3 wheeler crash on the Dragon - was it a Spyder?

[Woodaddict]

Here is the story..... can match it by 2 deaths and trike

https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2026/05/27/florida-chef-driver-killed-tennessee-tail-of-dragon-smoky-mountains/90276532007/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=trueanthem&fbclid=IwY2xjawSFWftleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7Tr5ouiRK-qBpnXBkRr28CsJq00NUrgbreS9bcxWAprvbvYKZz9-XcZqttjg_aem_rfqswLheZih4Md8tw6sbDw

 

[Ozarkwoods]

I apologize if this sound harsh, but it's been on my mind lately. This isn't really a comment about any specific accident but just a general reaction of seeing way too many headlines like this. About five years ago, my family was camping in the Black Hills while the rally in Sturgis was taking place. Nothing gives you a clearer perspective of how stupid some motorcyclists can be when you're going in the opposite direction driving a F-150 pickup with wide side mirrors. About one in ten motorcyclists were crossing the double center line into my lane on curves. Very few of them were aware that if I hadn't pulled my truck all the way over as they approached and crossed into my lane that their ride could have ended with tragedy.

While the majority of the riders are safe riders, there are some that just shouldn't be riding routes like the Tail of the Dragon or those in the Black Hills to test skills they don't actually have. It gets even more complicated with a passenger and/or extra luggage on the bike/trike. My whole point is we (I'm including me) all need to be reminded to check our ego from time to time on rides like this so we return home safely.

So true, we stayed summers for 10 years in the Black Hills, we saw a horrific accident at the intersection of Shipwrecks and Reptile Gardens - an old Crown Victoria turned left in-front of a group of motorcycles, two motorcycles hit broadside into the car, killing the husband and wife who were driving the two bikes. Be careful you all, stay safe!

 

[BajaRon]

Expect them to turn left in front of you, even if they look straight at you before they do it. Because sooner or later, they will.

 

[Lctriple]

Here is the story..... can match it by 2 deaths and trike

https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2026/05/27/florida-chef-driver-killed-tennessee-tail-of-dragon-smoky-mountains/90276532007/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=trueanthem&fbclid=IwY2xjawSFWftleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7Tr5ouiRK-qBpnXBkRr28CsJq00NUrgbreS9bcxWAprvbvYKZz9-XcZqttjg_aem_rfqswLheZih4Md8tw6sbDw

That won't let me read the whole article.

 

[Woodaddict]

Link works for me, goes right to story. Might be if you haven't done Facebook before

 

[JayBros]

Expect them to turn left in front of you, even if they look straight at you before they do it. Because sooner or later, they will.

Yesterday, on the way home from a Spyder ride to Western NC to see how recovery from Hurricane Helene was progressing, a woman in some version of Toyota SUV at a T-intersection to my near right looked me square in the eye and then pulled right out in front of and toward me. We were the only two cars on the road and while her head was on her shoulders, her brain was obviously up her backside.

 

[mecsw500]

This accident made me stop and think. How do I ride? Do I address risk appropriately? Do I ride within my skill level? Do I account for conditions and for the actions of other road users?

Now I’ve retired and don’t have to be anywhere at any particular time I’ve started to look back and think did I always ride like I should have, or evaluated risks to the best of my abilities?

As I’ve aged I know my response times and ability to evaluate the situation around me has gotten slower. I hate to admit it, but it’s true.

My recent trip to southern Utah became one of more about the scenery and the traveling experience than about enjoying the thrill of the ride. I was suddenly conscious of this gradual change in my thinking after reading about the accident.

At my age I’m suddenly more aware of my own mortality.

 

[Lctriple]

This accident made me stop and think. How do I ride? Do I address risk appropriately? Do I ride within my skill level? Do I account for conditions and for the actions of other road users?

Now I’ve retired and don’t have to be anywhere at any particular time I’ve started to look back and think did I always ride like I should have, or evaluated risks to the best of my abilities?

As I’ve aged I know my response times and ability to evaluate the situation around me has gotten slower. I hate to admit it, but it’s true.

My recent trip to southern Utah became one of more about the scenery and the traveling experience than about enjoying the thrill of the ride. I was suddenly conscious of this gradual change in my thinking after reading about the accident.

At my age I’m suddenly more aware of my own mortality.

In my experience, once you start realizing you might have done something wrong instead of the other guy, you'll be a much safer rider. I knew a guy who had many crashes on his Harley in intersections. It was always the others fault. Luckily for him, they were low speed and he never had any major injuries. He walked around like it was a badge of honor being in a bike accident. He definitely had a tuff guy attitude. However, he was a good guy also.

 

[vito1943]

I used to participate in charity rides years ago, but I no longer do so. Typically the group stops were at taverns where most of the riders indulged in their favorite alcoholic beverages (I would stick to Diet Coke or just water) and then the ride would move on to the next planned stop at yet another tavern. After the second stop of the ride it would start to become more obvious that some of the riders were starting to become impaired. By the third stop it was very clear that the group was become less and less safe. A few of these rides I just peeled off at some point and headed for home rather than taking the risk of staying with the group.

 

[mecsw500]

I think you make a wise decision there.

In our household, with three decades of sobriety, we avoid such rides. We have lots of sober friends to go riding with, have a lot of fun, and use coffee shops as stop overs.

Having seen the results of alcohol and riding over the years I know the two don’t mix well. The road traffic accident statistics bear this out.

 

[Lctriple]

I used to participate in charity rides years ago, but I no longer do so. Typically the group stops were at taverns where most of the riders indulged in their favorite alcoholic beverages (I would stick to Diet Coke or just water) and then the ride would move on to the next planned stop at yet another tavern. After the second stop of the ride it would start to become more obvious that some of the riders were starting to become impaired. By the third stop it was very clear that the group was become less and less safe. A few of these rides I just peeled off at some point and headed for home rather than taking the risk of staying with the group.

Been there done that. My wife and I organized a few bike runs over the years. We always got some complaints if there weren't any or enough bars to stop at. Why is it there's a large part of America that can't enjoy an event of any kind without beer being available? I have always kept my alcohol consumption separate from any events that I enjoy. I don't get it.

 

[jjc54]

If jzeiler is correct about the heart attack, I would say that was the major contributor. Probably take your mind off what you are doing.