Ricky Sandoval Memorial Ride

Memorial for a fallen brother rider: Ricky Sandoval  (Who died in a tragic accident, July 12, 2009, on a sweeping bend along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway)

By Randy David July 26, 2009

To the Hombres who were with Ricky on his final motorcycle ride that fine sunny morning of July 12 -- exactly 2 weeks ago today there could not have been a more powerful reminder of our common mortality of the fleeting nature of life, of the brevity of earthly time than to be with a fellow rider at breakfast, and then, some few minutes later, to find him sprawled on the ground, lifeless, his gleaming massive bike like a fallen steed suddenly stopped on its tracks.

This image, so arresting in its vividness, stunned all of us.To our logical minds, there was no doubt whatsoever that a brother-rider had just died in a very bizarre and unexpected way. Yet to this day, we continue to search ourselves for the many layers of meanings that this tragic event might be trying to convey to us.

It would be easy to say: It is time to get rid of our bikes, and find ourselves a more benign sport, like maybe, golf. But we don't think that would put the matter to rest for many of us. Our bikes are our bridges to open expanses, to horizons that melt before our eyes as we move forward with the summer wind. Not many hobbies can provide a comparable experience. And so, please allow me to share a few meditations on why mortal beings like us seem to be rushing toward our death by embracing a perilous delight like motorcycling.

We have always known that we are engaged in a dangerous and deadly passion, though, for obvious reasons, we prefer not to let this nagging thought encumber us as we ride. Precisely because we are riders on two wheels, the need to take care is something we regard more gravely than perhaps the driver on four wheels. Knowing that they can always be fatal, we never take the possibility of accidents for granted. And so when we take risks, we do so with pious calculation. Indeed there is method in our madness.

Which is not to say we don't miscalculate. We sometimes do. And when we do, we become conscious that what we may lose in the process may not be just our self-esteem, but life itself.

It is because we are aware that death could be waiting around the bend that we do take care. For this reason, it is sometimes said, not without justification, that big bikers are generally safer drivers than those on four-wheelers.

I know that nothing in what we say here can bring enough comfort to the loved ones that Ricky left behind. For death is always easier on the dead than on the living. It is the same for us. None of us will ever be able to ride this stretch of SCTEX again without remembering what happened here two weeks ago. For this and other reasons, on the suggestion of our fellow rider, Addie Topacio, we want to name this section of the highway Ricky's Bend.

From this moment, therefore, till the day we retire our own steeds, we will slow down on this mortal spot each time we pass this way, say a quiet prayer for our fallen friend, and thank him for the ultimate sacrifice he has made in order to remind us -- to take care always. Thank you, Ricky.

Just to end, may I quote from the beautiful lines written in tribute by another fellow rider on that fateful Sunday, Sam de Leoz:

Over the hallowed gravesof our fallen brother riders; May the winds of heaven whisper hourly benedictions.

Goodbye, Ricky.

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