Somewhat Unrelated

So this has nothing to do with my diet and excersize, yet really does.

As you know I was in not one, but two motorcycle accidents and miraculously survived both without a broken bone or drop of blood shed. Since then my fear of rising increased as well as my longing to ride again. But I think i may give it up for good as I continue to hear more stories of death and dismemberment and less of the joys and conveniences (you cant really argue with death and dismemberment anyway).

So after hearing so many awful stories, this morning someone I actually sort of knew was killed in a motorcycle accident. This really upsets me.
I have swirling feelings of anger, sadness, great joy (that i am alive) and fear (that this will happen to someone I love).

I would like to think Craig Hightower is in some fluffy cloud place with a big open road and no SUVs!

If you're curious read his blog

If you are morbidly curious:
They haven't contacted the family yet so his name was not released.

UPDATE: Motorcyclist dies in downtown Oakland accident
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Article Last Updated: 08/14/2007 01:03:11 PM PDT

OAKLAND - A man was killed Tuesday morning near Chinatown when the
motorcycle he was riding was brushed by a SUV causing it to hit a
parked car
and eject him into a retaining wall, police said.

The name of the dead man, a 42-year-old Alameda resident, was not
released
pending notification of relatives.

The name of the SUV driver, who police said was a Coast Guard enlisted
man,
was not released.

The incident happened about 6 a.m. in the 100 block of Seventh Street,
between Jackson and Madison streets.

Traffic Officer James Gordon said both vehicles had come out of the
Posey
Tube into Oakland from Alameda and were going eastbound on Seventh
Street.

He said the Coast Guard member told police he was on his way to work at

Government Island in Alameda and that police believe the motorcyclist
was
also on his way to work, but they are not sure where.

Gordon said the motorcyclist was in the extreme right lane which the
SUV — a
Chevrolet Equinox — was trying to get into.

He said the preliminary investigation indicates the SUV apparently
brushed
the motorcycle, making it hit a parked vehicle and jump a curb where
the
rider was ejected into a cinder block wall, causing fatal injuries.

The SUV driver was questioned and released pending further
investigation.

**************************************************

I've known Craig for over 6 years and have been on many rides with him.
He
is one of the most experienced riders I've ever met. I can't believe
this
could happen to him of all people. I just had dinner with him and some
other
friends last week at Lanesplitter in Berkeley. First time I'd seen him
in
close to a year. I can't believe it was the last time ever.

Craig was also one of the kindest and most giving people on this
planet.
There is nothing he wouldn't do to help someone in need. He loved his
family, his friends and ESPECIALLY his cats. His passion for
motorcycling
and kayaking took him far and wide and he loved to write about his
adventures on his Backroads Boogie website.

This world has lost one of the best. I am truly heartstricken and send
my
deepest regrets to those closest to him.

We love you, Craig. You are forever remembered.

Evelyn


There's a report on BARF -- http://bayarearider sforum.com/ forums/showthrea d.php?s=& postid=3337328# post3337328 -- that Craigh was killed this morning in a collision with an SUV, possibly while on his way to work in Fremont.

I never met him and I'm sorry I didn't. He seemed like a great guy.

RIP Craig Hightower

I really think this is yet another wake up call to get my butt in shape and be the strongest, healthiest, best version of myself I can be ... and with any luck live a pretty long life.