Just for me. - SV650.org

rictus01 · 28-03-06, 11:52 PM

this is just for me, helps to type out my feelings, kind of sorts the brain, if you know what I mean, forgive the rambling and self indulgance for a while.

Never good news

84 years on this earth, all over and done with, the loss of a personnel hero.

A friend of mine died today, I got the word this afternoon, not someone from this board, but one of those people who just click, Don was a great guy, a true fountain of wisdom on all things motorbike related, was a race mechanic in the 50’s (bikes), he rode up until last summer, before it all got too much for him. Ill for sometime now, so everyone was expecting it, but still a bit of a shock.

I was the kid, the youngster of the group; you know when you’re in the company of those who you feel privileged to associate with. Within that company I knew very little and a lot went straight over my head, not something I’m used to at all, but it never really worried me. It kind of made a nice counter point to the role I find myself in here.

He gave me so much over the last 15 years, not just in the motorbike sense, but life in general. Probably responsible for influencing a good deal of my life philosophy, he was the only one to understand my ride out to the end of AR05, 47 hours after surgery, “well you’ve got to know right” were his words, people though me crazy to try, but it was just something I had to do, and he knew it. A great believer in the “pick yourself up, dust your self off, and get on with it” school of thought.

Anyway, enough of that, just talking to Jean his wife today, their cremating him Friday, just family, as per his request, he’s not going down in his Sunday best, but rather his bike leathers (that will take a bit longer then), but the memorial is being held in his old work shop later that afternoon, attire ? Black leathers what else would you expect.

A sad loss, but then I think of how Don would have looked at it, “good innings and on balance no regrets”.

Quiff Wichard · 29-03-06, 12:05 AM

nice words..

hit home- I know similar folk... and have known others who are now passed on, their knowledge imparted to others during their time here... and yet- they take so much more with them..

May he rest in peace

and may you find comfort in your memories Rictus..

thanks for sharing your thoughts.. I am sure your man Don would have liked that too... as you say- now you seem to have picked up his baton.. and I guess he knew you would.

.................................................. .................................................. ................

29-03-06, 12:41 AM

quality

Balky001 · 29-03-06, 01:21 AM

Sorry to read about your friend - he sounds like he had some good mates and could still ride that late on in life - sounds like a great bloke to know. Hope you have a ride in his honour sometime soon

29-03-06, 06:09 AM

Hey Mark what a lovely tribute to someone you miss dearly.

rictus01 · 29-03-06, 06:45 AM

Thanks Guys,

Spoke to him not a week ago, he knew he didn't have long left, yet seemed to accept it, he was over the moon went I told him about the couple of long rides I'd done and the plans to attend this years AR06, and kind of lived the motorbiking dream vicariously through his friends.

I know he'd be mad at me for feeling down about his passing, but what can I say, I'll miss the pearls of wisdom and the pint down the pub (and yes he still managed that every once in a while, see cars do come it handy), but probably the bit I'll miss most is when he was dealing with a problem, you could almost see the mind at work, clear logical, no problem was unfixable, you just sometimes needed more knowledge.

I've a feeling the workshop will be a little packed Friday, he was that kind of bloke.

I guess no one can be used as a blueprint for someone else’s life, but I wouldn't be unhappy if he was mine.

Cheers Mark.

29-03-06, 07:59 AM

sorry to hear about your friend, but on the plus side it sounds like he really made the most of his life. And I'm sure he'd be really chuffed to know that some of the things he did and the way he saw things have been of help/influence to others

fizzwheel · 29-03-06, 08:04 AM

Sorry to hear about your friend. RIP

29-03-06, 08:20 AM

Just from the evidence of this forum you do seem to be continueing leading us on the path he trod.

You just know the next time you are stumped on a bike problem you'll hear his voice and his guidance. You are lucky to have had someone like that in your life.

May he not rest in peace, but rather rest with every biker going somewhere he never did - and I hope he enjoys the view.

29-03-06, 08:31 AM

For you to wish to share this openly shows how high your regard for your mentor Don was. We all pass on, but to have made a difference to someone's life and be remembered so vividly for it, is a fitting tribute in itself. Sorry for your loss Mark, but so glad you have the great memories to fall back on.

.

