Sad but True

I woke up from my nap around 3 to my brother needing some help getting his bike he had brought back from LA, out of the truck (that transported it here). As I am helping him he tells me about one of his best friends who got an 02 GSX-R 600 today. Apparently he was pretty stocked.

We finished the job and I took off to go see a friend of mine. I arrive 10 minutes later and begin catching up with my highschool buddy. About 5 minutes into this, I get a text message from my brother.

'Amo, please be safe. Please be safe. Jarrad Cole died riding today'

In case it wasn't clear, Jarrad Cole was the friend who got the GSXR. In fact, he hadn't even owned the bike for more than an hour, when he apparently accidentally dumped he clutch, cause the front wheel to pop up and slam down, hitting his chest on the tank and going down.

He died a couple hours later at the hospital from internal bleeding.

I never really knew the kid, but he was 18-19 years old, apparently a great guy, a good friend of my brother's. This total freak accident caught us all by surprise, after all, he was never known as a crazy risk taker.

When I think about this it frustrates me that it could have all been prevented. He had no mentors, or formal training on riding a motorcycle. I am not surprised he crashed, although due to the low speeds, I am surprised he died.

For myself I think, if only I had known about these details earlier, (Jarrad getting a bike and not having any training). I would have gladly rode over there and given him some instruction and guidance. Instead a family has lost a son.

Its a home hitting moment for me because it really makes clear the dangers of riding, especially starting out. For myself, I will make it a point to try and be there for beginners regardless of whether I know them or not. It's not worth dieing over.