Saying a final farewell to anyone is not easy at the best of times. Last Saturday week ago we said farewell to John Byrnes who passed away a few days before in the Arohanui Hospice surrounded by friends and family. The rest of us had the opportunity to do the same at a lovely gathering in Feilding and judging by the turnout and the words that were said on the day he was a part of many lives with motorcycles playing a big part in creating that connection with many of us. As was befitting such a life this connection was wonderfully evident on the day with the large number of people who came to the ceremony on bikes and his casket being flanked by his the two bikes that became such an important part of his later life, his Triumph speed triple and his beloved Suzuki RE5 Rotary in all its chrome and metallic orange paint glory.
Whilst this was a lovely sight, the memory I have in my mind of JB is him riding his RE5 over the Gentle Annie road, at speed chasing Sir Al on his Kawasaki H2. There are some wonderful flowing corners near the top section of the road and it was a wonderful sight to see these two forty plus year old bikes in all their chrome and metallic paint glory still doing the business. JBs biggest concern was the fuel range but it didn't seem to be a concern him once he was in the grove and using the sport component of the sports tourer designation allocated to the RE5 .
To top off the trip our sedate lunch stop at Tikokino was disturbed by the arrival of a bus load of stag do gentlemen. Some of the lads saw JBs bike and sought him out as they were so intrigued with his RE5. They were Rotorheads who made it very clear that they wanted to see JB departing the pub on his bike. When we left a suitable gathering surrounded the bike and much to Sir Als chagrin not much interest was taken in any one else's. (or the lad running around looking for his clothes) JB was in his element and the lads certainly enjoyed listening to that unique prb prb rotor sound as he started it up and headed off down the road to the next petrol station!
He was a unique character like his RE5 and he certainly managed to add something unique to all our lives. His positive attitude to adversity and making the most of whatever you have got is wonderful challenge to all of us as we make our way through our own lives.
Thanks for the memories JB and you will be sorely missed.
Some more photos here
Thanks Gazza for putting that together. Great job.
ReplyDeleteReally nice write-up Gazza. Lovely words and some good photos including that Gentle Annie trip with JB in his Blue Haze T-shirt.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly on that ride I was initially chasing John and it was only when the real climb started that I was able to catch him and eventually pass him coming out of a corner. Then he was chasing me but the old H2 just had more grunt out of the corners. He could really ride the RE through the corners though, which given its weight and the fact he only had use of the front brakes, was quite a feat. He was certainly brave.