The Long Last Ride
he long last ride began a few weeks ago in Wells USA. It was done in memory
of a good friend. The ride involved 5 riders. There was Pigglet he was the
town Sheriff, C/C, he was a Lawyer from the next town over .Musicman he was a
DJ for a local radio station, me, Vanner I own a little leather shop at the
local flea market, and our best friend Dr Jack who owned a bike repair shop.
We had been planning this long ride for quite a few months. But had to postpone it because Dr. Jack had come down sick with a chest cold. The doctors thought it was pneumonia, but what it really was, was lung cancer. Dr. Jack was the best person you could ever know. There wasn�t anything he wouldn�t do for you. If your bike needed fixed and you was short of cash no problem, he never wanted to see a person down and not able to ride. We all hated to see him hurting.
As time went on Dr Jack got worse. Some days he would be great and other days the chemo would wear him right out. It finally took its toll on him about 3 weeks ago he passed on to the great ride in the sky. The day of his funeral there were about 50 to 60 bikers who showed up to ride a last ride for him. Then we all gathered at the Hole in the Wall Tavern, where we all passed on stories of what he had done. It was at this point that Piglet, C/C, Music man, and I decided one long last ride for our friend. The next day we met at my house and planned it out. We decided to take Dr Jacks helmet and leather jacket put it on our bikes and head out to all the places we used to go together.
We left that following Saturday morning. We all met at Sally�s Breakfast House for coffee and breakfast. To start the morning out right we ordered a coffee for Dr Jack. We even placed his helmet on the table and his jacket on back of the chair as if he was there with us, in our hearts and memories he was with us�this was for him. After a great breakfast, we headed out. We took US Route 1 down the coast taking in the beautiful scenery. Our first stop was at the Rooster Nest, about three hours down the road. We made our first toast to Jack, Music man had the honor, he even played the song Born To Be wild on the juke box, and said this is for you my friend. After a couple of hours we headed out again. We rode for about two hours maybe three before we got to the campground were we would spend the night. After setting up camp we rode to the local restaurant for some dinner, before we headed to the Iron Horse Saloon. At the Iron Horse we met up with some old friends that were partying there. Just as C/C was about to make his honorable toast, Crazy Sam the owner walked in. He asked about Dr. Jack we explained what had happened, and what we were doing and Crazy Sam told us the drinks were on the house and asked when we got done with our long ride if he could hang Dr Jacks helmet and coat up on the memorial wall with all the other brothers that have passed on. We said sure that way everybody he had touched could remember him. About midnight we staggered to the campground which was connected to the saloon.
At around 9am we finally got ourselves together enough to go to breakfast. We wandered over to the Iron Horse and got on our bikes. This time I had the honor of carrying Dr Jacks helmet and coat on my bike. Well the first stop was only a couple miles down the road to McDonalds for some coffee. Like always we ordered one for Dr. Jack. Now it was up to me to lead us on to our next stop, Main Street in Daytona. We pulled up outside the Boothill Saloon. Biketoberfest was going and the party was in full swing. We all grabbed a seat close to the edge of the road and proudly displayed Dr Jacks helmet and coat. Then said Dr Jack this round is for you. At this time Piglet stood up on the bar and announced that we were on a memorial ride for Dr Jack and that anyone who wanted to come over and pay their respects were welcomed. The band even dedicated Lynard Skynards song Free Bird to us and Dr Jack. We stayed there for biggest part of the day watching all the pretty and scantily clad ladies walking up and down the street and the beautiful bikes that would rumble up and down the street. There is nothing like it, the sound of a Harley idling by. Every time one of us saw a good looking gal or bike we would say Jack you should have seen that one. Every now and then somebody would ask who we were talking to and we would explain. Just about every person who asked said that was a great way to send a friend off on his last ride. Even the local paper did a article on us. Interviewing each of us for the story. They even took pictures of us around our bikes displaying Dr Jacks helmet and coat.
It was time to head to our next hangout. We were headed towards the Ghost Rider Saloon when C/C�s bike died half way there. We all pulled over and asked Dr. Jack what we should do, looking at his helmet. He always seemed to know what to do or how to fix it. Music man and Piglet said its up to them this time as they wished he was there to help them. After a little trouble shooting and a few colorful words we figured it out that a wire had broke off the coil causing the bike to loose its fire. Once fixed we headed onto the Ghost Rider Saloon. Once again we displayed Dr Jacks stuff. The Ghost Rider Saloon is where we finally crashed as we partied into the we morning hours. Music man and I were the first to arise. We were inside the bar having coffee when Piglet and C/C strolled in. As they drank their coffee we discussed the last leg of our ride and that was back toward the Iron Horse saloon so we could hang Dr Jacks Helmet and coat up in their final resting place for all to admire. After what seemed a eternity of never ending cups of coffee we all got cleaned up and ready to go. As we bid farewell to our friends at the Ghost Rider Saloon, they all wished us well and were glad we brought Dr Jack by for one last visit. Since we were all hung over it seemed like a awful long ride to the Iron Horse, it only took us about a hour to get there. When we got there, Crazy Sam had already made a spot for Dr Jacks stuff along with a plaque depicting the long last ride of Dr Jack. As we all hung his stuff on the wall for all to look at a real sadness came over us, we realized this was indeed his last ride but he will always be in our hearts and soul. Each one of us bowed our heads and said a little prayer in memory of Dr. Jack. My prayer to him was that he always lived to ride and ride to live and may he always be in the wind were ever he may go.
The last leg of our journey back to the home front was a long, quiet, and solemn ride. But we all made a promise to each other that we would do this for each of us and anyone else we know since we felt it was a great way to remember our friends. As we all pulled into town and began to head our own prospective ways we said goodbye to each other and Dr. Jack and the long last ride was over for now.
