2019 Gtr Mae Hong Son Memorial Ride # 11

[DavidFL]

The 2019 GTR MHS Memorial Ride is scheduled for the first weekend of November.

That is Saturday the 2nd & Sunday the 3rd of November 2019.

In 2018 we had the 10th anniversary ride with 56 riders.


2018 Gtr Mae Hong Son Memorial Ride # 10

We would like to increase the number again in 2019 if possible.

The program would remain roughly the same as last year, but we would like a better catering set up @ the Sunflower if possible.

One suggestion is to run a BBQ, however to do this we need a firm idea of participants to order BBQ packs in from Cnx, plus volunteers to man a few BBQs, if it can be set up.
The BBQ packs may need to be paid in advance, perhaps along with donation money to fund the Buddhist ceremonies at the wat & a band. Confirmation of this will come once we have a firm idea of numbers.

Service Vehicle
We will need a volunteer back / service vehicle.

Memorial Ride T-shirt
There will also be a 2019 GTR MHS Memorial ride T-shirt with a similar style to last year, but with the 2018 characters on the 2019 Shirt. So if you went in 2018 & you will be on the 2019 Memorial Ride T-shirt.
To get a T-shirt you will need to pay & pre-order in advance.
Sizes & prices will be posted later. The sizes should be the same as last year & the prices very similar.

Participation Confirmation
If you plan on going please confirm on this thread.
If you want to volunteer services or sponsorship, let us know.

 

[DavidFL]

Participants confirmed so far

1. DavidFL
2. Scotty 007
3. Ian Bungy
4. Richard Na Ched Yot
5. Russ
6. Robert Hoghead
7. George Hua Hin.
8. Brian Jones.
9. Stu Lloyd
10. Oddvar - cancelled
11. Greg Joyner
12. Paul Owen
13. Hubert Kalasin - cancelled
14. David Race
15. Tim S
16. Veronica S
17. John Blackie
18. John Blackie partner
19. Zed
20. Sam
21. Sam friend
22. Sam friend
23. Gavin Heinekin
24. Stephen Sivell - cancelled
25. Patrick Henry
26. Patrick partner
27. Alan Kelso
28. Yoyo Alan Kelso
29. Graham Edwards
30. Graham Edwards partner
31. Youngie
32. Kate - cancelled,
33. Andy - cancelled.
34. Bob Kagan
35. RedBeardBoogaloo - Adam P.
36. Gary Morecraft
37. Kay Big Bike Tours
38. Jozef
39. Jozef partner
40. EndoJim Moto Bistro
41. Jason Unk
42. Charles Winter
43. Kurt
44. Ginger
45. Tim Tollefsrud
46. Jusu
47. Jusu partner
48. Per Amundsen
49. Mam - Stu Lloyd
50. Guitarrider
51. Peter Swan
52. Glen MacPherson
53. Robert Nilsson
54. Gowildgomike
55. JC
56. Greg Joyner
57 Simon W
58. Simon W partner.
59. Jason Unk
61. Gai MHS
62. Ian Kalway
63. Andy Chad.
64. Albert Jackson.

 

[George HuaHin]

Brian Jones and me

For the T-shirts I would prefer them in grey as in 2017

 

[Jawnee]

My hotel room has been booked in MHS for November 2.

 

[Oddvar]

I'm in.
Looking forward to it. Big time.

 

[Greg Joyner]

The 2019 GTR MHS Memorial Ride is scheduled for the first week of November.

That is Saturday the 2nd & Sunday the 3rd of November 2019.

In 2018 we had the 10th anniversary ride with 56 riders.


2018 Gtr Mae Hong Son Memorial Ride # 10

View attachment 131763

We would like to increase the number again in 2019 if possible.

The program would remain roughly the same as last year, but we would like a better catering set up @ the Sunflower if possible.

