We deal with many customers on a daily basis, and each and every one has something interesting to say – we really do love talking to our customers. But every now and again, we get a phone call that just makes us smile, and we just have to share the story around the office, and sometimes even on our blog!
Meet Graeme Hector. A super-friendly chap, a riding enthusiast, and the subject of this blog. Graeme first came to Two Wheel Centre in 2012 to purchase his Hit-Air vest. He was purchasing it in anticipation of a riding holiday, taking every precaution to stay safe whilst riding into the unknown.
That was the last we heard of Graeme…until a couple of weeks ago. Graeme had returned from his trip, but needed something from us – a replacement canister for his Hit-Air vest.
“Oh no,” I thought. “He’s had a spill”.
Luckily Graeme was uninjured, and jubilantly recalled his 5380-mile journey through 15 different countries, spanning more than 5 weeks. He then went on to recall “the off”, telling me exactly how it had happened.
“I was travelling through the Hungarian country side between Romania and Slovenia at a sedate 60MPH when I saw big storm clouds on the horizon. Shortly afterwards I saw in front of me the road flooding for about 50 metres, with the normal earth (which proved to be clay) coloured water from the run off from a roadside field. I slowed right down to about 5MPH and proceeded to pass through the water, when about halfway through the bike started to slide from side to side and could not be controlled, – ice could not have been more slippery. The bike went one way, and me the other.”
Graeme emerged from the tumble unscathed, but how now to pick up his super-heavy BMW K1200 whilst still in this slippery clay patch? Well, Graeme had come prepared:
“I had practiced picking the bike up on my own in the garden at home, so I was ok – although I am sure the adrenaline rush helped!”.
Now for the part of this story which makes Graeme so inspirational.
Whilst riding through those 15 countries…
…over five weeks…
…alone and unaided…
…whilst picking a 220+kg bike up…
…in slippery conditions…
…Graeme Hector celebrated his 80th birthday.
Congratulations Graeme, on both your 80th birthday and on inspiring many a biker!