Butt Rider Award
Before the final rider had packed up the saddlebags and rumbled out of Hells Canyon a couple weeks ago the local press were reporting on the arrests and accident stats.
Fortunately there were no fatalities, but several riders were severely injured and a few have a long recovery ahead of them. I hope for the best!
As background, there were about 5,000 riders who converged on the surrounding area of Baker City. I’ve already reported how there were widespread thunderstorms with heavy rain alternated with sunshine throughout the weekend. There were two rally-related arrests which resulted from an intoxicated rider trying to move his motorcycle from the street lineup and crashed into 3 other motorcycles. Yeah, that would aggravate me too! George Twardus (Portland) was arrested for drunk driving. Compounding that situation was one of his new friends from Baker City who decided to sneak off with the motorcycle and was arrested for unlawful use of a motorcycle and tampering with evidence. According to the reports police showed significant restraint as the riding group with Mr. Tawardus were acting out and expressing their freedom of speech. I have dedicated a “Butt Rider” award to them! In addition, there were a couple of other local residents arrested over the weekend for fighting outside a bar, but it was described by Police Chief Lohner as just part of a typical Saturday night in Baker City, and had nothing to do with the rally.
Baker City had 13 calls related to the rally, including eight motorcycle crashes. The weather likely contributed to some of the motorcycle crashes, but rider skills certainly had a part too. Four of the injured were flown out either by helicopter or plane. In addition, there were a couple of motorcycle accidents reported in the Richland area including the hit and run accident with Rick Meigs which I reported on previously. It turns out that this year’s rally was comparable to the number of accidents in 2007, but much worse than 2008.
And speaking of “Butt Rider” awards… as a visitor to eastern Oregon, I have a couple observations to pass along:
- Uninvited Guests — If a group of 4-6 riders are clearly in a group together then other riders not part of that group shouldn’t cut in to ride as if you’ve found your long lost riding buddies. Often without warning we saw people dart/cut into our group vs. go on around – even with plenty of passing space. Sure some riders were looking to pass and wanted to make sure there was clearance, but others cut in and behaved as if they planned to join the group?! I know the skills of our riding group, but I wouldn’t know if the “cutter” has been riding motorcycles for 30 years, or 13 minutes — who knows and that concerns me. I’m more than okay in sharing the roadways, but there was some stupidity being displayed and on several occasions we were forced to brake heavy to make way.
- Secret Motorcycle Wave — To me it is amazing to see folks waving or trying to wave at all the fellow riders when there is a big rally in an area. And I’m not talking about the two-finger flip or the helmet nod, but the left hand high in the air “Hi Mom, I’m so excited to be out here and one of the gang” type waves! Great way to avoid accidents on wet S-curves with 100’s of participants on the road. Not!
- Hunting Season – is it me or is it you? It must have been the time of year as I observed several riders (namely Idaho plates) displaying holstered firearms for all to see. Sure, Oregon has a rich hunting heritage, but packing “heat” at a motorcycle rally should not be encouraged and certainly does nothing to promote conversation or relationship building. I’m not anti-gun and own firearms like many of you. I treat all firearms as if they are loaded and these guys were twitchy. I don’t know these characters or what the potential target was and felt as though I should put on a blaze orange vest so as to not be confused with any live animal!
I’m of the viewpoint that a motorcycle rally has a couple of purposes beyond vendor booths and the camaraderie of enjoying wind in your face with friends I’m sure there are others, but one is to raise awareness with the general public, that they are sharing the roadways with motorcycles. Another might be to promote motorcycle safe riding practices and that as a large loosely aligned group of motorcycle enthusiasts, we can and are well behaved. Some more than others I suppose…
hmmm…sounds like the award name is appropriate…
Thanks for the calling out silly and irresposible behavior in the Butt Awards. It only takes the actions of a few to give all of us a bad image.
Uninvited Guests – while I wasn’t a participant at the HCMR, there’s another aspect to it. We also have Reluctant Guests.
Caught-up with a group of 3 baggers the other day. The 3rd bagger let quite a bit of space open up btw himself
and the other 2 baggers.
Passed him, then got stuck behind the other 2 during the one of the best stretch of twisties out on there due to oncoming traffic and no passing lanes. I do not like being in anyone’s group ride unless invited.
