Late on Sunday afternoon I rode over the Queens Way in Galloway in glorious warm sunshine, on the way over the high pass from Newton Stewart towards New Galloway I became aware of a biker behind (I think it was) a light coloured naked Kawasaki. He followed me closely, but safely & comfortably, for a while he then passed me smoothly, efficiently and effortlessly. I watched from behind with joy the flowing and confident lines he took into all the many bends. Behind I saw another bike a Repsol coloured Fireblade making good progress but not catching me at the same rate. As I passed Clatteringshaws café I saw the Kawa had stopped by the entrance to the carpark so I gave a cheery wave as I passed. It then became apparent that the two bikes were riding together. We rode as a three (me the old duffer on a White Thruxton holding them up I guess) all the way down the 7 miles or so down to New Galloway where they headed to Ken Bridge while I headed South. I don’t know who they were but I sensed I had been riding with more than competent buddies. Strangely though it felt like I had been watching myself and my mate B from a few years ago and it made me grin thinking this is what the future might be like for the pair of us when he was recovered …….. for that image I thank them. Yesterday I was stunned by the stomach-turning news that my mate B had died in hospital at 4:00am due to complications linked to his first chemo session he received a week earlier. I now realise we will never get to ride those warm dry quiet roads of Galloway together as we had planned, or revisit our old haunts in the Dales and Lancashire. No more mugs of tea while sat on the little wall at Devils Bridge ogling the bikes and chewing the fat with any other bikers willing to pass the time. I will never be able to tell him just how important and precious those memories are to me now and that makes me very sad. Many sincere thanks to all those bikers who sent thoughtful messages and pictures in response to my previous post. I know his family were touched by the fellowship expressed by strangers even to a “lapsed” biker (His sons description) not mine. I really do not know why his family, friends and I were robbed of his priceless company so early in his life. But what I do know he is riding on warm dry sunny roads over wild twisting moors somewhere on a bright green ZX10R ….. Ride on my best mate ride on!
@Golgotha , @Dawsy , @Dartplayer , @Bikerman , @Vulpes and even @Iron have captured what I would have wished to say. No one will understand why we ride motorcycles. Why we acknowledge motorcyclists heading the other way with a polite nod or wave. We’re all strangers but with a common interest and outlook on life. Even harder to understand is why people across so many boundaries, such as country, culture, politics (I’m not referring to you @Dave49), religion, idealism or stupidity can come together to support each other and simultaneously take the piss. Clearly there are disenfranchised factions in every walk of life. We are aware of them on this forum, mostly affectionately missed. I think they would also be saying positive things to you and your family. Ride on. Hopefully the family of bikers, regardless of their social or other background will help you to move on and enjoy life and take you out for a similarly satisfying rides as you describe, whilst all the time respecting the memory of your friend.
All you can do now is carry on riding, just as your mate would want you to and remember him every time you go out. I do the same for an old riding buddy I lost in 2017. Rode with him for over 30 years. TT's, MGP's, numerous short circuit meetings, countless "fun" rides in the Peak District and beyond and watched him die a slow painful death from COPD less then 3 months after my Dad died from the same illness. Everyone deals with grief and loss their own way and in the end all we have left are the memories which no one can take from us. Cherish them.
My condolences on the loss of your best mate, B, @RetTh'ead. I somehow missed your first posts so went back to read them. My heart goes out to you and to B's family. Though you said that his cancer was aggressive, you sounded hopeful when he was to begin his chemo so what a shock his sudden passing must be for you and his family and friends. May your memories of B and your good times together remain strong and be of comfort to you. And may your words remind us all to not wait to tell those we care about how important and precious they are to us.
RetTH'ead Just read your story and it filled me with sorrow. But mate you know your mate will always be there by your side and on your journeys. You know I was talking to a lady friend a couple of weeks ago and sort of let go about losing my Mum. She said Joe go home have a cup of tea and wait your mum will send you a message when you are ready just look for a lone feather falling in front of you. You know as true as I am here an hour or so later I sat in my garden drinking a cup of tea. And from the skies came a beautiful single white fluffy feather that slowly came down and landed almost touching my trainers. Maybe just a fluke but to me I said out loud I love you Mum and have felt good since then. I got the feather in my garage now. God Bless Joe.
When I lost my father (2001) I was truly devastated, he was my best friend and confidante. I was working for a service team - calling into homes across North Wales, on this one call - the lady opened the door and looked around me, puzzled - I went in to the house. She then said " there is a doorman looking over you" - I thought she was just weird. Driving away from the address - suddenly I got a chill, my father was an opera singer and was buried wearing his stage tuxedo ( looking like a doorman). To this day - I believe my father either visited or remains with me. P.s. I am not a religious bible basher.
I've only just stumbled across this thread, RetTh'ead, and I can only admire the way you put your thoughts and feelings into words about the sad loss of your friend, and echo the sympathy already expressed by others on here for you and for his family. I live in the Stewartry, and share your love of the Galloway roads, including the Queen's Way, which I ride quite often, so your story really struck home. Keep an eye out for my red Street Twin next time you are up that way, but don't necessarily expect to see it being ridden 'smoothly, efficiently and effortlessly'....
I can merely hope that someone could write such a wonderful eulogy when I depart this mortal coil. Genuinely moving, sorry for your loss fella
