Many of you will have no idea who Toura was. Sadly some of you will have a totally skewed idea of the man. So here's what I new of my mate Pat.
Like most his age he had family and all the usual responsibility's that go with growing up. His ride was an early FJR with all the LDR kit but this one did huge miles and he never speared the thing. Dirt and clay with a mix of gravity saw that old bike on its side a few times and never ever did I see him lost for a hand to help pick it up.
See Pat had a charm that is sadly lacking in many, myself included and it came from his heart and his, at times not so easy life.
I knew Pat long before I eventually met the man. I read his RR's with interest and we met in 09. back then FR was a small tight community and we almost always had a mob that stayed on into the night planning our next trips or plotting a route or just letting the hair down. Pat was the court jester and his antics even made the "ice lady" laugh. We did our fair share of miles together and I would best describe his style as fearless and considerate.
One thing you got from Pat was his loyalty. Not this glossy thing that masquerades as a loyal man but the real deal. Chin out and into protect a mate every time. See Pat has lots of mates and we all love him.
Some of us lost a shirt to defend him when the big bust up came. Wouldn't change a thing over that one. Pat was after all defending the legacy Davo started...but of course most of you will never ever know the depths some sunk to pull him down. Still,what cost or how do you measure loyalty. Well its easy because next week when we pay our respects Pat will be surrounded by his family and his extended family of motorcycle riders from all walks of life. People who loved him as a brother and friend and an honest man.
Those who new Pat will also know that he is now at rest after an awful few years when his pride and determination had, at times been the only things to get him through a day.
I'll miss you brother Pat
Rest in peace
