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Relatively speaking I hardly knew Pete at all, I think we both happened to be on some god-awful FB group and he commented on a photo I’d posted up. Can’t remember what the photo was or exactly what he said but I’ll bet it was something unflattering………..and I’m guessing it also made me laugh. We discovered we were living fairly close and so we arranged to meet up after a few interchanges on the phone. I’ll never forget waiting for him to turn up at a cafe/bar in Barranda and as I sat there waiting I wondered what he’d be like. Fuck me, he was just as I imagined and it didn’t disappoint. He had the worst fitting pair of jeans I’d seen in a long time, a jacket that was way to big for him and a pair of boots that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a building site. What a scruffy fucker and as soon as he opened his gob out came the sing-song accent and I liked him instantly. We sat, we chatted and generally took the piss out of each other. He particularly like my black and white sportsbike boots. Off we went for a ride and we explored all kinds of abandoned shit. He took me down roads that were totally unsuited to my Kawasaki Z750 and he didn’t give a fuck. I laughed like a twat as I bounced along trying not to smash my balls into the tank; all the while he glided along on his gay Honda. It was his fault the zipper broke on my jacket and also his fault that the warning like came on. I think he liked the idea that he could will things to go wrong. We met up a few times over the course of a couple of years and it never failed to be entertaining. He thought his “street Spanish” was so good………I thought how funny it sounded as he never tried to hide his strong Welsh accent. He always referred to me as a Cockney Wanker and I didn’t mind that at all. He called me a cunt to my face and I knew we were kindred spirits because it just made me laugh out aloud. A few weeks ago he asked what I was doing at the weekend and I think he was hinting about meeting up. I couldn’t make it but sitting here now I regret not trying harder to take the time to go over and see him. I feel guilty and it makes me very sad. It feels like I let him down. If he’s watching me type this he’ll be thinking what a soft southern shite I am because it’s just brought a tear to my eye. So there you go, he came into my life out of the blue and very unexpectedly. He was a force of nature and certainly unique. He disappeared without warning and far too soon. I hope he knew I considered him to be a friend. A daft Welsh twat yes, but a friend nonetheless.

I met Pete online in 2002 I think, when I bought my Transalp 650. I had joined AdvRider at the time, and he just sent me a message on there to invite me to DualSport UK. At the time, he also had a Transalp 650 and was still living in Wales. It was a new thing to me, bike forums, and turns out I quite liked the small intimate group on a forum like that compared to the vastness of AdvRider or even Horizons Unlimited. It's the closest thing to a motorcycle club clubhouse there is online. I literally had started riding a few weeks before joining that forum I think, and started posting my first ride reports literally figuring out how to go on a motorcycle. I was happy to be amongst @modrover, @YamaHead, @Sir Fallsalot, @boboneleg, @Renegade, @Catteeclan, @yen_powell, @MooN, and even @Tym and @Buckster who gave me so much shit I considered leaving plenty of times. With some of those people a relationship grew to frequent communications outside of the forum. I did my first longer ride on a bike to meet @XTreme and Alie, now recently moved to southern Spain and in search of a place to live, before they settled on the house they've been in until now. Then a second meet up in their current house a couple of years later, in which he took a picture of me trying to kickstart his XT350, that picture haunted me to this day at every opportunity DSUK turned to Maximumbikes, then somehow I grew apart and the forum also disappeared and turned to a facebook thing, I think. Years later, I was very happy to get a second private message, again through AdvRider , as an invitation to join this current forum. My life had by then changed, as did I, and I talked a lot with Pete, he and his wife again becoming good friends, this forum has since then provided a needed internet home and I've used it to vent a lot. He loved that I posted my Morocco ride reports on here and I loved doing those too. He supported me during a few moments when he felt I was about to leave, keeping most of his opinions off the forum to try and avoid exits, because he loved to provide people with this space for them to gather around and didn't want anyone to leave on account of him. This forum is not going to be the same without him, and I doubt it'll survive without him, he pulled it forward with sheer enthusiasm. His over the top self confidence and absence of fear of ridicule were his favourite tools for the job, and you can't help but appreciate that. He and his wife are friends, real world friends, and I'm desolated she lost him in such a quick and surprising way.

