Oh, This Sucks

From the Casper, WY Tribune:
Nearly four decades ago, when they were newlyweds, Barry and Pam Strang had a date night ritual.
Every Friday, they would eat Mexican food for dinner, stop by Baskin-Robbins for dessert and top the night off with an ogle at the next-door Harley Davidson shop.
Pam wasn’t as taken with the idea of a motorcycle as her husband was. For the 38 years they were married, she vetoed the idea — they were too dangerous, she said.
But at 59, amidst his semiretirement, Barry decided it was time.
“It’s on my bucket list,” he told her. Not just a motorcycle. A Harley. Pam finally acquiesced, but advised him he would be riding solo despite his enthusiasm to take her for a spin.  
He’d spotted The One at a shop in Lander. It was a 2013 model. It was frill-free.
“I don’t want fancy stuff,” Barry told his wife. “I don’t want something I have to clean. It just fits me.”
On June 27, Barry was fixed to realize his lifelong dream. He and Pam would drive together from Casper to the dealership just outside of Lander, then split up.  She would check up on a quilt she had ordered and he would break the ride in around Lander. They would rendezvous later at the Riverton casino.....
Pam said she had a sinking feeling by the time she reached the Amish furniture store. She got back in her car.
“Next thing I know I’m hearing sirens,” she said. “And I know it’s him. I could feel it.”...
Barry felt no pain when he died, the coroner said.
He was riding his long-awaited Harley Davidson northbound on Highway 789 when he negotiated a right-hand curve and, for unknown reasons, collided with the drive axles of a truck tractor, according to Wyoming Highway Patrol report. Strang was ejected from the motorcycle and went under the tractor-trailer. His helmet flew 30 feet away, Pam said later. It didn’t make much difference.
He had driven just three miles.
Pam waited for 45 minutes in backed-up traffic until she could reach her husband. She called her sister, who tried to assure a hysterical Pam that it wasn’t Barry. Pam said she knew better.
“I felt him,” she said.
Pam said she feels no anger or resentment at the cruel irony of the situation. Her husband lived his life to the fullest and died living life to the fullest, she said.
“It was something he wanted his whole life,” Pam said. “It’s like my son said, ‘Dad went out with the biggest smile on his face.’”   
Barry felt no pain when he died, the coroner said.
He was riding his long-awaited Harley Davidson northbound on Highway 789 when he negotiated a right-hand curve and, for unknown reasons, collided with the drive axles of a truck tractor, according to Wyoming Highway Patrol report. Strang was ejected from the motorcycle and went under the tractor-trailer. His helmet flew 30 feet away, Pam said later. It didn’t make much difference.
He had driven just three miles.
Pam waited for 45 minutes in backed-up traffic until she could reach her husband. She called her sister, who tried to assure a hysterical Pam that it wasn’t Barry. Pam said she knew better.
“I felt him,” she said.
Pam said she feels no anger or resentment at the cruel irony of the situation. Her husband lived his life to the fullest and died living life to the fullest, she said.
“It was something he wanted his whole life,” Pam said. “It’s like my son said, ‘Dad went out with the biggest smile on his face.’”   
Barry felt no pain when he died, the coroner said.
He was riding his long-awaited Harley Davidson northbound on Highway 789 when he negotiated a right-hand curve and, for unknown reasons, collided with the drive axles of a truck tractor, according to Wyoming Highway Patrol report. Strang was ejected from the motorcycle and went under the tractor-trailer. His helmet flew 30 feet away, Pam said later. It didn’t make much difference.
He had driven just three miles.
Pam waited for 45 minutes in backed-up traffic until she could reach her husband. She called her sister, who tried to assure a hysterical Pam that it wasn’t Barry. Pam said she knew better.
“I felt him,” she said.
Pam said she feels no anger or resentment at the cruel irony of the situation. Her husband lived his life to the fullest and died living life to the fullest, she said.
“It was something he wanted his whole life,” Pam said. “It’s like my son said, ‘Dad went out with the biggest smile on his face.’”   http://trib.com/news/local/casper/casper-man-fulfills-lifelong-dream-dies-three-miles-later/article_1e0acb38-0309-5c6e-846e-439d30170b7b.html
Somehow, I just think if took some classes, we might have had  Mr. Strang a little longer.
Just another reason why I don't drive a motorcycle- I don't trust myself... and other drivers on the road.
But to drive just 3 miles on a new Harley and kick the bucket, that just sucks.