Crash on the Crest

G8ESCAP · 09-15-2005, 05:36 AM

A friend, and Pashnit member and lurker went down on Angeles Crest Sunday. Amazingly he only broke his hand, especially since he is an old(er) fart like me. So my October SoCal ride might be short a local rider. We'll see.

Here is a post he made to our local club:

I was riding on the Crest in the chicanes between the
Mt. Wilson turnoff and Upper Big Tujunga. Traveling
uphill, I came around a right hander to find an SUV
stopped in the lane, fully over to the right hand side
of the road, with a line of Saabs taking up the
downhill side of the road. They were actually over the
double yellow, trying to avoid debris in the road on
the downhill side from a slide. There was no room
between the SUV and the right hand side of the road or
the SUV and the Saabs. I was going maybe 45/50 when I
came around the turn. The right side of my handlebar
clipped the rear left of the SUV and the bike went
down on its left side. The bike and I slid between two
of the Saabsand came to rest in the boulders on the
shoulder of the downhill side. The SUV was already
stopped, and many bikers, including a paramedic,
stopped... the Saabs continued on their way downhill.
Went into the rubble feet first. I was wearing a
leather racing jacket, full helmet, Sidi boots and
Draggin' Jeans with Knox inserts for the knees.

Paramedic checked me over and found nothing serious.
My right hand and wrist are swollen and feel pretty
shitty. My right knee was scraped slightly and feels
overextended. Everything moves the way it should. The
helmet didn't touch the ground (I slid on my left
side/back) and my leather jacket shows no sign of
wear. The jeans have one small hole at the right knee
and a small tear at the left ankle... still quite
wearable.

I never thought the Draggin' Jeans would hold up in a
crash but they did fine. I held up pretty well, too...
all things considering. A forestry guy stopped, said
he was supposed to always ask for medical aid, asked
me how I felt, and drove away after I convinced him I
was reasonably OK. A guy in an SUV offered to ride my
bike down to the Shell, and the two guys in the SUV I
hit split up, one driving their truck and the other
taking down the truck belonging to the guy riding my
bike. We got to the Shell and I was able to ride my
bike home with the two guys in the SUV following me,
just in case.

No cops, no expensive flight off the Crest, no
expensive hospital visit (yet) and a bike that needs
new handlebars, mirrors and flyscreen... not bad!

Digger

Gear and a little luck seems to make the difference. Sliding between the cars instead of under one I think made alll the difference in the outcome. You never know what to expect when riding the Crest. Great scenery, wonderful twisties, to many LEO's and Squids on the weekends, so go early. Watch out for rocks in the road . You always see them on the Crest, and sometimes you don't see them soon enough right Phil?

Funny now, but I'm sure it sucked at the time though.

Dale

Leonard · 09-15-2005, 08:46 AM

Wow glad to hear that he wasn't hurt worse. A broken hand is no joke though. This is just another example of what happens with cars swerving to avoid things in the road. I have noticed how car drivers will swerve for anything without considering that there may be a greater danger in doing so. I guess on the Crest you can have rocks, but I have seen cars swerve for paper bags, risking a head on. The Saabs are lucky that a truck wasn't coming. Hope your friend heals up and can ride again soon.

Backmarker · 09-15-2005, 09:41 AM

Just glad to hear it wasn't YOU for a change...

Superfly · 09-15-2005, 10:28 AM

Having Crashed on the crest myself (I had the expensive ride) I am glad to hear it was not too bad. The Cager's on that road either drive way too slow, way to fast, or are all over the road.

LilSassyBkrChic · 09-15-2005, 11:51 AM

((((((Digger)))))))))

Dude... so glad you are okay! You certainly had a couple Angels watching over you!

The *&%^%$ in the Saabs will get their own.... the whole life circle Kharma thing. That sure ticked me off.... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I'm gonna check out some "Draggin" jeans today!

Thanks Dale for letting us know this happened!

