It is with a saddened heart that I'm writing this but feel the need to share with you all. This past Monday evening I received a Face Book Messenger message from fellow VFRD member sfdownhill's cousin. The gist of the message was, "Wanted to let you know Lance (His real name) was in some sort of accident and had to be airlifted to Chico Trauma center. He's being intubated at the moment but that's all I got. I'll keep you posted"
I reached out the next morning for further status and essentially got that he was still unconscious and intubated, and had suffered a "catastrophic brain injury". This is where my heart dropped. I was able to hear from his uncle later in the afternoon and he was trying to give me more details of what happened but I was having trouble hearing in the noisy environment I was in and essentially almost a zombie at that point. He basically todl me a little moer of what they new that they were waiting and hoping for some good news but it wasn't promising.
As of a few minutes ago, I heard back from his cousin again and he basically spelled it out, Lance was declared deceased a couple of days ago but they are keeping his body going so that his organs can be donated. If that doesn't say what kind of person Lance was, I don't know what would better say how giving he was.
I have tons of stories and fond memories from the time I first met him, the time we went on our first ride together, to him attending my wedding. I guess my wife liked him too, as we had a very short list of attendees, but Lance was one of them. I initially met him as an independent contractor whom he needed my services. At first we had a business relationship, but that quickly grew into a great friendship. Not only did we collaborate with work but with motorcycles, and other fun interest. I think our greatest collaboration was the WyLD header project.
It was only after a few big jobs that we did together that he said he had a big surprise gift for me, he told me that he bought us classes for the California Superbike School. I didn't know what to say and could hardly believe it, but again, that's how giving he was. I continued to work with him on and off for a few years until I got a full time job but still lent hand from time to time, he was my friend after all.
I could go on and on but not only is it hard to write this without tearing up but I also don't want this post to become a novel. I'll post some pics for those who may not have met him face to face and leave with this. Lance was a great friend and one I hope others can pattern themselves from, I will miss him. Godspeed Lance!
Here's Lance prepping his 5 Gen for our time working with the California Superbike School at Laguna Seca
He and I posing for the camera at turn 6 at Laguna Seca after our work was done. It was a great day of working/riding.
Here, I think I am explaining to him about my lines around Angeles Crest Highway. Looks like I had his interest.
On the same Angeles Crest Highway ride, the "Three Amigos". Mr smiles in front there is my brother Niel. The three of us did a lot of riding together, as well as attended that California Superbike School class together. As happenstance has it, Niel came up from Mazatlan to attend to a few things here in California and we were all supposed to celebrate tomorrow me getting my license reinstated. Lance was planning another great celebration for us but alas, it did not happen. 😞