MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Hello
It is with immense sadness that I write this and I still don't know exactly what to say but Deejay (Dave) passed away suddenly yesterday.
I know many people on here knew him and had ridden with him many times.
He had recently been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment but this is hugely shocking to us all.
He was an original member of the STW Northern Chapter, a stunning rider with an encyclopaedic knowledge of trails in the Dales, Lakes, N Yorks Moors and the Peaks.
Most of all he was a dear dear friend and one of the nicest people I've ever known.
He is already missed and that never change.
I intend to organise a ride out from the Dales Centre in Reeth in May/June as a tribute and all who knew him are welcome.
Our thoughts are with his family
Thanks
Steve
🙁
🙁 Thoughts are with his family and friends, Only met him a couple of times and he came across as a true gent.
rest in peace 🙁
Can always remember him giving out good information about routes in the lakes. RIP sir 🙁
RIP Deejay 🙁
RIP Dave. A true friend and inspiration.
Trevor
Sad news RIP
Nicely put Steve.
I know the Dave kept a quote in his wallet by James Dean, it read..."dream as if you will live forever, live as if you will die today".
All who knew David will understand why he kept it.
RIP my friend.
Thoughts are with his family RIP
I was shocked to hear of DJ's passing as I am sure many were , I like the idea of the orgasnised ride in the Dales to mark his passing, perhaps a minute's silence at the top of Fremington edge
That is so sad, it was only a couple of weeks ago he TOTALY whooped my ass on the way back from Langthwaite.
RIP dude 🙁
Shocked to hear the news, RIP DeeJay
Thanks for letting us know. May he rest in peace.
That's really sad news. RIP DeeJay 🙁
Really sad news. My thoughts are with family and friends today. Rx
That's really sad. I only met and rode with him once and he seemed like a really nice bloke. Best wishes to all his friends and family.
Heck, thats terrible. Love to all who were close to him from the b_s_n family.
Sad news. Will be on the ride.
very sad news. just as the weather was getting good too.
he was larking around in his garden taking danger panda shots only yesterday. 😐
ride in peace DeeJay.
Stand down Dave. 😐
Will defintaly be on the ride.
RIP Dave. Thoughts go out to your close friends and family. On the few times we met you were always great to get on with and frustratingly quick.
Shocked and devastated. I met Dave and Steve about 4 years ago for a ride in the lakes and immediately hit it off with them. That was the first ride of what became the STW Northern Chapter Rides and every one of them was a total pleasure.
Dave was an immensely talented rider, but more than that, a thoroughly decent man and a true gent. Cant believe it, we were in the pub on Wednesday night last week after a night ride and talking about him.
Thoughts are with his family and all of you guys who rode regularly with him. Steve, thanks for letting us know and book my place on the Reeth ride.
Gutted. Ride in Peace.
Some pics of happier times .....
[url= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4027/4532396304_7918cdaf46_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4532396304/ ]DSC03498[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4108/4963356184_989e4d357b_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4963356184/ ]IMAG0183[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2657/4000732578_df6fe06958_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4000732578/ ]DSC02080[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2457/4001816901_ff73350ca0_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4001816901/ ]DSC01387[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
rip Dave you will be sorely missed by all
Brian
Shocked and deeply sadened... choking up writing this
Couldn't have met, ridden and be friends with a nicer fella.
RIP Dave
Stu
I've got 2 lasting memories of Dave.....
On the first Northern Chapter ride, it soon became clear that I'd bitten off more than I could chew, I remember clearly both Dave and Steve dragging me round, chatting to me loads, keeping me motivated and not once making me feel like a burden.
On another ride, coming down the San Marino, I thought this is my local stomping ground, this (old) guy won't be able to keep up with me........next thing I knew he came past like I was standing still.
A lovely guy and a super talented rider.
My thoughts are with you all as his friends. Take care.
Thoughts are with all of his friends here and elsewhere and his family.
RIP - sounds like a top bloke.
Thoughts with his friends and family.
RIP Deejay.
Very sad news, condolences to family.
I only met Dave once, along with Fatgit & Ton. Had a great day out from Reeth. Dave was a really nice fella & he could ride!
Keep us informed of when the ride will be please cos I'll do my utmost to be there.
