Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

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r80rob
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Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

Post by r80rob » Sun Dec 17, 2017 9:02 pm

In February 2017 myself , Steve and a few others planned to ride our Honda cubs from Kent to North Wales to go camping at the Dragon rally.

Steve as always was the ride leader and had planned what sounded a great route encouraging us to take an extra day off work and explore some of the high passes.

Steve mentioned a few times of a nagging pain in his shoulder blade and was worried on the lead up to leaving that due to the pain he might not be able to come. We had a long conversation that night via Facebook messenger and he decided he would load his bike and see how he felt in the morning.

The next day he felt worse and decided that he wasn't coming. The rest of the group left and Steve sent over his route for us to ride on the way back. Due to a number of breakdowns we never did ride the planned route which I saved on my phone.

I always thought we'd just do it next year with Steve leading but sadly that wasn't to be. Steve's pain got steadily worse and he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

His condition deteriorated quickly and when I was able to visit he took great comfort from talking through his adventures and long rides. Sadly Steve lost his battle with cancer in October 2017.

I've decided to ride the route he planned in his memory and to raise as much money as possible for S.t Christopher's hospice who cared for him until the end.

So in February 2018 i'll be riding my 1972 Honda cub from the isle of Sheppey in Kent up to North Wales on the Friday to camp at another rally, then on to the Dragon rally on Saturday camping again. On the Sunday I'll follow Steve's route over the passes and probably use the B&B he recommended, then Monday will be the long ride back down to Kent. Mileage should be in the region of 800 with camping gear on the back.

I can't think of a more fitting way to remember Steve and hope you can spare some cash to support me.

Thanks.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robin-watson2

culfy
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Re: Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

Post by culfy » Sun Dec 17, 2017 9:24 pm

I've just donated ,I met Steve a few times at Matlock ,what a smashing bloke.Good luck with the journey and keep us all posted ,cheers Ian.

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onittino3
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Re: Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

Post by onittino3 » Sun Dec 17, 2017 9:30 pm

Good on you Rob, just donated...don't forget to pack your spare inner tubes :oops:

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r80rob
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Re: Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

Post by r80rob » Sun Dec 17, 2017 9:37 pm

Thanks guys , means a lot. I'll make sure I update here :mrgreen:

Did 100 miles to day bike running well and water proofs did the job, and yes I've got two inner tubes :lol:

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r80rob
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Re: Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

Post by r80rob » Sun Dec 17, 2017 10:20 pm

Here's the screen shots of the route Steve planned back in February:

Image

Image

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raybarber
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Re: Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

Post by raybarber » Sun Dec 17, 2017 11:40 pm

Abergwesyn Pass looks interesting and 90 miles from home, so maybe come the warmer weather?

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r80rob
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Re: Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

Post by r80rob » Mon Dec 18, 2017 9:20 pm

Haven't looked at that one yet but just found this video from March of Hirnant pass

https://youtu.be/5tNVRNYLIfM

Fair amount of snow...

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johnxl
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Re: Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

Post by johnxl » Sat Dec 23, 2017 1:57 pm

Bump (I think thats the term).

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r80rob
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Re: Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

Post by r80rob » Sun Dec 24, 2017 3:30 pm

johnxl wrote:
Sat Dec 23, 2017 1:57 pm
Bump (I think thats the term).

Thanks buddy, sorry been a bit quiet with the updates. That small bit of snow we had a few weeks ago was the deciding factor - I really needed to re-roof the garage. The snow melting created more rain inside than outside plus a couple of leaks I knew about anyway made it an easy decision.

So I pulled all the old corrugated metal off brought some OSB and felt plus added some extra timber to the roof.

Started Fri worked Saturday and just finished after starting at 7 !

Now to dry everything out including the stripped mz engine (!) , here's to no leaks , hopefully !

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r80rob
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Re: Dragon rally - in memory of Steve W

Post by r80rob » Sun Dec 24, 2017 3:32 pm

Also worth noting that donations are up to £190 which is absolutely amazing , thanks to everyone who has donated :mrgreen:

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