Hello everyone,

I first want to say Hi to everyone on the boards.  I havent had much time to read up on happenings here, I do not own a bike of any kind nor do I know anything about bikes.  OK, with that being said I was doing a web search for "something", i dont recall wot and saw a familar name so i clicked on the link.  Right here on the front page in the corner is a picture of my old friend Richard Christie.  He is the reason I am here today writing this.

I saw the video, thought it was good.  I have my memories and those wont top anything else.  My name is Jake, he might have mentioned my name once or twice in conversation along with the word "weirdo".  I knew Richard (never called him Rich) from his time at Dakotatrucks.com.  I met him in 2000-2001 during a truck meet and became good friends with him.  I lived in Rochester NY at the time and would drive to Courtland and Binghampton NY frequently to meet with Richard.  Mid-afternoon on July 2nd, I was in northern rual Iowa waiting on a load of beef, when my phone rang.  It was his number and name that showed up, so I answered the phone "hello weirdo....", but it wasnt his voice.  Kimmy was calling everyone in his phone book telling them wot happened the day before.  I was in shock and still am.  I still have his screen names on my yahoo and aim and his phone number and name in my phone. I really dont know wot to tell everyone, but im looking to get in on an annual ride and possibly the toys-for-tots run.  I have a truck, not a bike, so I'd be the oddball in the group, but I dont care, Id be doing the ride in honor of my weirdo friend Richard. 

I have a few pictures of him, and a few hours of video tape with him in it.  If anyone lives near Coutland NY, stop into the DARKHORSE TAVERN and have a drink, that was our usual meeting place.  I can still hear him calling me a LUSH!  He used to stand outside with me and freeze while i smoked, wot a guy!  Another random memory is that I knew he got lost all the time and was frustrated by that.  Ive been to Norwich a few times, and to his apartment.  Helped him work on his truck a time or two and talked about wot we would do to his little scooter, like adding an orange flag and little basket on the handle bars so he could tote groceries.  He is a great friend to me and I miss him dearly.  I've since moved to San Antonio, Texas 3 years ago and tried to get him to move as well.  He used to say NY blew monkey balls but couldnt move because of his mom and fiancee.  One little story I can recall is meeting him at the Darkhorse and we saw a Dodge Dakota parked across the street.  We talked about how funny it would be to move both of our trucks to either side of that one to see wot the owner would say.  Spontainously I went to get my truck from down the street and so did he.  We bookended that Dakota with ours and laughed about it standing across the street again.  OK, im rambling randomly now.  If any has any info on how I can join the annual ride, I do drive up to the Adirondacks once a year in August for a family camping trip.  If I cant become part of that at least do something to support something he loved, like his bike club (here).  Im very happy his memory still lives here, the Dakotatrucks group fell apart years ago.  The site still lives and the group is gone.  I noticed there are several people here who have never had the pleasure to meet Richard.  Hes a great guy and im proud to say was a friend of mine.  Ill try to keep up with the board as best I can, as far as events and happenings.  Thank u all for ure time and thanks for keeping Richard's memory alive.  I dont have Kim's contact info, but would like the exact location of his road side memorial marker and or burial site so I can visit when im there next.  If anyone could help that would be great, thanks all!

Jake

Id post a picture or 2 but dont know how and cant be bothered with it.  Thanks

Welcome to GStwin and thank you for a little more to add to our memories about our dear departed brother.

That was very touching, we lost a great friend and still mourn that loss and celebrate him.
Cool.
Srinath.

the one that has the pictures, pm me with them or email me at yamahonkawazuki@gmail.com and i will gladly host them for you. rich was a good guy, and still is in memory as well 

Welcome, Jake, and thank you so much for joining us and sharing your stories Phaedrus/Rich/Richard/Gator. He is still remembered and loved.