Ducati Monster Forum

 :'(http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20110514/NEWS01/105140302 (http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20110514/NEWS01/105140302)

Is this our Dolph?

He hasn't posted in awhile.

Rip  :'(

Sounds like you may not be wrong.  Crap.

 :P
the details in the article are too close for comfort

Damn

He hasn't logged in since a week before that accident, which is a little odd given how much he posted

I hope not, always enjoyed reading his take on things.

I hope I'm wrong but there are reviews on the Dianese site for jackets that Dolph has shown us with the name Randolph Virden.

RIP

Oh shit! I read that article and could only think of him. Described him to a T. Even the Bimmer and the bike forum thing. Please say it ain't so! Please....

Horrible news even if it's not Dolph.  :'(

Godspeed Randolph Virden.

Oh crap.   :'(

RIP Randolph. 

Does anyone know him well enough to call him or email him? Did he live with his brother? I can't even recall if he lived in Ohio or not. Either way, horrible accident. No one needs to go that way. Ever.

RIP Randolph Virden

Goddamn it.... RIP Brother.

Yes he lived in Ohio with his brother.

This is why I think it may not be him:

Randolph Virden had retired as a salesman from the Lancaster-Fairfield ADvertiser in Carroll after a 30-year career there.

Dolph seemed to have a LOT of money...and I thought he had owned several businesses.

RIP Randolph either way.

Whether it is him or not, he is/was always upbeat, positive.....



 :'(

Well, make the beast with two backs.  RIP

I'm not usually doing so, but tonight I'll say a prayer for him.

Sad - very sad.



(my almost last hope was gone looking at the picture. Not many riders that tall AND everything else checking out)

I was thrown off with the job listing and him talking of his own business.

Unfortunately the more I read of his posts, the more I believe it is him.   :'(

The article and his posts have too many similarities.

Article: He had crashed his 2010 BMW sport bike
Article: Randolph Virden continued to ride even with pain in his joints from osteoarthritis.
Article: He was single and had no children.
Article: He was a 61-year-old guy riding a motorcycle that can go 160 mph.





And the Dainese review jbubble referred to is written in his tell-tale style:

http://www.dainese.com/uk_en/review/product/list/id/19225/category/3/?cat=12&subcat=13 (http://www.dainese.com/uk_en/review/product/list/id/19225/category/3/?cat=12&subcat=13)

Oh damn!!  Noticed he wasn't on here for awhile too.   :-[  

Anyone want to try to reach out to the brother in the article so we can get confirmation and if it is indeed our Dolph, we could send a note to his brother/family, a donation to a charitable cause of his...... 

Sad news. He was a rock solid person with a good sense of humor.

I recall years back someone once asking where the good roads were in Ohio...Dolph gave the guy some good guidance

I of course posted afterwards that the best roads in Ohio were the ones that had signs saying you are now leaving Ohio

He and I shared a good laugh at that snarky remark....

Travel well good soul!

Oh no....  :-\

I can confirm it's our DE. He gave me his address once, J. Virden.  Rest in peace brother.

Wow...that sucks.  :'( RIP DE

+1.

I like that thinking

Still have it?

He just confirmed it against an address I came up with for Randolph Virden in Lancaster, Ohio. It's the same.

RIP

RIP DoubleEagle

 :'(

Sad day.  My prayers are with his family.

Shit. This sucks.

I like the charity idea.

Just ruined my day. I was hoping it couldn't be confirmed or was just plain wrong and a freaky coincidence. Thoughts and prayers for his brother and all his friends and family. I can only imagine the sleepless night his brother had wondering and worrying. Seems I remember a bike video he posted a while back of him riding one of his favorite roads. That's what I'd like to remember. [thumbsup] [moto] God speed.

His brother said it best, at least he died doing something he loved doing the most. He's right, not eveyone does that. [thumbsup] [moto] [wine]

That stinks.  He was never afraid to say things they way he saw them.  We will miss him.


mitt

oh come on. this is BS. that can't be him.

I know what we do is dangerous... but this really sucks.

Dolph is soo great.

But yes, he always talked about living on the edge every ride.

I'm really sad about this.

RIP  :'(

the question remains...

what would we like to do as a group...if anything?

Balls. 

Rest in peace, Dolph.

If we come up with a charity/family/cause I'm definitely in.

Someone needs to reach out to the brotherm, find out the local charity that would best fit Randolph's wishes and donate through the group.

I would like his friends and family to know what he did on the DMF and what he meant to us.

I sent an email...

better than sitting around with my thumb up my ass.

...speechless

Rip DE

Crap, crap, crap.


Ride on brother, you will be missed.


R.I.P. Dolph


 :'(

I agree. Can't do anything about his loss whether it be by accident or illness. Just something to honor his life and wishes. I'm sure his brother knows what kind of gesture Dolph would want. I am in for whatever the group decides. [thumbsup]

RIP dolph.. now you really get to ride with no limits..

I called and left a message.

I left this in the comments of the article:

DoubleEagle (Dolph) was an active member on the Ducati Monster Forum, were he freely shared his knowledge and wisdom. He will be greatly missed by all the members. RIP Dolph.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=49202.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=49202.0)

Maybe someone will see it.

Thanks 'Diva and DP.

Did not even see a comment section on the article link. Good call! [thumbsup] Hopefully your efforts or Nate's will get us some info and guidance as to what to do.

I think that "Toasty" would not mind a tasteful tattoo (engraving)........Dolph 1950  2011
                                                                                                Ride in Peace

or something along those lines.

This really sucks.

This is today's edition of "Gaping Void".  How timely.

http://www.gapingvoidgallery.com/gallerycubegrenades-lifeisshort-p-1872.html?utm_source=Gapingvoid+Daily+Cartoon&utm_campaign=2165a837db-%23326+%27Life+Is+Short%27+May+20th%2C+2011&utm_medium=email (http://www.gapingvoidgallery.com/gallerycubegrenades-lifeisshort-p-1872.html?utm_source=Gapingvoid+Daily+Cartoon&utm_campaign=2165a837db-%23326+%27Life+Is+Short%27+May+20th%2C+2011&utm_medium=email)

Not for nuthin'...

We're here for a good time...

not necessarily a long time.

Dolph lived that way.


How many of us get to die riding a motorcycle?

This. This is the tie in.


While I'm sad that he's gone, I can't bring myself to feel bad for him going out doing something he loved so much.

Probably because you saw the incorrect link that I changed 1.2 seconds after you probably saw it.
I'm don't have the tek skilz that some of teh uders doo.    ;)

This is terrible news. RIP Dolph.

Whatever is decided donation-wise, I'm in.

RIP Dolph.

I rest your case.

Ouch.

Godspeed.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1197;sa=showPosts (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1197;sa=showPosts)

Never had a cross word for anyone. 

It's kind of freaking morbid and maybe not even the right time and place but I am sure many of you will agree and know where I am coming from. Hopefully. And I am sorry if I offend. But like  previous posts said, he died doing what he loved the most. His brother obviously felt the same way. I told my bike hating wife what happened and she lit off on how many friends and folks I know have to die or get hurt for me to stop riding? Is it just me or does that have nothing to do with her? I love my wife but that's pretty self centered. If I loved to trout fish (and I do) and fell into the river I was fishing on and drowned does that mean everyone should stop trout fishing? Not in my world. Dolph would never ever want us to stop riding because of what happened to him. Nor more than I would. Life goes on. Ride like you are riding for Dolph. If I die ride like you are riding for me. I'll do the same for you! [thumbsup] [moto]

Damn. That sucks. Dolph and I sure had our share of disagreements on this board, but I'm pretty sure everyone (myself included) respected his exuberance for life and for riding. Definitely a big loss to our little community.

