Patriot Guard...or maybe Gypsy Joker Crash

ponyfool · Oct 8, 2007

Local News Linky

They were on the way to a co-worker of mine's brother-in-law's funeral. He was a helicopter pilot killed overseas last week.

Reader's Digest for the link impaired, a motorcyclist on the side of the highway waiting for the group to come up I-5 decides to join the middle of the pack instead of picking up at the end and gets hit. A chain reaction the occurs.

EDIT: See Below....likely was NOT a Patriot Guard group, but rather a Gypsy Joker group

dcarver · Oct 8, 2007

" Lucas' motorcycle collided with another motorcycle operated by Jerry W. Worthington, age 69, from Butte Falls, Montana."

Truly sad. The man lives to be 69 then gets taken out like this.. on a PGR ride.

sigh. Not good, not good at all.

Toecutter · Oct 8, 2007

May sound insensitive, but I figured it was only a matter of time, given the way some of them ride in those processions. The last one I attended (about 40 bikes) saw some atrocious riding behavior from those whose pipes speak loudly. They were in a funeral procession, and passing other riders to get closer to the front, darting* out of line to the right from a left-hand position, and blasting* down the right side of the procession to jam into gaps further ahead. I just knew one of them was going to pull into the path of a speeding motor escort officer, but it didn't happen, thankfully.

PGR events are the scariest of all group rides. If it wasn't for the relatively low speeds, I wouldn't ride with them.

*relatively speaking, as cruiser bikes go....

TheAxeman · Oct 8, 2007

TheAxeman said:
Just another reason I avoid group rides as much as possible. Having been on some of the Patriot Guard rides with some genuinely inexperienced riders, I can see how things can go really bad really quick. May he RIP.

This is my reply to a thread we had discussed back in June.

There was one particular ride that I had to tell one of the riders to back the **** off and get out of my space because I thought he was going to take me down.

I'm really sorry that it happened to these guys but it was only a matter of time as TOE said.

ponyfool · Oct 8, 2007

Well then, it would appear that I "rushed to judgment", because, you know that's what all cops do. It appears now that they may not have actually been a Patriot Guard group, but rather a group of folks going to honor the death of long time Gypsy Joker member Thomas Eugene Joseph a.k.a. "Longview Tom"

But, again, that is also speculation as well. However, in looking at some photos of the crash scene, it's more likely than not it was the outlaw crowd more so than the Patriot Guard crowd.

Ignacio · Oct 8, 2007

Interesting tidbit Ponyfool....sounds plausible too. Given Gypsy Jokers'....ummmm........questionable reputation...I've tweaked the thread title to add this latest information for a more informed passer-by.

madmike2 · Oct 8, 2007

ponyfool said:
But, again, that is also speculation as well. However, in looking at some photos of the crash scene, it's more likely than not it was the outlaw crowd more so than the Patriot Guard crowd.

Its a sad report, nevertheless. I've ridden in a couple "parade" rides with the loud-pipe crowd and I haven't noticed much difference in style or ability once the "line" forms. It could just be the dynamics of riding in close quarters but ir frightened me enough that I won't participate. Heaven knows I do badly enough on my own.

Toecutter, I thought I'd beat you to it!

rayban · Oct 8, 2007

toecutter said:
May sound insensitive, but I figured it was only a matter of time, given the way some of them ride in those processions. The last one I attended (about 40 bikes) saw some atrocious riding behavior from those whose pipes speak loudly. They were in a funeral procession, and passing other riders to get closer to the front, darting* out of line to the right from a left-hand position, and blasting* down the right side of the procession to jam into gaps further ahead. I just knew one of them was going to pull into the path of a speeding motor escort officer, but it didn't happen, thankfully.
PGR events are the scariest of all group rides. If it wasn't for the relatively low speeds, I wouldn't ride with them.

*relatively speaking, as cruiser bikes go....

Actually, I found last friday's PGR ride to be very calm and professional. Your mileage may vary.

germany · Oct 9, 2007

Hey Toe -

This is just another example of the "can't be last" mentality I attempted to explain. Now I know for sure that it is a mentality and not people just wanting to be in front of me. People need to learn patience.

