RIP Martin.

That's a nice idea. This thread just goes to show the hearts he reached out to.This thread ought to be extracted and added to the book of condolences.
tony.mon wrote:Ok, it's sunk in now, and I wanted to share a few memories, as that's all we'll have from now on- to a point, anyway.
One of the funniest memories I have is when he came to the Bulldog Bash, I threw out a run what you brung challenge, and Martin loved a challenge....
ANyway, i got there first, and got my tent up, and he showed up after work.
i was already a beer or two into the day....
So he shows up, full of swagger and piss, and unpacks his bike.
He gets his tent out, then looks....and looks......and looks- he's left his poles at home, behind the settee.
I've never seen a grown man have as big a temper tantrum in my life. it probably didn't help that I was laughing and crying.....
Anyways, after a bit I took him to the big camping bus, and he bought a cheap tent for the weekend, but he didn't get over it all weekend.
On the drag strip, his legs were too short for a proper burnout, which pissed him off even more.
The first year, I won every race.
The second year (when he remembered his poles) he took one off me, and was rock-a-hoop.
After that, I shared with him my secret, which was that the green "go" light came on .4 of a second after the last yellow light, which meant that I launched on the yellow, as my reaction times were about.5 of a second.
Apparently that was cheating.
He vowed to come back and get me, but it didn't happen.
I can say this about my friend Martin, though:
He didn't half take some catching on a bike.
It seems a shame that he won't be there next time, cracking smart comments, being a pain, but being there for anyone, any time.
We never agreed about the best way ti tune one of the Storm engines; he had his ideas, I have mine, different riding styles, and that's what we agreed in the end- he liked revs, I like torque. Both methods get you to the next corner quicker than most, so it was alright by me.
i'd just paid him for those trick HRC cams, and if they end up heading my way I'll think of him when I get it running.
I'll be up for the funeral, won't be on a bike, which is a shame, but hey, I'll be there to say goodbye anyway, depending on dates.anyway.
Gotta go now, as I'm cooking dinner, blaming the tears on the onions,I did the same thing in my cornflakes.. but I'll ride with you mate.