RIP Dolph.


sac

My dad sent me this quote a few years ago:

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in
a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out shouting, '...holy sh$t...what a ride!"

I raise a glass to Dolph. You died as you lived, which is something not many achieve.

Rest In Peace, Dolph.

235 pages of posts..all good too!  Always signed his name with a smile.  What a great guy!  He made me look at Ohio in a different light by posting some beautiful pics of his rides during the fall months and the autumn leaves.  Never knew there were so many scenic rides in that state. 

RIP       

I always enjoyed his posts and could feel a little bit of similarity with his love of solo rural riding.  We are diminished by his passing.  I will miss seeing his avatar in the threads.

+1 Stella

RIP Dolph

It's still there. Always will be. [thumbsup] I'll never look at a version of that helmet or that Bimmer again in the same way.

 :'( RIP Dolph

 :'(
 :'(
 :'(

make the beast with two backs >:(

RIP dolph.  :'(

I dont know anyone close to me who has ever passed and then it hit me. I've seen his post on this forum since i joined and with the time spent here,you get a sense of everyone who posts here frequently. And then it hit me so suddenly that this forum is such a close community that I felt like a good friend of mine has just passed even though I never met the guy or had a direct conversion with him.

Regardless I hope you all feel the same way. Dolph was a super cool guy and I always admire his passion to ride even though the dude was on 90 different types of pain meds!

 [drink] Heres to you Dolph. Luckly, you didnt have to see the world end in 35 minutes. [laugh]   I hope everything is well for you now. And i hope motorcycles in the afterlife go 11ty billion miles an hour! CHEERS

Couldn't have said it better! [thumbsup] Exactly how I feel and what I want to say. [clap] Never met him or ever talked with him in person or by phone but he was a friend. Maybe a weird internet thing but in the "old days" he would have been a pen pal. Just like the rest of you. We are a community of like minded folks, some different and some the same. But he was family and will be sorely missed. Whether you liked him or not, agreed with him or not, he was one of us and as passionate about riding as you could ever get. It's strange to say I will miss someone that I never actually met but I will. [moto]

i don't want Dolph to rest in peace. I hope he's somewhere going way too make the beast with two backsing fast, with no apologies. From what little I learned of him here, resting wasn't his style.

I feel the same way.

Well, that, and a certain amount of:


This.

True that..  as we do in the hood..  gotta poor some out for my homies who aren't with us anymore..  drink it up for you dolph n my best friend who's in a coma... 

+11ty billion

I've only been a member for about a year and a half but it's true, even though I've never met most of you I always think about all of you. We are a family. Best wishes to Dolph's other family!!

very sad, my thoughts are with your family

Like lots of others, I have trouble expressing the sense of loss for someone I didn't ever get to meet, but felt I knew in some way, on some level.  I feel personal loss for never getting to meet him in person - surely this is something I need to change in my relationship with these text-creating avatars with whom I have wasted/enjoyed so many hours in the past few years...

Here's what I know about Dolph:  he was never afraid to speak his mind, and for the most part, I really enjoyed the contents thereof.  He had good ideas about how life should be lived -exuberantly, knowing you can't take it with you.  He surely was not squeezed from a tube.  If his brother and loved ones can't take solace in that, I hope they can take pride.  Godspeed my friend.

i was a lurker, long before i was a poster & i still dont post anything of substance or that often.. but this does feel like an online family. you do get to know people by the posts they make. you learn about your real families & your jobs & the other things besides motorcycles that you care about. you figure out the people with a sense of humor & the ones that take life way too seriously.. some people on here you might feel close to like a brother & then others might seem like 3rd cousins twice removed & you barely know them at all. but, it's real i think. it's a snippet of real life & it's always sad to lose someone that was an integral part of a community like this.

i hope he knows he's missed & i hope there's lots of open roads still ahead of him. r.i.p. dolph  [moto]

 :'( :'( :'(
horrible news
RIP Dolph

And if there's a charity donation... I'm in for sure.

Well said il dood.  I think you have said what many of DMF'ers feel about each other and about Dolph.  I have a lot of thoughts going thru my mind right now but can't seem to be able to find the right words to express how I am feeling.  This will surely be one of those sleepless nights for self reflection...  

This is what I remember about Dolph.  Lives his life to the fullest.  Passionate and personal.  He stands up to what he believes and speaks his mind, whether it's popular or not.

The post below is the perfect example on how he lives his life.  It's his response to the post on my accident / crash.  It gaves me the chills reading it now.  

RIP Dolph.  You will be missed.  :'(  I hope to meet you one day at the big house.  You can show me a thing or two about riding...

Damn!

RIP Dolph,we will miss you.

this sucks... I really don't know what to say besides that.
RIP

shit

Sorry to hear this awful news but know he passed doing something he loved-riding his motorcycle. RIP friend RIP. :'(
Love to your Family
Erica.

Rest In Peace Dolph  :'(

Always ready with information for anybody that asked and provided it happily.  He was without a doubt one of the most recognizable members of the forum.

RIP Dolph  [moto]

Wow... unreal.  Just seems so unreal.  Just plain make the beast with two backsing sad.  Having those strange feelings of disbelief/denial, and the thoughts of, "But he was just here what seems like yesterday."  Reading this thread and having all kinds of feelings like  ???  and  :'(  and   [bang]  and  >:(


RIP Dolph

Nooooooo!    :'(

Dammit. 

Count me in if we donate.  RIP Dolph. 

you said it perfectly for my +1

but to add, may his family find peace and solace amidst their loss of their loved one.

make the beast with two backs  :'(

Strange feeling....  Sorrow.  A sense of real loss.  That I never met him, that I was never likely to meet him.... matters not at all.  We lost One Of Us.  make the beast with two backs  :'(

Ride on Dolph  [moto] :'(

wtf  :'(

I always enjoyed reading his posts. Even if you didn't agree with him he was still a gentleman and made his point in a way that didn't seem offensive.

Truly  a great loss.

Definitely a guy that lived life how he saw fit, a trait more of us could emulate. As already stated it's easy to forget that behind the avatars and screen names are very real very human people. Also with the amount of time some of us spend on here we do form a bond that is hard to define in traditional contexts. When He-Man was coming through town on his trip from NYC to NOLA we met up for drinks. I've never met this kid in my life and couldn't pick him out of a crowd but when he pulled up it was a greeting of an old friend, not the awkwardness of a first date. When he asked if he could crash at my place on his way back through there was no apprehension at all of a "Stranger" staying with us because he wasn't a stranger, he was a brother.

I never met Dolph, talked to Dolph, or knew a thing about him beyond his posts here, but I still feel like we shared a couple laughs, a couple life lessons, and a passion for an activity we both love. He will be sorely missed around here and while I was riding this morning I whipped through a turn a little faster than normal just for him. As he stated a hundred times, he rode without fear.

Helmets at half mast today ladies and gents, go for a ride for Dolph soon.

Ted  :)

P.S. Suddenly the link for "Show the last posts of this person." seems so fatalistic. I guess it's heavier when it's literal.

