Bob Shechtman
September 3, 1939 - December 4, 2002
Last year, May 2002, after I returned from the Georgia Mountain rally I visited BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids and ran into my buddy Bob there and told him of my trip. He was planning to go the following weekend himself, for his first ride on the Dragon (US 129 in Georgia) and was very excited about the trip, and hearing of my experience. The next time I saw him, in June, I asked about his trip. A very disappointed Bob told me personal things prevented him from making the trip. "There's always next year" I remember him saying. Sadly, it would not be, as Bob died from a massive heart attack in December, having never made it to the Dragon.
His death was quite a shock, having just been to the doctor for a checkup, he was pronounced healthy. My first reaction was this must be some sort of sick joke, but it was not. I promised my buddy Bob I would ride the Dragon for him this year on the way to the Georgia Mountain Rally, and I'd secreted away some of the cigarette butts and ashes from his desk, to leave at the top of the mountain, so a little piece of him would be part of the Dragon.
On the way to the rally this year, I encountered a lot of rain, and with a new rear tire on my motorcycle, opted NOT to challenge the Dragon on the way to the rally, but instead visit it on the way home Sunday. Shortly after getting on the Cherhola Highway, I had an accident of my own - a low speed slide along a guard rail resulting from a car coming across the double yellow lines onto my part of the lane, and me swinging a bit too wide in order to avoid a head on collision. Shaken, I was otherwise fine - no cuts, bruises, or dings. The bike looked MUCH worse, left mirror smashed, engine guard torn off, shift lever snapped, and left side bag hanging from the bike - it's hinge torn off and lost. Several locals stopped and helped me get the bike back on the road, it was in fine working order, just cosmetically challenged now, and I continued on to finish the last 90 miles of the ride.
Riding home Sunday, I had a decision to make: take the direct route, or take the Dragon. I was still a little spooked after the accident and was going to take the direct route home. The Dragon will always be there for next time. Yes, it would, but like Bob, perhaps I may not be. Life is a very fragile thing, and should be experienced and enjoyed every moment. As I approached the point where I would make the turn to the Dragon, or continue on to the interstate, I recalled my promise to my buddy Bob, and recalled that fragility of our own lives. In addition, a good friend, Diane, was involved in an accident on the way to the Georgia Mountain rally and was currently laid up in the Atlanta Medical Center ICU with several fractured vertebrae. I HAD to go ride the Dragon, for myself, for Diane, and for Bob, because there may not be that 'tomorrow' we so often take for granted. I turned right and followed the path to the Dragon.
The day was beautiful, it could NOT have been any more perfect. Others also felt the same, as the Crossroads of Time was packed with bikes. I stopped in and bought a few items, then prepared for my jaunt through the Dragon. I didn't ride it for time, like the canyon carvers and slick crotch rocket riders, instead concentrating on my riding, I was definitely a little hesitant when it came to left hand curves, and I was going to need to get over it - and this was a darn good site to do so! I made it to the top, and stopped. Took the helmet off, looked around, then broke out the little ziplock baggie of what little remains I had of Bob and let them loose at the top of the mountain. Godspeed Bob... we made it buddy!
Additonal link to memories others have shared of Bob: http://www.bmwmcgr.com/bobshechtman.htm
