Old Guy Soapbox (Motorcycle related)

[Alien]

Good Morning All, I need a minute on my soapbox:

This past weekend, I took a friend on a drive up and back on Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles, CA to Carmel, CA. It was a beautiful weekend on the California coast, perfect for riding but my friend doesn't ride so she and I were in my pickup.

On our way home, between Big Sur and San Simeon, we rounded a curve and something cought my eye. On the other side of the road, on the shoulder I saw a helmet sitting on the ground. Alarm bells started going off in my head and I turned around, stopped the truck and got out to investigate.

As I walked toward the helmet, I was looking into the gully. About 150 feet down I saw what was left of a full dress Harley.

I kept looking and sure enough, I found the rider about ten feet below the road on a nearly shear drop, holding on to vegetation to keep from falling. I ran back to the truck and told my friend to call 911. While she did that I went back to the rider.

He was hurt pretty bad. He was complaining of pain nearly everywhere, his shoulder was visibly dislocated and he was in distress.

I told him help was on the way and to stay still and I'd stay with him, just keep talking. He was in his 60's and one of those guys that you can tell has been riding for a long time. He had no recollection of the accident itself but I noticed that there were no skidmarks. He said he probably just went into the corner too hot.

He said that he had been laying there for a couple of hours and had heard countless cars and bikes go by in that time. I was the first one to stop. When he asked my why I stopped, I told him that it was because of his helmet. (which he had removed and thrown up on the road to try to get the attention of passing folks)

When I started riding, I was taught that a helmet on the ground (usually behind a bike) is a sign of distress. It's a sign that you never pass because someone needs help.

Here's my soapbox moment: It was getting dark when I stopped. The rider was in a gully with nearly shear drops and no visibility from any angle.

The fact is that that man had absolutely zero chance of climbing out on his own in his condition and he would have spent at least the night there. He might have died from exposure or his injuries during that time.

What saved his life is that he had the presence of mind to throw his helmet up onto the road and that I was taught 30 years ago what a helmet on the ground means.

That's it. There was no other reason to stop at all. No visible sign of an accident, no skidmarks, no crowd gathering around.

Just a helmet on the ground. A distress call.

Fellow greybeards, If we dont take the time and the responsibility to teach newer riders these things, it could be you or me or someone else we love that they ride past because they don't know any different. I think it's our job to pass on the knowledge and traditions that we have learned.

It was just a helmet on the ground but it meant something.

Ride Safe,
Alien

[Serk]

Wow, good on ya'!

I've heard the helmet thing, honestly not sure I would have stopped if I saw a helmet and that was all, but I think I would after reading that.

And glad he had the presence of mind to toss his helmet up so it was visible!

Any update on his condition, or was it a case of EMS showed up and that was all she wrote?

[Alien]

Once the paramedics showed up, I got out of their way.  I hope he's ok.

[RainMaker]

For that day, you were this guy's angel.  Thank you!

[Gryphon Rider]

Being a rider since 1990, my father riding, I think, eight years before that, and having ridden with a couple of different groups, including many years with CMA over that time, I've never been taught that "a helmet on the ground (usually behind a bike) is a sign of distress."  I've usually left my helmet on the bike rather than on the ground, but as motorcycle instructors we taught our students to put their helmets on the ground on top of their gloves as a measure to prevent them from falling off of a bike and damaging the helmet.

That being said, if I saw a lone helmet on the side of the road I would very likely investigate.  Over the years I've stopped to help many motorists, often finding them to be okay but appreciative that someone checked on them.

I'm glad you saw the helmet and that it said, "Someone's in distress!" to you.

[Alien]

Interesting.  I wonder if it's a local CA thing.

[Serk]

I've heard it for years here in The Republic...

Another is if you see another bike coming your way and there's a hazard ahead (Usually speed traps, but any sort of "Heads up" hazard) you pat the top of your helmet a few times...

[MAD6Gun]

 Very good job there. You probably saved his life or at the least saved him from laying there for a much longer time in pain. Good job.

[Gryphon Rider]

I've heard it for years here in The Republic...

Another is if you see another bike coming your way and there's a hazard ahead (Usually speed traps, but any sort of "Heads up" hazard) you pat the top of your helmet a few times...

From the days when that made sense because cop cars had a "cherry" on top.  I usually do the "hand pushing down" signal.

