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Nicky Hayden has passed.

2K views 22 replies 22 participants last post by  Scrambler900 
#1 ·
I am very sad at the loss of Nicky Hayden, who has succumbed to his injuries. He was a class act. Racing won't be the same.
 
#2 · (Edited)
This is very sad news that the Kentucky Kid has passed away. I was on my road trip when I was made aware of his being hit by a car while training on a bicycle in Italy. It's difficult to get my head wrapped around the reality that in all his years of motorcycle racing he managed to survive some horrific incidents and to succumb to injuries while riding a bicycle is difficult for me to comprehend.

This tragedy confirms the reality there are no guarantees in life... live each day as if it is your last and too the fullest.

RIP Nicky Hayden, aka, the Kentucky Kid.

Bob
 
#3 · (Edited)
I got to see him many times over the years, have several autographed posters he signed for me and have always thought of him as one of the great sportsmen and race spokesman in motorcycle racing. He may never be considered as one of the great winners of races he was in but always one of the most sportsman like fellows on the track. RIP hero
 
#5 ·
Disgusting news! I'm a cyclist and do training rides 3 times a week now but for a period of 5 years that ended a couple years ago a riding buddy and I did a hundred miles a week, (4/25's, totaling of over 25,000 miles), and I can tell you that I've had way more close calls riding bicycles than my sportbikes. No matter what you're driving or riding it should be done in a professional manner with full attention to the road and others on it. I see so many idiots out there that I'm sticking to the side streets these days as much as possible with bicycles. Too many distracted drivers with cell phones up to their heads or talking to passengers, eating or whatever else. RIP Nicky, we'll miss you.
 
#9 ·
Shocked and saddened by this terrible turn of events that Nicky was lost in such a fashion. I met his Mom and Dad at one of the NYC bike shows years ago, after Nicky won the GP title and while they were obviously thrilled for him, they were such kind and gentle people. My sympathies to his family and loved ones, a great loss for the racing community indeed.
 
#10 ·
In 2005 I was in the U.S. on home leave from Thailand. I flew to Sacramento where a buddy picked me up. We rode his bikes to Laguna for the first MotoGP race in the U.S. and watched Nicky win it, and then give his dad a victory lap. It was the greatest sporting event I've ever attended, and now will be an even more special memory.

Thank you, Nicky.
 
#11 ·
Really, Really terrible awful news. I'm always at odds with my riding buddy. He hates cyclists on the road and I try to change his mind towards a more tolerant viewpoint. He doesn't cycle but I do and at times I can see his point of view when some endanger themselves by ignoring common sense rules of the road. But, too many are maimed and killed on bicycles each year, both adult and children, a sorry state for sharing the road. RIP Nicky. I was in awe of what he could do on a super motard.
 
#12 ·
It is a shame. Motorcyclists should not be so amazed he was killed training on a bicycle. I raced and rode competitively on bicycles for many years. Bicycles have all the same risks motorcyclists do, with few of the mitigations. On a bicycle, you are subject to the same 2-wheel vehicle dynamics and inattention or malice from more protected motorists in cars and trucks, but you aren't wearing significant protective gear. You don't have the power or speed to get you out of danger.

Bicycles are more dangerous for experienced bicyclists than motorcycles are for experienced motorcyclists.

-Ed
 
#14 ·
Interesting take. I do see your point about "risk mitigation" though.

While this is ironic that a racer who is comfortable riding 200+mph, just inches away from a dummy (Pedrosa), gets injured/then killed by a car. Something we all are exposed to everytime we ride on public roads.

The Kentucky Kid was 1 of my favorites. Very sad indeed.
 
#16 ·
Truly sad. On the international motorsports stage where Americans struggle for respect and championships, Nicky was one of the all-time great ambassadors for the United States. If only we all could be so humble, kind, and genuine.

Without turning it into a debate of any sort: as a note, it has been reported that Nicky ran a stop sign at an intersection and was hit sideways by the oncoming car. While we motorcyclists/cyclists fight a daily battle against cagers, I for one will remind myself that it's not always their fault, and shall keep my rage in check. For once.

A few photos I took from Laguna 2005 when I snuck into the podium area.









 
#17 ·
Here (Bakersfield, Ca) it's legal to share the road with cars...to a point.
We passed a new ordinance a couple years ago giving cyclists a 3-5ft safe zone from motorized vehicles. You must work around the cyclist or suffer possible fines.
We have a big cycling community here and something needed to be done. We were losing cyclists on a regular basis.
Of course this ordinance wouldn't have helped Nicky if he ran a stop sign.
 
#19 · (Edited)
We have the 3 foot rule here in Southwest Florida and the worst record in the country for pedestrian and cyclist fatalities here in the county I ride in. What can I say, just too many cell phone users, medicated drivers
and other people not paying full attention to the road and other users of it. So sad to see Nicky pass this way.
 
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