Biker Nige R.I.P.

On Sunday 23rd May, local man Nigel Martin died in a head-on crash between his own powerful motor bike and another powerful motorbike. The police said the scene was carnage and both riders would have died instantly. Today was his funeral.

To distinguish him from other Nigels, and because of his passion for bikes he was known locally as Biker Nige. I remember him as a gentle giant, a lovely, polite man with never a bad word.

He was well loved evident by the masses of people who showed at the crematorium today. Including at least 100 motorbikes who roared in behind the hearse, it made my hairs stand on end and brought a smile to my face.

It was a wonderful, non-religious, service with funny and touching stories read by the humanist pastor and several of his friends. Music included Freebird which especially got to me and Born to be Wild.

After the ceremony the wake was held in several Newton Abbot pubs, Nige's local pubs the Dartmouth and the Cider Bar. I took this blip in the Cider Bar. Nige's tankard is hanging from the rafters now hanging with the tankards that once belonged to other Cider Bar drinkers who are no longer with us.

Biker Nige, a friend gone but a friend forever.