Baldy's West Fest report

[Baldy]

Most important part first. On Saturday afternoon, Shoganai crossed the parking lot on her bike with her son Jonathan on the back and it made us all smile. They were so happy.





At the Saturday night awards, where Shoganai got an award for being ADVrider's mom of the year, Steverino had the look of a man in love with a remarkable woman:



How suddenly and horribly things changed on Sunday morning as they left for home on the East Coast. A nail in Shoganai's rear tire caused the bike to fishtail off the road and throw her and Jonathan down a rocky embankment towards the river.

As she bravely tended to Jonathan, Steve said, "The adventure spirit is alive in her and she wants to know why no one is taking photos." So Ms.Chiff and I got our cameras. Ms.Chiff took this one:



When Jonathan made it to the gurney, it ripped my heart out to see Shoganai cradling his head and holding his hand, fighting back tears.



I was looking at the following shot on the back of my camera and said to Ms.Chiff, "This image will stay with me a long time..." I didn't know Steverino was passing behind me. When he saw it, he let out a gutteral "ugh" and recoiled. Then he asked me not to post the pics until Shogs said okay. I told him they'd stay on my hard drive unless she wanted them posted.

Yesterday I got a PM saying, "Shogs says post 'em." She hasn't even seen them. I bow to her.



That photo caused me to fight back tears, so I felt awful for inadvertently showing Steve. I could hear him sniffing while he talked to officers, so I asked my camera what he must be going through. Here's the camera's answer:





A bunch of us were heading out to ride and take shots, but after Steve, Shogs, and Jonathan left for the hospital, none of us felt like it.

You can't imagine how happy we were when Steve returned with great news, that Shogs was good enough to ride home and Jonathan may have broken some ribs but he was going to be fine.

We went out riding to celebrate.

[civhatch90]

good to hear he will be fine to keep riding!!

[cbxtc6]

Those are some beautiful photos of a horrible event.
I'm so glad everyone's ok!! (broken ribs do suck, though)

I hope Steve's bike makes it back to him in one piece!

[nomiles]

Amazing real life pics!

what a huge mood swing from photo 1 to photo 8, wow.

Glad they're going to be OK.

[Sparkdaddy]

Great photos Baldy! You know how to capture a moment. Glad they are doing well.

[Fat Toney]

Thanks for posting, Im really glad that everyone is ok...

[Flood]

Very moving images. Thanks, boss!

[Bake]

Brings tears here..thank you, good sir, for giving me as much info as needed that this accident would spare my friends a terrible result. I just saw them last week! The three of them were riding big miles, day after day, yet were full of enthusiasm...it breaks my heart to see these pics. Steverino looks like a different man..it must have been so hard.
Heartfelt best wishes for them all, heal quick brave soldiers.

Bake

[Trip]

Thanks for that Baldy.




I'm so very glad they are OK. Some very special folks to me.

[Chanderjeet]

Its sad that such an event happened. Shoganai is one of those living legends who inspire. I dont know her personally but with all that i read, i can say this....."One heck of a rider and one heck of a Mom". Must not have been easy during that moment.....

Hoping your son gets soon well. I hope you are OK too.
Heartiest and sincere wishes from india..


~Chanderjeet

[sas]

Wow.

Prayers for Jonathan's recovery, Shogs. You did a wonderful job in an unthinkable situation.

[Oni]

Wow...those are some heartbreaking photos!!!

Glad he will be alright with "only" some broken ribs.

I do SAR/EMS and hate seeing scenes like that! Glad this one has a good ending!

Hope you feel better soon Jonathan!!!

[hilslamer]

Baldie's camera captured every emotion on those folks faces, and then some. I helped load Jon on the gurney, and listened to him groan in pain.

I don't have words to express any more - the pictures do it all.

[Rad]

Wow! I'm glad he is ok,

[FatChance]

Our hearts went up into our throats when we heard the police cars and ambulance flying by "hot" so early on Sunday morning. We were hoping against hope it wasn't someone from the rally, but knowing it probably was. I'm glad Gwen was OK and Jonathan is better than we first feared. He is a brave young man and fully deserves his "N00b of the Year" award in so many ways.

And I have to add a very special thanks to all the "usual" heroes in our midst who stepped up without hesitation to help when the need arose! This group of adventure riders is a fine family indeed!

FatWife's and my thoughts and good wishes are with Steve, Gwen and Jonathan!