Commemorative run for a lost rider.

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CentralOzzy
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Real Name: AL
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My Motorcycle: Yamaha XJR-1300/Harley-Davidson Roadking
Location: Sunny Alice Springs Northern Territory, Australia

Commemorative run for a lost rider.

#1 Unread post by CentralOzzy »

About 7 years ago I met a guy nicknamed 'Fish' because his last name was 'Gill', Terry Gill in fact.

He & a few mates went for an outback ride to a Homestead, while there they did some filming for a TV crew. All went well & as it turned out it was all Fish's day, - you know, the type of rare day when everything goes you way.

So....at the end of the day the riders all prepared for return ride to Alice Springs. Now seeing as they were East of town, they would have been aware of the potential risks of riding at night in the outback. Things to watch out for mainly are livestock & kangaroos.

They geared up rode off down the road, now as I know it Fish was out front on his Harley Chopper & bopping along quite nicely when all of a sudden a large Camel appeared in the middle of the road & Fish collected it BIG TIME!

Sadly this accident was Fatal & the Alice motorcycling community lost a great bloke that day.

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Fishs' Memorial on the Highway.

This brings me to why I'm writing about it all....you see every year most motorcyclists ride out to the Homestead in Fish's honour & celebrate his life, sort of a commemorative bike rally for all to enjoy while remembering him. This run has been going on for about 5 years.

This year I attended the party of about 85 bikes & 200 people.

While I was there I took these snaps of the event.

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It was a great day with biker style events, a cool band & a healthy Bar!

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Looking forward to next years ride out on Fishs' Run!

See YA! - AL
Last edited by CentralOzzy on Tue Aug 30, 2005 4:42 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Ladymx
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#2 Unread post by Ladymx »

thanks for the information about Fish. It is a reminder of the dangers of evening/ night riding and a reminder all that have been lost.

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QuietMonkey
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#3 Unread post by QuietMonkey »

That is a very cool memorial oZman. Quite unique. It's something you would never see here. Your story of this meeting place and the photos really bring out the soul of the place.

Albiet an unfortunate incident lead to the sculpture and plaque, within that one person and the community around him seems contained much of the essence and beauty of riding.

Having just read the story (diary) of Anne Frank, which contains a great deal of hardship as well as sensitivity from a very difficult time in history, and also has an unfortunate ending, it really connects with part of me. The "wholeness" of the small community around these people just simply outshines the individuals and carries a stronger spirit into the future, guiding us.
"Zounds! Zorched by Zarches, Spaceman Spiff's crippled craft crashes on planet Plootarg!"

For Sale: Ninja 600 with parts bike, needs minor work, $30, no title... (GEE THAT DOESNT RING ANY WARNING BELLS DOES IT?)

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CentralOzzy
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Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:11 pm
Real Name: AL
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Years Riding: 42
My Motorcycle: Yamaha XJR-1300/Harley-Davidson Roadking
Location: Sunny Alice Springs Northern Territory, Australia

#4 Unread post by CentralOzzy »

Yes...well said Monkey!

It's amazing just how many friends Fish had.

My business 'Central Oz M/C Adventures' took some of his family to the funeral on our bikes, amongst others. There must have been 200 other bikes there in the procession. It was a BIG day in the Alice, now we have Fish's Run every year to commemorate this fine fellow.... :wink:
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