YFO 2017 - Yosemite and Beyond - June 1-3, 2017

[Tyler]

Sending thoughts and prayers for your pops RfH.
Hoping you two can still make the trip out...two wheels or four, doesn't matter.

--G

Agreed on both counts... sending lots of healing energy your way... and hoping that you'll still both be able to join in for Yosemite in any way you can. :wub:

 

[SacramentoMike]

Oh no. This is terrible to see, and afraid to try to imagine what's happened. Thoughts and hope to you both, and please update when you can.

And echoing George, two wheels, four, or jet engines. Love to see you both here.

 

[exskibum]

Shit! RFH -- i'm hoping it's just the bike, but the helicopter photo is not a good sign. Much mojo sent for good outcomes.

 

[FJRBandit]

Just wanted to provide a little detail and update to those that are not in the know and might be wondering. I was not aware of this tragic event until I received a PM from RFH last night that was titled "Pop Crashed". Of course my first thought was, "Oh Shit!" Here's what followed:

"Dad had a Very Bad crash Sunday. He was following me and I was following Joey. Bike is probably totaled. He...almost died. Joey definitely saved his life.

Miraculously, he only has 5 broken ribs, 2 on one side and 3 on the other. His lungs were damaged badly from the impact but he is recovering well. Today they have him sitting in a chair instead of lying in the bed. He has tubes draining the fluid from his chest cavity but all is well."

After gathering myself I responded to Andrew this morning and offered our love and support and RFH, Andrew sent me the following update. I don't think he minds me sharing with everyone.

"Pop is an ATGATT guy. That and Joey saved him. EVERY single piece of his gear shows evidence of the crash but it all performed perfectly. He has no road rash and only the broken ribs and damaged lungs. He is sore and bruised a bit on his right shoulder but the shoulder armor protected the bones.

......

I put it out on FJRiders and did post once in the YFO thread. We have gotten a lot of love and support from the forums. We are good and hope to have him home soon. "

I've only had the good fortune to spend an hour or so with both Andrew and Pop. In that brief period it was very apparent to me that it'd be hard to find two more quality people. But isn't that the way it is on this Forum? The connections we make with like minded people from across the country, and the world for that matter, I think just make the sport of sport touring riding that much more special and enjoyable. unfortunately, these events are bound to happen, but our love of what we do over rides the inherent risk. I know that it goes without saying, but let's all keep the Fishes in our thoughts and prayers as Mr. Hillary makes his recovery, thank goodness!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Y'all may not know it and it may not matter, but I really do love you guys. Really.

Pop moved to a regular room a couple hours ago. Since I watched him stop breathing on the side of a ditch Sunday at lunchtime, that is pretty good stuff.

 

[Kaismo]

Haven't had the pleasure to meet RFH and his dad during last years SFO ride since I had to bug out early; however thoughts and prayers are heading your way since like Mr. Bandit said there are no finer individuals on this planet that are part of a smaller section of the populations known as "motorcyclists".

 

[Madmudder]

Glad to hear Pop is recovering well and from the sounds of it rather quickly. Praying & Wishing for a full and speedy recovery. Thank you Joey for your part it a happier ending.

 

[NTXFJR]

This is too cool. fwiw, those that believe in a higher power tend to believe that God puts the right people in place for the circumstance. It seems that in this case, Pants had his part.

 

[Bugnatr]

Been thinking about Redfish and Pop all day. Thanks for the report, their are folks all over the USA pulling for a safe speedy recovery.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Thoughts and Prayers for your Dad. Hope to meet you both in June.

 

[1911]

Just logged in to talk routes, with as much clever wit as I can muster, and I see this.

DAMN!

Thoughts and prayers...........

 

[puppychow]

Anyone wagering on Tioga Pass being open during YFO?

 

[Fontanaman]

I suspect many of the passes will not be open due to the amount of snow received unless the snow melts out real quick.

I had a hard time reading the data set above so I went to Caltrans and found this link and at the bottom of that page you will find a historical link too. Caltrans data does not not include the snow pack by year but this year snow pack is about 180% of normal. Winter is not over yet either.

Time to whip out the maps make plans for the low land rides. Hwy 245 is one of my favorites about 140 miles to the south of Mariposa. Get up a the crack of down or just before and ride into Yosemite Valley. The place will be empty and the waterfalls will be splendid.

