Death on the Cherohala
07-19-2010 | 11:37 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18
From: Chattanooga, TN
Death on the Cherohala
This past weekend on the Cherohala was rough. One cruiser rider went wide into the guardrail on the NC side and died. Then later Saturday a Florida rider on a CBR1000 blew a right-hander on the TN side. He sideswiped a Kawi cruiser, bounced off it into another sideswipe with a Harley, then he went head on into a Goldwing. Killed the CBR guy and the Honda guy is barely hanging on. With riding like that I assume there will be lots of law enforcement in all the hot spots, Dragon included. Be careful out there, guys, and if you don't know the road, back it down a notch.
07-19-2010 | 11:54 AM
#2
Member
Squid
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 73
From: Louisville, KY
Coming back from Colorado Springs this Sunday, met a FZR1 rider at a gas station in eastern Il. off of I-64. He had duck tape on his rear tire. When I inquired about the tape, he showed me his rear tire, that had the cords showing in the middle! He was going to Fort Bragg later that day (about 10 more hours of riding). All he had were the clothes on his back and a helmet. Hope he makes it.
Go to show ya, just 'cause you ride a motorcycle, doesn't mean know how to!
Go to show ya, just 'cause you ride a motorcycle, doesn't mean know how to!
07-20-2010 | 08:26 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18
From: Chattanooga, TN
Witness's account of Cherohala accident.
Couple of guys on the Blackbird forum were down here from KY/Ohio and were on the Cherohala directly behind the accident when it happened. This is their account as posted on cbr1100xx.org:
"John and I were mixed in with a bunch of cruisers (about 12 or so) in the process of getting around them. Happened right in front of my eyes. I was the first bike in the group that wasn't taken out.
Looked like a bomb went off, we were both very lucky. Debris, motorcycles, bodies, and shrapnel were flying everywhere. The guy's bike shot across the lane like a freaking lightning bolt. It hit one of the bikes in front of me and flipped up about 10 feet in the air. How I managed to dodge **** and not get taken out is beyond me. I think we were fortunate that it was big heavy cruisers so the momentum of the debris went mostly in the direction we were traveling. When I finally came to a stop, and my rear wheel dropped down, I was completely surrounded by parts and bikes. John was right behind me, he barely got stopped within a couple of feet of hitting me. The guy's bike who hit everyone was smoking about 5 feet in front of me to the left, directly in front of me was the gas tank from one of the Harleys. I had to survey the situation for like a minute to just figure out how to ride out of all the debris there was so much of it. We got the bikes parked, checked out who was hurt, etc. Checked for cell service and there wasn't any. We told the rest of the crew that we would go down the mountain to get help. It was 22 miles up, and we were the only sport bikes so we figured it the fastest way. The three riders that were injured were speaking, but were in bad shape. The sport bike rider that came across the lane was obviously dead. He was laying on his stomach and twisted up a bit, either lost his head or it was doubled over and he was laying on top of it.
Someone must have got cell service somewhere, just as we got to the bottom a cop car came screaming by.
It's the most horrific thing I've ever witnessed."
"John and I were mixed in with a bunch of cruisers (about 12 or so) in the process of getting around them. Happened right in front of my eyes. I was the first bike in the group that wasn't taken out.
Looked like a bomb went off, we were both very lucky. Debris, motorcycles, bodies, and shrapnel were flying everywhere. The guy's bike shot across the lane like a freaking lightning bolt. It hit one of the bikes in front of me and flipped up about 10 feet in the air. How I managed to dodge **** and not get taken out is beyond me. I think we were fortunate that it was big heavy cruisers so the momentum of the debris went mostly in the direction we were traveling. When I finally came to a stop, and my rear wheel dropped down, I was completely surrounded by parts and bikes. John was right behind me, he barely got stopped within a couple of feet of hitting me. The guy's bike who hit everyone was smoking about 5 feet in front of me to the left, directly in front of me was the gas tank from one of the Harleys. I had to survey the situation for like a minute to just figure out how to ride out of all the debris there was so much of it. We got the bikes parked, checked out who was hurt, etc. Checked for cell service and there wasn't any. We told the rest of the crew that we would go down the mountain to get help. It was 22 miles up, and we were the only sport bikes so we figured it the fastest way. The three riders that were injured were speaking, but were in bad shape. The sport bike rider that came across the lane was obviously dead. He was laying on his stomach and twisted up a bit, either lost his head or it was doubled over and he was laying on top of it.
Someone must have got cell service somewhere, just as we got to the bottom a cop car came screaming by.
It's the most horrific thing I've ever witnessed."