Those 2 guys ahead of me used terrible lines through the wonderful S-curves, and were on their brakes too much (can ride through that stretch w/o using brakes).
I stayed back, giving them plenty of space then, once the road opened up, finally passed them.
If I see faster riders behind me, I give them space to pass when safe, but all too many riders, especially HD riders if only because there’s so many of them, don’t think about it or don’t care or are protecting “their” turf on a public highway or are egomaniacs. ;^)
All too many bagger and cruiser riders don’t really know how to ride (cager mentality) and have little or no common courtesy for other, faster riders. In short, they’re like rolling roadblocks, no better than a motorhome, so to speak.
However, if I was to find myself behind a group of one-percenters then that’s a whole new ballgame there. Have to keep one’s distance, and either wait until a passing lane appears or pull over for awhile.
@ Grumbler – great point about riders coming up from behind. At HCMR we observed a lot of sport bikes who wanted to do S curves faster than our cruiser group so when possible we just moved to the right and let them zoom on by. Re; 1% they ride handle bar-to-handle bar… the suggestion of waiting/space is a good one. – mac
I noticed alot of sport bikers out there ride like arrogant pricks because they know they can outrun everyone else. Problem is when they stop for gas or a Fuji water and see my ass standing by their rocket and they have to answer for their lack of respect on the road. They get real nice real quick when they cant get away. I have no problem kicking over an assholes sport bike like it is an old bicycle in a driveway. What’s worse….. a cracked rear view or a broken jaw. Don’t misunderstand….. it’s not road rage if they deserve it. As far as 1%ers go, they can be passed on the road as long as you dont cut ranks. When you pass, make sure you pass. If you cant, you better brake and try again before you join their ranks. Cut in with them and they will kick your dumb ass. Pass clean and they wont F with you. I love it when people fly passed me clean. They are the ones that the cops radar before I get there. Speeders can be very useful on the road.
blackdogrider – there’s far too many arrogant douchbags on sportbikes although not all of them are like that. I recall a dude on a Norton 850 Comando weaving through a staggered group ride in our lane that I was participating in a whole bunch of years ago. That pissed every single one of us off. A total lack of respect, and he could’ve caused an accident resulting in a chain collision.
Common courtesy works both ways. Slower riders have the option of waving faster riders by, and faster riders should wait until it is safe to pass slower riders. None of us want an uninvited guest sharing our lane.
As far as knocking over a motorcycle, you could be cited or arrested for damaging it. No clue what the charge would be ie vandalism, property damage, et al. All the owner has to do is copy your license plate and provide a description.
Might want to carry a jar of creamy peanut butter to spread on the seat of the offenders sportbike. ;^)
Am an experienced and assertive rider on the winding backroads despite riding a big, heavy V-twin, but my rides are more about riding *smoothly* without using the brakes. Public roads shouldn’t be used as one’s personal racetrack with little or no regard for others on that same route.
I’ve used speeders as bait out in Eastern Oregon. That stoopid 55mph limit in the middle of nowhere should be 75mph. Would you believe a Caddy Escalade was averaging 90mph about 30min east of Baker City. Was able to ditch the Subaru doing 75mph. Heh.
Right, never cut into a group of 1%ers. It’s just a matter of common sense and, uh, self-preservation.
Grumbler, Let me tell you a story. I was driving my car down the interstate and getting off at an exit when a sportscar cut me off on the exit ramp and sent me off the road. My son was four years old and asleep in the backseat. I caught up to that son of a bitch as he parked at a grocery store and noticed he was a late teenager 17 to 19 years old. I asked him why the hell he cut me off and he cursed at me. I said if it wasent for my kid in the backseat I would be beating his ass right then and there. He said F you and your kid. I got out of my car and pulled out my trusty leatherman tool and cut off all four valve stems of his car as he stood there with a stupid look on his face. I picked them up and got in his face, dropping them at his feet. I said F you and your car. He didnt say shiz as the rims bottomed out on the pavement. Then I said be glad thats all I F’d up of his and slow his F’ing ass down. So, would I kick over an arrogant ass’s sportbike if he cursed me….you bet your ass I would. Let him take my tag and call the cops. It’s just fuel for the fire. I have two rules. 1. Don’t F with my family and 2. Don’t disrespect me. I can deal with everything else. Believe it or not, I’m a passive guy but when someone throws the switch the lights go out and its a dark, dark world.