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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:47 am
by Gummiente
A co-worker and avid rider, Bob, was heading into work on his 2000 Gold Wing this morning when he had the misfortune of centerpunching a deer along the way. He said three of them suddenly appeared out of a deep ditch; he braked hard to avoid the first two but nailed the third right in the midsection. He managed to keep the bike up and stop safely and the deer, after wobbling about for a bit, buggered off in pursuit of its buddies. Bob was a bit shaken up but otherwise unhurt and his Wing now has a shattered front fender and fairing, although it is still rideable. Oh, and both the deer whistles on the front of the fairing were destroyed.
I felt a bit better about having wussed out and taken the Jeep today because of the heavy rain in the forecast. But I promised Bob I'll take the Harley tomorrow and park next to him like I always do when we show up on our bikes.
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 4:37 am
by dr_bar
If you ever happen to be rolling through Angus on one of your weekend tours, and run into a goofy lookin' Major riding his "Shirley Davidson" (Read Yamaha Vino) say hi to that brother of mine...
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:28 am
by Gummiente
dr_bar wrote:If you ever happen to be rolling through Angus on one of your weekend tours, and run into a goofy lookin' Major riding his "Shirley Davidson" (Read Yamaha Vino) say hi to that brother of mine...
Will do. Have been meaning to head over that way for a while now, might just do that next weekend.
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:40 am
by Gummiente
Lost a very dear member of my wife's family to cancer early this morning. Have been enduring mood swings all day, I just get so mad at feeling so helpless. Angie had already left to be at the hospital on Thursday morning, as we knew it was going to happen soon. She called me at 4am this morning just after it happened, but I never heard the phone. Felt like a total "O Ring" because I wasn't there when she needed me.
Had to keep busy today, so I laid a few more bricks (about 15' worth, actually) into the gap between our driveway and the neighbour's. Looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. Then I went for a 130km ride on the Harley to clear my head... sometimes the Ural just isn't the right bike for the job. Finished moving the woodpile when I got back.
Just had supper, a BBQ'd steak with my own Jack Daniels marinade recipe, and am now waiting for Angie to call with the details and timing for the funeral. I have a good supply of Beck's beer on hand and have set up a fire in the fireplace - it's supposed to go down to 10C tonight, but that's not why I'm doing it... just need the soothing effect of one right now.
Cancer sucks.
Death sucks.
RIP, Christine. I miss you already.
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:06 pm
by blues2cruise
I wish I was close by to give you a big hug. I have tears in my eyes reading about it. So sorry for your loss.
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 3:56 am
by ceemes
My condolences Gummie. I know its little comfort, but at least her suffering is now over and the slow healing can begin. Takes time, so take it easy and my offer stands, if you need to talk, just give me a shout.
Chris
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:03 am
by Gummiente
Donna, Chris, thank you.
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:05 am
by sv-wolf
Sorry to hear your news, Gummi; it sounds like you were very close.
If there is one thing I've learned, it's that we carry those we love inside of us while they are alive, and that doesn't go away when they die. Their sudden absence is hard to bear at first, but we never lose them, not really.
Look after yourself.
My best wishes, mate.
Richard
RIP Christine Clement
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:56 pm
by Gummiente
I know none of you know who she is, but Chris was very important to Angie and I... she was my wife Angie's favourite Aunt and we had the sad duty of attending her funeral today. Chris was taken out by cancer in a very sudden and compressed time frame and it took all of us by surprise, for she was a strong woman and nobody saw it coming.
In addition to her many skills and hobbies she was also a motorcycle enthusiast, having recently entered back into the lifestyle after many years absence due to her raising her two children. Her Suzuki Marauder 250 saw frequent use as a commuter bike and we had planned to meet up with her part way to Peterborough on a ride this summer, but fate intervened before we could make it a reality.
Angie and I rode our Harleys to her funeral today and we're pretty sure she was with us in spirit - at one point we ended up following behind a Nestle truck with a Rollo Ice Cream ad on the back... Rollo Ice Cream just happened to be her favourite flavour.
She was a great lady and we miss her dearly.
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:09 pm
by Wrider
I'm so sorry to hear that news Gummi. I wish I could say something to ease the pain. I am glad to hear that you at least had some good memories of her pop up while riding to her funeral. I hope the pain goes quickly and the memories stay forever.