[old2soon]

         cursed good job on Saving another Bro!  All the years in the high seat of an 18 wheeler has taught me and I continue to this day to keep scanning the road-both sides-in front of you CONSTANTLY. Maybe if it isn't to much trouble a follow up to see How a fellow Rider is and mayhaps let us here know? RIDE SAFE.

[henry 008]

  great job! 

[baldo]

Great story, Scott. Real good to see you're still around.....

[Jack B]

A few years ago I was in a wayside and I put my helmet on the ground next to my bike and a guy came up and asked if I was alright and he told me the the helmet on the ground means trouble I didn't know that.

[Fazer]

Thanks for sharing this Alien.  I did not know the "helmet on the ground" signal, but I do now!  Lucky for that guy it was you driving by and not me.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I was taught the helmet on the ground behind the bike meant the rider was broke down and needed help. Thanks for sharing the story. (It’s good to see you post again) 

[Steve K (IA)]

I've known about the "helmet on the ground" thing forever.  But around here if I seen "just a helmet" on the ground and no bike, I would assume it fell off a Harley or bullet bike.  We don't have deep ravines or cliffs around here, mostly shallow ditches.  I see many of those guys riding around with no helmet on but one strapped on the back of their bike.
That guy was lucky you stopped to investigate.  Good job.  

[Valkorado]

   You are a good Samaritan.  Well done.

I know the helmet on the ground signal, but gotta admit that I place my full helmet on the ground by my bike pretty regularly.   When doing this I don't wander too far from the bike.

[Jess from VA]

Very good thinking, and very good job.  

I've ridden many many Appalachian places (alone) where if I went off the road (hurt too bad to climb out), I would probably become an archeology exhibit.

I've thought about carrying a whistle or some small loud noisemaker, but never have.  I often have a pistol and that will make some noise (but people would probably haul ass out of there, not stop).  

The bell on my bikes is worthless (unless it had anything to do with not going off the road in those places).  And anyway, if you're hurt, it's got to be on your person, not on your bike (wherever it ended up).

In decades of riding, I've not heard of the helmet on the ground thing.  Millions of folks (around here) leave their helmets under or next to their bikes (in the shade)  when they get off to eat, look, shop, walk around, etc.  But a helmet alone, in a gravelly mountain corner should give anyone pause.

I never put my helmet on the ground because of spiders and crawlies (already had a bee crawl in my ear hole, as deep as he could go, and I didn't care for it).  

[GiG]

Helmet on the ground, near the white line, facing traffic means "Injured Biker", I've done it (place a helmet near the road) several times in this club.
Some guys know what it means, some don't. I always thought it was universal for bikers. 

Good job, Alien!   

We were on Tail of the Dragon a couple years ago in October when those 2 HD riders went off the road and had no cell service in that remote area. They died many hours later. They were passed by hundreds of vehicles all day, but weren't found until too late, no skid marks or roadside helmets..

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Glad you stopped. Who knows what the outcome may have been, but you definitely improved the odds, no doubt.

I was taught two things about helmets when I was starting out. First, a helmet on the ground behind a bike meant a rider needing assistance. Second, always put your helmet on the ground because it will end up there anyway if hung on a mirror, bar end, or peg. Like in most areas of my life, I'm conflicted. 

I miss helmet locks that were standard on a few of my previous bikes. At least if someone just had to have my helmet, they were going to have to replace the strap that they were going to have to cut to get it.

[Bighead]

Good job Alien

[..]

You do have to ride aware.

A few years ago I'm riding sweep om a Valkyrie gathering down in Hattiesburg, MS.

Rusty ahead of me had noticed some bits of turn signal lens on the edge of the road. He didn't know why but he turned and went back just as I came into sight.

I too stopped and we found Rick V down in the ditch with bike close by.

I was able to call 911 and Rusty told me where we were as he attended to Rick.

Once the others in the group doubled back I tried to make another call from exactly the same spot. Others tried to as well. No one could get a signal.   

Rick V was bust up pretty bad and spent some time in hospital. His bike was pretty fubar'd as well.

[Oss]

you done good Alien   

This is a perfect example of a classy motorcycle thread

Thank you for that

[Hook#3287]

Awesome story!  Good catch.

Pat yourself on the back, you deserve it.

