Matt, AKA MJCUJO came off today about 14 miles east of Astoria Oregon on Hwy 202.
Matt was riding 5th of 6 riders that included Sharkey, Myself, Green Weenie ( not on this forum),porsche4786, MJCUJO and finally Dave ( not on this forum).
Matt went into a long tight sweeper and lowsided. His Vee slid across the center line and was struck by an oncoming truck. The Vee was ricocheted back into his slide path striking him in his left side. He suffered a cut on his wrist, some pretty bad bruising, and 3 fractured ribs on his left side. ATGATT saved him from any real roadrash and there were no head or neck tramas. We were in a no cell area and Dave rode to the nearest house to make a land line call. Responders took about 20-30 min to arrive. in that time we just kept Matts head still and tried to make him comfortable. we took a grip of photos and collected up his personals and then followed him to the hospital. We called his wife so she would know what was up and could come meet him. We waited and chatted with him at the hospital till his family arrived to get his gear.
They are keeping him in Astoria at the hospital for a small pnumothorax, he had some air leaking into the abdominal cavity but his pulse ox was good and no blood in the lungs. Observation.
I feel bad recommending that route to Astoria in the PNW section. What's the odds of an oncoming truck on that road? I've ridden 202 dozens of times and traffic is almost non existent. Hope all is well with him.
Matt/MJCUJO, here's hoping you have a speedy recovery (and a smooth insurance process). Bikes can be replaced, people cannot. I'm glad to hear your injuries, although undoubtedly painful, weren't too severe considering how things could have been (ATGATT).
Was out today, our roads have lots of salt and sand residue and until we get some rain will need to take care.
From the photo, the road looked clear of any sand or salt.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Sometimes there are delayed back issues etc.
I spoke with the State trooper and was informed that this corner drops several bikers each year. Its a down hill sweeper that just keeps going like a blind hairpin. Matt was rideing behind Kevin. He would have lost sight of Kevin in the curve, that flips a switch in your head as that frame of reference leaves you, and then the truck came into sight. All this as he was realizing that he was running a bit hot and drifting out towards the center line.
Im not sure if he trail braked a bit or if he backed out of the throttle Or just leaned harder than his momentum would carry. Im Sure he will post a bit more when he feels up to it.
For what its worth the Trooper said that most wad up earlier in the corner than he did so he rode it strong.
When I was going through the corner just a few second earlier I lost Sharkey in the blind and it gave me a little SR, If you add a big black truck to the mix the brain cant keep up with all the sensory input.
The bad part about that road is short straightaways diving into dark shaded curves that are usually wet or with loose gravel. Only sure time for safe conditions in summer. It's still a blast if you know what's coming next. Glad to see the elk were out in Jewel.
For those who haven't ridden state highway 202 in Northwest Oregon, as with many roads like it, it's rewarding in terms of scenery but requires a lot of discipline to ride it safely. It has sections of great asphalt and others that are one notch above a gravel fire-road -- bumpy, narrow, blind sight-lines, and lots of sanding gravel.
It also travels through Pacific Northwest rain forest so deer and elk are a constant hazard.
Roads like that are worth a visit but they demand respect.
For those who haven't ridden state highway 202 in Northwest Oregon, as with many roads like it, it's rewarding in terms of scenery but requires a lot of discipline to ride it safely. It has sections of great asphalt and others that are one notch above a gravel fire-road -- bumpy, narrow, blind sight-lines, and lots of sanding gravel.
It also travels through Pacific Northwest rain forest so deer and elk are a constant hazard.
Roads like that are worth a visit but they demand respect.
Definitely a rough road. Eventually the road turned into a nice gravel free fairly fresh pavement road, and that's when it seems our pace went up a little bit. Next time I'll keep it down a notch.
Everyone please be careful. That's two down in less than a week. Another reminder about situational awareness and ATGATT. Thank goodness he is alright. My thoughts and prayers for his speedy recovery.
I thought he went more into the side of the truck from what I saw in the mirror, but I guess not. Where was the foot print on the truck? I'm thinking that curved crease on the chromed bumper is from the crash bar.
He had full insurance and we were running a steady pace but certainly not racing. I personally went through that corner at about 30 mph. we had been rideing about 2 hours but had just 10 min before stopped for a potty break.
The only advice I can tell the masses is that as we venture out from our winter hiatus we need to accustom ourselves again as well as remember that these arent "summer" roads yet.
That is a dangerous - but beautiful stretch when its not raining... I was there this time last year (on 4 wheels unfortunately - weekend drive while there training USCG pilots at Airsta Astoria) and was the 2nd on scene of a fatal accident along that stretch - guy lost it in a LH turn and wrapped himself around a telephone pole. Took responders a good 30 minutes to arrive so we tag teamed CPR on this guy... Sad day... Count those belssings! No funeral arrangements on this one...
Good to see you well enough to be back on line. We'll wait for you to heal and then expect to see you back riding with us. Take care. V-man
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