Rally Rider Dies Within Sight of Finish

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racing

Tuesday, 08 September 2009 17:20

By Mark Hinchliffe couriermail

The world was too small a place for long-distance motorcycle rider David Jones. The Cooroy real estate agent had been selected as Australia's representative in the Iron Butt Rally

through the US and after riding more than 11,000km he was only 160km from the finish when he died in a collision with a deer on Friday (September 4).

Jones, 53, had just crossed the Canada/US border into Idaho and was heading south toward a final bonus stop when the deer hit him. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to the nearest hospital by helicopter.

Work associate Garry Bauer described Jones as ``a real genuine Aussie''.

``It's amazing; he did it all on his own. To get there and get knocked out 100 miles from the finish is hard to believe.

``He had planned it for a long time and done it on a budget, not sleeping in motels, but sleeping on the side of the road. He did it the hard way.''

Tributes to Jones have flooded in on the FarRiders website, a group he formed to share his knowledge and experience with other long-distance motorcycle riders.

His website carries a quote from Jones: ``We are all destined to die, some choose to live while alive.''

Jones had crossed Australia in two days and claimed he could be anywhere in the country safely within three days.

``Everywhere is just down the road for me,'' he had said.

He was competing in his debut biennial Iron Butt Rally which challenges riders to travel 1600km a day for 11 days across 48 American states and Canada, starting in South Carolina and finishing in Washington.

It includes a bonus points system where riders can visit optional locations for more points.
The event was won by Jim Owen on a BMW R1200RT who traveled 20,448km and scored 139,833 points.

Out of 3000 applicants 100 riders were selected for the rally and only 70 finished.

Son-in-law Jim Bethel described “Davo” as “larger than life”.

“He was very passionate about living life to the fullest. His achievements were greater than most people’s dreams.

“David was an inspiration to many and will be sadly missed. He not only made an impression on people’s lives, but also in their hearts.”

Jones may have talked at a million miles an hour, but he insisted he did not break the speed limit.

``It's not a matter of speeding; it's about moving forward, time management and being consistent. The rally is not a race. We are competing against ourselves,'' he had said.

The Iron Butt Rally traveled through desert heat, snow, rain and hail on some of the worst roads in North America, including Death Valley.

Jones was only the fourth Australian since 1984 to be accepted in an Iron Butt Rally after John McCrindle of Brisbane competed in 1999 and 2001, and Derrick Sutton of Melbourne in 2001.


The other Australian representative this year was Tasmanian Margaret Peart who finished 70th after engine failure on her BMW R1200GS.

The rally had cost Jones up to $15,000 to compete, as well as the $22,990 he spent on his Kawasaki 1400GTR motorcycle plus $3000 in accessories such as extra lights, GPS, CB radio and auxiliary fuel tanks.

He is survived by his wife, Wilhelmina and four children, Kristy, Desley, Morgan and Mitchell.

 

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