I just can't believe this has happened... One of my best riding buddies is dead. Patt (yes, that's with two "T's") and I have been riding together for a decade. Thousands of miles - nay, tens of thousands of miles, have passed beneath our wheels together. Patt was one of the best riders I know; he lived on his motorcycle, it being his daily commuter, grocery getter, and weekend escape. One of the kindest, gentlest, most giving people I have ever been privilaged to know. The world is a lesser place today...
http://www.startribune.com/local/27744354.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP
If you read the article, you will certainly notice it mentions he was riding without a helmet. That makes me very, very angry - not that the article mentions it, but that he was. All three of these guys were. I just don't understand why that is so deeply entrenched in the Harley culture. Now I will never support helmet laws, as I feel guys like Patt should be free to pick their own poison, but their stupid decisions just continue to both sadden and anger me. Patt and I discussed this over the years, as he rides in his little bull***** Jewish scull cap of a helmet (Washington is a mandatory helmet state), and me in my full face. He "knew the risks", and "accepted" them. Yeah right. Now he's gone, and I am angry with him for that. The rest of us have to carry on without him. May he rest in peace. At least until I catch up with him...