Wire mishap at top of hill ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dirtymotonut]

Yesterday while riding at one of my favorite tracks I almost decapatated my head!! Well some idiot decided that he did not want dirt bikes riding up a small hill to the parking area where previously we all ride and put up a thick wire fence about 4 feet high. There was no flags on this and I went screaming up at a fast rate of speed and at the top was the wire fence! Needless to say I saw it at the last mninute and tried my best to lift it up to go under(remeber I was going fast) and it caught my right arm flipped me off the bike, I landed back side on the top of my bike. My back now has a long chain mark and my right arm is completely cut off! (Just kidding!) It is so bruised that I can't even lift it up with out allot of pain! Why would they not flag the wire and save someones life as a child would have lost his head on this wire??The police said there was no reason for this wire to be there execpt that it was meant to hurt riders to keep them off where it is legal to ride. I flagged all the areas and moved bales to protect the next unsuspecting rider from the same. Just had to get that off my neck..... :bang: :yikes:

 

[Dirtymotonut]

Pics......

Here is the damage...Notice the bike chain design for the added effect of pain. And yes riding causes your bicepts to grow! :laugh:

 

[Airbus]

Sounds to me like you might have a legitimate lawsuit on your hands. If you were riding in an approved area, and had the landowners permission to be there, I say.....sue

We've had a couple of people complain about bikes and quads on my sisters land, but the sherriff tells us that as long as we are'nt out there for hours on end, and not at an hour of the day that people are trying to sleep, that we can ride as much as we wish....

 

[XRpredator]

on the other hand, if this was not a legit riding area, maybe you shouldn't have been there in the first place.

having said that, with our litigious society, you probably do have a case.

 

[Dirtymotonut]

It was legit place to ride as the police showed up and I asked about the area and he said it was fine to ride there and did not know why the wire was there and will look into it. I don't believe in suing except really good cases and I am still alive so I guess I will look before I ride agin and double check for traps set by angry farmers. Just don't understand why it was not flagged in a public riding track. Just was not my day! :)~

 

[Airbus]

Well if I read this correctly, you have a legitimate lawsuit, plus the farmer could be charged with trespassing, and intention to cause harm. An unmarked fence in an approved riding area would be considered trespassing. You should call the land owner and inform him/her about the incident. If you don't want to sue, the land owner may be interested in pursuing some other legal action on your behalf....


If it were me, I'd be pissed, and a lawsuit would be the LEST of their worries...

 

[Dirtymotonut]

Thanks for the advice. I will condsider all the options especially in a few days to see if my body repairs or if there is a posible broken rib. I am taking pain meds to feel better so once they wear off then I will see how I feel. Still feel like riding !:)~

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

That is some seriously deep bruising/bleeding. Number 1 reason I do not enjoy riding. Enclosed racing circuit, much safer. Heal fast and good luck!

 

[kschilk]

Similar thing happened to me, back in the '70s. Some jerk strung a 3/8 cable across our trail, between 2 trees and after a fast turn. I was bookin' and didn't see it, 'til the last second. Luckily, I just let go and raised my arms....the cable caught me across the chest and swept me off the bike. I had injuries much the same as you but I was more fortunate, the bike kept going for a couple hundred feet so I only hit the ground. I still tend to hesitate, on blind turns....it's something you never forget.

 

[Patman]

Sort of depends if the riding area is private property or not. If the fence was placed along the property owners property to keep people from accessing his land then he is in the right. No matter how much somebody thinks you should sue it's just a continuation of the same lack of responsibility attitude that has gotten us in the closed riding area mess we are currently in.

 

[Dirtymotonut]

The fence was on the riding track up above the parking and was legit to the track so it was a intentional wire just wish they had put up markers so people could see it BEFORE riding up the trail. I just hope that no little kid goes up as it would cut their throat as you have to go fast to get up the incline. I going to call the city where the track is and inform them that this is a dangerous place for a wire with out any flagging for others. Hopefully they will do something. I live 1 1/2 hours from this track or I would go back and snip the darn thing myself! :coocoo: :clue:

 

[XRpredator]

dirtymotonut,

Where is this track located?

 

[Dirtymotonut]

It is at Pilot Rock Oregon.

 

[kschilk]

Sort of depends if the riding area is private property or not. If the fence was placed along the property owners property to keep people from accessing his land then he is in the right. No matter how much somebody thinks you should sue it's just a continuation of the same lack of responsibility attitude that has gotten us in the closed riding area mess we are currently in.

No it doesn't....private land or not, whoever erected the cable and the landowner (if not the same person) are liable and in this case, could be charged with attempted manslaughter or attempted murder. There are laws regarding the posting of private property and the erection of gates, barricades, etc. The precedents are already there.

In my case, we had the landowner's permission to ride on his land...same with ALL adjoining property. The booby-trap was set by another individual, who had no right or permission to be on that land...let alone erect any barricades. It was just some sicko, trying to kill somebody just for kicks.

