Got in a quick Pie Shop ride yesterday. Have been trying to meet up with an old road racing identity from the 70s and we finally managed to get our ducks in line. Alec used to race Kawasakis back in the day and, tragically, his older brother, who also raced, was killed in a crash at Bathurst. Understandably, Al gave it away after that and moved on with his life as people do. So, how come he is back riding bikes, you might ask (a very tasty Triumph Speed Triple, actually). Well, a couple of years ago, Al did one of his O/S trips (when you COULD) and this time he visited Thailand.
Bored of the commercialism of the big cities, he wanted to see the “real” Thailand and it seemed that the best way to do that was by motorcycle. He didn’t have an Australian motorcycle licence, he didn’t even have a Thai licence but he asked the bike hirer if his Australian passport would do. “No, mate,” was the reply, “All I want to see is your money.” So, Al set off south and spent a week exploring the non-tourist part of Thailand. He absolutely loved it but he also found that he’d fallen in love with riding again.
Al had been a tourist coach driver for many years so he knew the Australian countryside well and, as soon as he got home he trundled around to a little bike shop in Caringbah and bought a cheap first bike, a Hyosung 250. He loved it and it was soon replaced with a new KTM 300. Once he had his “black” licence for bikes back he sold the KTM (he regrets it) and bought his present bike, the Triumph.
Now I was a little apprehensive going for a ride with him because I have had lots of experience riding with ex-racers and I know full well that, once the visor goes down, all those bad racing habits come out to play. I needn’t have worried, Al was copy-book. His lines were immaculate, he kept a constant distance from the traffic in front and even going up and down Macquarie Pass, he always seemed to be in the right spot and in the right gear. The good habits that you learn while racing were certainly still there.
The destination for the ride was the Pie Shop, of course. I haven’t been there for months, what with lockdown, renovations to the shop and the poor weather we have been experiencing, so it was great to park, shoot the breeze with some local riders who I knew well and catch up with what Al and I had been doing since last we met (over 40 years ago). As always, the years quickly faded away and the names of friends-in-common soon started emerging. Alec knows lots of the people who I remember from the day and is gleefully exchanging stuff on social media as friendships are re-established.
We couldn’t stay long as he had to be back in Sydney to take a disabled acquaintance of his to a doctor’s appointment but it sure was great to catch up and I foresee that we will be meeting again soon.
I couldn’t help but notice when I got to the Pie Shop that Will and Jen have commissioned a large motorcycling mural to be painted on the wall just outside the front door. The street artist guys had their van parked outside and they were painting away. I am so respectful of artistic people, mainly because I’m not. This mural looks brilliant so don’t forget to have a close-up look next time you are there.
When I got home there was a message from Will letting me know that this was happening and including a picture of the work in progress. He was surprised to find that I’d just got home from looking at it. “Did you read the text at the bottom of the mural?” he asked. I confessed that I hadn’t seen it, it had been obscured by some paint cans and stuff. I called up the picture again and looked. It is so much more than a mural. As you can see from the photo, it is entitled “Forever Riding” and it is dedicated to Max Pinch and Mike McCarthy, two of our revered local riders who paid the ultimate price for their motorcycling passion. I couldn’t think of a better tribute to Maxie and Mick and thank Will and Jen for their thoughtfulness. Truly, motorcycling friends are the best friends.