Just waking up to this sorrowful news...

It's the people who live life without fear that are my heroes.

Have you looked death straight in the eye and laughed?  Well then, you've made my list.  I've always strived to be someone who never took a day for granted and it seems like Dolph was both a mentor for me an  IS STILL on my hero list.

He is part of the family we have here and will be sorely missed by this member.

May wherever you are now be filled with the most amazing roads, unlimited fuel, unlimited grip, tires that never wear out, valves that never need adjustment and whenever you're done riding...  home is one corner behind you.

RIP brother....  (the kind of peace he found in the saddle that is...)

:(  just saw this by way of facebook.

RIP dolph... you were the man...   [beer]

Shit.  I was logging on to get a little emotional lift on what was looking to be a really crappy day/weekend.  This isn't what I was expecting. 

It is a weird feeling when you lose someone you never met, but kind of feel like you kind of know.  RIP Dolph.  You will be missed!   

RIP Dolph.  Godspeed my friend.

RIP brother!
 [drink]

Funny thing, I haven't ridden a bike since 04'...  don't have an mc license yet nor a bike to glare at in the garage yet..  it saddens me that at age 31, I can't just hop on an mc n go riding...  but this morning, after I woke to feed the baby at 6, when I woke up at 7 for work I remembered the dream I was just having... I was on a bike, riding, reving and acting a fool.. threw a what seemed to be 5 yr old girls water bottle to the street cause she was tapping my bike with it... it was so real..

Rest in piece buddy.

A few years ago I was in a bit of a funk so I decided a PIF was in order. I sent Dolph a quick lil "gimme your address so's I can send ya something" pm..... this was his response





 :'(

I need to expand my Dainese collection even further and keep Dolph's jacketlegacy alive [bow_down]

A fair portion of my Alp Twisty Tour this June will be dedicated to him - I know he'll be following me  [moto]

 :'( :'(

Just heard about Dolph's passing on FB.  RIP bro, ride on.

Stunned by this very sad news.

RIP.

crap crap crap


RIP double-E....

 Rest in peace Dolph.   [moto]
 
I think we should rename the moto rider  [moto] in his honor.
Whenever I see it I think of his posts.

Sad news.

Always sad to hear about another rider having taken their last ride. Sadder still when it's one of your own.

RIP Dolph, and here's to you going way too fast on that back-road in the sky.

I've been on this board coming up on three years and always enjoyed reading Dolph's posts, even the ones I didn't agree with.  You could tell that he truly loved riding motorcycles, and from his accounts of riding the backroads of Ohio, always pushed the envelope.  We should all be so lucky to live life like that.  RIP brother.

Just got back from a rockin ride on the 999

I thought about Dolph

It slowed me down.

i cant think of a thing to say that that hasn't already been said in the past 8 pages.
+1 to everything.

I'm moving to Ohio in a few weeks and it would have been great to get a ride or 2 in with him.

he will be truly missed.

 :'(

It seemed like he was "all in" when it came to riding.  If it could have happend any other way, this probably would have been his choice. 

Call me tech retarded but I have been going over Dolph's posts on and off all day looking for the video I mentioned earlier that he took on one of his rides. There's probably an easier way to find it but I don't know how. [bang] Funny, it just stands out in my mind and I'd like to re-post it here. Some help wouldn't hurt my feelings. ;D

I have run through 75 pages of Dolph's posts and finally had to stop at #1117 on page 75. Part of that post read "I have negative thoughts many times before a ride so I would rather say a prayer and put faith in God and my riding abilities and use what I have learned over the years." It was in reference to the bad accidents he has had in the past and his many long aggravating injuries from those crashes. He mentioned those troubles and how they cut down on the length of his rides many times. I can certainly relate. :P

One of the most touching posts was a mention of an old girlfriend named Ruth some 48 years ago that he wanted to marry some day. After a 6 year relationship she went off with some other guy. He said he would take her back right now and marry her even after almost half a century. Kind of brought tears to my eyes.

If you have some spare time go through some of his posts. He was a hell of an interesting character and there are so few of those left these days. My late Dad was one. Dolph lived life the way he saw fit, made no excuses for it and rode the same way. I can't tell you how many posts were about the way he liked to ride and how much he loved it! It was his passion! I know it's very sad that he is gone but after reading all those posts back to back I feel like I know him even better and can feel his personal burning passion for riding. It sort of makes me feel good that he died doing what he loved so much. He mentioned the thought of death many times in posts but not in a morbid, negative way. Just that it was a part of life and he had lots of miles to ride before that day came for him. Guess that day came in the middle of a ride. Somehow I know he'd be happy with that. [thumbsup] [moto] RIP Dolph.

Amazing how many lives he impacted on here. Not everyone would receive such a send off... I guess that speaks well of his character.  RIP Dolph. You're definitely missed.  :-[

I agree Vindingo.  He went out with his boots on, doing something he loved to do.  

I did enjoy his take on things and his comments, he had lots of good to offer us here on the DMF.  The moto community has lost a great rider, and I extend my condolences to his family as they grieve his passing.  This is the second wonderful rider I've known through a motorcycle forum I've known only in typed words that has passed doing what they love, despite being well experienced riders.  It does make one keep a softer right hand when riding, especially solo.

May he be accepted into his idea of heaven.

JM

This is sad. RIP DoubleEagle

Ah shit.  This is the first I've heard.  He weighed in when I was moaning about quitting my job a few weeks ago.

make the beast with two backs.

And please, no more of this "Died doing what he loved" dreck anymore.  I hate that platitude.  Nobody loves crashing.

Crashing isn't what they're referring to

Riding is

RIP Dolph

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace - Psalm 37:37

[drink]

Ding ding ding.

JM

I've known far more people than I'd have liked to who were less than half Dolph's age that have had their lives snatched away from them.  The vast majority of these were in a shit hole far from home and far from their families, doing something they didn't particularly enjoy.

As far as deaths go, Dolph's was a good one, and there is no reason not to recognize that.
You can tell if you've read his posts that he was an active man and enjoyed as much of high adrenaline lifestyle as he could manage.  He spoke about his early days body building and time and again about how much he enjoyed riding fast and would change it for nobody.  There was frequent advice from other members that he slow down and take up track riding or something like this would happen; he accepted that and simply said he would prefer to do things his way.  I think there was a note of frustration that his medical condition prevented him from riding as much as he would have liked; never bitterness, he never complained, but I think the frustration was there.  For a man that depended on his body and enjoyed the lifestyle that he seemed to live, I for one think he would have preferred to go out how he did than after the point that his body failed him and he was unable to do the things he loved.

As has been said before, when I go, I hope it as much on my terms and doing something I love as it was for Dolph, anybody should be so lucky.

So as cliched as it is to say it, I think this is at least one life worth celebrating, rather than a death for mourning.

RIP Dolph  :'(

well said, nomad

Damn.

 :(

Agreed. [thumbsup]

RIP Dolph

Funny. Just went back to Dolph's posts still looking for that vid. The man himself said it all. #1133 page 76 July 23, 2010 6:55.08pm "I guess my thoughts are I'm going to die some way... might as well be doing something I love to do."

 [thumbsup] [moto] [wine]

^^^
 [beer]

RIP Dolph

I hate to be "the guy", but a lot of this talk about doing something he loved and living on the edge glorifies exactly what many of us had told him multiple times. Riding in the fashion he did on the street is very dangerous not only for the rider, but also possibly to the general public. It is a tragedy that this happened, but to those less experienced riders out there, take this to heart. Rethink your riding habits before it's too late.