One suggestion is to run a BBQ, however to do this we need a firm idea of participants to order BBQ packs in from Cnx, plus volunteers to man a few BBQs, if it can be set up.
The BBQ packs may need to be paid in advance, perhaps along with donation money to fund the Buddhist ceremonies at the wat & a band. Confirmation of this will come once we have a firm idea of numbers.

View attachment 131764

Service Vehicle
We will need a volunteer back / service vehicle.

Memorial Ride T-shirt
There will also be a 2019 GTR MHS Memorial ride T-shirt with a similar style to last year, but with the 2018 characters on the 2019 Shirt. So if you went in 2018 & you will be on the 2019 Memorial Ride T-shirt.
To get a T-shirt you will need to pay & pre-order in advance.
Sizes & prices will be posted later. The sizes should be the same as last year & the prices very similar.

Participation Confirmation
If you plan on going please confirm on this thread.
If you want to volunteer services or sponsorship, let us know.

I plan on coming David. And I can man a BBQ grill. Greg Joyner

 

[blackb15]

David
Yes I will be attending I look forward to it.
Safe riding

 

[DavidFL]

A reminder for people who are interested in going & participating in the event.
We are in discussions with people in Chiang Mai to cater for a farang style BQQ @ the Sunflower in MHS = how much meat / BBQ packs to order.
It is of great assistance if we know who is confirmed asap.

BTW we hope to have as many riders, if not more than last year.

Thanks once more for your early responses.

 

[DavidFL]

We have 2 proposed souvenir TShirts for the 2019 ride, take from the group photo Sunday morning outside the Sunflower in 2018

Sample 1 with 2 bikes, one either side of the group

Sample 2 with no bikes either side of the group

Which one gets your vote?

 

[blackb15]

The one with the bikes for me but both good.
Safe riding

 

[DavidFL]

History of the GTR MHS Memorial Ride

Some history
What started out 10 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.

Google Maps

The first ride started here
The Tj John Hamilton - Simon Siinthai Grant Memorial Ride

The first 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

and was a heart warming celebration of the lives of TJ & Simon. We well and truly rocked MHS that first ride & night in their honour. Closing down the Chalet Pub & Disco in MHS.

Every year thereafter there is a ride.

In 2012 another mate, Dan White, photographer & travel writer died in Bangkok and we had a ride for Dan, putting his ashes in the ground next to TJ & Simon at Wat Chong Klang.

Dan White Rip

In 2016 with the passing of Tom Forde

Rip Tom Forde

the location at Wat Chong Klang by the lake became unsatisfactory, we needed more space & the idea of an official GTR Chedi was born.

An approach to the abbot of Wat Doi Kong Mu, who is also the head of the Buddhist clergy for MHS province, was successful & so the GTR Chedi was inaugurated in 2016.

Selecting the site of the GTR Chedi with the abbot of Wat Doi Kong Mu.

The GTR crew after the inauguration of the GTR Chedi 2016

The Gt Rider Memorial Chedi

The ride then became the annual GTR MHS Memorial Ride, but each year the main photos on the banner are still TJ & Simon, for it was they who got the ride going.

And so the ride has grown over the years
In 2010 it was 12 riders
In 2011 it was 12 riders
In 2012 it was 14 riders with a hook up with the guys from Bangkok who came via Mae Sot.
In 2013 it was 15 riders with the guys from Bangkok.
In 2014 it was 11 riders
In 2015 it was 19 riders
In 2016 it was 33 riders when we inaugurated the GTR Chedi.
In 2017 it was 34 riders
In 2018 it was a magnificent 56 riders.

With the advent of the Chedi we have been able to honour a few other riding mates, who have lived here, who we have ridden with and /or who have contributed to the biking community.

Crazy John Olsen who used to hang out at the X-Centre & ride with many of us. John was tragically killed in an accident with a truck just a few kms north of MHS.

Tom Wignall - had the first big bike rental shop in Chang Moi Gao road, & then worked with Joe from Joes Big Bike Team when they had the shop in Chang Moi. Tom passed away in Tha Ton where he had retired to.

