Posted by Barbara Brooker on March 25, 2000 at 14:23:33:
In Reply to: Re: Daytona Casualties posted by Witch Doctor's Owner on March 25, 2000 at 05:39:57:
I came back OK but it was by the grace of God. And I don't even practice my religion. I got a flat (back) tire (picked up a nail) doing 45mph. I always wanted to know what it would be like to get a flat. Now I know. While waiting for the flat to be fixed (they put a tube in the tire and plugged the hole--only 2500 miles on the tire), I was told the hwy I had been riding on (I4) was one of the $ most dangerous hwys in the US. Coming home in the dark one night (it was l1/2 hrs from the beach to our hotel) we got stuck in traffic. I looked aheah and saw a car on FIRE on the right breakdown lane. I was in the left breakdown lane trying to get around and could feel the heat and I had my jacket on. Rubber on fire was dripping from the front tire. As I went past the fire truck came down the ramp and pulled a U-turn in front of me. I had to go on the grass median, in the dark, with my little headlight shining the way. I made it and was a little shaken up. Remember it's only my second year. There was 4 or 5 lanes at 70 mph. Ok got through that. Continued on. 10-15 min later I see cars parked on the right breakdown, no lights, flashers, etc and people looking like they were goig to run into the rode. Remember, 4-5 lanes doing 70mph! Then I see debris in front of me. Don't know what it is but I'm headed straight for it. I turn my bars just a little and find a spot to ride right up the middle where the rode is clear. I know my SO does NOT keep the same lane position and will be going right over it. I scream out to him, of course he can't hear. I look in my mirror and all I see are headlights going every which way. I don't hear screeching or see flames so I figured he made it. I keep on going. The rest area is coming up. I know if I top, I won't get back on the bike that night. I keep going. Our exit is two away. I take the exit, look back, see my SO behind me. We get to the red light. He says, "how are you doing". Through clenched teeth i say "I just want to get back to the hotel". I get to the hotel, get off my bike and almost start crying. My SO says "you did a great job". I take a shower and go to bed. I get back on the bike the next day. When I can start riding at home again, I'll have no trouble riding the hwys here! We arrived right after on of the accidents where the 80yr old woman ran a red light, got sideswipped by the pickup, her husband was a passenger in the car and was killed. Pickup spun around and hit a BMW. The bike was actually upside down on it's windshield and seat. Biker had head injuries and passenger had road rash. Don't know the extent. I did hear a couple from Maine (that's where I'm from) were killed. A girl I work with happens to know them.