its my time...

[Ecooke21]

I remeber the first time I read a post of someones decision to stop riding. I though they were crazy.. Whatever the reason was, death of friend, family member, etc..or a new birth (son, or daughter on the way, etc....) I always thought " I would NEVER stop riding, because of these things"...Well I was Wrong..

On tuesday july 26th, I recieved a call from my mother.. My stepfather was in a very bad motorcycle accident.. the doctors said he wasnt going to make it. Walking into the trauma unit room was very hard for me to do, he didnt even look like himself.. The minute I stepped into the room and saw him, I realized I need to sell my bike..I would NEVER want my family and friends to feel the way I did this morning.. Seeing him lay there with the tubes and machines hooked-up to him hit me hard...

We had to make the hardest decicion of our lives...We took my stepfather off of life support on wednesday the 27th @ 1:50 pm..I held his hand as he passed....I dont think I have ever been so sad in my life..

I hope in the future I can ride again. For now, I cant,..I have too much going on to chance it..

R.I.P
David Wayne Minville

[PinHead]

Sorry for your loss
RIP

[Jaynnus]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

[R7]

Even, sorry to hear of your loss
I can understand and support your decision.

[Jarhed]

We've never met or posted together, but I'm truly sorry to hear of your loss. You need to follow your heart and do what you think is best. A bunch of crazy stuff happened to a few of my riding buddies and in my family in 2002, and I sold both my bikes and took a year off from riding. It was the best thing to do at the time, and I have been back riding since August of 2003.

I wish you the best and hope that everything works out for you...

[OreoGaborio]

My condolences to you & yours.

I just buried my last remaining Grandfather this morning. Though his death had nothing to do with motorcycling I feel the pain you and your family are through. We also made a concious decision to let him pass as we took him off all medication but oxygen and morphine last Thursday. He passed the following morning.

I was as lucky as you were, as i was able to see him one last time before his passing. Consider your presence there at his passing a blessing, I'm sure your late step father did and was comforted by your being there.

[Rice-rocket1]

I am truely sorry for your loss.

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

RIP David

[MnM]

I am sorry for your loss
May he RIP

[Half Squid]

I am so so sorry for your loss Evan.

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Be strong.
I completely understand your decision for not wanting to ride any longer. The thought has definately been in my head many times in the past, and once again very strongly this week.

RIP David Wayne Minville

[MissTwisties]

I'm very sorry for your loss and that you had to go thru this. It's never easy to loose someone.

Lots of accidents lately, and I'm assuming will be lots of people giving up on riding, too...sometimes I think about it myself, I barely have any time to ride anyway, and then I think about the risks and how my family (kids and husband) would feel if they had to see me in the hospital. If that's what feels right for you at this point, it's good that you're listening to what your head/heart tells you to do. Stay strong, and my condoleances to you and your family.

[Double"D"]

Sorry to hear. My sympathy to you and your family.

R.I.P.

[bump909]

Ecooke, I am truly sorry to hear about the loss of your step-father. I can't even imagine how sad this must be. May he RIP.

[Rhonda66]

My thoughts are with you.

[bigred875]

[duc106]

I know just how you feel

I am very sorry for your loss

[knobby]

Oh.......sorry for your loss. May he RIP, and I wish you,
and your family, and friends the best.
As far as giving up riding, you do need to go where your
heart goes. Maybe it will bring you back some day.....
..maybe not. Either way, enjoy life while you have it.

[richw]

[FazerChic]

I'm so sorry for your loss. RIP.

[SVRACER01]

im sorry for your loss and i wish i could understand your decision not to ride. i always thought if your (whatever) died in a car would you stop driving etc. but then again ive never been in that position. whatever decision you make im sure is best for you

[gixx6man]

Sorry for your loss. I just lost my brother in law in a jet ski accident. It had me thinking about the risk I take.

[yamamayzf1000r]

Having lost several close friends I completely understand you decision to stop riding.
It certainly does make you realize how precious life is and that everything can be whisked away at an instant.

God Bless you and your family.

[Ecooke21]

Thanks everyone for the prayers.

Originally posted by SVRACER01
im sorry for your loss and i wish i could understand your decision not to ride. i always thought if your (whatever) died in a car would you stop driving etc. but then again ive never been in that position. whatever decision you make im sure is best for you

I think this is completely different.. Everyday people take risks(driving,walking down the street, flying,etc..) I am just trying to minimalize my chances of getting hurt. We cant live in a box of fear, but we can avoid unnecessary dangers if we need/have to...

[Lucky13]

Have you thought of just giving up on street riding? I'm not saying you should begin racing, but you can attend track days. I think riding on the track is prolly safer than street riding. I also think the risk of major injury or death is less on the track than the steet...I have no facts to back this up, it's just my impression...I could be completely wrong

[yamamayzf1000r]

Iike i posted earlier, I understand your reasoning for not wanting to ride on the street but I would strongly recommend that you consider what Clyde is suggesting.

I've been riding street for a 'lil over 10 years and just recently decided to stay off the street and stay strictly on the track.

My 04 R1 is strictly a track bike now.

[TTD]

Obviously... sorry for your loss is the first thing I want to say.

As for giving up riding, it's a tough thing to give up, but I understand where you're coming from.

For me personally, I gave up racing after a bad crash... only to return a year later.


My personal belief is that a Track Day with rules is the safest riding you can do if you want to avoid major injury. (assuming you invest in top quality gear).

An "open" track day would be next safest.

Racing and Conservative Street riding would be about equal.

Agressive street riding would be the most dangerous.

If you're trying to minimize risk in your life... and still want to ride... maybe there is still a way?


Either way... best wishes for you and your family at this time.