Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Why I Like Bike people

[lemans]

Just had a lovely experience which restored my faith in humanity (and bikers particularly) whilst returning from Bordeaux last Saturday.

About 4.00pm I pulled off the motorway about 20 miles North of Le Mans to get a coffee and stretch the legs. As I slowed up I heard nasty noises coming from the back wheel and when I pulled up in town a couple of miles up my worst fears were confirmed - the chain was just about to die. I have never seen a chain where you could get a biro between the sprocket teeth and the chain!!!

While examining the chain I was approached by a pleasant lady and then her husband who asked if I was in trouble and could they help. I showed him the chain as it turns out he is a mechanic (aero) and has a Jota and a Rickman Honda). Before I know what's going on they have me back at their farm (they moved to France to buy and renovate the farm) I am introduced to their two lovely daughters, four cats and two dogs and he's phoning Ducati dealers to source original sprockets and several other dealers for a suitable chain (would you believe the Duke dealers had the sprockets for an ST4s in stock but no chains?) Anyway he sources a chain and got both dealers to stay open late whilst he drove me 20 miles to Le Mans and back to buy the bits.

He then helped me fit the kit and I finally left about 9.30pm. I can't imagine my recovery service getting me up and running same day that late on a Saturday afternoon in this country, let alone France. What a great family, my faith in human nature fully restored (I couldn't even get them to take any money for the petrol he used to collect the parts) and I now have an open invitation to drop by anytime I am in the area - and only 20 miles from the Circuit what a result!

[Rob B]

I love this story as it seem to reflect the general attitudes that you find over big chunks of central Europe, but France especially. They don't seem to think bikers are the lowest form of life...........

[weeksy2]

I want to see pics of the 2 daughters

[chicken]

A lovely story. We should all ask ourselves whether we would do the same in the family's situation because what goes around, comes around.

At heartwarming story to start the day lemans, but ....

Originally Posted by weeksy2

I want to see pics of the 2 daughters

[jeff st4s]

How lucky you were.
Now if he did not have any bikes it may have been a different story.

When my sidestand mounting bracket broke when I arrived for Mugello recently, the owner of my accomodation spent half of monday morning running me around Florence to find a shop with the bit I needed.

It took 2 days to come from Bologne.....1-2 hrs away, don't you just love their efficiency.

If only more Brits could be as friendly as Johny Foreigner.

[Martinp]

Originally Posted by Rob B

I love this story as it seem to reflect the general attitudes that you find over big chunks of central Europe, but France especially. They don't seem to think bikers are the lowest form of life...........

Agreed, its great to hear stuff like that.

[philthy]

I keep telling my kids that there are far more nice people in the world than nasty ones.....it's just that you normally never hear about the nice ones.

[rcgbob44]

Nice story, your very lucky to have met up with such nice people, I hope you stay in touch with them.

[Murray Mint]

Originally Posted by jeff st4s

If only more Brits could be as friendly as Johny Foreigner.

Just to let you know that there are some brits that are just as helpfull. Sunday I 'm driving down the slip road of the motorway and i spot a Monster and riders stranded by the roadside so I go to the end of the road turn round and go back to offer assitance, i'd do this for any make or model.

Murray