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An Accident - From Both Riders’s Point of View
By Bob & Julie Ahearn, Chapter Directors, MD-I

Rider Point of View

Saturday, August 16, was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the 80’s. Julie and I had started our adventure Thursday afternoon when we met up with Rick Yager, and Dan Watts at the Cedarville 7-11. It was the annual ride with the America’s 9-11 Foundation, and this year we decided to visit all three memorial sites. We spent Thursday night in Pennsylvania and Friday night in Arlington, Virginia. Early Saturday morning, all 700 bikes arrived at the Pentagon for the ride to New York City. There we saw Rob and Donna Blesse. They were Road Captains for the ride this year. The trip up to this point was fantastic. We felt this was going to be another fun-filled day.

The ride started out great. We left the pentagon parking lot and rode north through Baltimore, crossing into Delaware. After a lunch break at Mike’s Famous HD, we departed and crossed the state line into New Jersey. As we passed one of the first couple of exits, we saw Dan and Brigid Kenney. They were sitting in their “Motovation Cycles” truck and trailer providing support services for the ride. This time they were helping block traffic for the escorted ride. Julie waved as we passed them. It’s always great to have them with us. A few more exits passed. At this point, our speed had increased to 50 mph. Then I saw the front of our line slowing down, and the rest of us complied. As we were starting to slow down, there was a loud CRASHING sound, and at first our bike pulled to theft then drifted to the right. As I struggled to maintain control, we noticed stuff flying all around the bike. At first I wondered what it was, then I realized it was parts from our bike! Yes, we were hit by another motorcycle.

The two- tone Harley Ultra Classic was still traveling at a high rate of speed when the rest of the group in front of them started to slow down. The driver was not paying attention to the road, and when he did, it was too late. He tried to swerve to the left but was too close to the Honda Gold Wing, and he reacted too late. His bike impacted the rear of our Gold Wing.

As we pulled off to the side of the road, the first thing I did was to make sure Julie was not hurt. Her leg was still in place and she told me she was okay. Then, I started yelling at the couple that hit me. It was something like, “What the $%#@ were you thinking?” It was about at the same time, all the cops and EMT folks showed up. As we were swapping insurance information, Dan & Brigid pulled up and started to help assist us in getting our bike off the road. In fact, as I turned around to help them, our crippled Gold Wing was already loaded into the trailer. The sad part of this story was when the motorcycle cop presented me with all the pieces that were ripped from our bike along with my luggage that was sprayed across the road.

Corider Point of View

Yes, it was a wonderful day for a ride. I enjoyed waving at all the folks that came out to cheer us on. As Bob related earlier, the group in front of us was starting to slow down. As a good little corider, I was using hand signals to indicate lane changes, hazards in the road, and slowing down. As we began to slow down, I indicated using had signals, that we were slowing our speed. Well, I guess not everyone understands universal hand signals or pays attention to them. As we slowed, I felt a sudden jolt. I immediately clamped my legs to hug the seat of the bike and pushed down on the armrests. I did not move, allowing my rider complete control of the bike. I saw pieces of “stuff” pass me and fly all over. I felt something hit my left leg and foot (probably pieces of the left saddle bag and battery cover, which was all bent up). We came to an immediate stop. Bob kept the bike upright! He immediately got on the CB and announced that we had been hit, but not down. Bob made sure I was okay, and I was. I NEVER PANICED OR DOUBTED MY RIDER’S ABILITY! I got off the bike and checked to make sure Bob was okay, as he was saying a few choice words to the guy that hit us. My foot was a little sore and my back was hurting a little, probably from the sudden jolt of the impact, but other than that I was okay.

What was I wearing? ALL my protective gear – full face helmet, jacket with elbow and back pads, my air through over-pants that have knee pads, padding on the hips and the small of the back, my jeans underneath the air through over-pants that also have knee pads, gloves, and BOOTS that come over my ankles. I am thoroughly convinced had it not been for those special motorcycle boots, I would have gotten hurt. Yes, MOTORCYCLE BOOTS, not sneakers, not “fashion boots”, but boots specific for riding. I carry an extra pair of “nice” shoes and clothes that I can change into when we are not riding so I can be “fashion forward” at our destination. Fashion has no place on a motorcycle. What do I attribute to us not getting hurt? God, the ability and experience of Bob, the fact that we did not panic, a good pair of boots, proper riding gear, and a guardian angel flying as fast as we were.