John Scottenheimer had a condo in Chiang Mai. I've known him for 25+ years. He used to be based in Singapore, a senior pilot for Singapore airlines, then an instructor for Korean Airlines. He often rode from Singapore to Chiang Mai & return on his days off for fun. David Lek, Hubert & I rode with him often. John had been on GTR MHS Memorial Rides, the last one in 2017. In 2018 he passed away in the US after a struggle with the Big C.

 

[scotty007]

We have 2 proposed souvenir TShirts for the 2019 ride, take from the group photo Sunday morning outside the Sunflower in 2018

Sample 1 with 2 bikes, one either side of the group
View attachment 132190


Sample 2 with no bikes either side of the group
View attachment 132191

Which one gets your vote?

Sample 1

 

[Eoin Christie]

History of the GTR MHS Memorial Ride

Some history
What started out 10 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.

Google Maps

The first ride started here
The Tj John Hamilton - Simon Siinthai Grant Memorial Ride

The first 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
View attachment 132224
and was a heart warming celebration of the lives of TJ & Simon. We well and truly rocked MHS that first ride & night in their honour. Closing down the Chalet Pub & Disco in MHS.

Every year thereafter there is a ride.

In 2012 another mate, Dan White, photographer & travel writer died in Bangkok and we had a ride for Dan, putting his ashes in the ground next to TJ & Simon at Wat Chong Klang.

Dan White Rip

In 2016 with the passing of Tom Forde

Rip Tom Forde

the location at Wat Chong Klang by the lake became unsatisfactory, we needed more space & the idea of an official GTR Chedi was born.

An approach to the abbot of Wat Doi Kong Mu, who is also the head of the Buddhist clergy for MHS province, was successful & so the GTR Chedi was inaugurated in 2016.

Selecting the site of the GTR Chedi with the abbot of Wat Doi Kong Mu.
View attachment 132225

The GTR crew after the inauguration of the GTR Chedi 2016
View attachment 132226

The Gt Rider Memorial Chedi

The ride then became the annual GTR MHS Memorial Ride, but each year the main photos on the banner are still TJ & Simon, for it was they who got the ride going.
View attachment 132227

And so the ride has grown over the years
In 2010 it was 12 riders
In 2011 it was 12 riders
In 2012 it was 14 riders with a hook up with the guys from Bangkok who came via Mae Sot.
In 2013 it was 15 riders with the guys from Bangkok.
In 2014 it was 11 riders
In 2015 it was 19 riders
In 2016 it was 33 riders when we inaugurated the GTR Chedi.
In 2017 it was 34 riders
In 2018 it was a magnificent 56 riders.
View attachment 132228

With the advent of the Chedi we have been able to honour a few other riding mates, who have lived here, who we have ridden with and /or who have contributed to the biking community.

Crazy John Olsen who used to hang out at the X-Centre & ride with many of us. John was tragically killed in an accident with a truck just a few kms north of MHS.
View attachment 132229

Tom Wignall - had the first big bike rental shop in Chang Moi Gao road, & then worked with Joe from Joes Big Bike Team when they had the shop in Chang Moi. Tom passed away in Tha Ton where he had retired to.
View attachment 132230

John Scottenheimer had a condo in Chiang Mai. I've known him for 25+ years. He used to be based in Singapore, a senior pilot for Singapore airlines, then an instructor for Korean Airlines. He often rode from Singapore to Chiang Mai & return on his days off for fun. David Lek, Hubert & I rode with him often. John had been on GTR MHS Memorial Rides, the last one in 2017. In 2018 he passed away in the US after a struggle with the Big C.

View attachment 132231

Thank you, David.

 

[DavidFL]

The final T-shirt design for the 2019 GTR MHS Memorial Ride

Size & price confirmation coming next.

The image is from last years group photo.

 

[Ian Bungy]

Awesome! Great Job!

 

[blackb15]

Looks great well done
Safe riding

 

[DavidFL]

The brand & sizes & price are the same as last year.

