| Author | Message | ||
     Bartimus |
Went out for a nice morning ride this morning, with my neighbor who rides a Suzuki Gsxr 750. Went were rolling along down a nice little backroad between Tucson, and Sonoita, Arizona. We had gone through this one sweet stretch of twisties, and enjoyed it so much, we turned around and headed back through them. We were about 200 yards apart with me in the lead on my Red S2. While coming around an ascending left turn, with a branching road on the right, I spied a white cadillac with a group of bikes behind him and waved, thinking nothing of it. After going around the next curve, I notice my bud was no longer behind me. Thinking the worse, I turned around and went back, and saw what I dreaded. A group of bikes parked at the top of that hill, and people clustered around someone on the ground.  It was my buddy. Apparently the caddy, at the last minute decided to make that turn onto the side road, and jammed his brakes and turned right after I went by. The bikes behind him had to jam on their brakes and swerve to avoid rear-ending him. My bud had to swerve off the road and onto the gravel. His rear locked up and he high-sided. He slide a bit and stopped upon impact with the rear wheels of a parked dump truck. His bike passed him and stopped behind the truck. I thank god he was wearing protection. He was awake, and had taken his own helmet off, but was laying down and bitching because we wouldn't let him up. He complained of chest pains and trouble breathing. I feared a collapsed lung. Like I said, he was awake, but not really coherent. He didn't know what day it was, or who our president is. He didn't remember what happened. He kept asking me, "what the hell happened Bart?" Well, we got him medi-vaced out of there on a chopper ok, and I got his bike home, picked up his woman and went to wait at the hospital. The prognosis is good, he has a fractured neck, 3 broken ribs and a punctured lung. Hardly any rash as his gear did it's job. His spirits are up, and he remembers what happened now. He remembers seeing the Caddy at the last minute attempt the turn, and swerving to avoid it. The riders behind the caddy ALL stayed and made sure the Police got their statements and they all saw the same thing. The driver made the left turn, claimed he didn't see the bike. The riders were a mixed lot of beemers, hondas, and a suzuki. They were great in helping me keep my buddy calm, until help arrived, and then staying to insure the story was straight. I'm sure he would appreciate any emails of encouragement, I know I would... He can be emailed at: http://www.umcarizona.org/UMC/body.cfm?id=340 His name is Stewart Bryson, in room 7532. He is in the Air Force, and just got back from Afganistan where he has been protecting our freedom. He's been back about two weeks now, and couldn't wait to get back on his bike.He's a nice guy, and a good rider. Thanks for your support, and always wear your gear, and ride aware. I'd like to meet all of you someday in the future ! | ||
| Bigj |
Sorry about that, Bart. Sounds like he'll be okay in the long run.  | ||
| Belookin |
Bart, E-mailed Stu. Offered help to him-if he needs anything-magazines,food, ect. Offered to take his bike to the shop to get fixed. Let me know if I can be of assistance. Sorry for the mishap! Al | ||
| Daves |
Sorry to hear this news. Hope he heals up fast. Ride to the edge! Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) | ||
| Fly |
Words of comfort and encouragement have been sent. | ||
| Bartimus |
thanks for the emails to my buddy Stu everyone. he got some today and appreciates it. His bruises are starting to show more now, and it looks like hell. But he's gonna be in good shape. Just gotta deal with the healing cycle. He'll be bed ridden a few weeks, and can't smoke, (ha ha ha) They've got him pretty doped up for now, so at least he's not hurting too much anymore. Thanks again! | ||
| Daves |
Can't smoke!!!!! Those bastards!!! Ride to the edge! Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) | ||
| Gomo |
It seems to be a bad Spring so far. This past Friday, someone I know who lives about a mile from me was killed about 1000 ft from his driveway as he was leaving for a ride on his Harley with his wife as a passenger and two other riders. A seventeen yr old kid, in a car, pulled out directly in front of them, 2 out of three bikes hit the car. The person I know, his bike burst into flames, he and his wife were on fire. The second rider that hit the car was able to get up and put out the flames on her but couldn't do anything to help him. What made a bad thing worse was when the couples son saw all the emergency vehicles just up from their driveway, decided to go and see what the situation was about and saw then what had happen. The couples sons are 17 & 20. She is in stable condition, he died from head & body trama. Having spoken to some of the EMT's that where on site, I did get some info. What I'd like to pass on are basic reminders: -Where a Full Face helmet DOT/Snell -Where colors so drivers can see you -Practice your skills (especially prior to 1st rides) -DoNOTassume or trust anyone! -You are your own First Defense for your own safety! | ||
