I just found out about this hours ago, and at this point, know nothing more than you about the details of what happened. I do know quite a bit, however about Christian Neuhauser the man, because he was not just my boss...he was my friend.
Christian was a true "rider". He was not about tech specs, or lap times, or posing, he was about the magic of the ride. He was about what hapens when a man and his machine meet a fantastic road and a beatific terrior and the profound emotions, revelations, and fascinations that go along with those sacred moments. He was moved enough to start a magazine paying tribute to "the ride", and he was utterly exacting in his pursuit of the distillation of its essence.
Christian was a force of nature, with more energy than a man half his age, and certainly more than I could keep up with! He would ride me into the ground, drink me under the table, and then wake me up in the morning, banging on my door to drag me out for more.
He loved his wife and his two sons, and he wouldn't have wanted to die any other way than on a motorcycle. Just not so soon.
In the recent past, we in the motojournalism community have suffered some very near misses. Arthur Coldwells and Jeff Buchanan of Robb Report Motorcycling, Mel Moore of Kawasaki, even Sean and Dale Alexander as well as myself have traded in 9th lives we didn't know we had. Nonetheless, until we lose a comrade like Christian, it doesn't wholly set in what it is that we are risking in order to pursue our passion.
Be safe all of you. Go forth, have a great ride today, and think kindly of Christian as you do, for I am certain that he will be thinking of, and watching over, all of you.
Your friend,
Eric Bass