Last Ride with Bruce

**The Tazman** · 5th December 2006, 23:05

Nice one Jim I wish I could put words down like that.

Unfortunately my last ride with Bruce was his last as I came down the road to see an accident. I couldn't believe it was him as I had ridden with him a few times this year and could only wish to ride as well as him.

I didn't know him as well as some of you on here but was getting to know him as we met on more rides. I had got to the stage of when out ridding I would hope to meet up with Bruce and Andris (Darkman) as I really enjoyed their company and ridding with them.

After reading all the posts in his tribute thread I have come to see there was so much more to Bruce than I knew. What a fanTAZtic man and I'd be very happy to be half the man he was/is (depending on how you like to look at life)

R.I.P. Bruce

Gary

**phoenixgtr** · 6th December 2006, 07:53

My last ride with Bruce was that TCWNR a few weeks ago, when he turned back and rescued that poor guy who broke down around the inlet. Before we set off from the elephant pond Bruce noticed I had dyed my hair black. With his typical cheeky smile he just stared at my hair as I walked past.

Bruce: "was that a drunken moment?"
Me: "Huh?"
Bruce: "your hair, did you get drunk last night?"
Me: "yeah something like that"

He always had a manner that made you feel welcome.
It's that cheekyness that I'll remember most. I remember a couple of times cause my bike is so small sometimes I would get right down out of the wind to keep up with the others. Bruce loved this. He ride cruise up next to me and duck right down and look over at me and pretend like he was pushing hard.

You'll be missed dearly mate

**Fatjim** · 6th December 2006, 08:46

Those of us who had the honour of sharing his last ride know he spent his last day with a grin from ear to ear. Although he was a fantastic and willing mentor the thing I believe he got the biggest kick out of motorcycling was riding with other fast riders. Riders who where respected within the community for their skill.

Sunday, Bruce spent the day riding with Jimbo600, a guy he truely respected, with Darkman, Tazman, myself and one other (I'm sorry I never learnt who you where, come and say hello please) tagging along where we could. I watched his lines, his composure, his pace, so uniquely Bruce. Gangly, yet so gracefull. He would flow from corner to corner, I remember Jimbo's brakes coming on going into some corners, but not Bruce's, he just flowed through them. When Bruce braked, you got on the anchors, you knew you would have too.

Jimbo, whether you realised it or not, you made Bruce's day by riding with him, I think he especially liked the the Water Tower Rd that day, where you two rode alone, and had time for a 3 course meal while waiting for the rest of us to cath up. Thanks.

My last memory of Bruce was us both chuckling over some some silly thing while we were cleaning our visors in Masterton. He's a guy I felt honoured to share a joke with.

Debbie, I'm so sorry for your loss. He truely was the most liked and respected man amongst his friends.

RIP

**Deano** · 6th December 2006, 12:19

Nice words Jim2.

Originally Posted by Fatjim

Those of us who had the honour of sharing his last ride know he spent his last day with a grin from ear to ear.

That's the last image of Bruce I have from Sunday - halfway up the Taka's I could hear a bike closing up behind me into each corner. Sure enough, it was Bruce.

When we reached the top I got off the bike and looked around to see Bruce sitting there, grinning from ear to ear at me - I smiled and he gave me the thumbs up.

Bruce had said to me once that he would never overtake another bike on that hill when pushing it along, which characterised his responsible attitude toward riding.

He was smooth and fast.

That video clip is magic Slingshot - it sums up the cheerful and cheeky nature that Bruce had. We have truly lost a gentleman biker.

**skelstar** · 6th December 2006, 13:08

Fark it. I thought I was all good until I read this thread. I despise you Jim2.

My last ride with Bruce wasn't one of tales of speed but one of generosity. The only time I've been anywhere near Bruce on the Takas was a moment of celebration for me as I was keeping up with him...barely. Minutes later I found that he'd been riding up using only one hand.

No...UB spent a day two weeks ago to selflessly help me and a friend out in the rapa. For me he was at his most generous right up until 3 days ago.

I swear he would be one of the few people on this site that would have more PM's in his Inbox than his post count (except Spank maybe).

