This mornings breakfast run turns into a memorial ride.

[Aussiebikerdave]

The plan was to meet on the foreshore in front of the Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club club-house at Boreen Point at 7.30 am. Michelle and I arrive a little early so began the task of gathering some sticks and pinecones to fire the wood-burning BBQ. Bigwillie, Nugget and his boy then Florida Pete arrived as the BBQ plate was getting heated for the obligitory snags, bacon and chooky eggs.

Pete arrived back from LA an the regular Q176 6.05am flight only 24 hours ago so was real keen to join us after being away from his graphite beast for six long weeks. He bought back a picture of one of his best mates, Bruce. The front cover of the single fold leaflet showed Bruce with his acrobatic 'red baron type' competition plane, the rear cover showed a picture of Bruce on his beloved black and yellow WideGlide while the inside pages of this moving funeral tribute, contained a montage of images of a happy family man just hooning with his kids and lovely wife.

Bruce was the 18th person to die at Daytona this year. He was the last of three riders to pull out to overtake a Suburban with trailer. The rider directly in front was on a trike so they think that this may have obscured Bruce's view of oncoming traffic. The slower moving trike swung in front of the Suburban at the last moment to leave Bruce still hanging out there on the wrong side of the road and only yards from an oncoming motorcycle. Sadly both riders were unable to avoid a direct hit. Peter was unsure how the other rider faired but apparently Bruce lost his life right there on the highway.

We dedicated the rest of the ride to the memory of Bruce and as you would expect, we rode home with a bit more care than usual. Davo

[SteveRed]

Sad news Davo! You read and hear about these trageties and yet until you know someone who has passed away like this... Or just know someone who has a friend etc etc... It doesn't hit home. My thoughts are with Bruce's family and friends. I am glad they have the support they do from your friend Pete and others like him.

[knapper]

davo i live 350 mikes from daytona i was there great weather that week sorry about your mate just sent your post to my pal in ausey land he rides a rat harley ive been riding sence 1956 and only lost one pal on a bike keep the shinny side up mike

[Hondax]

Thanks Davo for filling us in. Bruce sounds like a square shooter and will be greatly missed by family and dedicated friends.

Since the weather is warming here nicely in the Mid-West, motorcycle tragedies are getting all to common in the paper, on the tube, and over the radio...

[12724]

On 2006-04-21 19:48, Aussiebikerdave wrote:
The plan was to meet on the foreshore in front of the Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club club-house at Boreen Point at 7.30 am. Michelle and I arrive a little early so began the task of gathering some sticks and pinecones to fire the wood-burning BBQ. Bigwillie, Nugget and his boy then Florida Pete arrived as the BBQ plate was getting heated for the obligitory snags, bacon and chooky eggs.

Pete arrived back from LA an the regular Q176 6.05am flight only 24 hours ago so was real keen to join us after being away from his graphite beast for six long weeks. He bought back a picture of one of his best mates, Bruce. The front cover of the single fold leaflet showed Bruce with his acrobatic 'red baron type' competition plane, the rear cover showed a picture of Bruce on his beloved black and yellow WideGlide while the inside pages of this moving funeral tribute, contained a montage of images of a happy family man just hooning with his kids and lovely wife.

Bruce was the 18th person to die at Daytona this year. He was the last of three riders to pull out to overtake a Suburban with trailer. The rider directly in front was on a trike so they think that this may have obscured Bruce's view of oncoming traffic. The slower moving trike swung in front of the Suburban at the last moment to leave Bruce still hanging out there on the wrong side of the road and only yards from an oncoming motorcycle. Sadly both riders were unable to avoid a direct hit. Peter was unsure how the other rider faired but apparently Bruce lost his life right there on the highway.

We dedicated the rest of the ride to the memory of Bruce and as you would expect, we rode home with a bit more care than usual. Davo

very sad to read this! sadly it happens to often, went through almost the same thing with a friend of mine.