The GTR Chedi in Mae Hong Son
Google Maps
Some information for newbies
The first ride started in 2009 & what started out 14 years ago as a fun ride in memory of two good riding mates has now developed into a respected memorial ride with a soul that culminates in a moving ceremony at the GTR Chedi atop Wat Doi Kong Mu in Mae Hong Son.
The first ride history
The Tj John Hamilton - Simon Siinthai Grant Memorial Ride
This was ride was for TJ Tropical John Hamilton and Simon Grant, two best mates from Phuket, who came to North Thailand regularly, for motorbike rides and befriended the GTR Community in Chiang Mai, such that we were all good buddies.
John TJ Hamilton, 7 April 1951 - 10 November 2008. TJ was the most loveable, happy character you could imagine. The best mate of Simon Grant, TJ sucumbed to cancer in 2008 after a short 6 month illness.
One year after TJ died, Simon proposed a ride to MHS in memory of TJ & to have a few beers to remember the good times we all had together. A date was agreed for the ride, then 2 weeks beforehand Simon was killed in a hit and run accident in Phuket. We were all stunned.
Simon Duncan Grant, 3 May 1964 - 22 Oct 2009.
We swore then, never to forget TJ or Simon & to always honour them with an annual ride to MHS, and so the GTR MHS Memorial Ride began.
At the start however there was no Chedi, and we started with plaques & 100-year old rose bushes planted at Wat Chong Klang by the lake in Mae Hong Son.
The original ride then, was called The TJ John Hamilton - Simon Siinthai Grant Mae Hong Son Memorial Ride
We had a great time in 2009, celebrating the lives of our two departed mates, so that we decided to carry on & on..
The first ride in 2009 was not without incident though, & 1 rider slid off on some sand on a bridge & broke several ribs landing on the can of chain lube carried in his pocket!
In 2010 it was 12 riders
In 2011 it was 12 riders
The event got more serious in 2012
Dan White
In October 2012 we added a plaque & rose bush for celebrated photographer - travel writer Dan White at the temple Wat Chong Klang.
Dan was a good mate, fan of & contributor to GTR; & I personally had many wonderful adventures with him.
He was also the first person, we were actually able to get some ashes for & put these in the ground with a rose bush at the chedi.
I took "Dan & his ashes" for a final ride to MHS on 20th October 2012.
Arriving in MHS with Dan's photo & ashes
A blessing for Dan at the wat.
Planting Dan's ashes
Dan used to like a tipple & we made sure we celebrated for him that night in MHS!
The Baiyoke Chalet pub in MHS will probably never be the same after that night!
Dan even got on stage with the singer.
Went to 7-11 & closed the town down that night.
And to be honest you may not be able to get away with all that nowadays, but in 2012 MHS was real quiet & GTR knew most people around town!
The morning after
To be continued.
Google Maps
Some information for newbies
The first ride started in 2009 & what started out 14 years ago as a fun ride in memory of two good riding mates has now developed into a respected memorial ride with a soul that culminates in a moving ceremony at the GTR Chedi atop Wat Doi Kong Mu in Mae Hong Son.
The first ride history
The Tj John Hamilton - Simon Siinthai Grant Memorial Ride
This was ride was for TJ Tropical John Hamilton and Simon Grant, two best mates from Phuket, who came to North Thailand regularly, for motorbike rides and befriended the GTR Community in Chiang Mai, such that we were all good buddies.
John TJ Hamilton, 7 April 1951 - 10 November 2008. TJ was the most loveable, happy character you could imagine. The best mate of Simon Grant, TJ sucumbed to cancer in 2008 after a short 6 month illness.
One year after TJ died, Simon proposed a ride to MHS in memory of TJ & to have a few beers to remember the good times we all had together. A date was agreed for the ride, then 2 weeks beforehand Simon was killed in a hit and run accident in Phuket. We were all stunned.
Simon Duncan Grant, 3 May 1964 - 22 Oct 2009.
We swore then, never to forget TJ or Simon & to always honour them with an annual ride to MHS, and so the GTR MHS Memorial Ride began.
At the start however there was no Chedi, and we started with plaques & 100-year old rose bushes planted at Wat Chong Klang by the lake in Mae Hong Son.
The original ride then, was called The TJ John Hamilton - Simon Siinthai Grant Mae Hong Son Memorial Ride
We had a great time in 2009, celebrating the lives of our two departed mates, so that we decided to carry on & on..
The first ride in 2009 was not without incident though, & 1 rider slid off on some sand on a bridge & broke several ribs landing on the can of chain lube carried in his pocket!
In 2010 it was 12 riders
In 2011 it was 12 riders
The event got more serious in 2012
Dan White
In October 2012 we added a plaque & rose bush for celebrated photographer - travel writer Dan White at the temple Wat Chong Klang.
Dan was a good mate, fan of & contributor to GTR; & I personally had many wonderful adventures with him.
He was also the first person, we were actually able to get some ashes for & put these in the ground with a rose bush at the chedi.
I took "Dan & his ashes" for a final ride to MHS on 20th October 2012.
Arriving in MHS with Dan's photo & ashes
A blessing for Dan at the wat.
Planting Dan's ashes
Dan used to like a tipple & we made sure we celebrated for him that night in MHS!
The Baiyoke Chalet pub in MHS will probably never be the same after that night!
Dan even got on stage with the singer.
Went to 7-11 & closed the town down that night.
And to be honest you may not be able to get away with all that nowadays, but in 2012 MHS was real quiet & GTR knew most people around town!
The morning after
To be continued.
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