RIP Deejay.
😥
RIP, fella.
Eveyone else - ride like it's your last one...
Sounds like an absolute top bloke.
Wish I could find something more poignant to say ...
RIP Dave + my thoughts are with your family and friends.
Oh no. Sorry to hear, awesome rider, good snapper, really friendly, thoroughly decent bloke. RIP DJ.
Thanks for letting us all know steve, hope to join you in reeth.
🙁 RIP
Rest in Peace - Best wishes to his family and loved ones 🙁
Sad news, lots of great memories, mainly of following him uphill!
Just a flick through my biking pics and turned up this one, so I thought I'd share.
[img] 
[/img]
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2491/3981295286_0e5670d59c.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsnbt/3981295286/ ]STW Ogden Water ride[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/mrsnbt/ ]Mrs NBT[/url], on Flickr
Remember the good times. Celebrate the life lived.
my condolences to his family and friends 🙁
R.I.P. 🙁
RIP chap thoughts with his family and friends.
Wasn't sure I'd met him but looking at photos I think I may have, either way the comments I've seen on here and else sound like he was one of life's good guys.
😥
Still cannot believe ...just cannot believe it
Will always remember trying to follow him down the high street boy could he ride both uphill and downhill - was never going to be near him uphill
What an utter ****ing tragedy
see you all at the dales memorial ride
Aye yoshimi I remeber the first ride out as well was obvious they were better and fitter than us but what lovely folk they were..just so sad
Sad News
RIP
On our very first Northern Chapter ride, Dave was one of the first to come over and welcome us.
Many above have said what a Gentleman he was, these words sum him up.
It was a pleasure to ride with Dave, he gave me loads of tips and teased me about being an 'older' rider like himself.
Condolences to his family and close friends.
RIP DeeJay
Bunnyhop xx
Steve, I know its early days, but could you let us know about the funeral as I would like to pay my respects, unless its family only.
Cheers.
GUTTED. 🙁
I met him just the once a few years ago on a STW ride round Rivvy - yet I remember him very well indeed. What a lovely guy he was.... Awesome rider too. I remember him riding UP Great Hill (& you just don't even attempt THAT!).
Its a sad day indeed. Condolences to his Family and Friends....
T
a truly fantastic bloke, and a utter gent to boot.
one of the nicest, most understanding and generous blokes i have had to privilege to meet and ride with.
RIP Deejay.
I was riding along side him, chatting away, just riding the trail ahead of us, blissfully unaware we'd gone the wrong way, got to the end of the slabs turned around to see everyone about a mile back waving us to come back, oops - and me a local 🙄Awesome rider too. I remember him riding UP Great Hill
Dave was a real inspiration to all who rode with him.
Was supposed to be riding with him yesterday, doing a route we'd been eyeing up for 6 months. We postponed as he didn't want to take any risks with his treatment. Difficult to accept that now we never will do it together.
RIP Dave
Steve, I know its early days, but could you let us know about the funeral as I would like to pay my respects, unless its family only.Cheers
THIS as well or at least contribute to something for the funeral from us all
Hi
I'll post up when I know more.
Obviously it'll depend on what the family want
Thanks
Steve
I hope no one minds but this is from a recent thread and posted by the man himself.
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8665894482_de73b21d20_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/23772898@N07/8665894482/ ]Panda[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/23772898@N07/ ]Dee P Jay[/url], on Flickr
Its going to take a long time for this to sink in. I'm devastated and would give anything for one last pasting up a huge hill to look up and see Dave fully rested, casually taking photos of the view and of my gurning face as i grind to a hault beside him. To add insult to my pain Dave then in his late 40s would ask me ,in my mid 20s, if i was ok to carry on 😯 ..."Of course" i would gasp through gritted teeth. The thought of a hot brew and cakes at the end was always reward enough to go through any pain on one of his epics. I always said i would like to be like him when i grow up, a true inspiration. I have no doubt in my mind this master in the art of mountain biking is up there pedaling away. RIP Dave, i will miss you xStill cannot believe ...just cannot believe it
Didn't think I had met DeeJay, but he looks mighty familiar in those photographs - must have crossed paths a couple of times over the years (given I am in the Lakes this would seem likely).
