DDT (12)
Member
Posts: 4116
Sometimes ya just gotta go...
Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...
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« on: August 15, 2013, 08:01:07 AM » |
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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...
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!
See ya down the road...
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Ice
Member
Posts: 1223
Whatever it is, it's better in the wind.
On a road less traveled.
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« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2013, 08:11:07 AM » |
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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. |
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hubcapsc
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Posts: 16785
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2013, 08:12:12 AM » |
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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 |
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T-Bird
Member
Posts: 2487
A friend is one who takes me for what I am.
Cleveland, Tennessee
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« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2013, 08:12:37 AM » |
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Rest in peace Ali.
All of us on this board knows how true she was to you.
Good luck with finding a replacement Bruce.
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csj
Member
Posts: 992
I used to be a wolfboy, but I'm alright NOOOOOWWWW
Peterborough Ontario Canada
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« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2013, 08:28:57 AM » |
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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.
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A guy called me a Ba$tard, I said in my case it's an accident
of birth, in your case you're a self made man.
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Joe Hummer
Member
Posts: 1645
VRCC #25677 VRCC Missouri State Representative
Arnold, MO
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« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2013, 08:32:59 AM » |
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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
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
You pay for the whole bike, why not use it Jerry Motorman Palladino
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2013, 09:23:58 AM » |
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I'll be looking forward to that post!
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2013, 09:40:15 AM » |
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I'll be looking forward to that post!
+1 |
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trout dude
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« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2013, 09:57:50 AM » |
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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
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wiggydotcom
Member
Posts: 3387
Do Your Best and Miss the Rest!
Yorkville, Illinois
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« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2013, 10:35:18 AM » |
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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.
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VRCC #10177 VRCCDS #239  |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #10 on: August 15, 2013, 10:39:34 AM » |
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Is this the first post of a Valkyrie actually wearing out?  (not crashing out) |
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12617
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #11 on: August 15, 2013, 10:51:46 AM » |
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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
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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Spirited-6
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« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2013, 11:15:06 AM » |
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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 !!! |
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Spirited-6
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six2go #152
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« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2013, 11:24:01 AM » |
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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  |
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Michael K (Az.)
Member
Posts: 2471
"You have to admire a healthy tomatillo!"
Glendale, AZ
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« Reply #15 on: August 15, 2013, 12:32:04 PM » |
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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!!  |
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"I'd never join a club that would have me as a member!" G.Marx  |
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Bigwolf
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« Reply #16 on: August 15, 2013, 12:42:05 PM » |
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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 |
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R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #17 on: August 15, 2013, 12:47:02 PM » |
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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?
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44 Harley ServiCar   |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #18 on: August 15, 2013, 01:36:39 PM » |
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If you need assistance of any kind in Alberta, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #19 on: August 15, 2013, 01:42:13 PM » |
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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!  |
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GotValk
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« Reply #20 on: August 15, 2013, 01:53:52 PM » |
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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..... |
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R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #21 on: August 15, 2013, 02:07:23 PM » |
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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.
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44 Harley ServiCar |
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Rocky Top Tim
Member
Posts: 19
Ride the tennessee hills as often as you can.
Rocky Top Tennessee
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« Reply #22 on: August 15, 2013, 03:10:52 PM » |
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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
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« Last Edit: August 15, 2013, 03:15:26 PM by Rocky Top Tim »
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DARKSIDE #VRCCDSO258
1997 black and chrome standard
1976 Honda 750 cafe Racer
ID #34263
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xman
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« Reply #23 on: August 15, 2013, 03:38:14 PM » |
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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
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saddlesore
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« Reply #24 on: August 15, 2013, 04:10:18 PM » |
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 Sorry for your loss. |
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DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
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eric in md
Member
Posts: 2495
ride hard now we all can rest when were gone !!!
in the mountains .......cumberland md
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« Reply #25 on: August 15, 2013, 05:26:08 PM » |
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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.. |
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Thunderbolt
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« Reply #26 on: August 15, 2013, 05:30:29 PM » |
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Not only do you have a way with words Bruce, but now you are causing us to sit on the edge of our seats.......................................
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t-man403
Member
Posts: 1671
Valk-a-maniac
Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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« Reply #27 on: August 15, 2013, 05:46:59 PM » |
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Nothing like a little suspense!  ............................ |
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"Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth". Chuck Norris
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santa
Member
Posts: 866
Santa Tom
Ardmore, Alabama
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« Reply #28 on: August 15, 2013, 10:07:04 PM » |
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She should be Bronzed
Santa
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eric in md
Member
Posts: 2495
ride hard now we all can rest when were gone !!!
in the mountains .......cumberland md
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« Reply #29 on: August 16, 2013, 07:23:22 PM » |
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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 |
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SlowRoad
Member
Posts: 368
Heart of a Legend with a whole lot of Soul
Hartselle AL
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« Reply #30 on: August 18, 2013, 06:31:19 PM » |
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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
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