Injury, cold can’t stop stunt rider’s return
BLACKHAWK ISLAND — A TV crew from California may have picked the best—or worst—weekend to visit Wisconsin to film a motorcycle stunt team performing on the north end of Lake Koshkonong.
“Completely insane,” was how Jason Britton, host of Super Bikes! on the Speed channel, described the stunts being performed Saturday afternoon as the wind chill dipped near 20 degrees below zero.
Members of the Vertical Mischief stunt team had been talking with producers of the show for more than two years to set up the filming, said Ryan Suchanek, a team member from Milton.
A segment from their five-day trip will appear on a Super Bikes! show during the second week of March, producer Zach Siglow said. Vertical Mischief is the first stunt team to modify street bike tires for ice and perform stunts, Suchanek said.
“It’s visually stunning,” Siglow said, looking out over the shiny iced track as ice crystals formed around his face. “But it’s cold. Really cold.”
But the cold wasn’t the only challenge facing Suchanek, 26.
After suffering massive injuries Oct 5. when he “totaled out a Chevy Lumina with the left side of my body” while driving his motorcycle on Bowers Lake Road, Suchanek is back on his bike.
Suchanek’s left foot was severed, and doctors amputated his leg just below the knee. He was in the hospital for more than a month with injuries including a broken femur and collar bone, a fractured skull, bleeding in his brain and broken ribs.
Being a stunt rider probably saved his life, Suchanek said, because he knows how to properly crash and was wearing the best protective gear.
“My helmet saved my life. There’s no question in my mind,” he said.
Yet he still fractured his skull—something that is prompting him to set up seminars on helmet safety with his Janesville sponsor, Parts Unlimited, he said.
“I put a lot of thought into when I’m going to start riding again,” he said. “And what better time and place than in front of Speed TV on ice—the most dangerous way.”
He’s still adjusting to a prosthetic leg he got last week, but the new leg allowed him to get back on his bike when the TV crew arrived this week.
He lives by the saying “You’ve got to be in it to win it,” and his goal is to become the first rider in the world with a prosthetic leg to compete and earn a podium finish in a stunt competition.
“If I’m going to ride, I’m going to do this like I used to,” he said.
Teammate Joe Beavers said he wouldn’t expect anything less of Suchanek.
“It’s in your blood,” Beavers said. “You can’t tell him not to do it.”
Suchanek said it felt good to get back to “business as usual,” thought it’s earlier than his doctors would like, he said.
“They definitely don’t think I’m healed enough,” he said. “But I’m also definitely not one of those people that are going to sit in their bed all day.”
While he works to regain full motion in his left knee, he’s enjoying the opportunity to show warm-weather motor sports fans what his team can do on a cold, frozen Wisconsin lake.
“People from California, Florida and Texas don’t understand what goes on in motor sports (here in the winter),” Suchanek said.
“This is kind of like our chance to give them a little taste—and making these Speed TV guys freeze.”
Jan 22, 2008 at 11:09 a.m.
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First, I would like to thank those of you who didn't jump on the bandwagon to condemn the driver of the car, like it was stated, the driver of the car WAS NOT AT FAULT! The only fault she had was being in the wrong place at the wrong time! I am glad to hear that Ryan is doing ok but I have no sympathy for him because it was his lack of regard for himself and anybody else that might have been on that road that caused his accident. The driver and her passenger were on their side of the road when THEY were hit. Just before Ryan hit them, he passed another car at a very high rate of speed (yes he was speeding)and when he came around the curve it was he who was on the wrong side of the road, that is why HE hit the side of her car. Not only did he total her car, but he could have killed her because of his lack of respect for driving laws. I understand that there are alot of accidents where a motorcyclist is hit because of inattentive drivers, but this was not the case. I do know the facts to the accident because I was there right after it happened so before you all jump on a bandwagon to condemn people, you should know the whole story. Just because a person is well known doesn't make them innocent. Anybody who questions the accident should go the sheriff's dept. and request a copy of the accident report. It tells all.
Jan 22, 2008 at 10:27 a.m.
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I also want to say that I don't know Ryan, but I've heard he's a nice guy. I'm not judging anything he did and I'm sorry for what happened in October. I hope he's able to get back to doing what he loves at the level he was able to do it before. Bowers Lake Road is definitely a bad road to drive on. Accidents happen and hopefully that's all this was and not the result of someone being reckless.
Jan 22, 2008 at 10:16 a.m.
