I"m starting this thread hoping it has few similar posts over the months and years ahead.
Yesterday a good friend of mine lost his life riding his Speed Triple near Squires. George was a skilled rider. A fast rider. He rolled the dice at times when I wouldn’t. I don’t know what happened exactly and perhaps never will but I wonder if he rolled and lost this time.
It was his partner’s bike we pulled out of the ditch recently. That accident seems quite trivial now. We got the news when the phone rang this morning. Now we’re feeling a bit stunned. Talking about George in the past tense feels wrong, jarring. It’s nothing compared what his partner, Jane, will be feeling right now. Everything will change. Suddenly. Without warning.
We called Triumph for her to cancel the test rides she and George had booked today. There’ll be no rebooking.
I’m starting this thread because it never hurts to be reminded that what we do can come at a price. If you’re going out today, enjoy the ride, be safe and look forward to a tomorrow with your bike. I will miss my friend.
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Bad news Saul. My condolences to all concerned. 
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So sorry for your loss. Please pass on my love and condolences to his wife. 
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Condolences to everyone affected by this terrible accident.
It reminds us how dangerous our hobby can be. I sometimes wonder how long I will continue on 2 wheels (I’m 71), and have a feeling that the first big scare or ‘near thing’ will see me hanging up my biking gear for good.
Ride safe everyone.
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Sorry for you friend Saul, my heart goes out to Jane too. I won’t offer any platitudes.
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Terrible news for all involved and please pass on our condolences.
Life is like a tightrope, we walk along it everyday looking forward. One day you will fall off. You always hope to get back on the tightrope and continue walking but not everyone does. …
Our hobby is the most beautiful thing but as you have said, it does have risk attached.
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Very sorry to hear this, Saul. I can’t think of anything to say about your and Jane’s loss that hasn’t already been said very well by others.
You do hint that your friend may have ‘rolled the dice’ once too often, and we all need to reflect on our own riding styles.
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Condolences to all affected.
Only yesterday I re-watched the film “Road” about the Dunlop family. Not an easy watch.
There’s sometimes a price to pay, not only by ourselves, for the 2 wheeled pleasure we enjoy.
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Horrible news indeed. Condolences to all involved.
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Very sad news. I think we all understand the risks involved in doing something that we love.
We can mitigate those risks, but not eliminate them. Those risks are part of the appeal.
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Terribly sad news - the kind no-one wants to hear. Condolences to you and his family.
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Saddened to hear this. I sometimes think dying doing what you love isn’t a bad way to go. But that doesn’t make it any easier for those left. Condolences
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Can only echo the above sentiments.
Condolences to everyone involved.
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A terribly sad loss for all concerned - family, friends, colleagues, community - all.
I’d urge everyone to do all they can to reduce and, if possible, minimise the unavoidable risks by taking extra training; taking extra care and, perhaps, taking extra time every time you go out on a bike.
It’s arguable that the general riding environment has never been so parlous for motorcycle riders - increased traffic volumes; the ‘sub-conscious safety bubble’ present in most modern cars with their common safety aids, and frequently poor road surface conditions are all seemingly constant dangers. We, as riders, are generally not, by and large, able to mitigate any of these risks or avoid the dangers but a heightened awareness of them is offered by advanced rider training and I’ve found from personal experience that this can make a huge difference.
Sincere condolences to all those affected by this loss.
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This is such sad news and like others I now have a lump in my throat. I am instantly reminded of my mate who lost his life doing what he loved in the early 90s.
Condolences to all that knew George.
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So sad for all those involved and such a shock too, makes you appreciate just how fragile life is.
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I haven’t replied, because really there’s nothing more to say, but I have read and appreciated every message that’s been left here today. My thanks for all the thoughts. Every biker feels the same way at times like these.
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The minister at my mother’s funeral read this poem and we used it again this year at my brother-in-law’s service. I found it both touching and comforting.
WHAT IS DYING?
I am standing on the sea shore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and I stand and watch her
until at last she fades on the horizon.
Then someone at my side says “There she has gone” - gone where?
Gone from my sight - that is all.
She is just as large in the mast, hull and spars
as she was when she left my side.
The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me and not in her.
And just at that moment when someone by my side says
“She’s gone”
Others on a distant shore take up the glad shout -
“There she comes!”
Bishop Brent
Bishop of the Philippines
1862 - 1929
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My sincere condolences to all the people around him and more so family who bear the brunt of all the pain. I explain to my Tracy it could happen but my love for biking won’t let me stop. And if god forbit it die through an accident then i did ride my bike and passion right till the end. I know that doesn’t help but its just me. Now we have lost another Brother. Anything can do for the family please ask.
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