Always enjoyed his posting and pictures though,
RIP Sir.
Really sad, seemed a top bloke.
[img] 
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I just love this one of Dee Jay.......taken on one of the STW northern rides in 2010.
RIP 🙁
Sad sad news RIP Dave
I've not been on here long but Dave sounded like a top guy.
RIP and I will try to get on the ride.
Sleep tight dave, and God bless.
We Will all miss you. A true gent if ever there was one.
A very sad day.
I don't mind saying that i shed a tear earlier this morning after i saw Lowey's picture's. I was lucky enough to ride with him on quite a few occasions. He had an encylopedic knowledge of northern trails a bit like a talking os map, an ability to ride up and down hills with great ease and finesse, the eye to take a great picture, and the generosity to share his knowledge with others.
RIP Deejay
Gone but not forgotten.
🙁
I've been pretty sad all day since I heard & as I said I only met Dave once. What does that say about him?
Happy day here....
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8673375156_66808208e8_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmygrainger/8673375156/ ]Reeth ride 14.07.12 002[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/jimmygrainger/ ]jimmyg352[/url], on Flickr
Dunno who that big lad is next to Dave though!!
I had the privilege of meeting him on a few rides with the northen chapter and he was a thoroughly nice chap and an excellent rider. RIP!!!
Jamie.
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2751/4532386154_106aec8393_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/4532386154/ ]DSC03495[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
Everything everyone has said about Dave is so true. Steve, your words are perfect. I have been privileged to count Dave as my friend and ride with him for over 20 years. I still can't believe what has happened. I will miss him terribly. Andrea.
[url= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4111/5065583692_1f79a4c9b3.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/n_b_t/5065583692/ ]DeeJay on the Marple Pootle[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/n_b_t/ ]NBT[/url], on Flickr
bad ju ju 🙁
RIP Deejay, thoughts are with your family.
Sad news, RIP
RIP Dave.....
Friday night rides won't be the same. 😥
Desparately sad.
RIP Dave.
RIP, Deejay. 🙁
With sadness i post the funeral details for Dave's last ride...
JOHNSON, Dave
David, aged 56 years, suddenly at home on April 21 of The Headlands, Darlington. Much loved husband of Sue, loving dad of Helen and Kathryn, future father-in-law of James Logan, beloved son of Margaret and Derek Johnson, dear brother of Andrea and will be sadly missed by all his family and many friends. Funeral Monday, 29 April. Would friends please meet for service in All Saints Church, Blackwell at 10.45am followed by cremation. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired may be sent for the Great North Air Ambulance Service c/o Whitehouse Funeral Service. 11 West Auckland Road, Darlington.
I have ridden with Dave for lots of years, he has been a true friend and an immense inspiration to me. Monday is going to be such a hard day for me as Dave's friend and the funeral director who conducts his funeral.
We have decided to ride our bikes from the Church to the crematorium (approx 5-10mins)behind the hearse. Everyone is most welcome to take part. In life he was always in front of us on rides and on monday he will once again.
[url= http://www.whitehousefuneralservice.co.uk/2013/04/johnson-dave-darlington/ ]Funeral details and pictures[/url]
[quote=casper33 ]With sadness i post the funeral details for Dave's last ride...
Thanks for sharing the details. I won't be able to make it but will have a quiet moment of reflection in one of the meeting rooms at work
[quote=casper33 ] [b]Donations if desired may be sent for the Great North Air Ambulance Service[/b] c/o Whitehouse Funeral Service. 11 West Auckland Road, Darlington.
Worth sharing that bit again. DeeJay would have appreciated that
We have decided to ride our bikes from the Church to the crematorium (approx 5-10mins)behind the hearse.
What a great idea! Depending on how many I'm bringing in my car I'll see if I can get the bikes in.
RIP Dave 🙁
So very sad to hear this news. Like many of you on here I met Dave on some STW northern chapter rides and he was, as everyone else has said, a great ride and all round lovely bloke. He will be very much missed.
casper33 - do you have a postcode for the 'donations' address please?
do you have a postcode for the 'donations' address please?
[url= http://www.whitehousefuneralservice.co.uk/contact-us/ ]DL3 9EJ[/url]