To our fallen friends

To everyone who has lost a friend, club member, family member, and fellow rider to motorbikes I raise my helmet to you - the roads claimed their lives but their memories live on.

I know the pain of losing a loved one in an accident. In the world of motorbikes, the chances of dying are far bigger than in a car. I witnessed one of my friends being taken away from me in a bike accident.

My friends and I were riding on the N14 freeway in December when a terrible accident occurred.

On December 19, 2009, the weather was overcast. My friends Mojalefa (Mojo) Rapoo, Douglas Mkangala and I were taking a quick joyride from Kagiso in Mogale City down the N14 to Pinehaven and back before the rain caught us. We went down the hill, turned at the Sasol petrol station and rode back up. We took on the first curve, then Mojo disappeared - he was gone and in a moment so was Douglas - I was slower than they were.

When I approached the second curve I just remember seeing a cloud of dust ahead. Given that there weren't any cars behind me I slowed down as I took on the curve.

And there he was, in the middle of the road, lying on the tar gasping heavily for air through his helmet. The bike wasn't that far from him.Douglas had misjudged the curve and went into it too hard and hit the barrier. It was so surreal. I remember parking at the side and running to him. Off duty paramedics drove past and they immediately assisted as we waited for the ambulance.

This felt like déjà vu. I couldn't believe it was happening again. I remembered how earlier that year - on Douglas's birthday - we had lost another friend.

As the clock struck midnight we were all wishing Douglas a happy birthday when Chumane (Leshoda) Tlholoe went on a "Birthday run" for Douglas.

As we watched his single light come up the road he rode past us and collided with a pedestrian and then a car.

Everything went silent. It was as if someone had hit a mute button. I just recall us bellowing out his name so loud, then covering him up with his jacket.

My mind couldn't wrap itself around it happening twice. It just couldn't happen to another one of my friends in the same year, in a matter of months.

It was inconceivable. The ambulance arrived and Douglas was still breathing and it seemed that everything would be alright. Little did I know that upon arrival at the hospital.

Douglas passed away. I was numb.

After we buried Douglas we were sitting across the street from his house when a R6 fast approaching us was met by the rear end of an Audi A4 that was reversing from Douglas's house.

I remember thinking to myself, "Oh my God". We ran to the car to find Glen under that helmet.

I took a moment to gather myself, hopped on my bike and rode home

So as we attend day jols, rallies, breakfast runs and charity events, let's all remember the riders we've lost and celebrate the newbies ... ride hard!