Something tells me he had a heart attack. Not crashed due to wild riding.

This is really sad news, he and I had many very nice conversations.  He had written me some really kind and extensive messages in the past before and after my accident, and I was just thinking of sending him another too.  Just as I was sort of getting the itch to ride again this news really puts me back in the 'not riding anymore' mindset.  I'm gonna miss you Dolph.  I hope you're living it up somewhere riding superbikes to the limit, smoking cigars, and eating bacon without consequence.

I can live with that  [moto]

heart attack while riding?

Crashes happen. they either end up being lack of skill or lack of traction or some sort of external event.

The way it was described:  crossed the centreline at speed and hit a tree.

It didn't say that in the article.

"He ran off the road and down an embankment after entering a right-hand curve. David Virden said he thinks the mud that accumulated in his 61-year-old brother's helmet as he slid down the hill either suffocated or strangled him."

This is upsetting.

I will ride the longway from work, and a couple extra miles for him.

Randimus there is another article if you google his name. Link later.

Here is the other link:

http://findmyaccident.com/ohio/2011/05/17/randolph-c-virden-dies-after-crashing-motorcycle-in-lancaster/ (http://findmyaccident.com/ohio/2011/05/17/randolph-c-virden-dies-after-crashing-motorcycle-in-lancaster/)

I was wrong about the tree, but it did say he crossed the center and went off the road.

"They arrived at the scene to find that Mr. Virden had apparently been traveling south when he went across the middle of the road. He was thrown from his 2010 BMW RR S1000 Sport, and died despite wearing full protective gear."

The original article said he was able to get his gloves off.  I pray that's not true, I can't imagine.  I hope it was quick.

I found a few articles that said he had gone off the left side of the road in a right hand curve.

Yeah.   :-(

It's hard to believe he is gone.

Rest in Peace

He will be in my thoughts for a long time.

I took a 150 mile, beautiful rural spin this morning - hope he was tagging along in spirit.

nobody like to hear of someon dying so in that respect RIP to a fellow rider.

but like others say we have no idea and the article has no idea what happened and what caused the crash.  the only thing we can go on is that he was quite adamant at saying at times he normally rode at speeds that some of us will never approach even on a track.  at times he was bashed here for in a way promoting such behavior on public roads.   take from that what you will some will say one thing or the other but regardless we each have our own opinion and for now maybe we should keep it to just RIP my friend.

what really happened we may never know.  

maybe the only positive lesson for us all to be a bit more prudent on all of our rides and never to lose concentration ever.

I still don't understand why I felt the way I did when I read the news.  I've been on this forum for close to a year now, and I have always enjoyed his posts.  He always made a good impression on me from his posts.  Not by his depth of knowledge, or his decades long riding experience, but he just had a way of laying down his thoughts and opinions that resonated with me.  Hard to describe how and why.

Although I'm pretty sure he was very experienced, and I do admire his devotion to what he loved doing, I believe riding sports bikes to the edge on back roads remains a very dangerous thing to do.  Riding solo goes beyond dangerous, as it virtually eliminates any chances of survival after a bad crash.  I really hope he didn't suffer.

RIP Dolph.

This sucks....I was wondering where he went.

RIP Dolph/Golden Eagle.  Glad you went out doing something you enjoyed  [thumbsup]

This is for you Dolph, you're somewhere in there.

(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/Pans/BRP-Pan01-2000.jpg)

JM

Dolph made an impact in my life, too. He's one of the only other Ohioans posting here (he's from the other end of the state), and I felt a bit of a bond with him on that. He gave me lots of great advice on this forum and never had an unkind word. I really will miss him. I just logged in and saw this thread. I feel so late to the gathering, but I'm floored.

I'm looking at the google map of the area where he went down. It's beautiful. I'll miss the guy very much.

His local paper, The Lancaster Eagle Gazette, does not have an obit or funeral notice. I figured I'd save you guys the trouble of looking. It's a damned shame because I'd like to let his acquaintances and relations know he was a damn fine man who touched many lives.

Would it be possible to have an image (his avatar, etc) as a memorial on the home page for a while?

I still want to find that damn on bike video of one of his rides to post in remembrance. Please someone tell me that old age and adult beverage hasn't clouded my memory of that video. I swear I saw one he posted riding a nice twisty road. I think it was on the Bimmer sbk. I saw posts where he talked about a gopro camera and thought I was getting close. Any help from admins would be appreciated. I'm tech dumb. And I can't spend forever looking through 235 pages of posts! [bang]

(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn198/DoubleEagle_photo/DSCN0568.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn198/DoubleEagle_photo/DSCN0598-1.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn198/DoubleEagle_photo/DSCN0480.jpg)

RIP, sir.

+1.

Hard to look at that helmet the same way.

This, or a similar event, crossed my mind.

My Dad was 62 and slumped over behind the wheel, mid-sentence, while driving and went off the road into a forested area. He essentially suffocated in the wreckage. Autopsy to determine the cause of the accident was inconclusive, IMO. The only thing notable was that he showed evidence of a phenomena known as cardiac vein bridging; with this the veins that normally encircle the outside of the heart can intrude upon the muscle and cause intermittent issues. Apparently much is still to be learned about this.

Such a thing could have easily happened here.

RIP, Dolph.

I am not a cold hearted son of a pregnant dog, and don't want to sound like an asshole when I say this, but I don't want this.

1st-ly, any newer member or new visitors to the site, how would you think of your welcome  or introduction to the site would be with what you might determine as a morose or depressing memorial thread or memorial on the home/landing page as the 1st thing you read!!!...think about that for a second as a tone setter.....

2nd...while some may not say it, whether out of respect or perhaps just avoiding bad taste, while I think that no one here wished him dead(I am guessing), some may not have liked the guy or what he had to say, and that would be a helluva polarizing thing to do a portion of the membership,regardless of their activity level.

I always loved his defending of our home state and making the case that Ohio is a great place especially for motorcyclists.  Always had a good word to say to me and took a lot of time to get me info on the roads we both like to ride. 

Red I was thinking that we could meet up and do some rides on the roads he loved if your down.  Any word on when a funeral/service will be?

I'd like that. I live about 2.5 hours from where he was.

As a frequent lurker and rare commenter, I can say that Dolph was one of the most memorable personalities on this board.  I admire that he lived life on his own terms on with no compromises.  He died surrounded by his loves: fast bikes and twisty roads.

Maybe someone would like to print out this thread for his brother

throw a cover letter on it and send it to him....maybe not

as for doing something at the site here...

we all know we dance with the fates...

every time we start rolling and lift our feet to the pegs

I am not sure we need to be reminded

when the fates take one of ours

Just a thought....

Over other forums I've been on, whenever a member passes, people temporarily change their avatars to either the departed's avatar or to one of a burning candle.

may need resizing:
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Gibsonchild/candle_burning.gif)

RIP dolph.
GOing to miss his signature.

-Dolph
:)

Sux.

