Sunday night, after the Hooligans met to discuss the upcoming River Rally, Casey Cook crashed on Stassney between First and Manchaca. I was about three bikes behind him when it happened. We were heading down Stassney and it just felt like the right time to open it up a little. Dan took off on his Buell and we all gave chase. You knew, at that point, everyone was smiling in their helmets. We had just spent the last couple hours laughing and this was just the icing on the cake. When the speed wobble first started, I thought he was goofing around. It seemed to last an eternity. I thought he was going to pull it out until the thing kicked sideways and threw him in the air. In the silhouette of the street lights you could see bike parts flying, the Jackhammer spinning and destroying itself, and there was Casey.
I know at that moment we all had the same thought. Anyone who has ever seen something traumatic happen to a loved one or been through something like this has had the same thought: Normalcy is gone. From now on things will never be the same. I thought about his kids, his wife. I thought about the terror he was experiencing.
Next, it was all of us pulling off the road. Casey jumped up right away, jumping to the side of the road fueled on adrenaline. His clothes were torn, his forearms bleeding, his shoulder slightly slouched. He said he couldn’t believe that just happened. None of us could. I went back to the house to get my truck and some ice and towels. While I was on my way a passing EMT picked him up. He was in shock.
We took his bike back to the house and headed to the ER. His dad, sister, wife and everyone who was riding with him that night was there. It was great to see how loved he was. So many people who cared. Thank God the mood was light. It was good news: Casey was going to go home that night!
I was at the emergency room till past 1:00 am and had to be up by 6:00 am . I left for work, half dazed and tired. Same old thing, Monday morning. I looked at my passenger seat and saw the helmet Casey was wearing. All scratched up, deep gouges. My stomach turned.
Tho Hooligans are a tight bunch. Like brothers. We all know each others wife’s, kids. We share a lot and help when we can. If you get anything from this story just get this: Never mount your bike if you got a beef. Never let the sun set on your anger. You never know when the deck is going to be re-shuffled, or when your going to cash out. Be good to each other.
Oh yeah, and wear a helmet.
If you want to leave a comment telling Casey best wishes or get well soon, go ahead. You can also contribute to the Get Casey on The Road fund with the “Chip In” on the left sidebar.
Later
Danny