28-03-06, 11:52 PM	#1
rictus01 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South London Posts: 9,799	Just for me. this is just for me, helps to type out my feelings, kind of sorts the brain, if you know what I mean, forgive the rambling and self indulgance for a while. Never good news 84 years on this earth, all over and done with, the loss of a personnel hero. A friend of mine died today, I got the word this afternoon, not someone from this board, but one of those people who just click, Don was a great guy, a true fountain of wisdom on all things motorbike related, was a race mechanic in the 50’s (bikes), he rode up until last summer, before it all got too much for him. Ill for sometime now, so everyone was expecting it, but still a bit of a shock. I was the kid, the youngster of the group; you know when you’re in the company of those who you feel privileged to associate with. Within that company I knew very little and a lot went straight over my head, not something I’m used to at all, but it never really worried me. It kind of made a nice counter point to the role I find myself in here. He gave me so much over the last 15 years, not just in the motorbike sense, but life in general. Probably responsible for influencing a good deal of my life philosophy, he was the only one to understand my ride out to the end of AR05, 47 hours after surgery, “well you’ve got to know right” were his words, people though me crazy to try, but it was just something I had to do, and he knew it. A great believer in the “pick yourself up, dust your self off, and get on with it” school of thought. Anyway, enough of that, just talking to Jean his wife today, their cremating him Friday, just family, as per his request, he’s not going down in his Sunday best, but rather his bike leathers (that will take a bit longer then), but the memorial is being held in his old work shop later that afternoon, attire ? Black leathers what else would you expect. A sad loss, but then I think of how Don would have looked at it, “good innings and on balance no regrets”. __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!

29-03-06, 12:05 AM	#2
Quiff Wichard Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,864	nice words.. hit home- I know similar folk... and have known others who are now passed on, their knowledge imparted to others during their time here... and yet- they take so much more with them.. May he rest in peace and may you find comfort in your memories Rictus.. thanks for sharing your thoughts.. I am sure your man Don would have liked that too... as you say- now you seem to have picked up his baton.. and I guess he knew you would. .................................................. .................................................. ................ __________________ ooops I did it again ... new bike . cb1000r

29-03-06, 01:21 AM	#4
Balky001 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Leigh - on - Sea, Essex. Posts: 1,491	Sorry to read about your friend - he sounds like he had some good mates and could still ride that late on in life - sounds like a great bloke to know. Hope you have a ride in his honour sometime soon __________________ SV650SK3 - GSXR600K2 - GSXR750K6 - ZX636RC1H - HD Sportster 1200 - CBR600F 2012 - GSXR1000K7 - Triumph Bonneville T100 2019 - Aprilia Tuono 660

29-03-06, 06:45 AM	#6
rictus01 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South London Posts: 9,799	Thanks Guys, Spoke to him not a week ago, he knew he didn't have long left, yet seemed to accept it, he was over the moon went I told him about the couple of long rides I'd done and the plans to attend this years AR06, and kind of lived the motorbiking dream vicariously through his friends. I know he'd be mad at me for feeling down about his passing, but what can I say, I'll miss the pearls of wisdom and the pint down the pub (and yes he still managed that every once in a while, see cars do come it handy), but probably the bit I'll miss most is when he was dealing with a problem, you could almost see the mind at work, clear logical, no problem was unfixable, you just sometimes needed more knowledge. I've a feeling the workshop will be a little packed Friday, he was that kind of bloke. I guess no one can be used as a blueprint for someone else’s life, but I wouldn't be unhappy if he was mine. Cheers Mark. __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!

29-03-06, 08:04 AM	#8
fizzwheel Super Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,614	Sorry to hear about your friend. RIP __________________ Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. K5 GSXR 750 Anniversary Edition

29-03-06, 06:09 AM	#5
Peter Henry Guest Posts: n/a	Hey Mark what a lovely tribute to someone you miss dearly.

29-03-06, 07:59 AM	#7
Fizzy Fish Guest Posts: n/a	sorry to hear about your friend, but on the plus side it sounds like he really made the most of his life. And I'm sure he'd be really chuffed to know that some of the things he did and the way he saw things have been of help/influence to others

29-03-06, 08:20 AM	#9
K Guest Posts: n/a	Just from the evidence of this forum you do seem to be continueing leading us on the path he trod. You just know the next time you are stumped on a bike problem you'll hear his voice and his guidance. You are lucky to have had someone like that in your life. May he not rest in peace, but rather rest with every biker going somewhere he never did - and I hope he enjoys the view.

29-03-06, 08:31 AM	#10
jonboy Guest Posts: n/a	For you to wish to share this openly shows how high your regard for your mentor Don was. We all pass on, but to have made a difference to someone's life and be remembered so vividly for it, is a fitting tribute in itself. Sorry for your loss Mark, but so glad you have the great memories to fall back on. .