Ducati Monster Forum

Well today's ride went from bad to worse.  Started out getting stuck sharing Hwy 105 with 300 bicyclists going up to Automezzi in Denver.

But that was nothing compared to what happened coming back through Deckers.  A guest rider and friend of Walter (Ducati900sp on this forum), Cory (I didn't get his last name) on a Ninja 500, went in too hot on a left hander about 5 miles from Deckers on the way back to Woodland Park.  I'd seen him go around a corner in front of me, and then huge puffs of dirt being kicked up in the bushes off the road when I came around.

I was lucky I saw those puffs of dirt, otherwise we might not have even known he went down.  We immediately pulled over, and heroicly, Mike and Christy Riggs, President Larry (who had been way out in front, but miraculously had a feeling something bad had happened), and Dave and Holland rushed to find Cory in the tall brush while I rode back to Deckers to phone 911.  I got back, and luckily an ER surgeon was passing by in his car and pulled over to help.  He told me Cory had a broken femur which would require surgery, but that he should be okay in the long run.

Ambulance came, and then flight for life helicopter landed in the middle of the road to get Cory to the nearest hospital as fast as possible.  Several fellow riders stopped to help as well.

That's all I know up til now.  It was getting late, and the situation made me want to get home to my family after he'd been air lifted. If anyone of you has any updates on Cory, please post up.  On a personal note, this kind of thing makes you take stock in what's really important.  Cory's screams of agony coming from the brush shook me pretty bad.  Admittedly, I 'm a wimp with a weak stomach and I stayed up at roadside while the real heroes got down and dirty with the injured rider.

On a postive note, we had a great turn out for the ride, which meant we had lots of talented people on hand to help when things went south. 

Prayers for Cory...

Prayers are with our injured rider, speedy recovery for him.  :'(

Sorry to hear the news.

Good vibes headed Cory's way.

heal well, fallen one.

a buddy of mine lost his leg in a riding accident while we were at MMI... he had a brand new carbon fiber foot especially for riding about 3 months later. 

ride fast, heal fast, ride faster...

Got an update, Cory was flown to Denver and surgery on his femur was complete.  They were waiting on another surgeon to repair damage to arteries. 

Damn, I hope he is ok.  :(

As a group, we seem to be going through a bit of black patch accident-wise.... here's to hoping that that is the last of the accidents for a long, long time.

Yea, I hope Corey heals soon. Too bad about the accident, and hope we all stay much safer the coming rides.

I was supposed to go (in my leathers and ready to go), but at the last minute I decided not to. Sorry, I did not make the ride, but maybe next time.

Wow Cooleye, did you just get a gut feeling or something?  I've learned to trust those.

Besides the accident, we had a couple scary moments in Denver traffic as well, trying to switch lanes as a large column of 11 motorcycles.

We had two groups, a fast and slow one, which worked well on the mountain roads.  But all staying together in town was tough.  We did it that way because not everybody knew how to get where we were going. 

I know this can't be a hard and fast rule, but in the future I think it'd be best if as many people know the route as possible.

Yea, my gut told me my wife was pissed I had been gone all day to Denver on Friday, had a wedding photography shoot all day Saturday, and was going to leave for most the day on Sunday! ;D so my gut told me to stay and do husbandly duties!!!! And I was running late....I was in my leathers at 8:55, and still needed to get up to Briargate.....so time and "pressure" kept me home!

I also agree....I ALWAYS print out and have my own directions with me for places I have never been. Just in case....or run a GPS..

Heal up!

sad to see so many wrecks in the last year.  Group rides just aren't for me.  People always seem to push themselves over their limits. 

ride safe!

Just got an update from Corey's girlfriend (April). He had 2 separate surgeries last night. The first was to put the femur back together using a plate and the second was to repair the arterial damage. He's doing good...the doctor said he has a long road of recovery and rehabilitation...about 14 weeks.

