Another bike death

**winchester21** · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 03:40 AM

I don't mean to put a damper on the party but this is worth posting. I have lost one very close friend and one close aquaintance-(telephone vendor) in bike wrecks this year. Here is #3. I did not know this gentleman well- just met a couple of times at parties- mutual friends were very close- rode with him- the guy at the next desk at our company worked for him for several years.

Click Baldwin- owner of the Harley dealership in Gastonia NC- just outside of Charlotte was on his way to Sturgis. He topped a hill on US 12 in western Montana to find some motherless piece of **** stopped in the road for no reason- no turn signal- no intemtion of potential manuever- no nothing - just stopped.Click attempted to pass on the left. The stopped car executed a left turn into a campground driveway. They collided at 65 mph est for the 2009 Harley. Click died in intensive care a short time later. There was traffic behind him and nowhere to go. Some guys I know who wre riding with him said that he had no time to react. Of course this piece of **** who in effect murdered him will go scot free.

I have lusted after a Ducati for the last 10 years. I have kids- that is the only reason that I do not own one. For God sake be careful out there. There are idiots in cars that do not give a **** about anydody but themselves and their next move. The very last thing that I want to do is to read the obituary of a fellow club member. For those of you who ride bikes- please be safe.

**dreis44** · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 03:54 AM

Winchester, sorry for your loss. I have family members who ride, and this is the type of thing I worry about.

**RobMason** · #3 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 04:59 AM

This kind of stuff is so tragic. I have a nice BMW and haven't ridden much and I hear these stories and makes me think twice.

There was a guy I had met a year ago in Denver, Robert Mock, former pilot in the Air Force during Vietnam War, who had been on coumadin (blood thinner) for a a heart problem, ran into the back of a stopped vehicle, air bags deployed, popped himself and wife in the face, and with-in 48 hours was gone.

Air bags can be dangerous. (as is coumadin)

segue007 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 06:29 AM

Winchester, I am very sorry for your losses. I ride myself and every time I hear of a fellow biker going down (especially because of someone's stupidity) I am sadden. My condolences to his family and friends.

bglz42@yahoo.com · #5 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 12:25 PM

So sorry...

That's why I do not ride, as much as I love motorcycles... I've buried lots of friends. Seems that the roads are too crowded now...

intubator · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 02:08 PM

I love motorcycles but to this day I will not drive them on the street. I spent my teenage summers in rural Arkansas with my brother and Grandparents riding a 250cc Suzuki enduro in the woods and on country roads for kicks, what a blast!! I have often fantasized about getting a street bike but the risks outweigh the adrenalin benefits for sure in the Baltimore region. On a side note and I hope someone chimes in on this, whats up with the idiots on (usually) sport bikes doing twice the speed limit and weaving through rush hour traffic?? I've seen these guys squeeze between cars and cut across multiple lanes as if there were no one else on the road. Can't be good for Insurance premiums we all pay and the general social attitude towards bikers.

intubator · #7 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 02:10 PM

Winchester,
please accept my condolences for the friends you have lost. I should have posted this first before the previous post.

**Boxer_Ben** · #8 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 03:10 PM

Sorry to hear about Mr. Baldwin's passing. I ride almost everyday and it doesn't do much good for Mr. Baldwin or others to instigate hate toward the cager. All indications are Mr. Baldwin made a tragic mistake. This story is all over the riding boards and those who were traveling with him said he was riding solo (not as part of a group) when the accident occurred.

Here's a link to a newstory.

I'm not trying to start a flamewar, just presenting facts about the situation. Those of us who ride know we are responsible for our own safety. The vast majority of crashes are due to rider error. Every year we lose someone we either know personally or is close to someone we know. It's a mode of transportation that has elevated risk.

Again, my condolences for the family and friends of Mr. Baldwin.

**m parey** · #9 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 12:21 AM

So very sorry for your loss. Kind words nor rational explanations doesn't make it better.

**winchester21** · #10 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 12:48 AM

There are several different versions of the story emerging.The story I heard today at work from a close friend and former employee of the deceased indicates that he was riding with a group but had rode ahead with another bike. There had been some sort of back and forth with the car where the car had slowed down then sped off several times. The car had stopped just past a curve with no signal or brakelights deployed according to my sources. My comments were based on this information which I believe to be accurate.. I see dangerous and distracted driving all of the time and 75% of the time its a slow driver in the wrong place or some idiot stopping in a dangerous place for an extended period. I will conceed that many bike riders particulary the younger ones on crotch rockets pour their own poison. But when you get into the 40-50ish age group of mature riders and somebody dies or gets hurt- more often than not- it is some dumb@ss in a car that is the cause of the accident.Cell phones in particular. Just for the record- friend #1 was killed by a deer-Friend #2 was killed by a drunk who crossed the centerline.

**Chris S** · #11 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 02:08 AM

Winchester, sorry to hear of your lost friends.

I've been an avid motorcyclist for about 10 years, and am well aware of the dangers having lost friends and almost my own life (in a motocross accident). Still, riding has greatly enriched my life and led to many great friendships and memories. Despite the danger, it's hard to imagine not having motorcycles in my life.

Dirt biking is a great way to enjoy the fun of riding w/o the dangers of the street. Yes, you will crash in the dirt, and quite likely get injured at some point(s), but they're usually not too serious.

I spent the weekend out in the TX Hill Country w/ my sportbike group, and had a really fun ride through TX's best roads. On the way back to our cabins, a trio of guys not w/ us got mixed into our group. One of these riders in front of me went wide around a sweeper for no apparent reason, and it looked pretty bad from my perspective. Fortunately, he was fine, only his bike (and possibly his ego) was damaged!