Life Can Be Full of Surprise!

A couple of weeks ago I was scheduled to go for a ride with a group of Geezers I ride with regularly. Well it turned out to be one of those days when everyone has something come up and can’t make the ride. So I was left at the last minute with doing something else or going for a ride by myself.

If you have read any of these #33 blog site articles in the past year you have probably figured out that I rarely pass up the opportunity to go for a ride! Off road, street bike, dual sport, mx, it doesn’t matter, I love to ride!

So today was going to be a ride alone day. Or so I thought.

I headed out into the desert as planned, alone. As I headed out to explore an area I hadn’t ridden for a while I thought I should stop and use my cell phone to let someone know I would be in a completely different area than originally planned, Just in case anyone had to come looking for me.

Just as I stopped and started to remove my helmet a rider on a WR 450 Yamaha was coming in my direction and stopped to talk. His name was Thomas and he was also riding alone so I asked him if he wanted to go with me to look around an area that was about 25 miles away.

He did and off we went. We made a large loop and stopped at a remote cabin I know of and had not seen for a while. This cabin is incredible and is hidden away in a canyon, maintained by an individual that calls himself the “Founder”. It is a perfect setting for taking a break and the founder does an unbelievable job of maintaining the place and leaving it open for all to use with the understanding that no one abuses or trashes the place. I hope people respect his effort so we can continue to enjoy this spectacular secret Oasis as a place to stop and take a break.

So Thomas and I take a mid ride break at the cabin and this is when I get the chance to find out a little about this young man. He is 23 years old, single, working 2 jobs and seems to enjoy life. I find this all very interesting as I learn the rest of this story as Thomas begins to  tell me a bit more about his life. Some personal things I would not share without his consent, but the most shocking thing is that almost one year ago Thomas lost his father on a motorcycle ride. It was during an event that both he and his father entered together in the Parker, Arizona area. It seems during the event that Thomas’s father, Steve, crashed and lost his life. He was incredibly calm as he told me the story of how he came upon the crash and stopped to find it was his father. I almost couldn’t believe the composure of this young man as he told me the story. Yet here he was out on the same WR 450 that belonged to his father and had no intention of quitting riding. We all know people who ask us every time we are injured if we are going to stop riding motorcycles now. I know I get that question after a simple injury. This young man has heart!

In fact he has plans to do the same event 1 year later by himself and I can only assume it will be in memory of his dad. From the things he told me of his dad, he sounded like a good man and father.

So after our visit we continued on our way and finished up with about 80 miles of riding for the day. Oh by the way, Thomas bailed ME out when my KTM gas guzzler ran dry of fuel at 70 miles and he had to  ride in, get me some fuel and bring it back. Right about now I am thinking I sure am glad I met Thomas today!

When we finished the ride I made sure I had his phone number and told him I would give him a call.  During our ride I had been formulating a plan to see if it would be possible to put together a Memorial ride sponsorship to make sure Thomas rides this event in January of 2011. These events can be very expensive and remember Thomas is working 2 jobs!

I am almost positive that we can secure entry fees and pit support for Thomas to do this event. I am working on it and keeping my fingers crossed.

Stay tuned and I will let you know,

Cherish life and enjoy your next ride!

#33