April said that she will catch up with me tomorrow in greater detail (was late for class). Looks like he will be home either Thursday or Friday. I'll also get the number to reach him at the hospital...if it's ok with him I'll post it here for whom ever wants to give him a ring.

I just wanted to thank all of the riders yesterday in their help and support of Corey. I couldn't ask for a better bunch of guys and gals to be riding with and I think I speak for Corey and his family as well. Thanks again!

walter let us know if cory needs help.
brett

Talked to Walt this evening.  All we know is that Cory is stable, expected to be released from Denver by week's end.  Good news.  However, bad news is a 14 week recovery.  I would like to organize an event or two or three for Cory.  It's going to be a long road to recovery for him.  Fortunately, I believe that his leg is safe.  I was very worried at the accident site as he lost circulation.  Damn lucky that a) we found him down in the ravine and 2) that a Doc happened by. 

Lots of lessons to be learned off of this accident, but I want to thank some special folks yesterday.  David, Holland and Smitch for coming to his immediate rescue.  Thank God you guys stopped.  Smitch for riding back to Deckers to call 911.  Dave and Holland for rendering first aid and assisting the EMT and Paramedics through the rescue.  All the guys from EMT, Rescue from Woodland Park and LifeFlight for being professional lifesavers.  Good to know that we have the most professional rescue services on the planet right here in Colorado. 

Good to hear he is doing well!!

Super that my gang at Northeast Teller Fire did well.  I was a fire fighter medic for a few years with them.  Good crew!

Yeah, the people who responded were great, and a friendly bunch as well.  One guy told me that several of them were volunteers who got the call at home.

The crazy thing that happened when I rode back to Deckers, I asked the little store owner to call 911 and explained the situation.  He was the middle man talking to them, and he turned to me to relay the question "Are we going to need an ambulance?" 

That seemed like a hell of a question!  Hmmm, now that I think about it, just send an ice cream truck.  We can ice him down with Rocky Road, it'll be fine.

Of course we need an ambulance!  That is why a person would ring 911, isn't it?

Wow, what a terrible thing to read. Best wishes to Corey for a speedy and full recovery.

I was fully expecting to go on this ride, but I bagged it late Saturday night. My son decided to come down from Fort Collins for a visit with Mom and Dad for a few days and with all the recent business travel and not keeping up with the chores at home, I decided I shouldn't go on an all day ride.

Hopefully we all take something away from this group ride to make our future rides better and safer.

Best of wishes to Corey. Glad to hear that he will be ok.

I was ready to go 4 this ride but I tore a tendon in my elbow and the doctor put me in a cast for a few weeks. >:( if they could have put a better angle I would be able to ride. I even rode to the doctor, of course my wife had to ride the bike home ;D so I'll be down for 2-3 weeks.

Hey guys I just got off the pone with Corey a few minutes ago. He is doing great but in a bunch of pain, sounded a bit groggy from some of the pain meds. The doctor said that he will be going home once he is back on solid food, Corey is thinking by the end of the week. In addition to his broken leg he has road rash running down his thigh and bruising on his arm.

I asked Corey what happened...a few of us were plagued with this question since most of us saw how well he handled himself and the bike. He told me that shortly after passing the kid on the KTM in the straights he caught back up with him in the turns. That last turn Corey was passed mid curve then cut off by the kid on the KTM, forcing him onto the shoulder. Once that happened he knew it was all over, lost control and went off. He couldn't remember how he laid it down, skidded, rolled, or anything else involving the crash. He does remember everyone being there and helping him so a huge THANK YOU and much appreciation goes out to everyone! He has no memory of being loaded onto the chopper, the ride or much at the hospital because of the pain meds so thats good!  He also said that I can post his number here for anyone who wants to call...719-598-3757. Corey mentioned that he would like to have everyone get together for a bar-b-que at some point and thank everyone in person!