FJR_pig · Oct 9, 2007

I can confirm they were Jokers, most of them anyway. Colors were being flown.

ponyfool · Oct 9, 2007

FJR_pig said:
Colors were being flown.

And apparently dragged too!

v65 · Oct 9, 2007

rayban said:
Actually, I found last friday's PGR ride to be very calm and professional.

Gunny that! The leaders around here are very clear on how we are to behave.

Wolfhound · Oct 9, 2007

toecutter said:
May sound insensitive, but I figured it was only a matter of time, given the way some of them ride in those processions. The last one I attended (about 40 bikes) saw some atrocious riding behavior from those whose pipes speak loudly. They were in a funeral procession, and passing other riders to get closer to the front, darting* out of line to the right from a left-hand position, and blasting* down the right side of the procession to jam into gaps further ahead. I just knew one of them was going to pull into the path of a speeding motor escort officer, but it didn't happen, thankfully.
PGR events are the scariest of all group rides. If it wasn't for the relatively low speeds, I wouldn't ride with them.

*relatively speaking, as cruiser bikes go....

Such a Great cause but I could not take the riding nor the shameless biker attire for honoring fallen Patriots, I quite going after I was banned from the PGR site for speaking up about dress, noise, & the way most do not know how to hold an American Flag.

gregorytx · Oct 9, 2007

I participated in a PGR ride in June and was ashamed to be a part of it. The other riders were more concerned with how loud their pipes were and how they were dressed than they were in paying respects to a downed soldier. In the flag line lining the church driveway, only a few of the riders had the respect to remove their ball caps and doo-rags as the hearse carrying the body arrived and passed. Once the casket was taken inside the group was to move from the church to the cemetary to set up the flag line there. They made so much noise leaving the church it interrupted the service. I know for a fact because the mother of the dead soldier is a friend of my sister. Once again, at the cemetary no one would remove their caps and doo-rags, including the PGR head honcho. I'll never participate with that group again. I felt it was some of the most rude and incosiderate behavior I've seen from what I was expecting to be fellow veterans and patriots such as myself. I was absolutely ashamed.

Bearly Flying · Oct 9, 2007

And apparently dragged too! smile.gif

Pony, That was BAD.... Chastise yourself....... :blink:

rayban · Oct 9, 2007

For those who choose not to participate, that is your right and opinion. We agree to disagree and I personally feel that you allow your singular or limited experience(s) to taint the overall program with one broad brush-stroke.

Personally, everyone I've experienced was current or former service and were giving of their spare time to honor a family's REQUEST for their presence to honor their loved one. Some even form protective barriers between the sick protesters and the grieving families.

Don't like how some rode? No argument with that, but I've yet to see it and I still put credit to the people I've met for having their heart and sacrifice of time in the right place. It's easy to sit at home behind a keyboard and bag on people who are out there doing something, what little you may think it is, to give back.

Opinions are like other body parts, but that's what web forums are for, sharing opinions. Now the other side has been offered as well.

FZ/FJR Mike · Oct 10, 2007

While it's sad that some PGR rides have not met the expectations of some of you I wish to comment on the flip side. I went to the funeral of a member of my Army Reserve Brigade & was appallled by the behaviour of supposedly "Christian" war protestors who were there. I'm retired from the Reserves now but how any group can destroy the solemnity of a burial for alleged political purposes disgusts me. Came very close to being physical about removing some of them but that would have only played up their situation.

Wolfhound · Oct 10, 2007

I went on several missions, same results. The PGR sure is different in different areas. Some are awesome in their participation and other areas just plain suck when it comes to Respect, IMO ....As a combat vet I could not deal with the disrespect shown locally.

FJR_pig · Oct 10, 2007

This thread is going nowhere fast.

The bikes that crashed were not Patriot Guard Riders. They were Gypsy Joker and headed to a fellow club member's funeral. Nothing to do with the military, the current war or any service members or PGRs.

Let this thread die a silent death...

Patriot Guard...or maybe Gypsy Joker Crash

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