Hugs!
Sassy

RydinDrty · 09-15-2005, 12:46 PM

Sorry to here about the crash Digger, glad you are okay. Just goes to show how stupid cagers can be. The Crest is always full of stupid people.

katana_ron · 09-15-2005, 02:32 PM

Hey GixxerJulie, I noticed your location. I live in Simi and just signed up for this forum. Do you know of any good riding clubs or groups that hang in Simi? I just got back into riding in January (Family, Marriage thing stopped it for a while) but now the wife and kids are okay with me and my passion. A buddy of mine and I are looking for some others to ride with that are into riding and having fun, but not showing off and being too crazy. Just curious and glad to see other Simi people on the post.

G8ESCAP · 09-15-2005, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backmarker

Just glad to hear it wasn't YOU for a change...

Thanks Renee. I think my luck is finally turning around!

Hmm....Wheres some wood? <Knock, Knock>

G8ESCAP · 09-15-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana_ron

Hey GixxerJulie, I noticed your location. I live in Simi and just signed up for this forum. Do you know of any good riding clubs or groups that hang in Simi? I just got back into riding in January (Family, Marriage thing stopped it for a while) but now the wife and kids are okay with me and my passion. A buddy of mine and I are looking for some others to ride with that are into riding and having fun, but not showing off and being too crazy. Just curious and glad to see other Simi people on the post.

Hey Ron!
Back into riding! Cool. I've got some roads to show you, and no showing off at least on my part. I like riding usually long long rides, but no stunting. That stuff is to costly financially and physically. Pm me. Where abouts in Simi are you? I'm at Khuener and the 118.

Maybe you can join us on some rides? Like here on October 8th and 9th or the Pashnit Gathering at the end of October?

FishWitch · 09-15-2005, 07:31 PM

Glad your friend wasn't hurt worse!! Hopefully a speedy recovery.

This is just another example of safety gear making an important difference.

Granted there are lots of other variables but....

GOOD GEAR = BETTER CHANCES!

I am looking for more substantial gear right now after having read all this on this site.

THANKS FOR GIVING ME A HEADS UP!

09-15-2005, 05:36 AM	#1
G8ESCAP AKA Gixxerdale Name: Dale Location: Mays Landing New Jersey Motorcycle: 4wd Dual Sport Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,563	Crash on the Crest A friend, and Pashnit member and lurker went down on Angeles Crest Sunday. Amazingly he only broke his hand, especially since he is an old(er) fart like me. So my October SoCal ride might be short a local rider. We'll see. Here is a post he made to our local club: I was riding on the Crest in the chicanes between the Mt. Wilson turnoff and Upper Big Tujunga. Traveling uphill, I came around a right hander to find an SUV stopped in the lane, fully over to the right hand side of the road, with a line of Saabs taking up the downhill side of the road. They were actually over the double yellow, trying to avoid debris in the road on the downhill side from a slide. There was no room between the SUV and the right hand side of the road or the SUV and the Saabs. I was going maybe 45/50 when I came around the turn. The right side of my handlebar clipped the rear left of the SUV and the bike went down on its left side. The bike and I slid between two of the Saabsand came to rest in the boulders on the shoulder of the downhill side. The SUV was already stopped, and many bikers, including a paramedic, stopped... the Saabs continued on their way downhill. Went into the rubble feet first. I was wearing a leather racing jacket, full helmet, Sidi boots and Draggin' Jeans with Knox inserts for the knees. Paramedic checked me over and found nothing serious. My right hand and wrist are swollen and feel pretty shitty. My right knee was scraped slightly and feels overextended. Everything moves the way it should. The helmet didn't touch the ground (I slid on my left side/back) and my leather jacket shows no sign of wear. The jeans have one small hole at the right knee and a small tear at the left ankle... still quite wearable. I never thought the Draggin' Jeans would hold up in a crash but they did fine. I held up pretty well, too... all things considering. A forestry guy stopped, said he was supposed to always ask for medical aid, asked me how I felt, and drove away after I convinced him I was reasonably OK. A guy in an SUV offered to ride my bike down to the Shell, and the two guys in the SUV I hit split up, one driving their truck and the other taking down the truck belonging to the guy riding my bike. We got to the Shell and I was able to ride my bike home with the two guys in the SUV following me, just in case. No cops, no expensive flight off the Crest, no expensive hospital visit (yet) and a bike that needs new handlebars, mirrors and flyscreen... not bad! Digger Gear and a little luck seems to make the difference. Sliding between the cars instead of under one I think made alll the difference in the outcome. You never know what to expect when riding the Crest. Great scenery, wonderful twisties, to many LEO's and Squids on the weekends, so go early. Watch out for rocks in the road . You always see them on the Crest, and sometimes you don't see them soon enough right Phil? Funny now, but I'm sure it sucked at the time though. Dale __________________ "The key to life is to die young, at a very old age" "Ride like you own the road, and one day the road will own you"

