Biker Puts Rough Patch Behind Him

The sprawling mass that is Southern California is famous for many things, and two of them are freeways and free spirits. With that in mind, we introduce you today to 84-year-old Jack Shay, who knows more than a little about both.

You could say Shay lives on wheels. Not only does he zoom up and down Irvine roads on a hulking Honda motorcycle, he hangs his helmet in a mobile home in the city. An Illinois native with a fondness for salty talk and a good belly laugh, Shay is what you might call a character. As a cancer survivor, that word also applies to him in the more profound sense.

“I’m a hot-shot driver, an ancient poster boy for motorcycles,” he told us in his booming voice. “Can you imagine an old man out there ducking in and out of traffic with all these young guys? People look at me like I fell out of a balloon!”

Shay first climbed on a motorcycle at age 60 after he read a story in this paper about riding classes at Saddleback College. He flirted with the idea of motorcycles as a younger man, but never found the time with his career as a packaging engineer. When he decided to get a bike and finally hit the road, he did just that.

“Yeah, I spent quite a bit of time on my knees and on my butt, but when it all came together I was hooked,” Shay recalled. He compared it to his stint in a B-24 bomber flying above Germany in World War II. “Same exhilarating feeling. You’re scared. But with the motorcycle, it’s a delightful scare.”

Shay’s trainers were California Highway Patrol officers, and more than two decades later he still rides cross-country with the motor cops and retirees from the agency. “He’s been accepted because he’s an incredible person, a joy to be around,” says Ron Gast, who wore a CHP uniform for 24 years. “We’ve been through a lot together, a lot of bad weather, and covered a lot of road.”

When we caught up to him last week, Shay had just gotten back into town from a lengthy road trip that took him east to Tucson and south into Mexico, where potholes threatened to swallow the front end of his bike. He asked us not to reveal the top speeds he hit on the way home, but let’s just say you can take his age and add a few.

“It’s an adventure staying alive out there,” he said with a hearty laugh.

Back in 1992, Shay thought the adventure might be over. The doctors told him the cancer had invaded his colon, bowels and lymph nodes. Daily doses of chemotherapy sent his weight plunging 53 pounds and, after he twice fell off his motorcycle, he gave his treasured bike to a friend. Soon after, he was given last rites. But after major surgery he climbed back to good health and, eventually, back on to a new bike.

The riding meant more than ever to him. The freedom of the long rides helped him cope with the retirement that followed his illness and helped him define the newest chapter in a good life rolling toward a ninth decade.

“My identity now is the motorcycle,” he says. “And that’s a pretty good identity.”

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CYCLE OF LIFE: Shay has some simple advice for would-be and novice motorcycle riders: “Before you get on a motorcycle and get on the road, get training.” He recommends the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in Irvine, where he gets his annual refresher course. Their number: (714) 727-3227.

You can also check out the CHP’s California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP), which has taught more than 124,000 students in its 11 years of existence. Locally, the program is available in Costa Mesa, Fullerton and Mission Viejo. For other sites, schedules or other details, call (800) 227-4337.

California motorcycle deaths and injuries declined sharply in the past decade, and in 1997 hit the lowest number since the CHP began tracking the statistic in 1972. In a recent press release, CHP Commissioner D.O. Helmick said the credit “goes to the state’s riders, who are driving defensively and wearing proper safety gear, especially helmets.” He also cited the popularity of the CMSP as a “key factor.”

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TIP OF THE WEEK: School is out and summer fun is in full swing, so that means a lot of skateboarders and in-line skaters will be zig-zagging through traffic. Some advice on the topic from the California Highway Patrol:

* Drivers need to know that skaters have the same rights as pedestrians, but they should also remember that they move a lot faster. Try to make eye contact with skaters at intersections so they will know you see them.

* Skaters should use sidewalks when available. If you are going to use the roadway, state law says you have to use the extreme left-hand edge of the street, facing oncoming traffic. Always cross the street at intersections. If you are free-styling down your driveway, be cautious about rolling out into traffic lanes--it’s one of the scenarios that leads to the most accidents.

* Skaters should wear protective gear (especially helmets) and obey all traffic signs and signals. State law says you cannot ride a board or in-line skates across a bridge unless a sidewalk is provided, so you may have to carry your wheels to avoid a ticket.

* If your board has an engine, leave it home or in your trunk while you get around town. Motorized skateboards are illegal on public roadways, sidewalks and even hiking trails. State law says you can only crank them up on private property.

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The Roads Scholar wants to hear your insights, stories and questions about traffic, the commuting experience and Orange County transportation issues.

You can call him at (714) 966-5724, send e-mail to geoff.boucher@latimes.com or mail letters to him at The Times Orange County, P.O. Box 2008, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626. Please include your full name, hometown and phone number.