Vale Ron Solomon

Ron Solomon (alias Balls, Rono Mono) was killed on Sunday 17th of February doing what he loves best, leading a group of mates on a ride on his Hayabusa.  Our sincerest condolences to his wife Faye, daughter Cassandra, son-in-law George, family and friends.

Two other MSR members were riding with Ron at the time, Paul Stavrakas (red Honda CBR1000) and Damian Markovic (black ZX10). Paul was involved in the collision and was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital.  Damian witnessed the scene and applied life saving CPR to Paul who has serious but not life threatening injuries. All three were on the Trafalgar ride a week earlier.

Below is an article from the Herald Sun and today's Age has a similarly worded article.  Further comments and tributes have been posted to the NetRiders Forum - see www.netrider.net.au.  Click on Forum Discussions and then Search (small red button, top middle) and type in Ron Solomon.

 

Motorcyclists collide, one dead

ONE motorcyclist has died and another has suspected spinal injuries after they collided at Eurack, in Victoria's west. A group of five motorcyclists were riding west along Eurack Road around 10.40am today when the leader of the convoy attempted to turn left into Mt Hesse Road and lost control of his bike.  The second bike also lost control and collided into the leader.  The front rider, a 57-year-old man from the Melbourne suburb of Altona North, died at the scene. The second rider, a 37-year-old man from Preston, also in Melbourne, was airlifted to The Alfred hospital with possible spinal injuries.  Colac police are investigating the circumstances of the collision.

Paul Stavrakas was tracked down to the Alfred Hospital and then the Epworth Rehabilitation Hospital. He suffered a non-displaced fracture to his neck (C4?) and a broken hand as well as severe bruising to his leg. A number of people visited him at the hospitals and Paul is very grateful for people’s thoughts and actions while shocked and traumatised by the whole disaster. He has no recollection of the event and only has other people to help put the picture together.  Paul is now at home recuperating and would welcome visitors.

A number of emails went out to members during the following week including information about the proposed motorcycle procession. Here is one:

The start time for the ride procession has moved to 11 am with a rider briefing at 10.45 am.  I expect a large number of MSR members and a large contingent of the motorcycle fraternity in attendance. It could be very big.

I have submitted about 40 recent photographs from the MSR rides Ron attended for use by the family, and by extension, the funeral parlour.  Ron went on 30 MSR rides in the last three years and there are many group photos. So, don't be surprised if your face is amongst the crowd.

The route will be Westgate Bridge, Bolte Bridge, Tullamarine Freeway exiting Moreland Road to Sydney Road. There may be a police escort. Here is an extract from the shop web site:

THE BALLS FUNERAL MOTORCYCLE PROCESSION (Motorcycles Only)

Please unite with us to farewell Ron in a motorcycle procession to the ceremony.

Date:  Wednesday 27th Feb 08

Procession Briefing:  10.45am

Depart:  11am sharp
Route:  You will be advised upon the briefing.

Meeting venue:  Balls Tuning- 18 Fourth Ave, Sunshine

For more info visit: http://www.ballshpt.com.au/

At the procession and funeral there were 19 MSR members and 5 ex-members representing the Club and showing their respects. These included Ben and Julie Warden, Ian Payne, Paul Southwell, Damian Markovic, Pina Garasi and Misho Zrakic, Chris Bouwmeester, Trevor Harris, Dave Ward, Stoimen Stojanov, Ron Johnston, Mirko Strasser, Geoff Jones, Cameron Stevens, Nic Jacka, Dave Twentyman, Brett Stuart, Paul Stavrakas, Corbin Spurr, Tony Fabris, Bill Simpson, Clint Vertigan and Chris Pointon.  Thanks to everyone who came. It was a fine effort, much appreciated by the family.

The ride was spectacular, powerful, moving.  Julie counted 104 bikes stacked up outside the shop and I counted another 6 late starters making a formidable procession of 110 bikes. The Hangmore Club did an impressive job with the traffic management including stopping Geelong Road – three lanes in each direction – allowing us to run various red lights.  Julie said she could feel the positive vibes when we first merged with 5 MSR members heading for the start.  People came out from the shops to watch the bikes trundle by. The police finally latched on to the back of the ride doing some traffic management at Fawkner. It was a fantastic tribute ride.

Between 250 and 300 people attended the funeral service with not all able to fit in the chapel, let alone get a seat. Afterwards we repaired to the First and Last Hotel, corner of Boundary and Sydney roads to relive a few memories. The family provided much appreciated food platters.

The following Saturday, Corbin Spurr organised a memorial ride out to the crash site leaving at 7am to provide some understanding and closure. Dave Twentyman attended the ride.

Ron will be sorely missed. He added character and humour to the Club rides. He promoted our Club to those riders who he thought were ideal membership candidates and who would appreciate our ride style and Club ethos. Quite a few recent new members are a direct result of Ron’s influence. It says something about our Club, its organisation, road selection and riding abilities that Ron was happy to promote us so strongly. In the same vein, he supported the Hangmore Club and the Hayabusa Club.  He rode every weekend with either club, or led his own ride with select friends. He was a bike fanatic – and he was out doing it every weekend and more.

When I first met Ron he had purple finger nails – with ingrained grease. He has big and in your face. We usually met him and his mates down the Great Ocean Road. Over the years we gradually became acquainted. In the end he joined our Club, his first ride 6th February 2005.  His last ride was us to Trafalgar on the 10th of February, 2008.  Thirty rides altogether, and I had the privilege to be was on most of them. Now he has found a whole new set of roads and people to impress.  I look forward to catching up with him sooner or later.

Pina has written a fantastic tribute to Ron.  See deeper in the magazine.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------