Chris ... sometime in the early 1980's on his GSX.
So, with this lockdown in place for five weeks now, and no chance of a ride out despite some great weather, I'm starting to run out of things to do. I've spring cleaned my garage (the first time for some years!) and almost buffed the paint off my bike from polishing it so much. I got around to cleaning tar spots off the frame and exhaust silencer - white spirit is great for that, and managed to get some Black Enamel Paint gloss from Halfords who now have a desk at the door so staff get what you want for you all at a safe distance. I have cleaned off the centre stand and used some black barbecue spray as undercoat, then used the tough enamel gloss spray paint to finish.
While riding, stones coming off the rear wheel 'peppers' the cross bar, so within two years it's already lost its paint and showing signed of rust. Looks much better now after the new coat of paint. I must get some 20 mm diameter black electrical conduit to cable tie on to protect the new paint like I had with my last GS. While tidying the garage I found some Harley-Davidson Chrome cleaner paste tucked away in a cupboard in I had forgotten about, so I then set to polishing up the headers and the rest of the exhaust system too. All looking like a new bike again now 👍
Just lately, since I can't get on any ride adventures and my latest trip away was cancelled I recently discovered 'Adventure Ride Radio'. Full of great podcasts and streaming content to listen to, along with the odd video too. I can really recommend a visit, why not give them a listen ...
While sat in the garden drinking a beer or two, I started thinking about some of those future 'dream' rides I would like to do if I had the chance, so I grabbed this book I've owned for a while called 'Motorcycle Journeys through the South West' by Martin C Berke. It presents some great ride routes in the southwest states of the USA to include Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. One of the rides that really take my fancy is The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Utah. The ride also covers parts of Bryce too and looks amazing with crimson coloured rock spire formations called 'hoodoos'. The book details ride routes through awe inspiring Rockies in Colorado and up to Pikes Peak. Having driven through to the Grand Canyon last year by car with Helen, I really fancy a bike ride through some of these other National Parks icluding the popular ride from Las Vegas to Zion. Another great ride option would include visiting the Hoppi and Navajo Indian Reservations along the way. Either way a stopover in Vegas would be fun, and since Hertz (https://www.hertzride.com/) now do bike rentals at various locations that include Las Vegas and L.A. maybe a ride through Big Sur could be worked into a route too. Keep on dreamin' I guess!
This little chap has cheered us all up of late. While working in the garden a Robin appears quite frequently. In fact a pair of them drop in and out from time to time, so an ideal opportunity to get some wildlife photography practice. While out riding in Wales I do enjoy stopping and finding a quiet place to sit and try to photograph whatever wildlife I can see around me. Up to now I never quite got the hang of the focus on my latest Lumix camera, but with a bit of practice using our friend as a subject I do believe I'm getting there now.
Sadly, this month on Easter Sunday we lost Chris after succumbing to a short illness first diagnosed last October. A keen biker in his younger days, he had good taste in bikes pictured above sat on his Suzuki GSX 250 - I too owned the same model in blue around the same time, unfortunately I didn't know Chris back then and never got to ride with him, but for over the last 25+ years he was not only a great bro' in law, but great mate and wonderful uncle to our kids too. His cheeky humour, always taking my kids side when I'm trying to discipline them, always having a joke with plenty of banter with his Sister made our time together as a family something quite special.
Chris pictured here on an Engine drivers experience loved Steam Engines, enjoyed building model railways in his back garden to amuse his grand kids and spent a lot of time with Wendy his wife in his favourite spot at The Flask up in North Yorkshire. Chris introduced us all to the wonderful Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay, where I had a great time a few years back after he invited me up there to stay with them and explore the moors on my bike. I'll never forget too the beer vouchers, flying kites with the kids and not forgetting that dodgy Blondie impersonator. I found out recently Chris enjoyed reading my blog from time to time too, and was probably one of the first to encourage me when I was thinking about getting back into Motorcycling and buying a Harley-Davidson. Regularly he took my side over his sisters when a new bike was on the cards, and back in November while I was thinking of upgrading yet again to a 1250 GS his reaction to me in a Facebook message was simply .. 'bo***x just buy it!'
He did like a beer our Chris, but even more so I have to say he was a one in a million for having fun and did play a few practical jokes. His birdsong chiming clock stunt he played on me and William was his finest. While camping in the garden at a family event he slipped this clock under the groundsheet without us knowing. What followed was a sleepless night as the mysterious sound of birds on the hour led me to cuss and blame my son thinking he had left a game app running on his phone. I'll never forget crawling out of that tent bleary eyed to see Chris doubled up in stitches with that trademark infectious laugh we are all going to miss so much and will never forget. I can still hear him laughing now. 😂
Chris Gore 1964-2020. RIP ... "My old mate".
