Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

                                      In Memoriam of Dennis Ryan
                                                      1938-2003

       
       In Memory of my good friend and brother Long Rider, Dennis 
        Ryan.  Now all your rides will be good ones.

All of you that have followed my adventures the last few years know Dennis Ryan, and how I felt about him.  Dennis passed away on December 26th, 2003 from complications following a heart attack.  He is survived by his wife Norma and 14 year old son, Tommy.

I am deeply saddened by his passing.  He opened his home to me and took care of me on my trips to the West Coast.  We rode many miles together, and spent lots of time around the campfires and cafes.   There was no better person or riding partner then Dennis.   He was fun to be around, and loved motorcycles and touring.  

Dennis and I first met in 2001 when he offered his home to me on my first West Coast tour.  He treated me to a bed and warm company, and when I mentioned I wanted to visit Alice's, the famous biker hangout, he made it happen.  

There was not a bad fiber in Dennis Ryan's body, he was kind and gentle and always had a smile.  Everyone loved him, I know I did.

Dennis led us to the Bay Area after the Grand Canyon get together in 2003.  What a great ride that was.  I am so happy I documented my time with him in my trip journals.   These stories are now priceless, and as long as I'm able, I will keep them available for all to share.  

           
I took this picture of Dennis in Montana, as you can see, he loved riding there. 

In 2002 we rendezvoused at Yellowstone, and together we put down some of the best miles of any on record.  We spent 5 days working our way back to San Francisco by way of  Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.  We visited some of America's and our world's most beautiful places, such as Glacier, Crater Lake, and the Giant Redwoods.  

I vividly recall  sitting with him around a campfire in the Cascades.  We were still glowing from our visit to Crater Lake earlier in the day, and  had  just returned from a cafe down the road where we ate too much, and getting back to the tents was no easy task.  The bikes were glowing in the firelight, and as I scratched the ground with a stick, he thanked me for allowing him to tag along.  "I know you're pretty much a solo rider, so thanks for allowing me to ride with ya, I'm getting to do things I've always wanted to do."  I told him to hush, because riding with him was such fun.

It was my honor to have helped him enrich his life by accompanying him when he was doing what he loved.  I was lucky to have shared so much meaningful time with him  the last few years.

We really had a great time on that trip.  We were 2 middle aged men, acting like boys again, and that's what living is all about.  Dennis lived his dream the last few years, and now he rides where the sun is always out, the roads always smooth and curvy, and the traffic nonexistent.  He can ride the rim of Crater Lake anytime he wants, then blink his eyes and ride into a Grand Canyon sunset, and to top it off, he has the best riding partner right there with him-Jesus.  Please remember me when you speak to Him brother.