Ahh .... those Rolling Hills

Rolling Hills Ride Out

It was great to join up with the Rolling Hills at the OK Diner, Leominster on Saturday with Mark! A good days ride I must say.

Actually, purely coincidental that we were at the Diner just as they ride in. Quite funny considering I was a member a few years ago before I was nearly thrown out for coming up against the committee during a club 'move' period. That's all history now, since then I bought the GS and the days of endless processions are gone. Just fun rides, at a pace I enjoy, to places I choose to go now. But it was good to see them, I had a lot of fun with them back then, some very nice people, I wish them well. Couldn't resist looking up their club website only to find a photo including me on their ride report. Never thought I would end up on their ride report section again - LOL.

Good ride with Mark, who led the way most of the afternoon down to Crossgates then back up to Knighton on the sublime A483. This last week has been a difficult week, discovered an old mate from long ago (Gary Peplow) died in Spain while touring near Segovia. I credit him and his brother Dean with inspiring me into buying a Motorcycle all those years ago (1982 Suzuki GP 100) when I used to live in Bewdley - and I'm really glad they did. Getting up early on Sunday mornings going for a blast around Rock with Dean and and admiring Gary's success at Trials. Sadly, Dean also lost his life in a bike accident in Little Hereford 10 years ago, and it was fairly recently I saw Gary with his dad Graham (on his Ariel) and James his son at the Aviator in Shobden for the first time for a while, and they seemed to be coming to terms with losing Dean, even restoring Graham's Ariel in tribute to him as was explained an unfinished project of Deans.So, I cannot begin to imagine how devastating this must be for his parents Graham and Noreen and his own family.
My thoughts are with them all, I wish them well.

Kind of ironic, that while contemplating the wonderful times I have had riding Motorcycles, and if I should continue with the risk, bringing back with memories of Paul's fatal biking accident, the Rolling Hills should turn up to remind of the fun I have had over the years riding, the people I have met and the places I have been on bikes.

Thanks to Mark for leading the way, great to see him, and looking forward to a trip out with him again soon. Ride Safe.

RIP Gary and Dean.