| Bartimus |
Yes, it is a bad riding season. I just found out that another of our "local" arizona guys has gone down in Yuma. Left turn on gravel, tore up his knee real bad, but he will survive... Your reminders are true, and should be followed. You truly are your own defense. Practicing your skills greatly enhances your chances of survival. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
hey bart I sent an email off to stewart. keep us posted. | ||
| Bartimus |
Thanks Buckinfubba, He is doing a little better, Just found out it's 4 ribs broken, not 3. Like it makes a difference. They just upped his morphine dosage so he is fading in and out. He really appreciates all the emails, and is impressed with the number of Buellers wishing him well. (we may convert another!) It's not easy sitting in a hospital bed with tubes plugged into your lungs, and IV's, and the constant blood tests. The pain is a dull throbbing, and every move hurts. he will heal though, that is a comfort. thanks to everyone, for the emails, it really does make a difference ! | ||
| Bartimus |
Stewart is doing better, getting a little ornery. His wounds are healing, the doctors are still concerned about his lung, apparently, there is still some questions about some spots seen on the x-rays. I'm not sure what that's about, could be air trapped around the puncture. His neck is still immobilized, he is sure hating that, but we all know that is for the better. His spirits are definitly up though, thanks to everyone that sent emails, it certainly is helping to cheer him up. | ||
| M1combat |
Ornery is good... | ||
| Blake |
That neck injury has GOT to suck. When your neck is hurtin, ain't anything else gonna help. I hope the hospital has SpeedTV. If you are gonna be immobile at least do what comes natural for that state he. AMA Racing Sunday afternoon. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
European Buells have a Hard Wired headlight so you never forget to switch it on. Get well soon Stu & buy a Buell with the insurance money.  | ||
| Bartimus |
Stu made it home today... He's still bruised, and has the neck brace on, but he is glad to be out of the hospital. First thing he asked for was a cigarette, LOL. He thanks everyone for their support. Some of you provided words of wit, that certainly got him chuckling. His lung hurts when he laughs, so I may just have to copy a few from the joke thread for him just so I can torture him a little to  I'll be getting his bike back from the shop tomorrow for him, they totalled it. Amazing what that plastic costs. I need to run him down to the base to pick up his meds now. (gotta have them painkillers!) Thanks everyone !!! We showed him a side of riding that he hasn't experienced with the sport riding crowd he hangs with.  | ||
| M1combat |
Thanks for helping him out Art.   | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Bartimus, i screwed around long enough getting an e-mail off to Stewart that we missed him at the hospital and they forwarded it back to me. anyway, Stewart were glad you're out, and here's your e-mail for when you get a chance to read it -- sorry it's late. hey Stewart, you don't know me but i'm an online friend of Bart's. hope you're on the mend and your spirits are up. he mentioned that you're in the Air Force and just back from Afghanistan. i sure appreciate your service. my son Wade just deployed to South Korea as an MP, and will join the California Highway Patrol after he puts in his five. (never hurts to have friends in high places, eh?) anyway, just wanted to let you know that we're pullin' for you. Bart will be visiting us soon, and we're looking forward to showing him a few of the local twisties here in the Southern Sierra. get well soon, write a few words if you can, and hope to maybe get to ride with you some day. --Jerry Haughton (aka Ferris Bueller) and Denise Murphy Lake Isabella, CA FB&D | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Way cool Art tell him HI and to heal up so he can ride with us. Maybe talk him into a Buell to replace the wrecked bike  | ||
| Bartimus |
Stu can be reached at home at: stewbryson@cox.net he will be getting a logon name soon, he mentioned to me today that he had tried to reply on the board to thank everyone, but was unable to. I picked up his bike from the shop today, $11,300 worth of damage... Can you say totalled? LOL The book is about $6800. I'm trying to work him onto a Buell, but he has his eyes set on another GSXR, that's ok, as long as he rides, that's what matters. Although I'd really would like to see him on an XB12! Ferris, He will probably reply to you after he gets logged on. I look forward to next month when I can enjoy some of them California twisties you speak so fondly of. I may be in the middle of moving here soon, but will not let that interfere with any rides.  (gotta set them priorities!)   |
