Bit of a ramble, bit I need an outlet (sorry!)

[penno]

Not sure were to start, don't even feel qualified to write too much but feel compelled to write something. I guess I'm feeling a little shock after hearing about Alan Hales death. I didn't know Alan Hales well, in fact I only spent half a day with him but it was one of the most enjoyable days I've spent riding. Alan was a good friend of a mate of mine. He regaled of stories of him and Alan riding the OPH, Macquarie Pass, the Oxley, various trips to PI and every other road you can ride in between. My mate had been on at me to go for ride with him for ages. I'd politely decline, not because I didn't want to go (there was nothing more I wanted to do) but I knew from the stories I'd slow them down and probably spoil their day. Eventually I gave in and agreed to spend the day with them. 5 punts was the route to be ridden and I thought short sprints, I can't get left 2 far behind.........Meeting point was the Shell at Kariong, a 15 minute ride for me. 2 minutes up the road and it starts to rain, not heavy but just enough to make me nervous. Meet at Kariong, introduced to Alan, plan is upto PITS to meet some more guys and then off to the main ride. Agreed time at PITS is 20 minutes away - F3 or OPH. OPH and we'll be there with time for coffee, this should be interesting. Still raining (more a mist) and we head off. Out to Somersby, past the quarries, OST and they start weaving, WTF? Ah, warming up tyres, I see....Have I ever ridden fast enough to need to warm up my tyres.....no. Shit how are they staying up right, you can't lean over that far on a wet road....Past the slab and gone.....where the fark are they? Calga and there they are patiently waiting. Pace slow, sticking together, cross the F3, pace increasing, still together, hey you can ride quicker than I thought in the wet....I'm gunna go OK today.....didn't they have numberplates before, RWC coming up in a couple of corners, holy shit they've hit the afterburners, shower of sparks (boots/footpegs what the?), round the next corner where'd they go? Pass the RWC, there they are cruisin', waiting, back together. Pace comfortable again, slowly increasing, hey I've never even dreamed of riding through here at this pace, this is good fun! Then pace right off, back to 80, time for a stretch. Not much time though it starts to tighten up here but you can't do that! Alan, no hands, arse slightly offseat, knee down - me, handlebars tighly gripped, I'm going a little quicker that I'd like here......and so it goes for 2/3s of the way down the hill to Mooney!! Uneventful from here to PITS. Quickly becomes apparent at the cafe that Alan is widely repected. Every manner of question thrown at him, set up - shocks, tyres, best bike ridden, worst bike ridden and everyone wants to know his opinion. Change of plan, out to Wollembi for a feed and back. "Is that OK with you Dave?" asks Alan. Why would you be asking me I think "Yeah I'm easy mate," I mumble as a reply. So we start to mount up, Alan comes over - "You know the way?" "Yeah". "Don't try to keep up, do your own thing, we'll meet you there, be careful. You know Lemmings? Take it easy through there." "Thanks Al, don't worry about me, I'll be right". Off we go, 6 GSXR1000's with what turns out to be a very accomplished and well matched crew, plus me on the ZZR, a newbie who would love to be able push like these guys, think that it's more mind over matter (I could do that!). Climbing back up from Mooney, and lose sight of them. Gotta keep up with them and then my first self induced "moment" on the road. You idiot I think, slow down, ability and desire don't quite match. Meet up again at Calga and here we go again. All together, 140+ sweepers how good is this! Guys drop back to help me along and this is the best fun with your clothes on!! Past the GS at Kulnurra and the afterburners are back on and the pace is too hot for me, I'm by myself but how good is this!! Not alot happens after this but I get back with these guys a few times and I'm learning all the time. Back at the PITS and questions are being fired at Alan again, and the respect is quite unbelievable. And why not. Former professional roadracer, Bathurst winner, successful on 2 & 4 strokes, production as well as GP machines. Then talk turns to latest toy - 1098 Ducati on order. Lots of add ons (pipes etc) and many others are buying them also on his opinion alone. Too soon the day is done and I'm home but with a day of awesome memories and I'm a much better rider for it. But.......

I have a young family at home,
I'm so far away from being able to ride like these guys and probably never will be close
Remember, respect the beast, they can bite, and when they do it invariably hurts.

So what is this all about. I'm not sure. When I heard about Alan's death doing something he loved and was so very good at, on a road he knew so well, I felt compelled to write something. I guess it's a timely reminder that no matter how good we are (think we are) there's always something that can bring us unstuck with horrendous outcomes,not just for us, but for those we may be burdening for care or leaving for good. I understand why we get out there and push to our limits and sometimes past it. As motorcyclists we definately "tick" in a different way to most people out there. We've all been called "mad", "crazy" and "temporary citizens" plenty of times. I don't mind the "mad" or "crazy" but I really object to the other.

The next time you go for a ride ask yourself "What could go wrong? What's the worst thing that can happen?" There's enough people out there commiting attempted manslaughter upon us without us adding to the mix. Ride within your limit if not for yourself then at least for those who care about you. I'm not advocating parking up and never venturing out again but do we need to ride at 10/10ths to enjoy the experience?

My thoughts with Adele, RIP Alan.

[6maniac]

Thanks Penno - I'm dripping tears over the keyboard as I type- R.I.P. Alan.

[Neka79]

umm i dont know Alan... i didnt know he died, or who he was....

but an interesting point is raised at the end of the story... "do we really need to ride at 10/10's"??

when we go out for that ride guys, think of ur family and freinds at home b4 u make that stupid pass etc...

RIP Alan..

[hoffy]

Id be carefull assuming 10/10ths was the cause..
..Alan had well over 45 years road riding experience, and was not a stupid nor reckless individual..

[Neka79]

Id be carefull assuming 10/10ths was the cause..
..Alan had well over 45 years road riding experience, and was not a stupid nor reckless individual..

oh..and if what i posted seems like i was implying Alan was at 10/10ths....

i was merely making a general statement...i kno nothing abt Alan or his accident..

i was just being generally warning!!

[penno]

I'm not suggesting 10/10ths was the cause of the accident. This was a guy who had a sensational skill level but he suffered some sort of catastrophic event that meant his life was lost.

We've got 20+ gone in SE QLD so far this year (that's just outrageous) a fatality on the OPH 2 weeks previous, and 4 that I know of returning from the GP at PI.

We've all ridden with, know someone who rides outside there ability on occassion. I don't want to read about them coming to grief.

[hoffy]

Yeah Im saying anyone blamed it on 10/10ths, but I cant see Alan riding beyond his capabilities of which he had plenty, there must be something more to it.

[Wattie]

mechanical failure??

ive read a few things on 1098's stalling and/or locking rear wheel while riding.

we'll never know.

RIP Alan

[dave#3]

we'll never know

Actually, we might. The bike was seized for forensic examination, so it's possible one of the investigators suspects something was amiss. Regardless RIP dude.

[badinov]

When i heard that Alan Hales lost his life on "the Old Rd" last Saturday i was stunned... a champion "A grade" road racer of the 70's & 80's, winner of the '79 Castrol 6 hour race, many lap records to his name !A rider with enormous talent & experience.When i first started racing Alan made the expansion chambers for my 250 suzuki, later doing the porting & carbies....always offering advise & helpful tips. Those that come from that era ( as i do ) will remember that Alan was always fast,always clean & tidy. There must be more to it.....It doesn't seem right. R I P Alan Hales