06-03-2010, 04:06 AM
I agree with the people who are concerned with the speed and total disorganization of some of the cruises. At G-13, we were following the lead cars to the Varisty. We were running over 90 and could not stay up with the the lead cars. About the time I decided to slow down a minivan changed lanes and almost stopped right in front of me. We came within two feet of rear-ending that minivan. Betty was pissed at me for taking chances, and she stayed mad the rest of the weekend. It was time for an underwear change.
That episode was one of the reasons we seriously considered not coming to G-14. I made a promise to Betty that I would get addresses before each event, and map it out on the computer. We then use the GPS, sort of obey the speed limits, or at least not be driving 100 MPH in heavy traffic.
I work in a busy ER, and believe me. Seeing people busted up in car accidents is a sobering experience. Betty and I have seen people with thier legs and private parts burned off, but still alive, and still awake. There was one 17 year old brought in by EMS with a wiper arm stuck though his chest and out of his back. One does not recover from those kinds of injuries. The lucky ones are the ones killed outright in the wreck.
Most of us like to go fast. I like to go fast, but it is not worth the risks. I'll save my going fast for a closed track with no minivans full of kids.
Maybe the cruise hosts could start pacing all of the cars following, and like others have observed, we will make a better impression on others by arriving as an organized group, instead of acting like we are at Daytona.
That is my only real gripe. Otherwise the Gathering rocks, and is one of the highlights of the year.
As it was, the cruise to Joe's Crab Shack was pretty tame. We were 10 or so cars behind the lead, drove 65, and pulled in right about a minute after the lead car.
All we need is for someone to get injured or killed, and the lawsuits could end the Gathering for good.
That episode was one of the reasons we seriously considered not coming to G-14. I made a promise to Betty that I would get addresses before each event, and map it out on the computer. We then use the GPS, sort of obey the speed limits, or at least not be driving 100 MPH in heavy traffic.
I work in a busy ER, and believe me. Seeing people busted up in car accidents is a sobering experience. Betty and I have seen people with thier legs and private parts burned off, but still alive, and still awake. There was one 17 year old brought in by EMS with a wiper arm stuck though his chest and out of his back. One does not recover from those kinds of injuries. The lucky ones are the ones killed outright in the wreck.
Most of us like to go fast. I like to go fast, but it is not worth the risks. I'll save my going fast for a closed track with no minivans full of kids.
Maybe the cruise hosts could start pacing all of the cars following, and like others have observed, we will make a better impression on others by arriving as an organized group, instead of acting like we are at Daytona.
That is my only real gripe. Otherwise the Gathering rocks, and is one of the highlights of the year.
As it was, the cruise to Joe's Crab Shack was pretty tame. We were 10 or so cars behind the lead, drove 65, and pulled in right about a minute after the lead car.
All we need is for someone to get injured or killed, and the lawsuits could end the Gathering for good.