07-20-2010 | 09:04 AM
#4
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 338
From: Colorado
Redman, you have friends in the springs? It amazes me that people still ride on cords. You can go to any forum on the internet and even the most "badass" riders will tell you you're a moron for even thinking thats a good Idea.
07-20-2010 | 09:25 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18
From: Chattanooga, TN
07-20-2010 | 01:40 PM
#7
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 617
From: In a van down by the river (I wish!)
My final big ride of the season last year was on the Cherohala. I lived in Asheville and like a lot of riders up that way, I thought that Deal’s Gap and the Cherohala were for poseurs. We had bad curves right in our back yards, the logic went. Only squids went down to that part of the state.
Cherohala scared the **** out of me. It was late enough in the season where parts had frost on the road and the thing was banked all weird. I used to go to the gap once a month or so, but I never felt so much like I was riding on the back of ghosts as that trip to Cherohala. It was the sort of day where you were riding your nerves raw against the road, imagining that you could go down anywhere. The fear was irresistible.
I don’t know why some many “flat-landers” go to Western North Carolina. I don’t think anything you can experience in Florida or Arizona can really prepare you for those roads.
I think you can order the stickers online these days.
Cherohala scared the **** out of me. It was late enough in the season where parts had frost on the road and the thing was banked all weird. I used to go to the gap once a month or so, but I never felt so much like I was riding on the back of ghosts as that trip to Cherohala. It was the sort of day where you were riding your nerves raw against the road, imagining that you could go down anywhere. The fear was irresistible.
I don’t know why some many “flat-landers” go to Western North Carolina. I don’t think anything you can experience in Florida or Arizona can really prepare you for those roads.
I think you can order the stickers online these days.
07-20-2010 | 01:52 PM
#8
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
I have ridden in North Carolina (where most of my family is from) and around there.. AZ has roads that can match anything out east.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...=UTF8&t=h&z=12
There are TONs of super twisty roads in AZ.. Show Low - Globe area is probably better than what I linked to but I am not as familiar with it.
07-20-2010 | 02:06 PM
#9
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 617
From: In a van down by the river (I wish!)
I’ve been in Globe -- one of my best friends got married at that funky trailer park -- and around, what's it called, Little Alpine...? All nice roads don't get me wrong and I’m a fan of the state. I probably should have said Texas. (Until someone from Texas links up to a map showing all sorts of weird roads.) But all that said, I would still submit that WNC has the tightest roads I’ve been on, Arizona included.
Now AZ is a big state and I was there only nine days bouncing around… And I’m not speaking for the whole of the country… There are curves everywhere, I’m sure. But my experience was that folks who got into trouble in WNC were people from the Southwest and Florida. Not exclusively, mind you, but to a large percentage.
Now AZ is a big state and I was there only nine days bouncing around… And I’m not speaking for the whole of the country… There are curves everywhere, I’m sure. But my experience was that folks who got into trouble in WNC were people from the Southwest and Florida. Not exclusively, mind you, but to a large percentage.
07-20-2010 | 02:09 PM
#10
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
I have been to both the Cherohala and the Dragon, despite the fact that I'm from Sweden... The guy that took me to there, stopped at a little gravel patch along the road and asks me "So, what did ya think?"... My reply... "?... About what?" He says... "The Dragon? What did ya think?"...
My reply made him a bit upset I think... To me the road we had just ridden was "a fairly big road"... Yeah, nice and curvy... But about the size of most roads back home... And about as curvy and windy as most of them as well... Not impressed...
The Cherohala though, is a bit more impressive... Like said, of camber banking, winding and on another level than the Dragon... I can fully see why people end up getting hurt... Especially people coming of the things you guys call roads and on to that...
I have ridden a bit down in Florida as well... What passes as a road down there is what we call parking lots here... Big flat and wide... And every once in a while they throw in a little bend over two or three miles or soo, just to break the monotony...
Now I'm not saying I'm a better rider... I'm about average, but the concept of doing the speeds you guys are on roads like that is foreign to me... We just don't have roads that way... Ours are smaller, tighter and you really can't go that fast unless you are trying to get hurt...
So please... Ride with the inside of the head...
My reply made him a bit upset I think... To me the road we had just ridden was "a fairly big road"... Yeah, nice and curvy... But about the size of most roads back home... And about as curvy and windy as most of them as well... Not impressed...
The Cherohala though, is a bit more impressive... Like said, of camber banking, winding and on another level than the Dragon... I can fully see why people end up getting hurt... Especially people coming of the things you guys call roads and on to that...
I have ridden a bit down in Florida as well... What passes as a road down there is what we call parking lots here... Big flat and wide... And every once in a while they throw in a little bend over two or three miles or soo, just to break the monotony...
