THE GTR MHS Memorial Ride Background
The GTR Rider MHS Memorial Ride started out to celebrate the life of two riding buddies Tropical John Hamilton & Simon Grant.
These two guys were actually yachties & lived in Phuket, who rode up to Chiang Mai every year & did a motorcycle tour of the North.
Inevitably they hooked up with the GT Rider gang hanging out at the Kafe & the Xcentre, and we all became good mates who enjoyed each others company & trips together.
TJ unexpectedly died from a tumour in 2008 & a year later it was time for the annual ride north for Simon, but yjere was no TJ. One of the best times ever in his life had been riding to MHS with TJ & now Simon didn’t feel like doing it alone. It just wouldn’t be the same without his best mate TJ; so he invited the GTR rider guys to join him in a ride to MHS to celebrate the good times he had with TJ.
A date was pencilled in a couple of months ahead; & Simon flew up to Chiang Rai to buy an Africa Twin to ride a big bike with the GTR guys on his trip. He safely rode the AT from Mae Sai back to Phuket in 2 days, but a week later we got a message from Phuket – Simon had been killed on his bike, a hit & run!
We were all stunned, but vowed then that we would have a GTR Ride together to MHS in honour of both TJ & Simon.
14 guys made the original ride which we called The TJ John Hamilton - Simon Siinthai Grant Mae Hong Son Memorial Ride, and over the years the ride grew in numbers to bond us together more. Every annual ride saw our camaraderie grow, remembering all the rides & roads we had ridden together, such that the ride itself really got to mean something.
At the start however there was no Chedi, and we started with two plaques & two 100-year old rose bushes planted at Wat Chong Klang by the lake in Mae Hong Son.
7 years later a couple more riding buddies had passed on & it was no longer practical to continue with the tiny plot at Wat Chong Klang. The idea of a GTR chedi was born.
An approach was made to the abbot of Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu, for permission to build a small chedi in in honour of our departed mates and any future friends who may pass on.
The abbot graciously agreed & the GTR Chedi was born & inaugurated in November 2016.
Construction of the Chedi started after the untimely passing of riding brother Tom Forde after his family very generously allowed us to sell off his personal effects and donated the proceeds to start building. GTR will forever be in their debt.
In 2016 then there were plaques for
TJ John Hamilton.
Simon Grant.
Dan White.
Tom Forde.
TJ & Simon had plaques only, but Dan & Tom had ashes interred in the chedi.
From 2016 the event was renamed the GTR MHS Memorial Ride, but out of respect we always display a banner of the two original guys TJ & Simon.
In 2021 GTR had a separate Rider's Memorial built for other riders who may not have been so closely involved with GTR over the years, but for whom other bikers may wish to honour & be able to pay their respects to.
In 2023 the ride has been going for 14 years, more people have been added to the chedi & we keep riding to pay homage to them. It is a time to reminisce about the good times shared with departed friends, plus a time to celebrate life, how lucky we have been to live and ride here in this fabulous country. After more a decade and a half, the event has a soul, it’s not just a group of bikers going for a booze up, and is regarded highly by all those participating.
At the temple there are two Buddhist ceremonies that we conduct with the monks.
These are (1) to make merit, to show appreciation to the abbot for granting permission for the GTR Chedi and (2) to pay respect to our departed friends in the Chedi.
The ceremonies are both held at the GTR Chedi, are crucial to the event and all riders are requested to attend them, to maintain the respect for the occasion.
In both maintaining the Chedi & Rider's Memorial, and organising the Buddhist ceremonies there are costs involved. We invite riders who may wish to show their appreciation to make a small donation to help. All donations big or small are welcome.
To clarify these costs include:
(1) The Chedi & Riders Memorial is painted each year, plus the grass cut prior to the event.
(2) The Buddhist ceremonies, costs include offerings, robes, Master of Ceremonies, chairs, water & assistants.
All surplus funds received are donated to the abbot after the event.
For 2023 we would like to know who is going to prepare catering & drinks at the Piya Gh.
Indicated 2023 attendees
- David Unk
- Tim Stanley
- Dave DKT
- Liam
- Robert Straghan
- David Lek
Jurgen- Grahame Edwards
- Youngie
- Russ McDermid
- Bungy
- Chris Maple
- Oddvar
- Bob Kagan
- Toe Nee
- Steve Askham
- Scottie
- John Blackie
- Paul Black
- Charles Winter
- Simon
- Simon's Dad
- Simon's mate
- Harry the Finn
- Jason Unk
- Matt, ToeNee mate
- Mathias
- Peter Duffy
- Tuen Bungy's mate.
- Jack Higgs
- Mon Higgs
- Lolli
- Per Amundsen.
- Sammy Jay.
Con.- Joe.
- Ricky
- Steve X.
- Jozef.
+ Pillions
- Nettie
- Ning
- Jan
- Nom
- Partner Per Amundsen.