RIP Dolph

very sad news indeed.  i always thought of Dolph as kind of an elder statesmen on the board.  he obviously had a lot of experience and a lot of means.  i loved reading about his collection of cars/bikes, and imagining the grown-up little-kid lifestyle he seemed to enjoy. 

he always seemed to be very indulgent of those with less experience.  i rememeber recently someone made a joke about rubbing used motor-oil on your rotors, and he was the first one to point out that we should clarify it was a joke, lest a noob interpret it as serious advice.

it also impressed me that, as others have pointed out, he always took the time to sign his posts by name and add the smiley face.

RIP Dolph.
 [thumbsdown]

oh wow........just caught up on this thread........what terrible news.

I really enjoyed and appreciated Dolph's contributions here and this wonderful place will be a little bit less so without him.

I sit here with a heavy heart, you see Dolph was alittle younger than myself and we often  e-mailed each other privately and shared the passion of motorcycles along with other interests and even exchanged gifts.
In my heart I one day hoped to have had him over to the UK so as we could have visited the Isle of Man TT races together which I know was on his list of things to do but alas that we never happen now so Dolph my internet friend RIP.

 Geoff... [coffee]

means, yes, experience, well.....

Many of the arguments I had with him were about his newness to sportbikes and how he portrayed street riding given his experiences.  He was polite to a fault.  He was soooo enthusiastic about Ducs.   He was nothing but a gentleman on the forum.   To that I will raise a glass, loft a wheel, and try to emulate his happiness in what he loved doing. 

He was dangerous on the street and I would have never ridden with him.  I would have loved to buy him a drink... buy him dinner... talk about life (more than we did over PMs and with less diagreements).  I would have loved to get him on the track because I think he would have giggled the entire time.

I regret not acknowledging his point of view about his riding beyond limits on the road.   I regret not spending more time discussing with him things other than motorcycles.  I regret my phrasing of things I said to him about his favortite thing to do.

I have learned a lot from him and I will make sure I sail, ride, live with more happiness and enthusiasm.

I have been very conflicted about what to say publicly.

I am sad.

Dolph was pretty cool.

I think Chris hit the nail on the head with this. 

I saddens me that he is gone, but I also take solace in knowing that he was living his life the way he chose to right up to the very end. 

The man was neither a hero, nor a villain.  Just Randolph, living his life as he chose.

I saw looking through his list of posts the pictures of the IOM t-shirt you sent him! How cool was that??!! [thumbsup] Very very nice of you to do that!! [clap] I am sure it meant the world to him and how he would have loved to visit you and catch some IOM races! Who wouldn't?? ;D Nice work Geoff! [thumbsup] [moto]

Once again someone expresses my feelings better than I could have said myself. I worried about him and his riding style on the street. But again, it was his life and he lived it (and rode it) to his personal standards. Some folks prefer to live the life of a nickel bottle rocket and with a rust never sleeps attitude. It's not for me but I can admire it from a distance and respect it. Some folks play it out with excessive drugs, alcohol and wild times... Dolph just chose a bike and a twisty road. I can't bring myself to throw stones at that. Damn, who the hell wants to go withering away in a bed with hospice care? Both my parents did. You mostly have no choice but that is not for me! Personally I hope I end up being kidnapped to Tralfamadore and spending my last days with Montana Wildhack ala Billy Pilgrim!!! [laugh]

Since he's not here to say it, I will. The weather this spring in Ohio has been shit, and only the really hardcore have been out riding much at all. Dolph was pretty hardcore, perhaps to a fault, but that's Dolph.

just saw this.  I can't really articulate how I feel about it, other than we didn't always agree and I'm sad I won't see his posts any more.

RIP Dolph...

RIP, you crazy SOB

Wow.

Always enjoyed his comments and contributions.  My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

All of these comments here are good for the family too, if they learn of it.  I lost my dad to a car accident back in April.  The news spread fast and most of his close friends contacted us to express their condolences, but we received messages from people we never heard of.  He was an avid model flyer and he helped people out on forums, through his club memberships, etc.   and many wrote us to let us know what he meant to them.  Made us appreciate him and the loss even more. 

You will be sorely missed brother.  Godspeed to you and best wishes for your family.

Ride-on In Paradise Dolph.  RIP  [moto]

RIP Dolph.

Ride on....

DAMN!  That's really shitty news.  Dolph definitely spoke his mind and rode fast.  I enjoyed reading his opinions, even if I hardly post back. 

Didn't he buy 2 white S4RS's with a red frame in one purchase?  He liked the bike that much he had a spare one in case he crashed the other.  That's awesome.

One of my best friends died on his bike at 25 ten years ago.  My heart pounds for Dolph the same way.

RIP Double Eagle

I rode in Dolph's honor yesterday - fast, smooth and very attentive.

Stopped in the middle of nowhere to talk to him.
It was easy to imagine he was there.

(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l394/stopintime/Vindfjelltunet2011001.jpg)

:)

Yup, that is my first memory of him. I saw two S4Rs, one as a back up to the other and i was like REALLY MAN?????  [bow_down] makes me laugh.

I took the back roads home yesterday as well, took my son along to share the experience. I think Dolph would have appreciated me sharing the moment with the next generation.

Yesterday I took my two belgian friends on a ride out to mid wales, they said that they thought the scenary and the roads where breath taking, its just a pity that Dolph was only there in my mind instead of in person because I know he would have loved it.  I don't know what they mean but they say that I don't ride like a 67year old grand-dad, not in the same max-attack style of Dolph but we did keep up a good pace.
Thinking of you Dolph...RIP

Geoff.. [coffee]

DP, 'Diva,

Was there any response from the author of the original article to either of your messages?

I mailed the author again and he finally replied that he had no contact info for Dolph's bro and suggested I try an online source to contact him.

I got no reply from my phone message either...maybe I should try again.

I'm kinda torn...for many reasons. I've stayed somewhat silent on my feelings about this.

My gut feeling is that Dolph's brother David did not share his passion for bikes or forums, and as much as I'd like to be the guy that figures out a way that we can satisfy our need to 'do something' in Dolph's memory...

The other half of me wants to respect his brothers privacy.

I'm open to suggestions.

If there is a heaven Stop, its roads look like this. 

Maybe we (we = DP) could print and mail this thread to Dolph's brother?

He can then read it if and when he wants.

 

Maybe the brother's silence is indeed due to his dislike of the moto life, a preference to grieve without an influx of internet strangers... but maybe other family members appreciated bikes. We'll likely never know.

It's human nature to want to rally in support, honor, memory of someone close. In this case and because of a lack of response from the brother, maybe we choose to do something individually, rather than collectively in Dolph's memory.  Whatever our individual way is.  Riding with some of his posts in mind, donating to a food bank, bringing blankets to a pet shelter, reading to a child, visiting someone in a nursing home.... or simply nothing.  

If you've left a message, I'd leave it at that.  My opinion / suggestion.  But thanks for reaching out to the brother on our behalf!  

Therein lies the rub...

The device I left the message on was a real answering machine...I think...not voice mail

how many of you remember them?

Did I get in under the time limit...

The writer will be no help...I don't even think he's in Ohio.

I guess I'll try to leave another message in a few days...I'll plan it better to have it be less than 20 seconds.

I don't want to intrude on his grieving...

I sent a card expressing my condolences.  Nothing moto related.

I (based on nothing at all) agree with your gut.

+1.

I can well imagine how my wife would feel if a bunch of those foolhardy riders from the death-inducing Dark Side .... were attempting to make matters worse by reminding her. 

Our collective respect is here for anyone who wants to seek it. 

Let it rest I say.