Now I'm not saying I'm a better rider... I'm about average, but the concept of doing the speeds you guys are on roads like that is foreign to me... We just don't have roads that way... Ours are smaller, tighter and you really can't go that fast unless you are trying to get hurt...
So please... Ride with the inside of the head...
07-20-2010 | 02:25 PM
#12
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 617
From: In a van down by the river (I wish!)
The Dragon is more dangerous than most roads in WNC/ GA/ TN primarily because other people ride it. They also periodically send huge 18-wheelers down there to mix things up, and it’s always possible to run into wild boar or dogs.
Many of the roads down there were originally mule trails and they still feel that way. Just about any road to or from the Parkways is as good as Deal’s Gap, though it might be shorter and somewhat less technical. The funny thing is aside from a few good sweepers on the way to Knoxville, the highways are as straight as anywhere else.
It’s all perspective. Riding to Illinois a few years back I was struck by the high levels of concentration I needed to stay focused. Here in Maine the roads are so cracked and beaten that you need to constantly be ready to get on the ***** of your feet. Sportbike riding is somewhat different, that’s for sure.
Many of the roads down there were originally mule trails and they still feel that way. Just about any road to or from the Parkways is as good as Deal’s Gap, though it might be shorter and somewhat less technical. The funny thing is aside from a few good sweepers on the way to Knoxville, the highways are as straight as anywhere else.
It’s all perspective. Riding to Illinois a few years back I was struck by the high levels of concentration I needed to stay focused. Here in Maine the roads are so cracked and beaten that you need to constantly be ready to get on the ***** of your feet. Sportbike riding is somewhat different, that’s for sure.
07-20-2010 | 02:39 PM
#13
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,315
From: Richmond, Virginia
We just got back from spending a week there last Friday.
http://www.monkeyriders.com/forums/v...ic.php?t=14512
The place we stayed was less than 2 miles from the Cherohala Skyway. Awesome week. The pics in my avatar and sig. were taken there on last year's trip.
We were saying how the Cherry Cola is really fast and riskier than the Dragon. You can get a nice rhythm, but a screwup there has big consequences.
http://www.monkeyriders.com/forums/v...ic.php?t=14512
The place we stayed was less than 2 miles from the Cherohala Skyway. Awesome week. The pics in my avatar and sig. were taken there on last year's trip.
We were saying how the Cherry Cola is really fast and riskier than the Dragon. You can get a nice rhythm, but a screwup there has big consequences.
07-20-2010 | 04:14 PM
#14
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
This is my normal run when I'm going for an icecream... They have wicked icecream end even more wicked waitresses...
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...98cd36620e6705
No straight's... No posted speeds above 45...
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...98cd36620e6705
No straight's... No posted speeds above 45...
07-21-2010 | 05:44 AM
#16
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,090
From: Big Lick
Tweety, we're not going to even begin to believe you about the wicked waitresses unless you provide us with some PROOF! :-D
As for the Cherohala, it surpasses the dragon in my book. The dragon is a fun little road, but frankly, with all the traffic and attention, too dangerous. if it wasn't so popular, it'd be a great ride. The Cherohala though has fast sweepers and allows for managable speeds well over 80 in some curves. You just have to have total focus and attention along with very good tires. I don't press like that all the time though. It's the reason I got into track riding, because I realized how much more potentional our bikes have than what you can safely do with them on the streets.
As for the Cherohala, it surpasses the dragon in my book. The dragon is a fun little road, but frankly, with all the traffic and attention, too dangerous. if it wasn't so popular, it'd be a great ride. The Cherohala though has fast sweepers and allows for managable speeds well over 80 in some curves. You just have to have total focus and attention along with very good tires. I don't press like that all the time though. It's the reason I got into track riding, because I realized how much more potentional our bikes have than what you can safely do with them on the streets.
07-21-2010 | 07:32 AM
#17
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,315
From: Richmond, Virginia
Ah, that brings back memories, L8RGYZ. I've stopped at that gas station near the bottom late in the season when they didn't even have fuel. Man. I miss NC.
It's a shame that such a beautiful, great place for riding can also be a place of great tragedy. Certainly my greatest fear as a rider is that one day I will turn around to find one of my friends critically injured or worse. Peace & comfort to all the riders' families.
07-21-2010 | 08:03 AM
#18
medium fast guy
Back Marker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 212
From: western MI, rust & pot hole capital of the world
The oncoming traffic (car or bike) was always my concern, lots of close calls with Harleys/cruiser riders scraping floor boards and then standing their bikes up and running wide.
07-21-2010 | 08:50 AM
#19
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,315
From: Richmond, Virginia
Agreed, but quite a few sport bikes do the same. I'd like to say I never do it, but I have. The times I've done it I always tell myself I would have been dead if there was oncoming traffic. Staying between the lines is not optional.
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