 

[puppychow]

The data set above was messed up because what it showed in formatting before I hit submit was vastly different than what it ended up being after submission. I corrected the table now, after I noticed it.

The data is from the NPS.

 

[bigjohnsd]

I'm sure hoping Tioga is open cause I want to go home that way on June 4th. I'm going to try and go the whole way from Yosemite to Spearfish on June 4th, 1300 miles give or take, kitty corner up to Tonopah, Wendover and then I-80 to Rawlins before heading NE on 287.

 

[1911]

You'll be blowing past a lot of other stuff you might not want to blow past without taking some slower looks at, though, and doing a lot of your riding on just. plain. freeways. We could come up with routes, ideas, suggestions for other ways to get where you want to go and hit the coast on the second day, maybe. Just a thought. But you could make it pretty easily with a good morning start and maybe a couple of slight adjustments in your route. Like, do you really need to ride through San Francisco? And over the Golden Gate? Both beautiful, great scenery, but not the fastest route, I'm pretty sure. One other thought, if you're camping, setting up a campsite at sunset is never ideal.

Thank god you've got all this time to think about it.

The Golden Gate is pretty spectacular if you've never been over it. While that route is doable, as SM said, you'll not have much time to stop and smell the roses... the PCH is one of the most beautiful stretches of roadway and, you might want to consider your pillion and break this up into two days and find a place for a little romance (perhaps in the wine country north of SF... some fund roads up that way too!)... might need a break from all that camping... I've got lots of suggestions!

Suggestions for the romance or the riding

Romance-PFFFFT! That nonsense is long ago not an issue, we’re married, long married. This is about riding. The only fella around here that Mrs1911 gets all googly eyed over now is Smokey



Smokey meets Mrs1911’s diva philly



So what did Mrs1911’s all-time favorite, says she, Valentines Day consist of? I take her up to the NC state line to get a truckload of hay for the little diva philly. When the poundhound hears the truck, he HAS to go, even if it is just to the dump. On the way home we catch our favorite Mexican place with the outdoor seating empty, the Tuesday lunch special not sold out, and they let us eat with Smokey.



As soon as the hay is put up I head to work. She gets a load of hay, lunch with her favorite fella, and doesn't have to do a single "love chore". THIS is a good day for wifey.

Back to the trip.

Mrs1911 had never been west of Gatlinburg when we got married. Since then our only west-of-Big Muddy trips have been to Arkansas a few times to visit family, not the fun Ark, the hot, humid, flat soybean and rice growing part, and a flight out to Scottsdale for a few days at a resort on a semi-work-related trip. So, we are going to try to see some stuff now. And I think it would be cool to ride past the cable cars and across the Golden Gate. IF it can be done without fighting gridlock. And there certainly won’t be any lane splitting for me, what with saddlebags and a trailer in tow. Frisco will be the ONLY big town that we will intentionally pass through on this trip. Manchester KOA reservation made!

 

[hppants]

It's been a trying week. A blur, really. Hard to concentrate at times. My friends are hurting. I know they will both heal with time, but the waiting is the hardest part.

Several times I've closed my eyes for just a minute and concentrated on my breathing. In my mind, I can see half dome in the distance. The bridal fall is magnificent as the flow is outstanding. The sky is crystal clear blue and the valley is bursting with every shade of green imaginable. The depth of field is unlimited. I am with friends and we are with our motorcycles. There are others around, but there is plenty of room for everyone. We are all together, it's peaceful, and everyone is just happy.

Hang in there, Pants. Only a few more months....

 

[SacramentoMike]

You just described pretty much how it's going to be all right. Sure be great if RFH and his Pop are there with us.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

You just described pretty much how it's going to be all right. Sure be great if RFH and his Pop are there with us.

It is too early for me to know anything yet. Pop is tough, but he has had his ass kicked good this time. I feel certain his '07 will be totaled. He has shown every desire to get back on a bike, he has expressed interest in "A brand new one with electronic suspension". That is a Good Thing.

While I hope and pray that Pop will be strong enough for a cross country ride by late May, that may not be a realistic expectation. I am not sure if I am willing to go on that ride and leave him at home. I don't think he would do it to me.

My first problem is to get him well enough to leave the hospital. Then I need to get him well enough to ride a motorcycle. Getting another motorcycle is just a matter of money, and they print more of that stuff every day.

But yes, it would be nice if we could make it.

 

[puppychow]

Hoping a speedy recovery for Pops. Hoping you two are going to be there. I think it will happen.