keith
In October 1983 I had taken the carburettor off a friend’s bike but had forgotten to turn off the fuel tap so fuel poured everywhere. If you turn that off that won’t happen said a voice in the background. It was the first time I had met Simon.
And so started a long friendship. We spent the next few years riding the lanes of Kent with monthly runs up to Chelsea Bridge in London.
Simon and I both shared a passion for bikes, whether it was on road or off and I would be swept along with his enthusiasm for his next project.
Simon had done schoolboy motocross. His house backed onto West Malling World War ll airfield. This was too much of a temptation for a teenager. Great to ride his bike. Unfortunately the security guards didn’t like this and one evening chased him back across the airfield. Simon thought he had got away until riding back through the wood he fell off. He was marched off home and the police were called. His mother was not impressed.
Later on Simon got back again into motor cross where he happened to break his collarbone. I was rather off bikes at the time as I had, had an accident and did not get on with the bike I replaced it with. Simon persuaded me with his usual enthusiasm to try out his new bike with him. We spent the afternoon riding around on his bike and Yes! I was hooked again and of course bought a motor bike soon after.
One of Simon’s work colleagues wanted to start road racing. He’s here but I won’t mention his name. Simon of course was all for this. He wasn’t sure about the mechanics so Simon and I became his mechanics working in my father’s garage putting the bike back together when it came to grief. It was a good time and we went to various racing circuits around the country.
Simon was also into karting. Usually at Buckmore Park where they have a large track. Simon would organise his team for endurance races where drivers would change over after so many laps. He would thrive on competition and was determined to win if possible.
Simon enjoyed riding mountain bikes and did many miles riding across the fens with his friends as well as occasional trips too in Thetford Forrest.
Whatever wheeled events Simon was involved in he would always do it all or nothing with total commitment and enthusiasm.
He swept me along into things and people I would have never done met had I not known him.
So as you see Simon was an all rounder and enjoyed life to the full.