Modern Vespa

The plan was to ride to France and then do a monster endurance ride to Spain and back in an attempt to finally get it out of my system but fate had something in store for me.

The day before I was due to leave for Europe my Father died of a huge lung infection.

He'd been put on a non ressus regime as it would be undignified to have medical staff pounding on a 90 year old's chest.

We weren't close but we'd had a chance to resolve of our differences before he left us which help us close the decades long gap.

As nothing would change while I was away I travelled to France regardless but thoughts of Dad were well and truly addling my brains.

I kept checking the weather for the next day and it looked truly vile with heavy thunder storms along the exact route I'd be taking and without any time to adjust it I thought it prudent to postpone it.

Those of you who read my last write up know that I've spent too many hours riding in these conditions and I'm not prepared to do it again so with a heavy heart I took the decision to postpone it but this is where it gets weird.

That evening I sat in the hotel restaurant and every time I reconsidered my decision a waiter/waitress/barman would accidentally drop a glass and it would explode on the floor followed by much French cursing. I'm talking within seconds of the thought the crash/tinkle of the Holidays Inns finest glasswear would fill the void of the restaurant.

I was starting to believe my Dad was trying to remind me about the fragility of my own life.

If that was the message I heeded it so the next day I rode the paltry 450 miles to Amsterdam and back to make it feel like I'd done something, possibly also to clear my head.

However as I'm sitting at the bar I thought to myself - Maybe I could just tack on another 550 miles to make the thousand but just as I'm starting to stroke my beard Smash ! a wine glass hits the deck followed by much Dutch swearing.

That said it all. It was a dumb idea and I'd be returning to the hotel.

I dutifully returned for home the next day but as luck would have it I met a couple of bikers on the tunnel who'd spent the day before in France.

I asked one them what the weather was like the day before and he just rolled his eyes and said F~~king terrible.

That's all I needed to know.

For the first time in my life he'd actually told me something I was prepared to listened to.

How ironic.

Bill x

Sorry to hear about this, my sincere condolences. Seems we've had a run of bad luck around here.

Yeah, it's been a strange old time hasn't it.

Onwards and upwards.

Bill x

Touching situation really. Condolences and power to you Bill.

Next time!

Beautiful story. Good on you for listening!

I'm sorry for your loss. I am however happy to hear that you had the opportunity to resolve your differences. Things left unsaid can be a nasty business. Ride safe Bill Dog.

Sorry for your loss Bill. I was pretty close to my dad and lost him over a year ago. I still hear him sometimes when I'm working in the garage - like he's there just casually commenting on whatever I'm doing...

And I gotta say - FANTASTIC JOB on listening to your dad, the inner voice, the divine tapestry of life, etc., and actually heeding it's advice. I find when I'm still enough, and stay in the moment, I get the answers I need. Not always the answers I want though!

The key is being able to recognize the subtlety of the message that whoever or whatever is trying to tell you. You did that beautifully, and I'm sure your dad would be proud of you for that. Hell, glasses breaking? Not so subtle, but still, you could have ignored that little nudge or not connected the thought and action.

Again, good job, and so sorry for your loss.

Thank you for your kind words all of you.

I'll do the ride eventually but I'll do it over here when I can pick the window rather than head over to Europe and gamble on it.

Yeah its a funny thing when you realise that all the time you knew him he had nothing much to share but now he's gone he can't stop talking.

I wish that he couldn't have seen the look on my face when I finally got it.

I'll miss him.

Bill x

Sorry to hear about your dad, maybe he was pushing back against the void to help you out. Too bad the glassware had to be sacrificed in order to get the message across. Ride safe!

If the timing was off I wouldn't have noticed it but it was like this -

I wonder if I should actually .... crash

Thinking about it a bit more I could .....crash

Maybe I havn't thought this through .... crash

If only I could add another 550 .... crash.

I'm done with it.

Bill x

Four times - and you didn't have to get hurt!

My right shin took a beating - it got whacked 5 times before I got the message, which was "Pay Attention". I haven't hit it since.

Dog,

I am surely not a ghost buster or close follower of paranormal articles reported in the Media. I have only one similar experience.

My blushing bride's mother passed away. We were staying at her parents residence during and after the funeral. There were physical objects moving around independently at the house. My wife and her mom use to joke about sending back a message that they were okay if they died.

That is my story.

Bob Copeland

Bill, so sorry to hear your story! Yet I am happy to see you share it, so some mission was accomplished!

So sorry, Bill. It's not exactly the funnest club. Yes, tough times all around, I'm afraid. Be well.

Very sorry to hear that news about your dad, Bill.
It's good you can regroup and try the ride again under better circumstances and with a clearer head. Keep us posted. We're pulling for you.

Condolences on your loss but at least you were able to reconcile before he passed. That should help.

As for the Ironbutt, some things are meant to be and missing this one seems like it was meant to be.

Thank you for the heartfelt post.

So sorry about losing your father.

And the warning signs truly hit home.

Glad to know that you are safe and ready to ride again.

Bill

And glad to know you're safe Bill, and hope you ride again soon!

Thank you for all your support and thank you all for sharing your stories.

It's been very touching to feel the love form the MV community.

In honour of my Dad ( and my selfish determination ) I'm going to reschedule this ride but only when my head is in the right place and when the weather has improved.

I took the hint that it would be a mistake to run it ( and when I finally tell you how far it was going to be you'll understand) and walked away.

I wasn't looking for excuses, I just couldn't ignore the signs.

Thanks again all.

Bill x

Bill, my condolences on the loss of your father. I wish you peace.

I look forward to the time you complete your ride.