Chiang Mai X-Centre

Simon Grant and John Hamilton Memorial Ride.

Posted on 04. Dec, 2009 by iankiwi in Ian's Blog, Trip Reports

Our Mate “TJ” ( Top­i­cal John ) Real Name John Hamil­ton Sadly Passed away from a Brain Tumour in Octo­ber 2008. Since that Time We have been plan­ning a Memo­r­ial Ride for Him and one of the Main Advo­cates for it was His Good Mate Simon!!! Trag­i­cally “Siinthai” Real Name Simon Grant was Killed in a Freak still Unex­plained Acci­dent near His Home in Phuket this Octo­ber. Unbe­liev­able that two Close Friends were gone a Year apart!!! This put more pres­sure for the Memo­r­ial Ride to be Held so Last Week every­thing fell into Place and a Group of about 20 Bikes ended up doing an Overnight Trip from Here in Chi­ang Mai up to Doi Inthanon, the High­est Point in Thai­land then stayed the Night in Mae Hong Son. Next Day We planted a cou­ple of Trees in their Name at the Local Tem­ple before mov­ing on to Pai for Lunch then back to the X-Centre for a few Final Farewell Drinks in the Name of Simon & TJ. By doing this We had com­pleted the near 500km Trip around the Famous “Mae Hong Son Loop”. This was a favorite Ride for Both the Guys and one of the Last they com­pleted together!!!  We had a Full Size Ban­ner of the two Guys to accom­pany Us and also Stick­ers to post around!!! Here is My quick Trip Report and a few Photos:

It was a Bril­liant Trip and one of the Best I have had with such a Large Group. Extremely Mov­ing moment at the High­est Point when a few Words were had about TJ and Simon. I was maybe a bit Closer to these Guys that some peo­ple realise and I was Immensely affected and was Fight­ing back a Flood of Tears.  I couldn’t have spo­ken even if asked!!! Thanks to all who took Part! Here are the Photos:

Simon & TJ watch­ing over the arrivals at the Kafe.

Guys at the Kafe.

Wait­ing at the Turnoff to Doi Inthanon for other Riders.

Doi Inthanon Check­point. David did some Good Organ­is­ing here to save Time and Paid for the Entire Group at Thai Prices, Well Done!!!

Group Shot at the High­est Point in Thai­land, Doi Inthanon.

We Pasted Simon & TJ’s Sticker on the Sign so if You are up there take a Look and have a Word for them!!!

After Lunch in Mae Chaem we were off for a fast ride to Khun Yuam and split up into var­i­ous groups stop­ping here and there for a look.

We stopped to Re-Grouped before we got to Khun Yuam.

It was here we found out about Peters off and His Rib Injuries!!! His Bike wasn’t that Bad. He is 68 Years Old and Had a Can of Punc­ture Repair in His Jacket which He landed on, Ouch!!! He was in a lot of Pain so After He had rid­den the Rest of the way to Mae Hong Son we had Him Checked in the Hos­pi­tal and it Turned out He had 6 Cracked Ribs and Had to Stay in there!!! His Bike.

Off again to Mae Hong Son. Some went with Peter to the Hos­pi­tal while the rest checked into Rooms then Meet up for a Few Deserved Beers and a few Toasts to Simon & TJ!!

Evening into the Cross Roads Bar where Noel & David had a Toast to the Guys!!!

It was a pretty Big Night for some of the Guys and in the Morn­ing We all meet at the Sun­flower Cafe for Breakfast.

After this we were off to the Tem­ple for Our lit­tle Cer­e­mony!!!

Some of the Guys at the Ceremony.

We planted two Trees in Simon and TJ’s Names at the Local Tem­ple. Even had Name Boards.

After this We vis­ited Peter in Hos­pi­tal then Off again for a Quick Blast to Sop­pong, Stopped at the Look out, Beau­ti­ful Weather and a Fan­tas­tic View!!!

On to Pai for Lunch then a nice Ride back to the X-Centre in Mae Rim.

We are an Arm­less Bunch?

Even David Lek ( The Leg­endary Snail ) man­aged to Joined Us for the Entire Trip and a few Drinks on a quick stop over before return­ing to Aus­tralia and Work!!!

A Truly Great Event and Fit­ting Trib­ute to Two Great Guys I was Priv­i­leged to have known as well as I did!!!
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Cheers Ian
www.chiangmai-xcentre.com