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According to CCAP, Suchanek was cited for deviating from traffic lane and Unreasonable and Imprudent Speed. The case is pending and court appearances are scheduled. I wasn't there so I don't know what happened, but it sounds like this could be another case of somebody driving recklessly. The type of vehicle here is irrelevant. It would be wonderful to see people driving more responsibly.
Jan 22, 2008 at 1:23 a.m.
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Well mikki, I've been on Bowers Lake road and seen cars cross the centerline in that corner where he got hit. Its a blind corner.
Jan 21, 2008 at 11:17 p.m.
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The only thing to remember when riding a motorcycle...you are invisible! It has nothing to do with a safety course making you better. The same as I have been cut off numerous times while on a mc, I also see idiots on "crotch rockets" at high speeds weaving in and out of traffic with no regards to anyone else. Too many people in cars and on mc's are in too big of a hurry, talking on cell phones, pre-occupied and not paying attention. You can't point a finger at one without pointing it at the other!
Jan 21, 2008 at 10:17 p.m.
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Can someone enlighten me as to who was found at fault in this accident, or even better, does anyone have a link to the original story about it? Just curious because of the post stating "I don't think motorcycle people need safty courses. They are always looking out for that car or truck that my pull out in front of them,or cut them off. The people that drive these cars and trucks need the training."
Jan 21, 2008 at 6:58 p.m.
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Mikki- miyata321's point is that there are many people that drive cars and trucks that don't pay attention to people on 2 wheels. I don't think motorcycle people need safty courses. They are always looking out for that car or truck that my pull out in front of them,or cut them off. The people that drive these cars and trucks need the training. And yes I do ride a motorcycle.
Jan 21, 2008 at 2:12 p.m.
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Oh, so you have a police report that the aforementioned Chevy Lumina was at fault here, myata?
If not, what was your tirade about?
Jan 21, 2008 at 12:26 p.m.
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"Stupid is as stupid does" -- Mama Gump.
Jan 21, 2008 at 11:48 a.m.
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One heck of a time out at Stinker Bay on Saturday. Freezing cold out there with the wind chill and a lot of people made it out to beat the cold and support the group. Camera's were everywhere, a filming helicopter, interviews, and even a sunken honda civic. It was a great time for everyone even with the cold.
Jan 20, 2008 at 10:42 p.m.
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Way to go Ryan! You're what many people would label a "hero" in their eyes.
Jan 20, 2008 at 7:55 p.m.
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jvlgrl, its more of a time to teach people how to just drive a car safely and PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD. People dont watch for bikes (motor or pedal). They are off in their little "I'm more important than anyone on the road" world.
Try riding motorcycles around Janesville, especially on Center Ave, Milton Ave and Milwaukee. Constantly having people cut you off, try to get in the SAME LANE as you are in and my all time favorite, the idiots who pull out IN FRONT OF A BIKE. Then we have people that cant keep their car in their own lane in a turn or just turn left in front of a motorcycle (biggest cause in a car vs bike crash).
Hell I went down in 1999 in the janesville plaza parking lot at 5mph after some retard in a red dodge stealth cut between parked cars and cut the aisle right in front of me. Touched the brake and bike went down. He was late for a meeting. 2 women who seen it called the cops and while i was on the phone with dispatch, the guy took off. No one got his plate.
Another joke is how people assume a rider was speeding after a crash just because of the bikes sound or where the gauges are stuck at on the crashed bike. Many bikes speedometers are now off the tranny and if the throttle gets jammed open, the rear tire can speed up to where ever causing the speedo to read high with the bike on its side. Many new bikes now cycle the gauges (both speedometer and tachs) when the key is turned on and after a crash these can be going bananas with the bike on its side until its power source is shut down.
Jan 20, 2008 at 2:03 p.m.
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One of the nicest guys you would want to meet. I saw Ryan practicing in a parking lot one day and asked him to do a wheelie with his legs over his handle bars and responded with a fabulous show. these guys just love talking to people. What an awesome group vertical mischief is. I think they should hold a show at the fair grounds or some where in Janesville. Thanks again Ryan your an awesome rider.
Jan 20, 2008 at 11:53 a.m.
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I am so very happy to hear Ryan is back. He has worked long and hard to get to where he is, since his accident and even before that, he is a good rider and a joy to watch, I am glad he recovered.
Jan 20, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.
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I think he was making light of the severe injuries he suffered to the left side of his body.
Jan 20, 2008 at 10:09 a.m.
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I'm not sure I would make light about totaling someone else's vehicle. Maybe it's time for a motorcycle safety course in addition to promoting motorcycle helmets.
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