Orders received
2019 GTR MHS Memorial Ride Tshirts

1. David Unk 2 x XXL
2. Jason Unk 1 x XL
3. Ben K 1x XL
4. Scotty 2 x L
5. Ian Bungy 1 x XL
6. Richard 1 x XL
7. Moto-Rex 1 x XXL
8. Oddvar 1 x L
9. David Race 1 x XL
10, Brian J 2 x XL
11. Tim 2 x XXL
12. John B 1 x S
13. John B 1 x XXL
14. Sam 2 x L
15. Sam 1 x S
16. David Lek 1 x L
17. Nettie 1 x XS
18. Gavin 1 x XXXL
19. Robert Hoghead 1 x L
20. Hubert 2 x XL
21. Stephen Sivell 1 x L
22. Patrick Henry 1 x L
23. Patrick Henry 1 x S
24. Paul Black 1 x XL
25. Alan K 1 x XL
26. Alan K 1 x M
27. Graham E 1 x XL
28. Graham E 1 x S
29. Youngie 1 x M
30. George MHS 1 x
2nd Batch
31. Kate & Andy 1 x S
32. Kate & Andy 1 x XL
33. Russ Mc 1 x XXL
34. Gary Morecraft 1 x XXXL
35. Jozef 1 x S
36. Jozef 1 x XXL
37. Bob Kagan 1 x XXL
38. John N 1 x L
39. Tony P 1 x L
40. Kurt 1 x XL
41. Charles W 1 x XL
42. Ginger 1 x XXXL
43. Tim T 1 x XL
44. Jim Moto Bistro 1 x XL
45. Adam P 1 x L
46. Jurgen 1 x L
47. Gai MHS 1 x L
48. Stu Lloyd 1 x XL
49. Mam Stu L 1 x L
50. JC 1 x L
51. Darunee MHS

Anymore..?

 

[Stephen Sivell]

David , It is Stephen Sivell from Ubon, I hope to attend the memorial ride and would like to order a T-shirt size L. Do you have a bank that I can deposit to . Thanks. Stephen.

 

[Paul1979]

hi David, i too am thinking about attending, riding from kalasin maybe with Hubert, also bringing my wife, is it still possible to attend or is it all worked out and finalized already?

 

[DavidFL]

hi David, i too am thinking about attending, riding from kalasin maybe with Hubert, also bringing my wife, is it still possible to attend or is it all worked out and finalized already?

Hi Paul
No worries to attend. You're welcome to come and join in. It is a pretty special event.

 

[DavidFL]

David , It is Stephen Sivell from Ubon, I hope to attend the memorial ride and would like to order a T-shirt size L. Do you have a bank that I can deposit to . Thanks. Stephen.

Thanks Stephen.
It will be great to see / have you attend.
I will PM you the bank details soon.

 

[DavidFL]

Updated the list of Tshirt orders 5 posts above.

 

[DavidFL]

For newbies coming you need to book your own accommodation.
The GTR accommodation recommendations for MHS are here

Mae Hong Son Accommodation

1. Piya Guesthouse: 053 611260
Piya Guesthouse, Mae Hong Son
the Piya already full .

2. Palm House: 053 614022 / Normal Loft Palm House
Google Maps

3. Rom Thai: Tel: 053 612437
Google Maps

5. Ngam Tha:
Google Maps

6. Jongkham Place
Jongkham Place - Amphoe Muang Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son, Thailand - Hotel Resort | Facebook

6. Sang Tong Huts
Sang Tong Huts, Mae Hong Son, Northern Thailand


A few others around the lake
Google Maps

Google Maps

Google Maps

Google Maps


Food & Drink in MHS
Mae Hong Son Restaurants

 

[DavidFL]

The first batch of T-shirt orders has gone in # 1 - 30.
Thank you all those who have paid up.

A second batch of shirt orders will go in after MotoGP.

 

[Heineken]

Hi David

For us newbies could you confirm the date and meeting spot in CM where the ride commences ?