In 2002 I was in a pretty low place. I'd had an accident the year before in which I lost my leg and now I was sitting at home after more surgery just moping around. I decided to get a PC and see if there was anything on the internet to brighten things up a bit. I came across a motorcycle forum that looked a good laugh and started to get to know some of the characters, @Buckster, @Renegade @YamaHead @MooN @Catteeclan @Pedro @Tym @Specs @Sir Fallsalot @yen_powell and many more (my apologies to anyone I've forgotten). They were an eclcectic bunch with all sorts of views but most of all no one took themselves too seriously . The guy who ran it @XTreme was my kind of man as @Saul says above, a straight talker but bloody funny at the same time. I can't tell you how much it lifted my spirits and it was my 'go to' forum. When Pete started this forum up I was so excited to catch up with old friends and carry on with the banter and meet (virtually) lots of new guys and gals as well. No other forum I've been on has ever matched any of Pete's creations, he led from the front and was always trying to keep things chugging along . Good luck today Pete an wherever you end up I'm certain you'll be having a laugh.

I came across DSUK almost as it was morphing into maximum bikes I think,back in 2005, having made my life in France I was looking for an English speaking bike forum and had signed up to about 8 I think with the intention of seeing what I liked or not. Max bikes felt so much more like what I was used to in a local bike club, I stayed. Over the years I have been more or less active according to personal circumstances and available time. People on here have offered support through some difficult times, and definately some huge laughs and fascinating conversations amongst the inane banter that is the backdrop to it all. Much as it pains me to admit it. Pete has been the motor in the machine, and though others have had a hand in steering, or oiling the wheels, or applying the brakes, or filling the tank, when the motor is no longer in the frame the rest will struggle to keep the machine alive, no matter how good they are. Thanks for the ride Pete. ( you spicky ginger welsh twat)

I’m not even sure how I ended up on a forum run by Pete, I suspect it was from Advrider, that and bad luck. We spoke on the phone quite a lot, he asked for advice when he was setting up the business in Spain and we stayed in touch but never got around to meeting, the reality is that we interacted frequently, often daily for over 20 years, I still cannot believe he is gone. I have to say that I don’t think this place can survive without Pete driving it, if we all want to stay in touch then I’m inclined to start a private Facebook group, the cost of running the forum would probably become a problem ultimately, Pete put it on his existing servers so that swallowed some of the cost, as a stand alone it would cost something like £500 a year to operate and without Pete I think we will all drift away from it because he was the glue that held it together.

I first me Pete on "The Forum that shall not be mentioned". I guess that it was around 2011ish. Obviously there were our interactions on the main forum, but we also took some of our discussions onto DM's to bitch about some of the twats there! We shared similar political beliefs also, which we obviously couldn't discuss there. I drifted away from that forum, but received a message from Pete inviting me to join this place, which seemed like a good idea at the time! But, as it was driven mainly by him, it took a different path to other forums that I'd been on and that was quite refreshing. Unorthodox, much like Pete! We occasionally exchanged DM's as I saw him as a friend and kindred spirit, where we bitched about the state of the world! I lost my biking mojo a little while ago and was surprised to receive a phone call from Pete, asking if everything was OK with me. He genuinely cared for everyone on here. Mind you, his opening words to me were: " Fuck me, Bob. I didn't have you down as a cockney wanker!" It was the first, and last, time that we'd actually spoken together. I hope that we can hold this place together in his memory, but we have to resign ourselves to the fact that it won't be the same without him at the helm. Keep dodging those puddles, mate!

I am sure this will be classed as gay but I don’t really care. I wanted to say something about Pete. It's funny but even though we never met I have come to look on him as a friend who I spoke to most days. Please you that knew him much longer and better than me do the same, I and I am sure others would like to read it. I liked his manner and the way he would call me out for being a cunt when I was, straight talking honest friends are rare and should be valued. Sometimes you need to look at yourself and what you are doing. He ran this website well and showed a tolerance and the same friendship to some character’s with pretty extreme views not just because of what they could offer to the place. Also because he saw value in them and their views. I liked that, regularly talking to people I would not in most walks of life is a good and valuable learning experience. That environment Pete created with his forceful personality. If you can get by In this sometimes harsh forum it makes you a stronger person in everyday normal life, I liked that too. Interesting place run by an Interesting Guy. I liked his consistent hatred of most things Chinese and Indian unless he was buying them, his quick fire consistent POS posts made me laugh. His refusal to see any value in the same unless of course it was something he bought. Bloody Negatron but Funny Guy. Also I think sometimes we forget of the time and effort and finance he put into this place, because he believed in it and it was his creation. To our benefit of course. Oh and the last thing that I liked was talking to him was often like taking a trip back the the 1970’s with his views and some outlooks on life, my formative years that I look back on with fondness for all the flaws of the time. Good Guy Hopefully we can continue in this forum and stop it going to hell in a hand basket, which it may very well do without him. Pete a friend I’m going to miss. The self proclaimed Rugged Individualist. Cheers Shad Man

Got word yesterday that my grandson will be here this weekend w/ his GF....along w/ my oldest grandson showing up on Monday w/ his wife...to say the least, I'm Stoked!! When these 2 guys get together, it's a huge De Javu moment for me. Both these guys are 1st borns from my sons & are the same 3 year difference as their Dads. It's gonna be a Laugh-Fest!

