Rider down...and I'm freaked.

[Chucko9-696]

Im sorry for your loss

[mitt]

Sorry for your loss.  I lost a friend the same way last year in September.  He wasn't as close to me as your situation sounds, but same scenario - 2 years on a bike, all the right gear, but over road the roads often.

 I had the same thoughts you are having.  I am still riding, though a lot less now-a-days due to a lot of things, like kids, other hobbies, etc., but he is part of it too.

Good luck finding your happy medium.

mitt

[He Man]

sorry for your lost, it can wreck hell on your mind im sure.

i had a friend recently get nailed by a car and ended up slamming into a parked car. 3 weeks in the hospital and he just got out wednesday night.

Even something small like that weighs on your head let alone the passing of a close friend. You really need to decide what helps you feel better at night. In the end everyone makes their own bed, its up to you how you want to.

But whatever you do, its the right choice.

[DoubleEagle]

I am very sorry to hear this.

Loosing someone close , family or friend is devastating at first.

Your feelings are quite normal.

I have survived 2 crashes that could have very well killed ME.

I have no reservations about getting back on my bikes but I hope I learned some thing from each crash that will help me not repeat and crash for those reasons.

I have dodged death many times I feel due to the speed I ride on the roads that I ride.

I guess my thoughts are I'm going to die some way ...might as well be doing something I love to do.

I'm pretty well busted up from those 2 crashes and don't have many years left to ride due to my age and health.

I hope to enjoy what years I have left and to be able to retire my Helmets at as old an age as possible.

If you are younger than 40 , you have lots of time to ride ...even if you cool it for a while.

If you are over 60...well you might want to get back on that bike and ride ,...life is short !

Dolph

[ducatiz]

A few years ago, a family friend of ours lost a child.  They went swimming and their little boy aspirated water -- choked -- while swimming.  He stopped coughing and everything seemed fine.  That night, after he went to bed he drowned in his sleep.  Water still in his lungs.

It pains me to type that even now.  Loss is the worst feeling you can have, bar none.  Nothing will hit you more than losing someone.

I think about that every time we go to the pool and my little boy is in the water.  It sickens me.  As a parent, you obsess about it. 

But freak accidents happen.  Some activities are more risky than others.  Motorsports are always at the top of the list -- but it's not motorcycles, knives or even guns that kill more kids every year -- it's pools and OTC drugs.

You have to go thru the loss in your own way, use your resources, rely on your friends and family. 

I'm past 40 and I still cry some when I think about my dad dying.  He's been gone now for almost 8 years and it still burns.  Same with that little boy.  They were friends, we thought our kids would grow up together.  It burns.  It never stops.  You just learn to live with it, and you will learn. 

Stop biking? Maybe give it a rest for a while.  It's gonna remind you of your friend every time and it will burn.  But on the other hand, is that what he would have wanted you to do?  Maybe that's not the right question now.  But it is relevant.

Just give it time.

[TAftonomos]

Sorry for your loss.  It happens once and awhile, and it's nothing we are ever prepared for.  I have lost a few riding friends in my life, one of which I introduced into motorcycling.  

The decision to keep riding is totally up to you.  Take a break for awhile if you arn't feeling it.  Remember the good parts, leave out the bad.  It's the only thing (in the end) that we take with us.

If you continue to ride in the future, let the loss be a reminder that it isn't the worlds safest sport, that things can happen at anytime, and let that be a guide for life in all aspects.

 

Ducatiz, it's been 5 years since I lost my father.  I'm glad I'm not the only one that still gets choked up about it (I'm 32).  Even worse is he never got the chance to meet my son, and I have soooo many questions.

Anyway, getting away from the OP, and starting to show a glimmer of emotion.  I'm out.....

[M1100]

I too am sorry for your loss.

I lost my dad 5 years ago and stopped flying giant scale r/c stuntplanes because he and I did it for 25 years, even took week long vacations every year to an event called the Joe Nall memorial fly in.  He was a Baptist preacher, and as such you could imagine that I am a Christian as well.  Even though I know we will meet again..... I miss the heck out of him right now. 

My dad got me into motorcycling when I was 5 years old, and we took trips together on his bike with just some clothes and a tent!  Man those were fun....  and I still ride.

You will get back to it or you won't.  Your decision as others have said...  just don't sell your bike without letting some time pass.

I am sure I will do r/c again, but I have too much fun on my motorcycles and there is only so much time in the day.

God Bless his family also. 

[Goat_Herder]

Very sorry to hear about your loss.  I know you feel partially responsible but you should NOT beat yourself up too badly.  The worst thing you can do is react and make decisions with all these emotions running thru you.  Give it some time to clear you head.  You will know what is the best for you.

EDIT: Adding the NOT

[Popeye the Sailor]

I've lost two friends to moto accidents. I take comfort in knowing they went out doing something they loved. No thoughts about hanging it up though. We're here for a good time, not a long time.

[RAT900]

I am sorry you are going through this...

I hope your friend went quickly...sometimes there are worse things than dying

you will work your way through this...you'll just have to give time some time

it sucks, loss like this is a lonely trek down a rough patch of road..

we all have walked it at one time or another

[muskrat]

Condolences.  Tragedy strikes us all at some point in our lives.  I was taught early on that life is what you make of it and the biggest tragedy of all is never living one.  I hope you reconcile your guilt and understand that most likely he passed enjoying his life as we all should one day.

[MadDuck]

As others have said I also offer my condolences.  I have never lost a friend through motorcycling but have some come through pretty messed up after some bad crashes.  I have, however, lost lots of friends through hang gliding and skydiving accidents. A couple of times I have even had to call their parents to let them know what happened.  You talk about tough, I can almost still cry over those times.

This is a total personal call. Only you can decide. I didn't stop flying because of those accidents but rather I internalized whatever lesson I could learn from them to make myself a better pilot, jumper & rider. Sometimes there is no telling. You can go through a corner just as hot as the guy in front of you or behind you and they go down but you don't. You just don't know. If you can shake it off then great. No will think any worse of you. If you can't shake it off then that's fine too and actually no one will think any worse of you either.

[corey]

I haven't lost anyone to riding, and hope i never do. Condolences friend, I hope you figure everything out.

+1 to Spidey's comments. Take some time off, it's not good to ride with a clouded mind. The bike will be there when you're ready. The thing about a hobby is that it's supposed to be enjoyed. If the circumstances prevent you from enjoying your hobby, then don't bother.

Take a break, get back to it when you're ready.

We're also all here if you need us.

[Nxtr6]

Very sorry for your loss... May he RIP...

Take some time, only you can decide...

Eventually (in my experiences) the good times had memory's remain, as the others fade away...

V/R,
Nick

[causeofkaos]

Sorry for your loss.
just make sure your head is clear when you decide to get back on the bike.
Last thing you need to do is playback in your head what happened to your friend while you are on two wheels. Take your time and like spidey said riding isnt going anywhere.