Loss Of A Loved One...

[DDT (12)]

                                              LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

Greif can take many forms, and each of us must deal with that very real aspect of human existence in our own way. We do have to acknowledge the passing, of course, but I prefer to fix my focus upon celebrating the time we had together rather than the pain of the loss itself... and what a time we shared...

It was brief, though... all too brief, now that fate and circumstance have forced our parting. As I look back over the last fourteen years and seven months, however, I must admit that those have been some of the most eventful and meaningful times of my life... and my dear friend ALI took me on the ride of a lifetime that changed me into a different and more worthwhile person than I otherwise would have been!

In our time together we travelled more than 441,000 very happy miles throughout North America. In fact, I lost her after we had made the turn for home in Alberta and retraced our route back down the Ice Field Parkway through the Canadian Rockies. Yes, she went out in style, and she never whimpered or asked for mercy.

She has passed on now, but she will long be remembered. Her memory will be some of my most cherished until my time comes, and I must pass on, as well... I'll share more in a later post about the trip and events, but for now, I just wanted to pay tribute to a valiant lady... my late '99 Valkyrie Tourer...

DDT

P.S. NO accident, injury or illness was involved in any of this... her time had simply come...

[Ice]

Bruce, I am sorry for your loss   and hope you will soon find a Trusty Steed that will carry you on. I am certain nothing can replace ALI seeing as how much wind you had together and all the miles, however I am sure you will find a new friend that will keep the wind blowing.

[hubcapsc]

It would be a hoot for Bruce to roll into the next fall color ride on one of these, but I bet he'll
be on a Valkyrie..



-Mike

[T-Bird]

Rest in peace Ali.  
All of us on this board knows how true she was to you.
Good luck with finding a replacement Bruce.

[csj]

I've been hearing about the all time mileage leader ddt, since I first joined vrcc 8 yrs ago.

So I got to ask, what happened? Did she blow a valve, croak a final drive?

Perhaps a picture of the departed.

[Joe Hummer]

Hey Bruce...extremely sorry for your loss.  After those kind of miles, it would be hard to say goodbye.  Curiosity is killing me though...what happened?

Joe

[Daniel Meyer]

I'll be looking forward to that post!

[..]

I'll be looking forward to that post!

+1

[trout dude]

Bruce Sorry for your loss and may I say it was a honor to ride with you and her back from kentucky
she will be missed . Let us know what you are going to do and if you need help looking any where for her replacement . Glad to here you are fine.
  Trout Dude

[wiggydotcom]

Wow, an amazing journey comes to a close! I can't even fathom 441,000 miles on one bike. Ali must have been one faithful Dragon. RIP.

[Jess from VA]

Is this the first post of a Valkyrie actually wearing out?    (not crashing out)

[Oss]

Bruce,

I know how much you enjoyed the freedom to know that whatever direction of the compass you wanted to meander that  Ali would make sure you arrived with fresh experiences ready to share

We have enjoyed years of your homespun, almost Mark Twain  like observations about people places and things   I have told you in person how much I look forward to each installment of your adventures.

For myself, selfishly, I hope that you retain that amazing ability to share in a way that everyone
not only enjoys, but in fact many awaits each installment like the dog listening for the sound of his master's car on the road

It is good to know that your injury is only of the mind and not the body. Let us know if there is anything we all can do to bring Ali back from the scrap heap if that is where she lies

[Spirited-6]

                                              LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

Greif can take many forms, and each of us must deal with that very real aspect of human existence in our own way. We do have to acknowledge the passing, of course, but I prefer to fix my focus upon celebrating the time we had together rather than the pain of the loss itself... and what a time we shared...

It was brief, though... all too brief, now that fate and circumstance have forced our parting. As I look back over the last fourteen years and seven months, however, I must admit that those have been some of the most eventful and meaningful times of my life... and my dear friend ALI took me on the ride of a lifetime that changed me into a different and more worthwhile person than I otherwise would have been!

In our time together we travelled more than 441,000 very happy miles throughout North America. In fact, I lost her after we had made the turn for home in Alberta and retraced our route back down the Ice Field Parkway through the Canadian Rockies. Yes, she went out in style, and she never whimpered or asked for mercy.

She has passed on now, but she will long be remembered. Her memory will be some of my most cherished until my time comes, and I must pass on, as well... I'll share more in a later post about the trip and events, but for now, I just wanted to pay tribute to a valiant lady... my late '99 Valkyrie Tourer...

DDT

P.S. NO accident, injury or illness was involved in any of this... her time had simply come...

Sorry Bruce, but I think that post is the "craps" I was thinking about a PERSON.... Your BAD !!!

