The annual Ballater Bash will be taking place as usual in July for any interested people.

This is an informal event, pitch your tent, get some drink, head for the chipper then out to the pubs in Ballater. Usually a fun event.

If you want to attend or need more details email hognorth@btinternet.com

By DaveU

Ron Balliet, one of the founder members of what became "Hognorth" sent an e-mail today telling of the passing of another friend, Ted Backer. A fine man I met briefly and rode a few thousand miles with in the States along with other people from Hognorth.

I guess I write this as my way of saying goodbye and thanks for the memories since I won't get to his funeral and it's my way of marking his passing. You get to know people pretty well on the road and when riding in close formation you can put your life in their hands.

To me Ted was a larger than life guy with something of the "hillbilly" about him. A friendly guy with a thick mop of hair, trimmed beard and a Missouri drawl that could extend a long sentence into a couple of hours. His first words to me was "Y'aaaalll haaaavee aaaa niiiice tiiime in N'aaaaarlins" referring to our recent stay in New Orleans. He greeted us with a glint in his eye, a broad smile and fridge full of beer for the thirsty visitors.

Ted was as laid back as his wife Cindy, a hyper Texan, is forward. Between the two a certain balance was acheived and despite the odd "debate" it seemed clear they were made for each other.

Ted took life by the balls, he rode hard and played hard. Known to start the day with a Kahlua laced coffee he, as we say in Scotland, "liked a wee dram". Each stop at a gas station involved filling up the bike with fuel then dipping into the saddle bag to rescue a brown paper bag, unscrew the top of the bottle inside and take a large swig. I can't say for sure what was in the bag but there's a clue in the fact that in the USA consuming liquer publicly is frowned upon. However if you can't see it........!!!

I also recall a very large spanner he kept handy in the saddlebag with a piece of rope attached, this was in Ted's words "just in case...you never know who you might bump into" I doubt if there was any real use for the spanner on the road and the kind of nut it was intended to be used on would not be metal.

Ted and Cindy loved the bike and being on the road.I had to admire Ted's patience as Cindy would wriggle about constantly on the back which would have annoyed me immensly. Ted just took it in his stride as he seemed to do with life in general.

Riding behind them you would often see the two of them waving both arms in the air out of synch in a flying motion, Ted with both hands off the handle bars to join in. Sadly, this is now in the past. If I can find them, I'll post a couple of photos of him.

Ted, we met briefly but you were a mate.

Cheers Ted.