09-15-2005, 08:46 AM	#2
Leonard Junior Member Name: Michael Location: Willow Creek Hollow Motorcycle: Honda RC51 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 20	Re: Crash on the Crest Wow glad to hear that he wasn't hurt worse. A broken hand is no joke though. This is just another example of what happens with cars swerving to avoid things in the road. I have noticed how car drivers will swerve for anything without considering that there may be a greater danger in doing so. I guess on the Crest you can have rocks, but I have seen cars swerve for paper bags, risking a head on. The Saabs are lucky that a truck wasn't coming. Hope your friend heals up and can ride again soon.

09-15-2005, 09:41 AM	#3
Backmarker Go ahead and pass me... Name: Renee Location: Gilbert, AZ Motorcycle: Aprilia Mille RSVR, Yamaha TTR-125L Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,589	Re: Crash on the Crest Just glad to hear it wasn't YOU for a change... __________________ Some people just don't know how to drive... I call these people "Everybody But Me."

09-15-2005, 10:28 AM	#4
Superfly Junior Member Name: Pete Location: Los Angeles, Ca Motorcycle: (2) Yamaha XZ 550 Visions Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 57	Re: Crash on the Crest Having Crashed on the crest myself (I had the expensive ride) I am glad to hear it was not too bad. The Cager's on that road either drive way too slow, way to fast, or are all over the road.

09-15-2005, 11:51 AM	#5
LilSassyBkrChic Super Member Name: Mary Location: Clovis, CA (Central) Motorcycle: Yamaha 1100 Virago Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,002	Re: Crash on the Crest ((((((Digger))))))))) Dude... so glad you are okay! You certainly had a couple Angels watching over you! The *&%^%$ in the Saabs will get their own.... the whole life circle Kharma thing. That sure ticked me off.... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I'm gonna check out some "Draggin" jeans today! Thanks Dale for letting us know this happened! Hugs! Sassy

09-15-2005, 12:46 PM	#6
RydinDrty Senior Member Name: Julie Location: Winnetka, CA Motorcycle: None at the moment Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 144	Re: Crash on the Crest Sorry to here about the crash Digger, glad you are okay. Just goes to show how stupid cagers can be. The Crest is always full of stupid people.

09-15-2005, 02:32 PM	#7
katana_ron Tuna Canyon, please! Name: Ron Location: Simi Valley, CA Motorcycle: 1990 Katana 600, RM125, and a whole bunch of Chinese made bikes for the wife and kids. Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,145	Re: Crash on the Crest Hey GixxerJulie, I noticed your location. I live in Simi and just signed up for this forum. Do you know of any good riding clubs or groups that hang in Simi? I just got back into riding in January (Family, Marriage thing stopped it for a while) but now the wife and kids are okay with me and my passion. A buddy of mine and I are looking for some others to ride with that are into riding and having fun, but not showing off and being too crazy. Just curious and glad to see other Simi people on the post.

09-15-2005, 07:31 PM	#10
FishWitch ~~Crazy Lady~~ Name: Sydney Location: FOLSOM!!! Not the Prison! 175K & counting! Motorcycle: '05 Victory Kingpin Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,052	Re: Crash on the Crest Glad your friend wasn't hurt worse!! Hopefully a speedy recovery. This is just another example of safety gear making an important difference. Granted there are lots of other variables but.... GOOD GEAR = BETTER CHANCES! I am looking for more substantial gear right now after having read all this on this site. THANKS FOR GIVING ME A HEADS UP! __________________ xoxoSydney aka Fishy Member of The Victory True American Road Trip Team

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