[six2go #152]

WOW! Seems like yesterday when you,Terry & Kat, and I met in Pigeon Forge and how we went screamin' down the BRP with the three of us shouting; "Hey Bruce, wait for us". I think you only had a little over 50,000 on her then. Wait! That could have been yesterday

[Flask]

Bruce,

So sorry to hear about your best friend ALI. I only hope you can find a replacement to your liking !!!!!
I hope to meet up again and share your stories that only you can provide my friend 

Do you need help to Stuff and mount her in the living room and or Man Cave 

[Michael K (Az.)]

The cycle always continues. The only constant is change. Hope to get in a ride or 3 with you again friend. I KNOW you have a plan even if you don't know what it is yet!!

[Bigwolf]

So Sorry for your loss Bruce.     I know you really enjoyed your time in the wind with Ali.

As others have said, "I'll be looking forward to that post!"

Bigwolf and Crazy B

[R J]

Hey Bruce.   Does ya remember me telling you that if you kept going at the pace you were, you'd end up running the wheels off of ALI?

So what happened Grasshopper aka DDT aka Bruce?

[Gryphon Rider]

If you need assistance of any kind in Alberta, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

[BIG--T]

Bruce ya had me going too thinking it was a person! lol. But I know the feeling after you had your friend so long. Good luck on finding maybe an Ali junior!

[GotValk]

I think Honda should step up and get you a new ride, Just because of your record breaking mileage on one of the finest machine they had ever built!

Sorry for your loss.....  

[R J]

Somewhere on this site and just recently they asked for high mileage.

Last time I looked at it there were 3 in front of me and 2 in front of Bruce.

Somehow he lost his high mileage post.

Oh well, things happen that way.

I remember my dad saying before he went in the Marines, son, no matter how tough or how big you are there will always be someone bigger or tougher.  He was right, I had the Marine Corps/Navy 155# weight Boxing class in Japan, during my enlistment in the Marine Corps.   Went to Hawaii on R&R, and a little featherweight, just flat ass kicked my butt and reoiled it for me.  I think there was three punches, I smacked him, he smacked me, and my head smacked the mat for the count of 10.       I quit boxing, didn't like my ass being kicked that hard.  At the time before this match my record was like 70-0-1.    70 wins, no losses and 1 tie.   Yes sir, I thought I was hot crap till then.

[Rocky Top Tim]

Hello DDT I hope this finds you well am sorry that I never got to meet you or ALI. I hope ALI gets to RIP In piece in a musum Somewhere she earned every right. Good luck DDT       ROCKY TOP TIM

[xman]

Bruce, I recall you telling the story to a group of us, how you set out putting on many of those miles. Hope you have a new ride so we can hear more about the places you and her have been.

Tom

[saddlesore]

Sorry for your loss.

[eric in md]

                                              LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

Greif can take many forms, and each of us must deal with that very real aspect of human existence in our own way. We do have to acknowledge the passing, of course, but I prefer to fix my focus upon celebrating the time we had together rather than the pain of the loss itself... and what a time we shared...

It was brief, though... all too brief, now that fate and circumstance have forced our parting. As I look back over the last fourteen years and seven months, however, I must admit that those have been some of the most eventful and meaningful times of my life... and my dear friend ALI took me on the ride of a lifetime that changed me into a different and more worthwhile person than I otherwise would have been!

In our time together we travelled more than 441,000 very happy miles throughout North America. In fact, I lost her after we had made the turn for home in Alberta and retraced our route back down the Ice Field Parkway through the Canadian Rockies. Yes, she went out in style, and she never whimpered or asked for mercy.

She has passed on now, but she will long be remembered. Her memory will be some of my most cherished until my time comes, and I must pass on, as well... I'll share more in a later post about the trip and events, but for now, I just wanted to pay tribute to a valiant lady... my late '99 Valkyrie Tourer...

DDT

P.S. NO accident, injury or illness was involved in any of this... her time had simply come...

what a pos .. i would take it back to dealer..  sorry for your loss bruce glad your safe..

[Thunderbolt]

Not only do you have a way with words Bruce, but now you are causing us to sit on the edge of our seats.......................................

[t-man403]

Nothing like a little suspense!

  ............................

[santa]

She should be Bronzed

Santa

[eric in md]

hey santa ,, please be nice to bruce this christmas its right around corner.. he has been a great kid all year please help fix his heartbreak .. ps thanks santa claus 

[SlowRoad]

Bruce, I haven't been around here much, but I heard about Ali.  Sorry for your loss.

Haven't seen you around BamaRides for a while either.  Holler sometime.

Tim