioned I had 4 and had in the past owned several others. He asked if I knew the BWB site or his father.I told him yes but wasn't a big poster on the site and remembered his dad from events and such in the past 15 years of ownership, we were a small group. He asked if I ever did any Buell rides and told him I had.He mentioned his dad was now living in AZ. and was there was going to be a memorial service for a rider lost during a BRAG ride out there years ago. He couldn't recall the name nor could I but I knew who he was referring to. I made my way back to pump off my liquid and tried to remember. Checking out I walked back in to the building and said DARYL, his name was DARYL. I think I had met Daryl at a Homecoming event late 90's or early 2000 not really sure, but Renee and I got to ride/know him on the carving the Northeast BRAG ride in June of 2003. He really was a sweet guy if I'm not sounding too corny. At the end of the ride in Maine we told him that we were gonna either take the ferry over to Nova Scotia or roll over to Laconia for the last part of the rally Well, he said we had to go to the rally cause he lived there and wanted us to stay with him over the w/e.We thanked him and decided on the rally but got a sweet cabin on a small lake in Meredith instead. Later that weekend we got a bite at the beach and he told us he was going to TorqueFest and did we wanna go.He said he was picking up his new XB and was pretty amped up.That was the last time we spoke. I still can recall Daryl taking off on his S3T, his feet just hanging, dangling free, tennis shoes untied. I was saddened by the news of his passing later that year and have thought of him many times since. Good on you folks out west to remember a lost rider and a good man far from home. Dennis & Renee | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
I'm saddened to tears to hear this news. | ||
| Drkside79 |
I doubt they will have an answer but someone living in AZ should ask the proper Gov. Office. Perhaps there is a way to put it back without fear of removal. | ||
| Bartimus |
Pwnzer, You are incorrect, "Route 666 rides the rugged eastern seam of Arizona from the Petrified Forest, south, across the Zuni River, through the Apache National Forest, and into the mountain mining towns of Clifton and Morenci. Unlike the straightforward, gentle passage of retired Route 66 ("America's Highway"), U.S. 666, its descendant, is tortuous, wild, and as strange as its name. In little more than one hundred miles, the surrounding altitude ranges from twenty-nine hundred feet to more than eleven thousand feet. With some four hundred twisting curves in one sixty-mile stretch, the road has sent more than its share of travelers crashing off cliffs. If, as Nat King Cole sang, drivers get their kicks on Route 66, they take their risks on 666." New Mexico renamed their portion of HWY666 to 491, Arizona used 191. Later extensions: In 1992, Arizona requested a new number for its portion of U.S. Route 666[5], arguing the road signs on this highway were the most frequently stolen in the state. As a result, US 191 was extended again to the Mexican border at Douglas, Arizona. In 2003 New Mexico asked AASHTO to renumber its portion of US 666. This time all of then US 666 was renumbered U.S. Route 491, the x91 number was decided because the road meets US 191 in Monticello, Utah. We ride 666, or 191, between Alpine, AZ, and Morenci, AZ. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Actually, we're both technically correct. To avoid further threadjacking, those who are interested can read all about 666 and its various changes through history HERE.  I hope a way can be found to restore the memorial of the fallen Bueller. (Message edited by pwnzor on October 11, 2010) | ||
| Bartimus |
Thanks for jacking the thread... Back to the topic, I'm not sure who took the memorial down, or why. I don't really care if AZ has any laws about "vandalizing" a guardrail, but I'm still going to do it. It will be tasteful, just as the memorial was, probably along the same lines. Just a simple stencil with his name, dates, information, and perhaps a Buell logo sticker... I will probably go back up there in early November to do this. It really bothers me that this memorial was removed, it was very tasteful, and looks so much better than the ones I see all along the Arizona highways when I ride. | ||
| Csg_inc |
At the time the memorial was planned the questions were asked about placement/location etc. The problem is at that location the hill side drops off about 800 feet or so. The memorial was placed as far back from the guard rail as was possible. The actual memorial was water jet cut aluminum that was powder coated. It was a first class job by Jim Witt adapted from the design by JB2 some of the broken bike pieces were set on the wood post and remained there for many years. I was saddened to hear that it is now gone. I was one of the first on scene as I had just waved the fast group by about one or two miles before. They had all missed the turn in New Mexico on to rt AZ78 and were re-catching the lead. I remember that Daryl said that he had attended the other BRAG ride in the east and had such a great time that he wanted to attend this one so he shipped his bike out for Torquefest. I met him the day before on that friday at Chosa's and we rode in the same group for awhile up to show low. He was a very nice happy guy that really loved to ride his red Buell XB. | ||
| Glitch |
I had just come on to BadWeB with this happened. I remember thinking how wonderfully different this community is. People that weren't there, or didn't know him, were showing so much support to the family and friends. I knew after that, this is a special place, special people, and even though most of it is played over the Internet, these people get close to one another. Over a bike? I found out soon enough, it's not about a bike, it's much, much more. Painting the guard rail is a great idea. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Keep the stencil in good shape, it's my bet you'll have to go back and repaint it every year or two. Some jackass at the highway department or whoever does maintenance will undoubtedly get it in his mind to cover it up, so just go right back and repaint it! They can't kill the memory of the man, no matter how many times they try to cover it up. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Good on you for doing what you can to keep that up and make visits. A couple years ago I found a guy riding a full dresser face down in a ditch, unconscience and the bike was thrashed, on a reasonably middle-o-nowhere road. Myself and a couple guys in a truck in front of my spotted him at the same time and both turned around. Others showed up after and most folks stuck around until the ambulance took him away. Some of teh locals knew who the guy was. He never woke up while I was there. I did find a newspaper article about the crash in a local paper and kept rechecking it for a month or two, but all it ever said he was still unconscience and in crtitical condition. I have no idea what happened to that guy, and at this point I can't even remember his name. We do what we can. On a side note, that is a beautiful part of the country and I can't wait to get back there. EDIT: I found the guy, but I won't threadjack... I'll start a new one. (Message edited by xl1200r on October 13, 2010) | ||
| Bartimus |
Pwnzor, I agree. I ride up there twice a year, and will make it a point to keep a can of paint, and the stencils along with a fresh Buell sticker every time I ride up there. It's a shame, that was such a beautiful monument that was made for him... Daryl will always be remembered as a friendly, very outgoing man, that is missed by all. | ||
| M1combat |
That kinda pisses me off. It's pretty awesome that you ride over there regularly. Daryl is the guy I think of when I'm having a bit too much fun on my bike riding the spars. | ||
| Gixerhp |
Thanks for Keeping Daryl's Memory alive, He is one true friend that is truly missed. Many of us have friend that is missed, and Daryl is one here. We where friends for years. Daryl gave me guidance, when i needed it as well as being one hell of buddy to have at your side. I can never forget his willingness to help anyone that was in need, no matter what. I really wish the memorial was still there, but do as we do here in NH, Put another one every time they take it down! I know i have some pics that are on another computer, and ill post them soon. But as many in this thread, Daryl still is on our minds! |