My dad passed away 10 years ago this July, riding his beloved BMW motard.  My mom was so sad and angry that she didn't want to have anything to do with the bike, which suffered only cosmatic damanage.  She couldn't bare even hearing the word motorcycle.

By the lack of response from Dolph's brother, my guess is that he doesn't want to be reminded of what took his brother's life away...

Or maybe he's just dealing with the more important part of having a family member die.

Funeral arrangements.

If my brother just died I can't say the first thought on my mind would be to thank all the people who said I'm sorry. Let me make the beast with two backsing cry a bit, bury the guy, and get what he left unfinished sorted out. Then I'd think about reaching out to the people I have absolutely no connection to and thank them for their wishes.

My opinion, let the guy grieve a bit. When, and if, he wants to respond he will.

I am very grateful, DP, that you have taken on the role of ambassador for all of us here on the forum. And I'm sure that his brother, if he has received the message, is grateful as well. You've said your part on our behalf so give it some time and reach out again at a later date if you feel the need.

I would suggest that we send his family or brother a DMF Toaster, and some sort of direction to this thread. Maybe we could sign the toaster, or it could be painted or something.

[Edit] After thinking about about it for a while, we could send it around to every local board (about 35) and have someone sign it with the local acronym from the board, and send it to the Ohio board last. Maybe a group could deliver it in person. I would be willing to pick out a toaster and sign it on behalf of the MOB, and maybe get it signed by Northwest, before sending it to Japan or OZ land. It would take a small effort to make a contact at the next Board and send it there. If we set up a fund for all the postage say 50 cents or a dollar from everyone, it would probably cover most of the postage.

It might take a while, but the effort could be worth it.

I joined this forum about a year ago. Since then I haven't posted much, but I'm on here daily reading. I didn't always agree with is posts, but I always enjoyed reading them. I'll miss reading his posts.

R.I.P. Dolph

I will be more than happy to get the Toaster and take it to him.  I'm only about a half hour from where he lived. 

I too made a few calls and have got nothing back.  The writer at the paper said the family did not want to be contacted though.

I was on my way to most probably ending up half broken in a ditch at some point, I got onto a trackday to see what all the fuss was about.

I'm hooked, I do about 15 trackdays minimum a year - 20 max. Sure it is very expensive and time consuming especially with the odd 7-8 hour drive to each race track but it's worth it.

I traded in my super bling road bikes for a humble BMW F800R (you can still have a lot of fun with 85hp) and pimped out my 749 into a RAD02. I now have fun annoying litre bike riders with my 750, in relative safety knowing I wont run head on into a car/van/truck coming the other way. Or ride off a cliff and die painfully.

I too hope street riders do learn to get their kicks on track and live a bit longer, if not for themselves.. for their loved ones.

When my cousin died after a long bout with cancer

his mother/my aunt said to me a week later with a wry laugh...."Being consoled is exhausting work"

in that, she meant that her grief was something that she preferred to express and feel in private,

listening intently and conforming to the expected grief role appropriately for others was more for their benefit than hers


probably best to leave it alone as a group

Agree.  Looking for a quick response isn't right.  Give the brother some more time, like another month at least.  He has got a lot on his plate right now.






Disagree.  While this effort might seem worthy to you, and might mean something to you, I think it would be wholly lost on the family.  Seriously, a toaster?  I know the history of Toasty and all, but to them it will just be a toaster.  What the hell are they going to do with it?  Put it on the mantle?  They might even think it trivializes Dolphs' death.  Think about it for a bit.

 [clap]

The "ohio board" is the board that isn't (for the most part). There's not really much of an organized community (although DesmOhio in C-bus seems to be pretty tight). If we did the toasty, metallimonster's offer is a great idea.

+10000


I am up for renaming the moto rider icon to dolph though - that was a good idea IMO.

 [moto]

mitt

R.I.P. Dolph

I didn't agree with Dolph on riding but I think I understand a bit better what it was all about.  I'm about the same age that Dolph was and something that happens at this point in life is we think more about how it will end.  I have a wife, family, and maybe will have a grandchild someday.  That is a reason to back off a bit in the next curve.  Dolph didn't have that.  Dolph must have also been in nearly constant pain from his arthritis.  I think he had planned how he wanted to go out of this world.  As others have said, doing what he loved, and before the pain made it impossible to do it at all.  He certainly knew the risks, he heard about it often enough from the rest of us. 

Maybe it is foolish to try to make sense of it like this.  Maybe I'm just trying to feel better.  Maybe it was just a random thing that had nothing to do with a personal plan or desire.    All I know for sure is this really sucks!

AKmnstr

Wow....  :-\

So...I have to admit that since this thread went up, that I found myself more in disbelief than anything. I thought "no way...that can't be our Dolph" I even read the article from start to finish, still in utter disbelief that this could have been the real deal.

Honestly, up until a few minutes ago, I really believed that this was some cruel joke that someone was playing on Dolph for not logging-on in a while...but after reading the past few pages, I see that such is not the case.

I didn't know Dolph personally, but like a lot of people on the forum, we knew him by his posts and his signature signature.

For as much as that is worth, he will be missed. My condolences to his family and to those who knew him so much better than I.

RIP  Dolph.

[moto]


Oh and I second the idea of renaming the moto rider icon to dolph.

I am cracking 60 this year and find myself not pushing into turns insanely like I used to....my last get-off was about 4 or 5 years ago....it was not fun and in a matter of milliseconds I braced for impact twice...the head-on car missed me as I tank-slapped my way across his path

and I sailed sideways through the air brushing past the tree on the side of the road,,, after my bike went into the curb and down

for me it was a clear and final warning

I too can be subject to the laws of molecular density and impact dynamics without the assistance of an idiot in a cage

it was a clear warning that I have played the odds far too long on public roads and cheated death more often and in more ways than I care to recall going back to the 1960's

I slowed down because I have unfinished business, people who want me around, and also because dying fast in a wreck is not how it always plays out

sometimes it can be worse...for you and for those who need to deal with what's left of you.

Dolph got all his warnings from all directions....and kept at it...he made the choice...some people do that....they have to keep dancing on the edge of the envelope until its over

Riding will always have sufficient enough risk to quicken my tempo....I no longer have a need to make each run a full-out life-or-death gamble...but I understand that kind of riding

Dolph needed that adrenaline pump going and his tab came due

I totally agree.  I know people have the best intentions but sending him a toaster? His family will probably just toss it in the trash.

Just send a card or do something in Dolphs name. I'm not knocking anybodies  ideas but let the family grieve in their own way. Let's not "force" the moto relation.

This is terrible news.  It is saddening.  There is not much else to say that comes to mind regarding the loss of Dolph.  The inclination is to say something wonderful and touching, and many have, but the best I can come up with is "Requiescat in Pace."

Regarding the toaster idea, on the other hand, prompts much to say.  This is not meant to be harsh, but the fact of the matter is that such a gesture seems terribly self-focused and insensitive.  To the family we are strangers.  To the degree that we represent anything to them it would be motorcycling, and given that motorcycling took Dolph away, the family may not have a great opinion of motorcycling right now, nor in his participation in it.

Of course I could be completely wrong on this point.  I just don't know.

Well just make the beast with two backs me to tears. My messages here on the board still has a note from him.  I've got several years of stuff from Dolph. 

We were trading messages when I did a week in the local hospital's cardiac ward at the end of the last week of April. We used to talk a lot. I liked Dolph a lot.

