We had a planned ride for the the "fall colors ride", it was to be as ride through the wine country, but because of the unexpected weather, they decided to take a different route.
Where we went was down Oregon Hwy 224 though the clacamas river valley, through the Cascades and the mount Hood national forest to Detroit lake on Hwy 22. then lunch in Gates Oregon, west on Hwy 22 then to I-5 and home. A ride of 220 miles or so, and things went beautify.
So we all left Paradise at 10:15 and headed out, because this was the last long ride of the year, and because of the weather, we got quite a turn out, so many that we had to split the group into two.
We rode to Esticata Oregon, and stopped to let the V-rods in the group refuel.
By then, all of us that had on the cold weather gear were thinking of stripping down because it was gettin' hot out (Well, by Oregon standards) I kept it on, but many didn't, and I feel sure that had something to do with what happened later on.
As we left, we felt some wind blowing, but once we got into the valley, man did it ever blow hard. we had the high winds for about 25 miles, but as we climbed up the mountain, the winds died down, but as we hit the 3000 foot level, the temperature dropped into the 40's. With large pine trees shading the road, it got quite cold for the next 50 miles or so, but we pushed on, keeping at the speed limits, and safe spacing.
All was going just fine, and then we started the ride down off the mountain into Detroit lake. This road is a road maintained by the forest service and the state, so lots of patch work, narrow and curvy. It keeps one on his toes.
I was riding 4th, with riders I known and trusted for years, we were single file, and coming down the hill, we were having a bit of fun as it were, i we really enjoying my new Elite 3 tires, when we came to a 15MPH hairpin, we all slowed way down, the guys in front of me glided though, as did I, but I try to check my mirrors when it gets strait, and my friend Bruce was not there.........In fact, the rest of the group was gone. I let up, and tap the horn to let Mark know we were getting too far ahead.
Now Bruce not riding hard and all is the norm, he like to keep a larger lead from the rider ahead then most, and why I like him behind me, but something felt all wrong, after a mile more, we pulled over to let them catch up.
After about 5 minutes, another rider came up to tell us, Bruce and his wife went down.
Seems in the s curves before the hairpin, he missed a gear, and tried to use the brakes to slow instead, the front tire found some pine needles, and well, it slid out from under him, and he went into the drain ditch.
As is standard practice for a HOG ride, the road captains made us move on, wile a few stayed behind, no one could get a cell signal out, and the ones with CB could not raise the state police due to where we were, 50 miles form anywhere. One in our group as a EMT for the Washington county, so they had some help. we booked it down to Detroit lake, where we could get a cell signal and called 911.
It took 45 minutes for the two Ambulance's, Bruce and his wife Bonnie were not in great shape, she had a broken back, and he was not much better, but there were stable, and still able to move everything.
Tonight they are in stable condition at Stayton Hospital.
If it's not too much to ask, a Prayer or two would be very much appreciated.
Heres a picture I took in Esticata of Bruce and his wife on there Road King.
Sorry to hear that
Bump!
Linear Mode
