Nice To Be Known By Name
I'm pretty new around the .ORG but have know Scar and Jim for a few years now. I remember vividly the day I met Jim.
Gathered around the Greenfield Exit off the I-8 the usual suspects were assembled. New to sport bikes and riding in general I was in over my head and was too stupid to realize it.
Jim walks over and extends a hand. With the diplomacy of a senior State Department high level talk's guru he extracts my riding experience without me being the wiser. It was more about what I didn't say then what I did that I suspect influenced his decision to take me under his wing.
He gave a quick warning about a tricky turn or two up ahead then asked me to fall in behind him. It was about a year later that I finally had enough experience with riding that I realized the "gift" he gave me that day. He sacrificed his enjoyment and his ride that day for....me a know nothing noob he'd meet at a gas station for the first time only a few minutes before hand.
With skill and experience that only comes with years of riding he was controlling my ride from in front of me. Setting up my entry speeds and showing me clean lines around some of the better roads in San Diego. All based on watching me from his mirror. Knowing the road ahead he would adjust his pace to prevent me from over cooking the next turn. Looking back I owe him my life in keeping me safe from myself that day. Both Jim and Scar ARE top notch guys to be sure.
Scar texted me after a few missed calls on Sat. I was out with the little ones getting some candy. (I left the phone at home Scar.)
I swung by Jim's room on Sunday first thing in the AM. Jim true to form lifts his head and threw out a hand. His grip was firm, his throttle hand was and still is deeply calloused where his fingers meet the top of his palm. The sign of a very avid rider.
Nothing sounded better then being greeted by name. Seriously!
Then goes on to compliment me on my Dainese Tattoo, a suit I think he secretly lusts over. Then begins to lament about how they cut off his prized set of Ducati Leather's. What a Hoon!
Not what you'd expect from someone his age that just had a near death experience with nature, aka sizeable tree and lesson in the laws of physics, that never take a vacation as we flirt with their implementation after exceeding the limitation.
-Gilman