Great Ride Bad Ending

[VFR Pilot]

Well the ride started when I called Mark and asked him is he wanted to do a ride up in the hills on Saturday of the Labor Day weekend.
Mark was a little iffy about riding on the Holiday but I said what about some back dirt roads so he agreed and said he wanted to try
Chimney Peak so we were a go.

We met Saturday morning around 9:00 am at the bottom of the hill at the Cheveron on Hwy 178, and headed up the Mark in the lead
not a lot of traffic and what little we found we got around with no problem. Up to Lake Isabella and right through no problems and
traffic is still lite with most of it headed for the lake or the river. Past Kelso Valley, then Weldon and then a fuel stop in Onyx at the Cheveron.
Just a quick stop to top off the bikes and get a little something to rehydrate. Mark said the turn off was just a little bit
up the road and then DIRT, well about 8 mile and we turn off Hwy 178 and find this.

First stop to air down the tires and make sure everything is secure then off to the dirt. The first stretch was flat and straight and
full of sand but we made it though no problems.






The next stop is the scenic view of where we just came from.


The bend in the road is were we turned off Hwy 178


This shows the long sandy stretch before we started the climb.


Now here’s the fun part, this is the climb to the stop.






The upper road is where we were headed.


Some of the views from over the first pass.

[VFR Pilot]

Our next stop was at a loop we were going to take but found out the road was closed just past Long Valley camp ground. If you look just to the right of the sign you can see the road winding back over the pass to Hwy 178.




Then on we went to heading out to Kennedy Meadows Road. We did find another camp ground, on our way that was completely empty and this a Holiday weekend.


A quick stop to air up the tires and then head up to Sherman Pass.


We stopped for lunch at Grumpy Bears and had a burger and fries and a cold glass of Ice Tea.


Of course Mark and I being the Rebels had to temp our fait and park where we shouldn’t.


After lunch we continued up to Sherman Pass, there had been a heavy rain earlier that week and we found lots of dirt and rocks on the road, which made the ride a little slower. We finally made it to the Pass Vista and it was well worth the ride.








We left the Vista and headed down the hill for Kern River Hwy/Mountain Road 99, and this is the fun we had going down.




We made it down to the bottom of Sherman Pass Road and headed down Kern River Hwy/Mountain Road 99 for Kernville. This is where we begin to see all of the holiday crowd. Not so much on the road but pack along the side of it. People parked so they were just off the road, we even had to watch out for river tubers walking on the edge of the road. At this point is when it went all bad. Mark was in the lead and all of a sudden a car started to back out into traffic but he stopped just as Mark got to him, I saw this and by the time I got to him he backed out again but this time he didn’t see me and I didn’t get far enough over to the left to avoid him. The rest everyone knows from Marks thread.

This is where the bike ended up and according to Mark I was about where the Sheriff’s car is parked.


Some may find this next picture hard to look at but this is the out come after 5 surgery’s and almost a month in the hospital. Thanks again to all that sent there prayers and best wishes that were much needed and I can’t say thanks enough.


Pictures are from both Mark and myself.

[G8ESCAP]

Well Brad it looks to have been a great ride. To bad we can't rewrite the ending. But hey, you're doing so well I can't believe the improvement.

That photo makes me cringe, and I saw it when it looked really bad. Amazing work they've done.

So Brad, on that note, .....when are we going riding again?

[1911]

I'm just glad your alive to tell the tale.

...remember chicks dig scars.

[Loki]

Originally Posted by 1911

I'm just glad your alive to tell the tale.

...remember chicks dig scars.

Really? They seem to run when they see mine...

Anyway Brad, I'm glad you're recovering. It seems Mark and his lovely wife are doing a fantastic job nursing you back to health.

[motorrad]

Hey Brad, really nice pics and report. The ending made me cringe, as felt like I was there. Was great to visit with you, Mark, and Judy, this past Saturday as we passed through Bakersfield. You were in our thoughts for sure as we rode up the Kern river to Sherman Pass Rd and then down into Kennedy Meadow. What an awesome ride area, so many dirt roads and great paved ones to tempt a return trip. Hang tough my friend, stay positive, and heal up.

[ninja_o]

Reading your ride report I was lost for a moment in the beautiful scenic ride until I saw the last pic. The good thing is that you are alive and hopeful and on your way to recovery. This by itself is a big blessing especially when you consider how many complex surgeries you have gone through.
I am sure I am not alone in wishing you a very quick recovery and a happy and adventurous life ahead

get well soon !!

[matthewp]

Brad, great ride... almost all the way through! You are looking good though. Back to your old, jovial self! Your leg will come along soon by the looks of it!

Now, if only the docs could've added an inch or two in length while they were at it!

[Oddball_One]

Thanks for posting Brad. Its good to see you on the mend. BTW did the offending cager get cited for anything?

[katana_ron]

It's great to see you posting and you can feel your upbeat attitude in the writing. Great report (until the end), but glad to see and hear you are recovering so well.

You are the man.