I'm just stunned!

LA

RIP big guy!  I wonder what he's riding up in heaven. 

holy crap! I'm more of a lurker on here, so there are only a handful of handles I recognize and "DoubleEagle" was one of them..mostly because he always ended his posts with "Dolph"

I remember him talking about a crash he had once, as well as another thread where he talked about riding hard all the time....
I was always impressed by his SBK

RIP brethren

 [moto] <--+ another one for renaming this

I personally have nothing against this.

Someone might.

I have my feelings about the whole issue.

Dolph was good people even if he overestimated his prowess...or maybe he didn't.

I personally would like to remember him and if a smiley being renamed doesn't offend anyone so hard they'll whine... ;D

sounds good to me.

I don't whine, I pregnant dog.

There is a distinct difference.  :)

He was such an active part of the board, I think renaming the "moto" rider after him is fitting.

If nothing else, it's a way of preserving his "legend," extending his impact on the board, and enshrining him in the Pantheon of the DMF.

n00bs will wonder why the moto guy is called a "Dolph," why a re-post is a "Derby," and why a 140mph 620 is so damned funny.

This made me laugh, and I'm willing to wager DoubleEagle would have as well.  [thumbsup]

Crazy old make the beast with two backser that he was...

RIP Dolph. [Dolph]

You can now touch lives forever...

just remember that you make the beast with two backsed up. ;)

[all those offended because I made the moto guy be the Dolph guy can pm me.]

 [Dolph]

Had to try it.
 

Looks best when you quote it. ;D

Yup.  [thumbsup]

[Dolph]

Maybe I should elaborate.

I didn't agree with Dolph's riding style on the street.

I have a child, and I don't suffer from arthritis so bad that I can hardly stand up. This is a perspective thing.

He was a valued member here...and more importantly a friend to many and I think he deserves some memorial.

 [Dolph]


 [thumbsup]

I agree with this

good job

it fits

 [Dolph]

 [Dolph]


I like it.      [thumbsup]

You just like it when you can call somebody else old!


 ;D

RIP Dolph

 [Dolph]

that is nice   :)

Made him part of my signature

 [laugh] [laugh] [clap] [clap]

 [Dolph]
 Nice.  I like it.

Ride-on [Dolph]

WTF are you laughing at?

Go look in the mirror and get back to me. :-* ;D

Hey us olde guys should stick together not call each other... ;) ;)

Dolph you are a legend... [Dolph]

Geoff... [coffee]

 [laugh] [laugh] God, I just got my drivers license renewed and the photo makes me look like Methuselah! Or maybe his Grandad!! [bang] Looks like a morgue shot of an old dead guy. [roll]

I don't know about you guys but when I look in the mirror theres this olde fart looking back at me and I don't recognise the MF... :'(

Geoff... [coffee]

BTW Dolph sent me a link to an old guy with a walking stick smiley a few weeks ago but I couldn't make it work, I think that would be a good one to add to our forum in memory of the big guy... [thumbsup]

This is a great way to remember this guy.   Ride on, Dolph  [Dolph]  :)

The unique thing about Dolph is that most people with his mindset don't live past 30.  I had a 36 y.o. friend who rode similar and died on a corner 2 years ago.

 [Dolph]

mitt

 [Dolph]

Awesome

 [Dolph]

I just finished reading/rereading this entire thread.
This place is still amazing.  [thumbsup]
I think that the train of thought, that Dolph lead a dual life is accurate;  [Dolph], DMF and the other half that his family occupied.
If his family decides to, I know they will be welcomed here with open arms. However it is in the end their decision.

I think a toast at the next DIMBY would be all together fitting and proper.

well im just finding out and it really sucks...im gonna ride hard today and think about him smiling down...
makes me wonder how many of us have gone from the forums and this world, sometimes people stop posting here forever. maybe there should be a list of all forum members who have left us for good.

I've been wanting to bring this up for the last 2 years but I didn't know if it would be considered too morbid, so I've kept it on the back burner.

It might be nice to remember those forum members who are no longer with us...

RIP [Dolph]

Just went through this whole thread and while the news was depressing to say the least, the reaction here is rather uplifting at the same time.

Everyone stay safe out there.

I really liked Dolph. Such an honest, well-intentioned guy. God rest his soul, and heal the souls of his family/friends.

 [Dolph] That has my total approval. I can't think of a nicer tribute.  [beer]
duc750 pretty much nailed it. One can hardly imagine the whirlwind which comes from every direction imaginable with such a tragic event. And to be blindsided with it as well.
I can say I expected it but you're never ready for it. And like Rat900 Aunt's said... Being consoled can be quite exhausting.
I want to apologize to ducpainter. I did get your message and meant to respond but I'm the World's best procrastinator. And you can take consolation in the fact you were on a long list of people I intended to contact.
I googled Randolph Virden and this thread came up. I read the whole thread a couple time and was very touched by all the kind comments by everyone towards my brother.
I have to admit I was completely surprised with the name Dolph. That was totally new to me.
Growing up it was Randy. Then some farm hand called him Randa Panda which we eventually shortened to Bear. Then as he got older he preferred Randolph which is his birth name.
Dolph. He must have kept that to himself because he knew I'd start calling him that with a little bit of the "needle" attached as brothers and friends are apt to do. The stuff you can get away with on the internet.
I'm not here to rag on my brother or to praise him. I have to agree with Zooom and say you don't want to memorialize him. But you found a way to do it in a very tasteful way. That's awesome.
Dolph and I were very competitive growing up. We played golf at a fairly high level and the sibling rivalry pushed each of us to become better than if we had not had that motivation.
Dolph was the first person to make a hole in one on the par 4 Ninth hole at the Valley View Golf Course. For all you non golfers out there, a hole in one is a hole in one. A 3 on a par four is a Birdie, a 2 on a par four is an Eagle and a 1 on a par four is a "Double Eagle". So he basically makes a "hole in one" and a "Double Eagle". The Double Eagle being far more rare than a hole in one. This was back in the day of CB radios. And like forums you had to have a username. Back then they referred to it as a "handle". So that's when he started using Double Eagle.
The Memorial is set to take place at the Valley View GC outside Lancaster Ohio at 4:00. At 4:30 we will go up around the green at the Ninth hole and plant a tree. I had him cremated so some ashes will go in there and we have a plaque stating he was the first to accomplish the feat of making a hole in one (double eagle) on the ninth hole.
Unfortunately he had not played golf for approx 15 yrs. He pretty much destroyed his joints body building. He did not have the genetics needed but that didn't stop him. He attacked the weights with the same ferocity as he attacked a corner.
I hate to leave anyone out but there are a few posts which I felt were pretty thought provoking. Nomad pretty much expressed my opinions.
duccarlos makes a strong case for consideration of others. I'll give an example of such. I'm recovering from kidney stone surgery when he had his first accident. I get a call from the Logan emergency room. He has four broken ribs and he wants me to come down and get him. I say I can't take care of you, can't they keep you for a few days ? He says I don't want to stay here so I go get him. I understand the concept of a positive outlook but could you take it easy while I'm recovering from surgery ? I guess he's like most of us. We can be a total ass sometimes and then be thoughtful and compassionate.
I think Stater kinda' saw through him a little bit. Dolph might have thought he was a little better rider than he actually was. In the past it was bad decision making which caused problems and I suspect this time was no different.
Ducofthewest had an interesting observation. I think the quote went something like " a grown up living a little kids lifestyle. I'm not sure about the grownup part. He acted more like the 16 yr old whose parents went away for the weekend. I'm more inclined to look at him as "growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional".
I have to cut this short. I'll be back. There are a lot more things I'd like to talk about like the events I know about and the ones I'm not too sure about.
It's not like I'm completely foreign to bike riding. I have a 2000 Softail Standard. I ride without a helmet or a windshield. I feel the no helmet makes me feel more vulerable so I drive safer ? How's that for justification. Can you now see any similarities between me and Dolph ?
The no windshield keeps me from going above 60 mph because those June Bugs really smart when you take one in the cheek.
From my perspective, the nicest thing we all can do for him is keep his memory alive for as long as possible. Whether it be a couple weeks or a couple days.

