Big-D
Well-known member
I want to make a comment about the North Rim ride this past weekend. I have only been a member of this Forum for a few months now and this North Rim run was my first opportunity to actually get out and ride with members of not only this forum, but with members of the AZ Beemers also.
I first joined the FJR forum to gain information and working knowledge aspects of the FJR. Being I generally do as much maintenance as I possibly can on any motorized vehicle I own, I thought the forum would be a great place to learn the “tricks of the trade” so to speak about my new motorcycle. And this I have. The information provided by its members and shared with the rest of us is unsurpassed.
Then to keep everyone amused, there is the comedic side where gestures of fun are made on a daily basis where people have fun and build friendships. Some people become great friends without really ever meeting the person they now call friend. This is a rare commodity.
Equally important are the constant rides and events that are setup and organized either by some of the officers (whom by the way are just a small group of people that have either been invited to keep the sprit going and eliminating any chance for boredom to kick in) or maybe a member or two that just want to ride and prefer to share the opportunity with other members.
The reasons I list above are what I believe most people have come to expect when joining any type of club or organization. But what I noticed the most and has make me realize as the most flavorful reason anyone could have for getting involved in such a organization is what I witnessed while participating in my first event as a member of the FJR Forum; the North Rim run.
Although this ride was fun and exciting, riding at sometimes triple digit speeds while a group of about 22+ motorcycles heading up a scarce 2-lane highway, taking turns passing slower vehicles before oncoming traffic could bare down upon us. The greatest part is how two different groups (FJR Forum & AZ Beemers), come together as a single group to ride, travel and become one. As we all know that anytime a large group gets together the odds of something happening that are not planned, raises with each additional person joining the group. So when someone experiences a flat tire (in this case on a tubed tire), you can always rely on members coming together to get the situation under control and if at all possible, solved. But then it happened. Upon arriving at our destination I heard the news that the FJR Forum had unexpectedly lost one of its renowned members. Although people become saddened when they lose a friend or loved one, this situation was completely different. I really noticed this after I had returned home and once again logged onto the forum. The camaraderie that exists in this forum goes well beyond the normal degree of grief and sadness one experiences upon hearing about the passing of someone close. Because it would almost be mathematically impossible to actually meet and get to know every member on this forum, reading the messages that members leave mourning the loss of another absolutely heartwarming. Not only in one-on-one conversation, but reading message after message, members do their utmost to put their grief into words. These mostly long time, hard-core experienced motorcycle riders sit down and pour their inner most feeling of loss and sadness into words as they share their personal experiences. Many members may have never met the member that passed away, except through reading and/or writing on the forum, yet they too do their part in helping with the healing process, by sharing their personal regrets to the friends and loved ones of the deceased.
I think what I’m trying to say, is how the pure love of the sport of (motorcycling) can bring people together from points across the country and the world for not only the fun, adventure and excitement of the ride, but more importantly, to take part in sharing the grief and sadness that people experience when someone they care so much about life comes to an end. The bond between this forum and its members can only be described like that of the bond between a group of solders on the battlefield. They are family in life and in death.
I had a very nice time participating in my first organized forum ride. I look forward to many more rides and taking part in the conversation and developing friendships that this North Rim ride enabled. And I too was saddened by the news of the loss of yet another distinguished forum member. Anyone that could leave such a remarkable impact on so many individuals has to have been a really good man. What better mark or legacy could one hope to leave, to have been so liked and respected throughout ones life.
I first joined the FJR forum to gain information and working knowledge aspects of the FJR. Being I generally do as much maintenance as I possibly can on any motorized vehicle I own, I thought the forum would be a great place to learn the “tricks of the trade” so to speak about my new motorcycle. And this I have. The information provided by its members and shared with the rest of us is unsurpassed.
Then to keep everyone amused, there is the comedic side where gestures of fun are made on a daily basis where people have fun and build friendships. Some people become great friends without really ever meeting the person they now call friend. This is a rare commodity.
Equally important are the constant rides and events that are setup and organized either by some of the officers (whom by the way are just a small group of people that have either been invited to keep the sprit going and eliminating any chance for boredom to kick in) or maybe a member or two that just want to ride and prefer to share the opportunity with other members.
The reasons I list above are what I believe most people have come to expect when joining any type of club or organization. But what I noticed the most and has make me realize as the most flavorful reason anyone could have for getting involved in such a organization is what I witnessed while participating in my first event as a member of the FJR Forum; the North Rim run.
Although this ride was fun and exciting, riding at sometimes triple digit speeds while a group of about 22+ motorcycles heading up a scarce 2-lane highway, taking turns passing slower vehicles before oncoming traffic could bare down upon us. The greatest part is how two different groups (FJR Forum & AZ Beemers), come together as a single group to ride, travel and become one. As we all know that anytime a large group gets together the odds of something happening that are not planned, raises with each additional person joining the group. So when someone experiences a flat tire (in this case on a tubed tire), you can always rely on members coming together to get the situation under control and if at all possible, solved. But then it happened. Upon arriving at our destination I heard the news that the FJR Forum had unexpectedly lost one of its renowned members. Although people become saddened when they lose a friend or loved one, this situation was completely different. I really noticed this after I had returned home and once again logged onto the forum. The camaraderie that exists in this forum goes well beyond the normal degree of grief and sadness one experiences upon hearing about the passing of someone close. Because it would almost be mathematically impossible to actually meet and get to know every member on this forum, reading the messages that members leave mourning the loss of another absolutely heartwarming. Not only in one-on-one conversation, but reading message after message, members do their utmost to put their grief into words. These mostly long time, hard-core experienced motorcycle riders sit down and pour their inner most feeling of loss and sadness into words as they share their personal experiences. Many members may have never met the member that passed away, except through reading and/or writing on the forum, yet they too do their part in helping with the healing process, by sharing their personal regrets to the friends and loved ones of the deceased.
I think what I’m trying to say, is how the pure love of the sport of (motorcycling) can bring people together from points across the country and the world for not only the fun, adventure and excitement of the ride, but more importantly, to take part in sharing the grief and sadness that people experience when someone they care so much about life comes to an end. The bond between this forum and its members can only be described like that of the bond between a group of solders on the battlefield. They are family in life and in death.
I had a very nice time participating in my first organized forum ride. I look forward to many more rides and taking part in the conversation and developing friendships that this North Rim ride enabled. And I too was saddened by the news of the loss of yet another distinguished forum member. Anyone that could leave such a remarkable impact on so many individuals has to have been a really good man. What better mark or legacy could one hope to leave, to have been so liked and respected throughout ones life.
