fatal accident at Police Unity Tour
05-13-16, 10:44 AM
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fatal accident at Police Unity Tour
The Police Unity Tour is an annual charity ride from Morristown NJ to Washington DC (320 miles) in memory of police officers killed in the line of duty. In this year's tour, on Monday 5/9, retired Lieutenant Joseph Franklin was killed in a bike-on-bike accident. I didn't know the guy, but it has shaken me up a little bit because it happened about 8 miles from my house, on a road I cycle frequently.
RIP Officer Franklin.
RIP Officer Franklin.
05-13-16, 10:55 AM
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Thanks for your service officer Franklin. Here's wishing you eternal tailwinds.
05-13-16, 11:37 AM
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Franklin was involved in a dozen-bicycle pile-up.
I can only imagine that some bike part gored him somehow...
I can only imagine that some bike part gored him somehow...
05-13-16, 02:17 PM
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05-13-16, 02:23 PM
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05-13-16, 02:24 PM
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05-13-16, 02:30 PM
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According to this article, he suffered "severe head injuries".
05-13-16, 03:05 PM
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I can't tell. This photo seems to be associated with the page.
However, it is not clear if it is the guy who was killed. But, everyone in the photo does have a helmet on as far as I can see.
A helmet only reduces the odds of severe injury by something like 60%. Reduction in average severity?
Nonetheless, something like face to a pedal could cause significant harm.
Perhaps less emphasis on drafting with such diverse groups of riders? People get bunched up at the start of a ride, but they should begin to separate over the first few miles. At least a couple of hills did that on a recent ride I was on.
However, it is not clear if it is the guy who was killed. But, everyone in the photo does have a helmet on as far as I can see.
A helmet only reduces the odds of severe injury by something like 60%. Reduction in average severity?
Nonetheless, something like face to a pedal could cause significant harm.
Perhaps less emphasis on drafting with such diverse groups of riders? People get bunched up at the start of a ride, but they should begin to separate over the first few miles. At least a couple of hills did that on a recent ride I was on.
05-13-16, 03:16 PM
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According to this article, he suffered "severe head injuries".
05-13-16, 03:20 PM
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How sad.
05-13-16, 04:36 PM
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The road where the accident occurred is a 2-lane US highway with a narrow shoulder in the direction they were heading. Here's a photo:
05-13-16, 04:59 PM
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So the ride is 3x100+ miles? Long, but not impossible, especially if someone else carries all of one's gear.
I suppose there would be some benefits of drafting. I did go on a group ride where we weren't particularly drafting, but riding fairly close.
Then again, one might as well smell some of the roses.
Perhaps I'll try the STP sometime. I've heard that is a madhouse around the start.
I suppose there would be some benefits of drafting. I did go on a group ride where we weren't particularly drafting, but riding fairly close.
Then again, one might as well smell some of the roses.
Perhaps I'll try the STP sometime. I've heard that is a madhouse around the start.