I'll be happy to answer any questions and I'll be back in a few days to ramble on some more.

David Virden

Thank you for posting up David. You have the floor...

David, thank you for taking the time to speak to us.

I know from personal experience what comes with losing a sibling,

especially one where-in it was more a question of "when" than it was a question of "if"

there is no preparation for that final call

in my case the path to reconciling the loss was a tough one

and in the end the only way I could give value to it

was to take the hardest personal change I knew I needed to make

and to make it in that dear sister's honor

It is my sincere hope that your reconciliation is swift and complete

Your brother will be missed. Thank you again


 [Dolph]

You owe me no apology David.

Thanks for coming and joining us in honoring your brothers' memory.

Thank you David

I Will be looking forward to your future posts.

+1

Thanks David.

Welcome to Dolph's "world" and thanks for sharing.

mitt

just one small point..

if you rename the call tag, then all of Dolph's posts no longer reflect it.

i say leave it and make a new one called "dolph" if you want to do it.

True...

I don't think he'll care.

Thanks, David, for posting.  I really appreciate you taking the time.  I specially appreciate you telling a bit about Dolph's history and how the name "double eagle" came about.  Although I am not able to attend the memorial, reading about all these is like my private memorial to Randolph.  He will be rememebered for who he was and what he stood for.

Tony

David,

Thanks for sharing.

 [thumbsup]

 [Dolph]

I second that thanks and I too appreciate you reaching out to this group. We are spread out all over the country and the world but we are in many ways a very tight family with a very strong bond of the love of riding... Ducatis yes but not just that. Riding means something different to us all but it was very clear how much it meant to your brother. You could cut it with a knife. It was obvious in every one of his posts. Not everyone agreed with his banzai, aggressive riding style but if you live life that way it's just a given you will probably ride that way too. And thank you for the double eagle explanation. I often wonder about folks "handles" and where they came from or what they mean. That pretty much clears that one up! [thumbsup] Never ruined a nice walk by playing a game of golf but have lots of friends that do. [laugh] Please stay in touch with us, you're a rider so that makes you family. And it will help keep his memory fresh and alive for us all. [thumbsup]

Peace be with you and my family's thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Brian

RIP dolph. I'll be riding for you tomorrow.  [Dolph]

Next time you have access to sever, just do a copy and paste on the .gif file and rename the copy to the old name moto.gif I think, then they both will work...  No hurt in having 2 same smiley files with different names.


mitt

Thanks for sharing David.

Welcome to our family.   [thumbsup]

 [Dolph]

Hi Everyone.... I actually just joined this forum to answer some questions about Randolph Virden. Yes, unfortunately he was one of you forum friends. His brother spoke to me about the forum and I decided on my own to clear up any questions. We are very sad in losing our friend Randy. I've known him for a golden amount of years and losing his life the way he did was so unecessary. He took every precaution while riding with the exception of the speed and the conditions. I guess the silver lining (if any) is that he was doing exactly what he loved to do prior to his death. I'm so glad he found so many nice friends on this forum because he was a very quiet and somewhat private person. We have planned his Memorial Wake for tomorrow at 4 pm. So, if anyone out there has a moment....look up to the sky and send your best or maybe get together a group of friends and take a long ride in his memory !!!!

RIP Double Eagle.

Thank you for posting. I know we all appreciate you and his brother David giving us a better insight into who Dolph (as we knew him) really was. I will keep you and all his friends and family in my thoughts and prayers. Especially tomorrow at 4:00. [thumbsup]

Brian

Finally saw this. 

Rest in peace Dolph. [Dolph]

I didn't know Dolph, but he sounds like a real stand-up guy.  R.I.P.

Just caught this.

I've enjoyed reading his posts in getting his unique and sometimes strong opinions.

RIP.  :'(

WOW  I just found this.  Crazy! 

In this world of anonymity I find it comforting that members of this forum, found this article, put the pieces together, and then took action to try to contact the family and friends. I think that's a great thing.  Not to mention the impact that Dolph left on a whole bunch of strangers on the internet who shared the same interest. 

OMG - i didn't know about This.  I was wondering why I didn't see any new posts.  I read another post that mention this and put two in two.  I heard this sad news when it happened but did not know it was Dolph.  I am very sad about this.  He had given me many good routes to take around and talked about route 555 etc but never met or rode together.  This is very sad news.

RIP Dolph.

I guess I should visit this part of the board more often.  I didn't know he was gone, although now that I think back, I hadn't seen him posting for some time.  RIP Dolph.

RIP Randolph - Dolph - DoubleEagle - [Dolph]

 :'(

Well damn....he is the reason I want an old glory helmet.

Sounds like you were doing what you love...rip my moto brother.

Dolph pics....
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn198/DoubleEagle_photo/DSCN0598-1.jpg)


(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn198/DoubleEagle_photo/post-62-0-90191600-1299342183_thumb.jpg)



(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn198/DoubleEagle_photo/DSCN0480.jpg)

His dog Tony
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn198/DoubleEagle_photo/DSCN0660.jpg)

(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn198/DoubleEagle_photo/image01313.jpg)

DMF,

let's take a moment to remember Dolph  [Dolph]

it's been a year and I still think about him a lot. RIP

Thanks for the reminder Lars.

I really can't believe it's been a year.

Time flies.

RIP friend.

I was thinking about this the other day. Thanks for the reminder. Indeed, rest in peace brother. Godspeed. [Dolph]

RIP.

Ride on brother

RIP

R.I.P.  [Dolph]

RIP, big man.  [Dolph]

I was doing a search the other day and came across a post from him to me. Made me stop a think a bit.

RIP Dolph.  [Dolph]

Thank you, Lars, for reminding us about this great guy.

RIP Dolph  [Dolph]

RIP Dolph.

 [Dolph]

i can't believe it's been a year already...

RIP  [Dolph]

Peace dolph

The legend lives on [beer]

hard to believe... time flies.

 [Dolph]

RIP Dolph.

 [Dolph]

So appropriate.  RIP Dolph.

RIP :'(

Damn, that's weird.

Just the other day I was thinking about Dolph trying to remember how long it'd been.

RIP big guy.

I think about him every time I get home from riding and clean off my visor. That guy was meticulous with caring for his moto related gear.


I really miss the guy. RIP

RIP, Dolph  [Dolph]

Can't believe it's over a year and that I missed this one... :-[

Thanks Lars for posting... [thumbsup]

It's strange, I never meet Dolph but think of him alot... :(


R.I.P  Big Guy... [Dolph]

Geoff... [coffee]