For those of you who don't know, my KTM was stolen in Dublin on August 9th around 3:00 PM.
I
want to thank all of you who have sent me emails, called, and helped
me out. In the past couple weeks I have received hundreds of emails
and messages from all over the world offering support. My family was
very worried and I am not sure how I will ever express our gratitude to all of you who have helped me, a total stranger.
A
special thank you to:
Peter
Bookey of Aaron Rider Training
Peter
and his family gave me a place to stay, food, many pints of Guinness
and a KTM 640 ADV to use for a couple days in Ireland. Peter took
time off work to show me around the Emerald Island and I am very great full for our time together. It was great craic! Peter even gave me a ride to the UK on the back of his BMW.
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| Peter and (part) of the Bookey Family |
Paul Rawlins of Celtic Rider Cycle
Rental and Tours
After searching for days to try to get
insurance figured out on Peter's 640, Paul was able to insure me
under his policy. This is the ONLY motorcycle rental company in
Ireland. They are nice people and they have great machines.
Greg
McGarry of Boomerangtrackers.com
Greg
has given me a GPS tracker to be fitted to the next motorcycle.
Please take a look at the new trackers
available. They are not just for motorcycles. They have a 2 month battery life!
www.boomerangtracker.com
available. They are not just for motorcycles. They have a 2 month battery life!
www.boomerangtracker.com
Jim O’Regan and Family of Ceol Na
Mara
Jim and his family have a very nice Bed
and Breakfast located in the town of Enniscrone on the Atlantic coast
north of Balina. The rooms were clean and comfortable, the view was
increadible and the traditional Irish breakfast was just what a traveler needs in the morning. I will never forget watching the
surfers while the sun set over this beautiful town.
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| Jim and Family |
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| The view from the dining room! |
Jackie and Brian Morgan of the Atlantic
Villa
Jackie and Brian bought the Atlantic
Villa in Knightstown Valentia Island about 4 years ago. Since then
they have been renovating it while keeping the history and charm
alive. The Atlantic Villa used to be house of the “Cable Master”
for the Trans-Atlantic telegraph line that was Valentia Island (most western inhabited point in Europe) to Heart's Content Newfoundland ( the
most eastern point in North America). The views of the surrounding
garden, town and island are incredible. Be sure to share a pint with
Jackie and Brian at Boston's Pub a short walk from the Atlantic
Villa. The muscles there are great. They also serve the traditional
Irish breakfast and do a fine job of it!
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| Brian, Jackie and I in front of the Atlantic Villa |
The John Murray Show on RTE Radio 1
Not once but twice John Murray had
Peter and I call into his show. Within an hour I received over 30
emails from people offering Bed and Breakfast, and any other help you
can think of. They even put a picture of my KTM that was stolen on
their web page. Thanks again John.
Paul (and community) from UKGSer
Paul set up a fund raising thread on
UKGSer to scrape together some money to help me out. Paul and Lucy
met up with Peter and I on our way into the UK. Paul handed me an
envelope with £700
in it. It was all I could do to keep from tearing up. Thank you all.
John
Mitchinson of Rally-Raid Products UK
John
called me when he heard of my misfortune and said he had a KTM 690
with a Michigan plate on it sitting in his shop. I was able to
contact the owner Luke Swab http://www.lukeandnick.com/
and work out a deal with him. John has helped me with a shop, tools,
parts, food, a place to stay and some great stories!
There
are countless people who have helped to try to get my bike back. I am
not sure if I will ever see her again but I am forever great full of
you who have helped. You know who you are.
I know I am going to miss something but there were countless other people on the Internet who shared my story on Facebook (Waterford Harley posted my email and it was shared 280 times), Biker.ie, HorizonsUnlimited.com, ADVrider.com, Broadsheet.ie, even the Irish times.
My
first night in Ireland I felt alone and helpless. I was considering
going home and quitting my trip all together. In the past few weeks I
have learned just how much support, love and hospitality that Ireland
has to offer. My one regret is that I was not able to stay longer. I
will return to see the people and places I missed and the new friends
whom I might not have met.
Thank
you.
Noah
