Hey all. I don't post much here but as a direct friend of Kevin's I thought I'd chime in.
Kevin was a longtime member of our local CMC (Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers) chapter in Clarington Ontario Canada and I personally rode many miles with him over the years, including doing my first ever iron butt with him in May 2018. He was a giant of a human being in many ways and always a lot of fun to be around, which is without doubt why so many people remember him so fondly. He cetainly had a personality and general positive outlook on life that I could only ever dream of equaling, whilst at the same time remaining incredibly humble and down to earth.
I still remember my IBA ride with Kevin well - it was a perfect early spring day, we left in the dark and returned in the dark, and we certainly rode hard - all for a single photo that was part of a contest that our CMC chapter was running. And we both loved every minute of it. Towards the end when the early spring temperatures were falling below the freezing point for the last few hours of our ride, and I'd put on every stitch of clothing I had with me to stave off the cold (including my rain gear), it didn't even seem to phase Kevin - he was hard core beyond most peoples understanding of hard core. He never complained, he never waivered, he was just perpetually positive.
Perpetually positive was one of his biggest and strongest traits. During his many trials and tribulations on some of his bigger rides like his Hoka Hey run last year, despite all the issues he experienced ranging from brand new freshly installed tires failing him to an unfortunate electrical issue on his Indian that not only ended his quest but sent him home on a plane only to have to return later to pickup his bike, he was always so incredibly positive, not focusing on the negatives of what happened or how (without a doubt) he was dissapointed about the bigger picture, but instead focusing on how others came to his rescue - riders and strangers alike, and how there was good in all people. I could only hope to be this positive in life - I have a habit of being a pessimist a lot of the time, and things that he experienced desite the best laid plans would have left me an infuriated angry mess, but Kevin always seemed to find a way to make it a positive, and continue on.
Kevin constantly yearned for the open road, big miles, and the zenn time that endurance riding entails. As many of us here know without a doubt, this sort of riding is not something that everyone enjoys, and I even have limits, but Kevin was next level and was always looking forward to the next adventure.
While sitting having coffee together he'd share bits and pieces of his adventures over the years, including the ups and downs - hearing about his IBA and Hoka Hey adventures (amongst many others) was always enthralling for me as I could only dream of doing some of the things he actually did. Maybe some day I'll have the time and money to be able to do a few of them, but myself and others lived vicariously through him somtimes, and always followed him on Facebook, Spotwalla, and afterwards, over a coffee in real life.
The last time I was with Kevin was perhaps 6 or 8 weeks ago when he randomly showed up at the beginning of one of our chapter rides, coffee in hand, and he just hung out and chatted with us all for 15 or 20 minutes before we headed out. Bright and bubbly as always, always positive, and always excited to chat about anything motorcycles. "Little short rides" surely didn't hold much appeal to him anymore (I get it, I feel the same way sometimes as many hard core IBA members can also surely related to) but he still maintained the social connections with his old riding buddies, even though he may not have ridden with us much anymore.
Although he was no longer technically a member of our chapter for personal reasons, in the books of many including my own, he was an honorurary lifetime member and we were all always glad to see him when he still came out and graced us with his presence. His contributions to our chapter during his time as a member were huge - he led many rides including several full season series, and was always there along with his familiy at all of our events, always a supporter, always a smile on his face - always one of the brightest people in the room.
As hard as it is to accept he's gone, I find a little solace knowing he left this world doing exactly what he wanted to be doing - running big miles on the open road with the wind in his face on 2 wheels.
The officers of our CMC chapter discussed doing a memorial patch and some sort of fundraiser for one of the many charities he supported over the years, but on further discussion we don't feel the time is right given the whole situation at hand,
so we will sit tight on this. In looking back on some of our messages back and forth on Facebook today looking for a few photos, it's hard to miss how often his concerns in those messages were focused around charity causes, or helping others. The man was one in a million for sure.
I look forward to being able to do a charity donation in his memory when the time is right. Perhaps in a few months, when the time is right, I will get together with his wife over coffee and double check her thoughts and wishes beforehand, as I would think only appropriate.
I thought I'd close sharing a few photos (and a video at the end) that I took while riding with Kevin over the years. He sure loved his Indian which he'd nicknamed "inheritance", although as he leveled up through harder and harder rides (and the miles on Inheritance increased), he did buy a Goldwing as well, but in know his Indian was always the one that he was most proud of and held a special place in his heart.
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Lastly, a video I took at some point in the past while Kevin and I were on a mile-eater motocamping adventure together.
This was quintessential Kevin, riding his beloved indian, loaded up for life on the road, eating miles on a desolate highway, literally riding into the sunset.
He will be missed by many, and remembered fondly by all.