Jon Gannon Tribute Ride- Boise

[KBOM]

On November 13, 2009, we lost a very special man. Everyone who knew him loved him, and I don't think he ever met a person he wasn't willing to help. While we'll each remember something different about Jon, and will be thankful for the individual relationship we each had with him, I'm sure two things we'll all remember were his loving spirit and zest for life!
Motorcycle riding was one of his passions (though he had many!). We thought it fitting to hold a tribute ride in his memory. While we all miss him, this ride is intended to be a celebration of his life and a happy tribute to a man who lived every day to the fullest. As he would say, "It's all good!"

Jon Gannon Tribute Ride - Sunday, July 12, 2009 @ 10:00AM

We're going to start at Borah Park where his memorial plaque and tree are located, 801 South Aurora Drive, Boise Idaho. We will be riding from there to Mores Creek Summit, milepost 50 Hwy. 21. This is about 15 miles past Idaho City. We are shooting for a 10:30am departure. Please be gassed up and ready to roll. Because we expect a VERY large turnout, please RSVP to the e-mail or phone number below if you plan on riding. For safety considerations and planning, we need to try to get a ballpark number.

RSVP E-Mail - jagtributeride@yahoo.com  or 208-340-8642

At the Summit we will have an opportunity for everyone to share good memories. If you can't come, but want to send some thoughts or stories to be shared with the group, please send those to the above e-mail address and they will get read as part of the tribute.
 
His family has created a tribute website, so if you want to learn more about Jon, please go to www.jongannon.com.

[traveler]

Thanks for posting the ride notice.

Please follow up with another post as the date approaches.

I knew Jon and was more than saddened to hear of his death.

He was indeed a generous and friendly guy and a damn good rider as well. Keeping him in sight while he rode the wheels off that beautiful yellow VFR was a challenge, but also a memory I cherish.

[Grumbler]

Am absolutely stunned by this. Didn't know that Jon lost his life until I saw the OP.
Googled it, and found out that he died in an ATV accident this past November. He
worked in the service department at Carl's Cycle for many years until he accepted
a job offer from Saturn. We met for the last time outside Digg's Pizza on Cole this
past summer. We once met at the Chevron in Garden Valley, and he later passed
me while eastbound towards Lowman. Jon could certainly lean! He was only 36. I
just notfied 2 other friends who know him. This is news to one of them. Haven't
hard back from the other yet.

[KBOM]

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Jon was truly an amazing person. Please join us in honoring Jon on our tribute ride. His parents will be driving along the route and will join us at the destination. The whole family is really honored to join us (and we as well to have them!). One of his sisters has even talked about riding on the back of one of the bikes.  

I will keep this post updated as we work out the details. So far we have a starting point and the date. The destination at this point is up past Idaho City towards Loweman, stopping somewhere around Mores Creek summit. This is no parade ride. In the spirit of Jon we thought it only fitting to include some twisties. Safety will be a big issue. No squidly activities will be allowed. And propper riding gear encouraged.

This is not exlusive to one type or style of bike. Jon liked them all. He never could understand why some wouldn't wave.... neither can I. Too bad for them. I guess they miss the point.  

Please RSVP at jagtributeride@yahoo.com

[KBOM]

We now have all the details worked out. Please see the first post for the changes. It was requested that we change the day to Sunday, so the folks that work Saturdays can join us. And we now have a phone number for RSVP's.

It was a great day for a ride, so we did a dry run today. Mores Creek Summit will be our final destination. Total trip one way is 55 miles. There's a bathroom and large parking area that should accommodate the group fine. July could be a bit warm, so gear up accordingly. Cold water bottles will be provided for everyone at the Summit. We figure everyone could be on their own for the ride home. Maybe to make a loop ride of it?

Be safe out there, and we'll see you July 12th.  

[KBOM]

Friendly reminder......... This ride will be this coming Sunday.

[fxrbill]

Was a great ride and good to meet everyone.Here are a couple of pics.Heard that there were 47 bikes on the ride.

[tc305]

it was  truely awsome glad  to meet so many reallly cool people

[KBOM]

I do believe it was a worthy tribute. I am so glad the family was able to join us. They were truly beside themselves. A heartfelt thank you to everyone.

If I didn't get a chance to say hi I apologize. The whole trip was a little overwhelming. It was awesome seeing such a variety of bikes. I wish I could have sat around and BS'ed with each of you more about our bikes. Another day for sure. Hopefully I can ride with some of you in the near future. Until then..........

Kevin

[traveler]

Glad I was there to share the event with his family and friends, even though I'm not a fan of large group rides.

Jon's father gave me some of Jon's ashes to spread as I wish. I'll be taking a solo ride in the very near future, to somewhere beautiful, on a route with plenty of twisties, and say my final farewell.

Happy trails, Jon.

[vguy]

Sounds like Jon was "good people." Sorry about his passing. The good, they die young, in this case.