Something to think about -- SCR lost one of their own. RIP

[GreenMachine]

I've been following the thread on Sacramento Crotch Rockets site (you have to have an SCR login to view).  They lost a rider over the weekend.    

I didn't know the rider.  Started a post on their forum trying to express my condolences, but I'm not good at it and never posted.  It doesn't matter whether we know a fellow rider or not, as a rider I think we're emotionally bound.  Sad to hear.  Makes me feel hollow and reflective.  One minute they're riding out, stopping along the way for chit-chat and snacks, like any one of our group rides.  Everyone is having a good time and looking forward to taking in more scenery, some good corners and soaking in the comradery.   The next moment, everyone is stopped and a rider has fallen.

[dub]

Damn, that makes me sick to my stomach to read.  He left behind an wife and young daughter.  What a shame.

RIP rider.

[Tahoebrian5]

Damn sorry to hear

[A DRAGON]

Sorry to hear.  Thanks GM for the update.

[GreenMachine]

SCR now has several threads to help people express their emotions.  In the newest thread there is a link to the below brief article and post.  If I had to sum it up, it sounds like the rider, Chris Austria, was riding across the Dam probably looking around at the scenery, lake, mountains, boats, etc..., and was caught off guard when the roadway shifted to the left at the end of the Dam.  He may have ridden straight into the guard rail which resulted in him being thrown over it and suffering life threatening injuries.  I could definitely see that as what happened as I frequently gander at the surroundings while I ride as well, more on frequently traveled roads and less on new roads.  What a tragic accident.

Placerville area CHP officer Dan Stark said Christopher Austria, 42, died Sunday at 11:40 a.m. when he was thrown from his Kawasaki ZX-250 while driving eastbound on Wentworth Springs Road over the Stumpy Meadows Dam.

Stark said Austria was likely speeding when he lost control of his motorcycle and went flying into a nearby guard rail.

Austria was pronounced dead at the scene.

Eye witness: I am really surprised as well about the article. I was camping in the group campsite right above the crash scene and witnessed the accident. Our whole campsite were first on the scene and he was not speeding at all, he most likely got distracted by the water damn as they call it and veered into the guardrail and then was thrown several feet. He was very lucky that there was a off duty officer and 2 firemen with all the correct gear to work on him. They worked for over an hour to no avail. But by far he wasn't speeding!!! My heart feels for his family and friends at such a tragic time in their lives...