Let me tell you what, those guys were damn good.  The paramedic was outstanding.  I've seen a half-dozen responses in my life and these guys are on a higher playing field.  And that chopper pilot made one of the best landings I've seen and I've been around Army choppers for over 20 years.  So if you know those guys, please let them know that we really appreciated their response, professionalism and quick decision-making. 

Best of luck with a speedy recovery!
I'm from SoCal and I remember Decker Canyon from 15 years ago.  If i look back and think about it i can only assume i was NUTS, what a sad sandy curvy cliff-edged road... You guys doing it for fun still, you've got it goin' on.   [moto]

I will pass the word!  Great to hear!

Cory has surgery today to repair a broken shoulder.  So he will be staying in Denver thru the weekend now.  When he gets released he is going to be in a wheelchair.  I'm looking for volunteers to help build a ramp at his house.  Any takers?

I got plenty of experience and tools. Not so much on money though. Where does he live?

I will post it tonite, unless Ducati900sp beats me to it.

I have a truck and some power tool. Not much money. work cut back left me not working fridays for moth of june. Sold my 1991 cbr f2 to make up for lost money.

When were you looking to do this?

Yeayuh....I beatcha! Ok...Corey lives at 85 Sunflower Rd lot 351 80907. Directions from I-25, I-25 to Fillmore St, Fillmore St east to Cascade Ave, north on Cascade Ave to Sunflower Rd. Turn left on Sunflower Rd and follow it til it ends, turn right then take your immediate left, the house is just past half way with a white pick up truck in the driveway.

OK, now we know where, the question that remains is when..... Bonez, you and I could assault this thing together. Problem is it sounds like we'll need a fund raiser for the materials...... Corey got any lettuce for lumber?

that we could do. We should take a trip to his home to have a look. I believe he lives in the trailer park there so we can see how much room there might be to build a ramp of some sort. Should have time sunday to take a look if anyone is up to that challenge and also to see how cory is doing if he is home. Walter is he home? Any up dates on his shoulder?

pm sent... [thumbsup]

when is this going on??

If I wasn't in this damn cast I would help with the labor.

I do know that the standard slope for wheelchair ramps is no greater than 1" rise for 12" run.

I don't know when either. That's why I sent Bonez my number...... we'll prolly need to talk to Cory.

I just got off the phone with Corey a few minutes ago. He informed me that the ramp had to be built by a licensed contarctor since he lives in a mobile home park it, has to be built to their codes. Good news is that his boss is building it and doing so for the cost of materials only!

Awesome good news for him.  [thumbsup] Hope he's  [moto] again soon.

I too, spoke to Corey today.  He says he's headed home tomorrow.  He'll be in a wheel chair for 6-8 weeks.  His boss owns/runs Landscape Enterprises and the 8th Street Nursery.  I'll be buying my stuff there from now on.  What a great employer!

I asked Corey when would be a good time to come by with the SoCo Dogs.  He says he'll let Ducati900 know when he's ready for company.  He says all he wants right now is to sleep in his own bed. 

Hey all! Corey just got home about an hour ago, helped him get into his house and get comfortable. We spent some time talking and getting caught up. He showed me his leg, he as an 8" incision mid inner thigh, 1.5" on his knee and 2.5" on the outer upper thigh...all on his right leg with bruising and road rash from hip to knee. His left shoulder has about a 4" incision across the deltoid. The doctors attached rod to his femur which is permanent and in his shoulder they put in a couple of pins and some straps to hold the muscle and bone together. He was greatly relived to be back in his house and happy to back with his family.

That's wicked good news! 

Got an update on Corey. The doctors removed the staples from his leg yesterday and will have the ones in his shoulder removed Tuesday. He also has a couple of appointments this next week to check his progress...if all is ok the doctors will start him on his therapy. I addition to checking his healing progress the doctors will also check on possible foot or ankle damage that may have been overlooked...their is a concern for a large amount of swelling in those areas. Other than that he is doing great, making progress and going a bit out of his mind with all of the boredom.