The helmet on the ground is new to me and I've been riding for over 5 decades.

[LTD]

your a hero Alien way to go. 

[msb]

I've known of the helmet placed on the ground at the rear of the bike as a sign of trouble (mechanical) here for decades, but not the helmet on the road one...although if I saw one by itself in the middle of or on the side of the road I think I would stop to take a look if  circumstances allowed. I certainly will after reading this.
Alien, good job... the rider was lucky it was you that happened along and recognized that sign 

[michaelyoung254]

Wow, you were in fact his Guardian Angel. I want to thank you for the presence of mind to stop and investigate because you very likely saved his life. Next, I would like to thank you for teaching me about the meaning of a helmet on the ground. Until now, I never heard of that before. Your "Soapbox" moment has taught me that if I ever see a helmet on the ground, I will absolutely stop to investigate the situation. I read your post to my wife, and now if either one of us ever sees this, we now know what we need to do.

Thank You!

P.S. I really think that you may want to share this on a larger media (Facebook for example) so it reaches a larger audience. A great number of people could learn from your experience. Maybe  the VRCC Facebook page would be a good place.

[cookiedough]

good to know, thanks for sharing.  The next time I see a helmet laying on or near the road all by itself, I will be sure to stop and look around for a cycle/rider laying down....  never heard of helmet on ground is a distress signal, but makes sense.

[Jess from VA]

What you don't want to find is a helmet with a head in it.

Not an uncommon experience in (military) aircraft accident investigations.

[Alien]

What you don't want to find is a helmet with a head in it.

Not an uncommon experience in (military) aircraft accident investigations.

Um...holy crap.  I spent 8 years in EMS and have seen some terrible stuff but that wouild top my worst day at work for sure.

[Jess from VA]

I suppose it's how you look at it.  For me, people still alive, screaming and bleeding out is always worse than dead folk.... they're relatively quiet (and you don't have to hurry).

I did two aircraft accident investigations (both B1B bombers), and fortunately no serious injury or loss of life (just screwed up aircraft, one losing an engine in flight).  But my (brief) training as an investigator scared the hell out of me.  I could participate in a shooting war, but I could not be a medic or do EMS.

I got shocky and puked just because the lawnmower split one of my fingers in two. 

[Robert]

I got shocky and puked just because the lawnmower split one of my fingers in two. 

  rough tough cream puff. 

My mother was an emergency room nurse one story kind of stayed with me. Truck driver came in with gloves on said he had a problem. Said he hurt his hand, took him into examination and proceeded to take his gloves off, his fingers came off with his gloves. Seems he put his hand on the loading dock and the truck went back and crushed his fingers off.


I never knew about the helmet thing but it seems just to be common sense why would a helmet be in the road?

Alien great story and good job 

[da prez]

  I had forgotten about that signal. I do watch tho. My wife can't believe how much I notice when we drive. I spot items on the road or shoulders she would never see. Good on you. You are his guardian angel . 

                                          da prez

[old2soon]

What you don't want to find is a helmet with a head in it.

Not an uncommon experience in (military) aircraft accident investigations.

              Been to a couple smokin holes in the ground made by U S N or U S M C aircraft augering in. Couple of the pilots had ejected. One of them didn't. Also drove an ambulance for a couple years in East Texas. Seen More than my share of mutilated human bodies. I also despise being the first at an accident scene-mine or someone else's. RIDE SAFE.

[hubcapsc]

I also despise being the first at an accident scene

One night, before they paved the little road to my house, I was coming in through a narrow
curve with banks on each side and... there was an upside down car in the road!  ... I had to get
out in the dark and look all in it to make sure there were no hurt people inside (there were none).

Creepy!

Police and firefighters and ambulance drivers have hard jobs!

-Mike

[old2soon]

I also despise being the first at an accident scene

One night, before they paved the little road to my house, I was coming in through a narrow
curve with banks on each side and... there was an upside down car in the road!  ... I had to get
out in the dark and look all in it to make sure there were no hurt people inside (there were none).

Creepy!

Police and firefighters and ambulance drivers have hard jobs!

-Mike

         Add wrecker drivers to this list. Sometimes when the wrecker driver-me in this case-shows up there is still "stuff" in the vehicle(s). Use your imagination. RIDE SAFE.