:thumbsup: Jelster

You know. You are right. We dont know what he was doing, and I shouldnt jump to conclusions. To me speeding seemed likely, but strictly speaking, who knows. Maybe we will find out.

This is all really hard to say here. I drive every day. I take risks, and I think about those risks. If I hurt myself, my girlfriend suffers. And my Dad. And my Mum, and sisters. And, Jelster is completely right, its a bit selfish. But, I love it. I love driving bikes.

But, what I mean is, this business of doing insane speeds on public roads... its not fair.

I just cant agree with this, you know "ride quickly, ride free, your risks, your choice" sort of ethos. But, you *have* to factor in other people. Its not just about you. Its potentially about hurting some one who is just minding their own business.

Agreed. Could be the brakes/tyres squealing and the person in the car only noticed them when they were that close. The noise and acceleration of bikes really throws Joe Public's perception of how fast you're going. If you 0-30 in 2 seconds from the traffic lights, people think you're going hell for leather, even though you're not speeding per se.

Although not relevant in this instance, I would agree with PhilipMac's "at those speeds anything is your fault" entirely. It simply isn't reasonable to expect a driver to see your headlight half a mile away and think, "Hmm that bike could be doing 160- I'd best not pull out, I'll wait here till they're gone". I nearly became a statistic doing an overtake at about 60 (in a 40 zone). It was a long straight, at night, not much traffic about, car in front was holding me up (doing 30 when it would have been safe to do a sustained 50-60). I pull out to overtake, absolutely bags of room till the bend, nothing in the oncoming lane. I commit to the overtake. A car (couldn't make out what it was, but it was very flash, a "proper" sportscar) came flying round the bend and straight towards me at what I'd say was 100+. Fortunately I moved in close to the side of the car I was overtaking and he ducked in nearer his kerb and I only felt the wind whip past me as he went by.

Had it been an accident, it'd go down as "both the biker and car driver were reported to be speeding by a witness of the accident. The biker was in the oncoming lane when it collided with the car." It'd be recorded as my fault for that reason. Sure, it's a contributory factor, but overtakes like that are done by thousands of bikers a day and normally in complete safety. You can't ride like a car may come the other way/into view at "silly speeds" all the time. By the same token, when doing silly speeds myself, I slow to near legal (usually not more than 20 mph above the posted limit) when crossing junctions/turnings etc. regardless of whether or not I have right of way. A car should expect people to be speeding a bit and should leave margins to at least allow you to break when they pull out.

Doing silly speeds isn't inherently socially irresponsible. If you genuinely stick to the "stop within the distance you can see to be clear" rule and ride within your limits, it's not a problem. I recounted to some (non-biking) friends that I was doing 110 along a country lane with a posted 50 limit at the weekend. As usual, it was all "reckless", "get yourself killed" etc. etc. However, as soon as the road ahead twisted out of view, I slowed down to about 90, even though there was no visible danger. I saw a warning sign showing a turning onto the bend ahead, I backed off even more to about 70. Sure enough, I can see a car up ahead. I immediately start breaking fairly heavily, the cars indicator flashes, the car is stopped in my lane, about to turn into the road to the right. I continue breaking heavily, eventually near-stopping with about 60ft to spare (I intentionally carried on to right up behind the car at a low speed so anything behind me would have more space to stop/react in). I don't want it to come across as showing off, but if you have the skill and restraint to slow down to appropriate speeds when you see potential hazards like that, riding fast when it's appropriate isn't dangerous. I'd say 155 on an open motorway is safer than situation I described, so I won't criticise him for that.

Re: Record speed nut dies - from todays papers.
 

Four years on from the accident and nothing still seems normal without him here. Noone really knows the truth of what happened besides the family and close friends around Lee. Calling him a speedy nut etc i find degrading to my uncle and its upsetting to the family. I will not forgive how the media portrayed him at the time of the accident. My uncle loosing his life is not a debate to be talked about. It isnt some kind of gossip to be discussed on whether what happened that day was his fault or not. What happened that day will live with my family and my cousin forever and it will also stick with the young woman driving the car involved. And for anyone who questions that he was an idiot to leave his son behind. My response to that is that he never would have chosen to leave his family behind. The piece of information that makes this day every year even harder for the family is that it was his sons 13th birthday 4 years ago today. And today he turns 17. Every year is a struggle for my family. And having read all these comments years ago i am now only at a point where i am able to reply.
Noone can ever really know what happened that day.. and i dont think fully it can ever be explained. But i am and always will be proud of my uncle for sticking by what he loved even though it had dangerous outcomes. He never once stopped fighting for his life. When trying to stand up after the accident telling the officer he had to see his son to say happy birthday and that he loved him. And how there was nothing wrong with him he could get up. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Everyone i know who knew lee couldnt say a bad word about him. Only that he loved him family, he was bike mad and could never fail to put a smile on anyones face. "no work today, the sun is shinning" was his saying. And it is exactly the quote he lived by. Rest In Peace Uncle Lee. Ill never forget you.You will always be missed by more people than you know. Iloveyou <3

Re: Record speed nut dies - from todays papers.
 

Had to double check dates there for a sec but I never heard about this, RIP.

Re: Record speed nut dies - from todays papers.
 

Beddis, it will never feel normal again. You've lost someone you love and that will always be with you. The only thing that gets better with time is that we are able to think of that person and smile more than we cry. Judging by the reports, nobody had a bad thing to say about your uncle that knew him. Yes, speeding is reckless and I do believe that the majority of motorcycle accidents are avoidable but it's pointless discussing that in this thread as we don't know what caused this particular accident.

Everybody speeds, everybody breaks the law in some way through life and we all have ways of justifying our actions. If we speed, we say it was ok because we were on a quiet, empty road and so on.

It's horrible to think of the son, partner and family that were left behind. My uncle killed himself and that is a truly selfish act, so I for one can see that what is needed here is sympathy for the family and friends and so my thoughts are with you.

Re: Record speed nut dies - from todays papers.
 

I have come accross this forum today through a search for a totally unrelated matter and felt compelled to join the forum and post some response.

I was fortunate enough to know Lee and endorse what his nephew has stated.

Lee was doing on that day what 99% of those reading this forum would have been doing on a country road. Because he had that previous conviction it is understandable that some will jump to conclusions but please do not disrespect him by voicing opinion in this very public manner.

Lee was overtaking a car that having joined the road just ahead of him, pulling out at what could loosely be described as a staggered junction, just as suddenly turned right into a concealed entrance accross Lee's chosen avoiding route.

I can simply say that "there but for the Grace" certainly applies in this case.

Lee you are sadly missed by all your friends and acquaintances, had a cup of tea at your memorial table on Monday.

Re: Record speed nut dies - from todays papers.
 

I have to say I would have been fairly proud of the conviction myself.

Its unfortunate that he happened to die so soon after it, the media love that sort of crap.

RIP

Re: Record speed nut dies - from todays papers.
 

Horrible news, never nice to know this happened.

It is easy to tar him with the brush of being an idiot. Depending on just where he was doing this speed he could well have been but we dont know! To be fair though he obviously enjoyed bikes and so he died doing what he enjoyed. Fair play I guess.

RIP

Re: Record speed nut dies - from todays papers.
 

Well said that man, and well said Mrs Jelster.

Its not for us to judge without all the facts.