Dad down, call for outriders

Regular readers may recall the references I've made over the years regarding
my Dad, Len, and his escapades on bikes etc.

His last real bike being the 900 Tiger that's been sitting in my garage
waiting for the wheels to rebuilt, though he was still running around until
a few weeks ago, on the 250 Quadzilla that was his interpretation of "get a
mobility scooter"!

In the early hours of Monday morning he died from inoperable cancer. He was
at home, with the care of the Hospice at Home service, having been fully
awake and chatting to the family on Saturday. I also spent Sunday with him,
holding his hand, and while he knew I was there he wasn't able to stay
awake. There was still so much more I wanted to say and we thought we still
had at least a little more time.

Having been a biker all his adult life (he was 74) one thing he wanted was a
bikers send-off, with outriders for the final run to the funeral.

We still know some of the guys that used to come down the Motorcycle
Maintenance Workshop, even though it closed 10 years ago, and we have a few
other friends with bikes. I can't ride due to the injuries from a RTA a few
years ago, Carol my sister will be riding one of Dad's bikes - some
unpronounceable Chinese 125 cruiser that we managed to get running again
yesterday.

Would any of you guys be prepared and able to help in giving him the
send-off he was hoping for?

We have some time to make the arrangements as the funeral isn't until
Wednesday 27th August.

The service is at Basildon Crematorium (SS13 2HG) at 16:00, with the journey
starting about 20-30 minutes before from his home a couple of miles to the
west and everyone coming back to our place a couple of miles east,
afterwards.

It will be a non-religious service and all friends, family and supporters
are welcome, including the wake.

Responses to ukrm welcome and if anyone thinks they can join us, feel free
to take to email for more details.


dave.emerson[at]lineone.net

 

Commiserations Dave. Sorry I won't be able to make it, I'm sure you'll
give him a good send off.

 

Ah ****. Commiserations Dave :-(

I'm sure you'll have hundreds booking the day off by the end of the
week. Putting a shout out on local radio/papers would be a good plan.


--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

On Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:35:25 +0100, "Dave Emerson"

snip>

Sorry to hear about your Dad. We'll be at the MGP and as long as
someone reminds me I'll have a beer for him and cheer the riders on if
that helps.

 

[snip]

whatever.

How's your cat?

 

Been there matey, it's bloody horrible to see your Dad in that state.
It's nearly 5 years since (nearly to the day) mine died of the same
disease.

Cliche, but time really does help you see what he actually meant to you
& your family & not just the horrible short term memories.

I would love to help out, but to be honest it's just too far from me up
here. Hope it goes as well as it can.

Nige

 

Zed's dead.

 

Essex FM DJ Martin Day is a biker and is the celebrity fronting the Essex
Ambulance annual bike run from Dunton, so I'm sure we could get them
involved, if we wanted to.

While having a huge convoy would be very impressive and a great show of
solidarity, I'd be more comfortable with something a little small where
everyone had a direct or at least indirect (e.g. through ukrm) connection.

That said, I don't know how I feel ATM, a bit stunned, and we might change
our minds and give Martin a call later.

I also meant to mention that Lozzo knows the way to my parents place as
that's when he picked-up a monitor from a couple of years ago. Mum said "He
seems like a nice guy" but then she always had a strange judge of character.

 

Our last cat died a few years ago but strangely the two Bengals[1] from over
the road started coming over from the end of last week. They were here over
the weekend, yesterday and have spent the day with us today.

They aren't lap cats but just seem to want to be with us, One is at my feet
as I type this.

Not sure if they can sense something is wrong or are just attracted by the
smell of cooking.

Either way we are happy for the company.

[1] named Harley and Dante.

 

Makes a change from the usual burial or cremation I s'pose.


--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

heh

 

Thanks, that made me smile for the first time this week.

He would have approved.

 

<phew>

You're very welcome.

<double phew>

--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

FWIW, I am sorry to hear that.

.... but man, I hadn't realised how much I had missed this place.

 

*Waves*

 

It's food. With cats, it's *always* food.

Sorry about your Pa. BTDT.

 

You've cooked his dad too? Christ, there's some fucked up people on
here.

--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

Commiserations Dave, please accept my sincere condolences to you and your
family.

--
Steve Parry
BMW R80RS, BMW R45, 01 Kawasaki ZX12-R, 07 K1200GT SE
95 BMW F650, 87 Yamaha FS1, Sukida SK90PY, 91 Kawasaki AR50,
07 VW Passat SE Estate for comfort
www.gwynfryn.co.uk

 

Hi Dave. I don't recall meeting your dad that day, sorry to hear the
news all the same. I do kind of remember where your parents live - it's
in that funny sounding part of the town, the name of which escapes me.

Count me in as an outrider. The fact that I'm one of the few from ukrm
who actually visited his house puts me top of the list of eligible
ukrmers.

 

Oh shit, I forgot...I might well be too[1]

Dave, I might not be able to do the outrider bit.

[1]I'm second string spannawanka for a very well known and respected
racer, if the usual one can't make it, I'm going all expenses paid.