Sad News Update

[FJR-Steve]

Dear Forum:

Again, I can not express how deep my gratitude is for all your thoughts, prayers and emails.

I went by Larry's house today to meet Marci (his wife) and to express my condolences along with that of the group. They are having a celebration of life on the 15th of April. I will be there as both a friend and to represent this forum (his other family). My intention is to take a copy of the post to share with those in attendance.

It is believed that a bat caused this accident. According to Marci, a bat was found dead near his body. It sounded as if it may have been just inside his suit. Based on a phone conversation I had with a long-time riding friend of his, Larry was real cautious and did not push his abilities. Since our pace was slow and the skid mark was real short, it appears he hit this bat, lost focus and control just as he got to the corner.

Hope this helps.

Steve D.

FJR-Steve

 

[vinnie]

I went by Larry's house today to meet Marci (his wife) and to express my condolences along with that of the group. They are having a celebration of life on the 15th of April. I will be there as both a friend and to represent this forum (his other family).

Steve, thanks...

...it appears he hit this bat.

...but this bit of news is just too damned weird.

Very strange thing. I'm truly sad.

 

[madmike2]

It is believed that a bat caused this accident. According to Marci, a bat was found dead near his body. It sounded as if it may have been just inside his suit. Based on a phone conversation I had with a long-time riding friend of his, Larry was real cautious and did not push his abilities. Since our pace was slow and the skid mark was real short, it appears he hit this bat, lost focus and control just as he got to the corner.
Hope this helps.

Steve D.

FJR-Steve

That's just to wierd and certainly adds credence to TWN's response, "When your number is up....".

I've a Remembrance Service to participate in on the 14th. Larry's family will be in my heart and prayers.

Thanks for updating us through your pain.

 

[bobby]

I can't imagine the pain those close to Larry are dealing with. I can only offer my heart felt condolences for a fallen brother I never had the pleasure of meeting.

 

[skyway]

I went by Larry's house today to meet Marci (his wife) and to express my condolences along with that of the group. They are having a celebration of life on the 15th of April. I will be there as both a friend and to represent this forum (his other family).

Steve, thanks...

...it appears he hit this bat.

...but this bit of news is just too damned weird.

Very strange thing. I'm truly sad.

I hit a bat once approaching Lake Havasu just after dark, thought that sucker made it into my jacket. It definitely startled me, along with a very quick stop to check if indeed he was inside. The point I'm trying to make, is that anything can cause you to loose focus, and during a turn if this happens, well, the results can be........

Whatever caused this, sadly the outcome still remains the same. My condolences to the family and friends of Larry.

 

[jjsC6]

As always, this is a difficult thing to respond to. We search for just the right words to say, when any words at all are usually all that are necessary to let his loved ones know that we care enough to respond.

Good luck to you and Marci in handling this difficult time in your lives.

 

[weekend rider]

I never knew Larry as a person but only from the FJR board. I offer my condalances for such a tragic ending.

I had to rdeal with bats in one of are buildings, what a mess they make,also I could not get rid of them the way I wanted to. Had to go to th University of Davis to have them remove them for me. They are a protected species. I never thought they could put a rider in such a way that someone would the victim

 

[Thug]

A terrible loss...I am thinking about your family and friends Larry, good bless you and those that have loved you.

 

[NC_Yank]

I had a similar incident happen when I was stationed in the Philippines.

Had a bat fly into my full face helmet (I had the visor up) and flap

in my face.....falling down onto my seat between my legs.

Needless to say I ended up in the opposite lane of travel but was able

to get back into my lane before being hit by oncoming traffic.

My personal opinion is that there are probably more accidents resulting from

wildlife then most give credit to.

NC

 

[exskibum]

I agree with MM2 -- and it seems to me that the best among us go too quickly. If a bat was the cause, then Larry was probably called to ride the twisties in a better place. Now, a forest rat? That'd be too common. But a bat??? Larry was summoned. Maybe they needed another tuba in the choir to balance out all the damned guitars that've been stepping on the harp parts lately.

I'll miss meeting and talking with Larry at WFO, that's for sure.

 

[Flint]

Thanks for the update Steve. Many years ago my cousin (who still rides the 75 GoldWing he bought brand new) hit or rather got hit by a sparrow on an Indiana city street. He was doing maybe 30 or 35 and the bird was coming at him. He was barely able to get the bike to the curb as he gasped and gasped trying to get his breath. He ended up with a bruise the size of a small plate from that incident. Had it occured on a curve or with another vehicle close it could have been bad? The bird hit him right on the breastbone and just took his wind from him in an instant.

As Rosanna Rosanna Danna used to say, "If it ain't one thing, it's another?"

Peace bros,

Flint

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Steve,

Thanks for the update and thank you for sharing our condolences with Larry's family and representing us. I truly appreciate it as I'm sure many here do.

I'm glad to hear they are celebrating Larry's life.

A bat. Well, what do you know. There are plenty of those in them thar hills. I grew up at the base of the Rockies just a few miles East of Morrison. We used to throw pebbles up at night an watch the bats follow them down for a bit.

With as many bugs that hit our bikes, it's not surprising we might often catch bats that are going for the insects.

 

[Toecutter]

[inappropriate light-heartedness] Those bees can be a real bitch as well [/inappropriate light-heartedness]

It's truly a shame if that was the cause.

 

[Ric in Sac]

I have had bee problems; I have struck a few birds; I was almost taken out by a full-grown wild turkey flying across the road at my head height (I ducked); but the thought never occurred to me that I could be taken out by a bat. Knowing this may remove some of the "surprise element" and save any one of us from the same fate.

I will miss my FJR brother and keep his family in my prayers.

 

[Toecutter]

...but the thought never occurred to me that I could be taken out by a bat.  Knowing this may remove some of the "surprise element" and save any one of us from the same fate.

Word. I'm confident the next "surprise critter" story will have a much happier ending (animals that outweigh your bike notwithstanding), after the education we got here this week. Drive first, freak later.

 

[zorkler]

Your a good man steve . god bless

 

[FJRMGM]

damn, that was bad luck to have a critter distract him just as he was going into the corner.

Death was hungry and out hunting that day..

 

[PArider]

Strange things can happen to cause a rider to go down.

It's nice to see they are going to have have a life celebration, my condolences to the family and my prayers will be with you.

 

[Leghorn]

My heartfelt condolences go out to Larry's family and friends.