I had hoped we had a bit longer, we didn’t. Peter Brown has left the building, but not our hearts, our minds or our spirit.
Pete was something of a conundrum, “one whose answer makes a play on words”, the dictionary tells me. A puzzle, if you like. He was and will continue to be a presence to all who knew him.
We were the lucky ones, it may not feel like it right now, but we knew Pete, I knew Pete, you did, and our lives are richer for that and will remain so, today, tomorrow and into the future.
Pete hasn’t been afforded the opportunity to continue with his adventures, it’s up to us to continue with ours, with his, we owe him this much, and more.
Pete, the man, the enigma is everything I am not, you are not, we are not and will never be.
Pete was many things to many people, to me Pete was my mate, someone who chose to spend time with me. Time, the most valuable gift you can ever give.
Whatever Pete was to you I want you to take it, hold it with a firm grip, and keep it, for the rest of your life. Don’t let it go.
Pete gave the impression of being disorganised, he wasn’t, you don’t get to achieve what he did in 57 year by being disorganised, random, yup, you had better believe it.
So what was, who was, Pete, different things to different people, his circle of friends was eclectic.
A father, grandfather, husband, a business man, a musician, a friend, travel companion, drinking partner, a lover, not a fighter, and so much more.
I am fortunate enough to have the memories from trips to Scotland with him on the bikes. Each trip world class in its own right. The sort of trips you see advertised at some huge cost, a cost he would have hated, but we conjured up out of our own minds and wallets, our design, our budget.
From sleeping on beaches overlooking Scapa flow on Orkney, to four poster bed, (not shared) hotel rooms, and just like Pete, I’ll take the beach, in a sleeping bag, in a bivy bag, probably getting a bit cold, but waking up to an unforgettable sunrise.
Pete had things to do, places to go, things to see, who knows what they were, we won’t get to see what adventures he had ahead, to share through the daily whatsapp or facebook updates. I’ll miss that, we’ll miss that. I have friends who never met Pete ask about the days update from his trips.
So what do I take from this, you know, I’m not sure at this point in time, I just don’t know. The only thing I know with certainty is this.
I’m gona miss you bud.
In 2024 Pete fulfilled one of his ambitions, he competed in the Prologue of the Erzberg Rodeo in Austria, on his C90, after riding it there, completing the round trip home in 26 days covering 2,250 miles.
In September 2024 The Motorist hosted an afternoon for Pete to tell us all about his trip, from being inspired by Burt Munro and Sammy Miller to competing in the event and visiting many WWII sites including a number of locations from the 1963 film, The Great Escape
After the talk, one of Pete’s favourite bands, Hotfoot Powder, entertained us
And as many know Pete’s love of music extended to singing and playing the guitar,
Peter Andrew Brown, 11th June 1967 – 2nd February 2025.
Thanks for your company Pete, what a good time we had.