**Lissa** · 6th December 2006, 13:27

Awesome posts in this thread... lucky I was to even know the man.

Never did much riding with bruce.. unfortunatly. But the last ride I did... he took me from Masterton to Carterton for the sprints, for the price of some muffins, which he ate at the sprints for breakfast. He rode ahead of me, slow, watching me in his mirrors... then when we got to dalefield road he speed off, was amazed, then slowed down for me to catch up and weaved along the road.. making me laugh. I commented once about his riding, cant remember what I said, but he replied "you havent seen me ride yet". So true, but reading these posts, I can image. Thanks.

**Kendog** · 7th December 2006, 21:17

I only got to ride individually with Bruce once. He had offered to take Mrs KD and I out for a mentoring session a few months back.

Up the Takas we went, stopped at the top for a few pointers then down into the Rapa. We went out to the road that goes to the windmills, never been there before and can't remember the name of it.

It was on this road that Bruce got us to do the one handed riding. Up and down the road we went three times, one handed and no brakes. Doing this will improve your lines and throttle control he said, seemed a bit crazy I was thinking to myself.

After the third trip he asked me how I was doing. I was getting quicker each time and could feel the bike was more balanced around the corners. So with that he got back on his bike and said he would follow me up the hill, this time I could ride with both hands and brake if I wanted.

The next two minutes were bar nothing the best two minutes I have ever had on my bike. I rode up that hill faster than I have ever ridden, swept through each corner effortlessly and never once thought about touching the brake. Pure nirvana.
But now when I think back the best moment was a quick glance in my mirror and seeing Bruce right on my tail cranked over looking like he was going for it (probably still a cruise for him).

It is sad to think I will never see him in my mirror again.

Thanks for the ride Uncle B.

**Trudes** · 8th December 2006, 04:28

To add to that, I had ridden with Bruce a few times before that on the newbie rides etc and admired his calm and encouraging manner. I initially asked Uncle B to mentor me jokingly, figuring he'd be too busy, but he was really keen and after about 6 different attempts to try and get out there, we finally managed it.
I was completely out of my comfort zone with the one handed riding, but Bruce assured me I'd be fine, and I felt like I could totally trust him to not lead me astray. I too loved looking in the mirrors and seeing Bruce right up my bum, grinning away as I felt like a road racer for about a minute and the enormous sense of pride when he told me my lines were spot on.
We stopped at Rimutex on the way home for gas and Bruce would not except our offer to fill his tank up, so when he went inside we slipped some cash into his tank bag. He text me later to tell me we were naughty and that he had a great day with us.
Bruce was most concerned to know if we'd had a good day and was he a good teacher. I couldn't explain to him just how much of a fine teacher he was, as I am still learning and practicing from his teachings.
I had been having a laugh with Bruce at Motomart on Sunday morning and discussing the ladies ride. Everyone buggered off and we got to Castlepoint before everyone else and weren't sure where we were to meet everyone. Immediately I jump on the phone to Bruce, but had no service. I mentioned to Lissa that I felt nervous about riding now, and I think it has more to do with knowing that Uncle B will not be there to pick me and my bike up and dust us off or give me direction.
I too will miss not seeing him in my mirrors, but will think of him as sitting on my shoulder instead.
I'll miss you Uncle B.
T

**COP_B8** · 3rd December 2007, 12:02

I cannot believe it has been a year.

As many of the above, the first person from kiwibiker I met was Bruce down at the duckpond for a wednesday night ride. A welcoming and supportive man always willing to lend a hand and assist newcomers.

Having gone on many rides with him since that first meeting he offered to take me for a one on one ride to help me ride faster, safer and better, unfortunately I never got the chance to take him up on that offer.

I do remember the last ride with him however, over Paekakariki Hill rd at night, one of my headlights blew so Bruce rode with me with his lights on high shining the way, I think that pretty much sums him up!

It is also just over a year after I lost my two of my good friends in a car accident on himitangi straight, I have just got a tattoo on my arm to tribute them, however Bruces tribute lasts every time I go for a ride (albeit on a scooter currently)

RIP