I’ve never given you any shit, how rude! I’m a gentle soul.

On the way home she should abandon the urn in a derelict building.

His heart muscle will have been damaged by the heart attack, it rarely shows up before hand.

And a voice from above said "cos you are a annoying cunt"

well said @Saul , it wont be the same on here with out him and he is going to be missed big time, but i hope we can keep it going... your the only friends i got on here and im banned from all the other forums .

such sad news about Pete. I saw his FB post and just figured it was simple surgery. I really dont think posting pics of ugly vaginas is showing the right respect, tho.

This will make Buckster feel better.

Off to Ocean BMW down at Falmouth tomorrow. My E46 has to go in for an Airbag recall. Obviously I gonna have a look around the bikes and prices and drink their coffee. Supposed to take 90 minutes to sort the airbag.

I will give @Marcel le Moose Fondler a general anaesthetic.

I met Pete in 2003 when he took over the reigns of YOC....made it run a helluva lot better! Once he found a pic of me w/ my mullet, it was on!....I was hence forth known as the "RedNeck"...lol I think I was on about a half dozen different bike sites that he had his hand in. For years he gave me sh*t for looking like a redneck & accusing me of living in a trailer park....then in '06 I got a drafting job a 150+ miles away from where I was living....& low & behold I ended up in an RV park living in a trailer!...lol He was beside himself w/ laughter. After that summer of '06, I moved back home to Milwaukie (suburb south of Portland) & proceeded to carry on with a new-found perspective on life. I will NEVER forget the 1 time I got a phone call from him & hear his profound welsh accent...it meant alot @ the time. I then came to find out that my ancestors came from Wales to north America back in the 1600's. Through him & his bike forum savy, I've meet a lot of like minded friends from all over the world....all with 1 thing in common....2 Wheels! His "Matter Of Fact" 'tude will be sorely missed...& I truly hope he's Riding In Peace somewhere up in the heavenly's.

it wont be the same without pete on here.. but i think we should try and keep it going if we can .

That's exactly how I see it as well, he was the glue and everything else that kept it going .

Now you are, but back before you were mellowed by Harley ownership you were very angry.

I have man flu, I have to got to go to a funeral today and now I've just heard that there's a chance of heavy showers this afternoon, feckin whoopee .................

Eloquently put @Saul..... my feeble attempts at writing anything along those lines would just come out as inconsistent mess. Your words speak for me to some extent.....

It sounds like your riding lesson went very well despite the long break. Progressing to working on gears is a great milestone. Your daughter seems to be building confidence on the motorcycle. Finding quality time to share experiences like this together is so valuable. Wishing you both continued safe riding and fun lessons going forward.

Hmm you're an annoying draw First and only ride out so far.

we got more chance of @Slowlycatchymonkey and @Pedro sharing a bottle of wine and some tasty snacks after a walk along a beach together than seeing @busabeast video

I'm thinking of staying in bed. Fuck the mates service, forecast is pants all day.

I spoke to the Nurse Practitioner I worked with on Sunday night and told what little I knew, she said very much the same. She did say if there was no history of Heart disease they would not necessarily look for it and the normal test wouldn't show much of a clue. But obviously that was just my limited understanding. I didn't mention it before as I didn't really know what I would have been talking about.

What happened to Pete isn't related to having a hernia op. His arteries were narrowed. Imagine an old hose pipe that's clogged so the water can't get through the pipe properly. And you have a little round cage folded that you can put in the hose and open it up to allow the water to flow freely again. It can't make the hose pipe that's clogged or narrowed or prone to cracking new again so there's a risk in doing it. If you're concerned about your heart health then let that be known and have it thoroughly checked out prior to general anaesthetic.

Don't want to sound negative...but it's the way I see it also...it took lots of time and effort from his part to keep this place going...time that many of us just don't have...

you do it the other way round plunger first ..then take light bulb out.

@Six30 would probably enjoy it.

Between 3 or 4, and considering this is a big part of people's social life, I think the cost isn't the factor. You're very right, though.

Today, Pete will be cremated and his ashes brought home by his wife.

Restricted arteries, people adapt and it only shows up when it reaches a chronic stage.

He fondles moose’s

Working on these most of this week nice and sunny today but a bit windy which was good as i didn't feel the heat but the fecking seagulls were a pain their trying to nest up there

72 in about 90 days, that makes me the oldest, smartest and best looking.

I wish they stopped using the word KTM...I'm about to vomit..

Pete would have loved these.