 

[Dirtymotonut]

I just e-mailed the city council and told them about it and am going to also call about this death trap.I am not a person to sue but the next one maybe due to death and I would hate to see anybodys kid die for the same simple fact that it is not marked or posted.

 

[Dirtymotonut]

Update: I talked with the city of Pilot Rock and talked with the same policeman I saw right after it happened and he is doing a investigation into who erected this wire. They are taking it seriously and hopefully will be resolved quickly. Like he said it was ok to ride where I was so I am not trespassing on any ones property there it is owned by the city. :bang: Can't wait to go ride again!! :laugh:

 

[2-Strokes 4-ever]

Good to hear you're not a sue-happy guy. However, when looking out for the best interest of all (like the kid thing you mentioned) this "wire runner" NEEDS to be found and held accountable. I know a guy that bears a truly nasty scar on his neck from like 20 years ago... scary. I always carry a role of orange ribbon when on the trails for issues similar to yours. Even some old fence wire (laying on the ground) can roll up around your hub and send you over the bars.

 

[Dirtymotonut]

Good to hear you're not a sue-happy guy. Unfortunatly I am girl with big arms and a sore back :nener:
I hear ya on the rolled up wire thing my friends son did it in their yard and fortunatly I was there as his mum didn't have a clue how to get the wire off the kid and bike. Goes to say can happen anywhere!
I will do the carry the orange tape thing for future needs. Great idea! How big of a pack do you carry??Where do you keep tools ,spark plugs ect for trail rides when needed? I don't think the idea of a pink basket on the front of my bike would do...... :laugh:

 

[2-Strokes 4-ever]

Sorry for the gender mix-up! Rolls of ribbon can be found at most farm and home stores, or even WalMart... they're a buck or two and usually 60-100 yards, but no bigger than about 3" in diameter. A Fanny Pack (like a waist purse only turned around backwards) will fit plugs, tools, on and on depending on how big of a bag you want to go with.
BTW... they make ribbon in pink too :whoa:

 

[Dirtymotonut]

No problem for the gender mix up.....happens every now and then online...musta been the masculine typing... :laugh: I like the pink ribbon maybe will go with my pink outfit..kinda like leaving a trail so people know where to find me...kinda easy with snares in the trails and tracks don't ya think :rotfl:

 

[Patman]

No it doesn't....private land or not, whoever erected the cable and the landowner (if not the same person) are liable and in this case, could be charged with attempted manslaughter or attempted murder. There are laws regarding the posting of private property and the erection of gates, barricades, etc. The precedents are already there.

In my case, we had the landowner's permission to ride on his land...same with ALL adjoining property. The booby-trap was set by another individual, who had no right or permission to be on that land...let alone erect any barricades. It was just some sicko, trying to kill somebody just for kicks.

I am quite familiar with landowner rights and posting laws, I'll venture more so than most including yourself. Perhaps because I am attempting to see the whole picture and not a mioptic litigation slanted view is what allows me to suggest that everything may not be as it seems. Remember there are always 3 sides to every story, both sides and the truth is in the middle.

Attitudes like yours create the problem of closing spaces for all of us to ride. Sue them! Sue them! Spewing the idea to litigate is what keeps most of the bottom feeding scum ambulance chasers in front of us in TV commercials and just cost everyone money and freedom.

BTW the sicko you refer to, how do you know for a FACT he was just trying to kill someone for kicks? Did he admit this in a sworn statement or is it perhaps just your speculation? :think:

 

[TRexRacing]

You can never booby trap anything.And I'm sure that falls under the description.Hope ya feel better soon.

 

[Patman]

I also re-read where the OP noted they were traveling at a fast rate of speed near a parking area. Generally this would be considered a pit area and is a 1st gear minimal throttle zone at every riding area I have been to be it established or tempory for race day.

It's been my experience that the reward for stupidity is generally some form of pain or sometimes worse.

 

[Dirtymotonut]

:aj: :eek: Trex,
Thanks already feel better...can not wait to get out agin to ride and see what the next adventure holds!! I honestly eat,sleep dirt bikes no matter what pain happens! I only wish I was 20 again and in top shape so by 43 I would be jumping like a pro! Maybe next saturday!! Saga will continue!! YAHOOOOOOO :eek: :aj:

 

[Dirtymotonut]

I also re-read where the OP noted they were traveling at a fast rate of speed near a parking area. Generally this would be considered a pit area and is a 1st gear minimal throttle zone at every riding area I have been to be it established or tempory for race day.

:laugh: Are the OP refering to old people? Yes for a OP a high rate of speed is fast...have you not been behind the elderly before??1st gear was pretty close at the end of the throttle I was on. Besides there was no-one at this place but me and the family so no-one was in any danger but the wire and I.
I appreciate your concern for OP :nener: :laugh: