This page has been set up in tribute to Michael Kelly, who lost his life in a road accident in France on May 22nd 2006.
Mik, also known as Gixxer, was one of the most genuine, warm-hearted, generous and kind people it is possible to encounter. He would go out of his way to make sure everyone around him was happy and having a good time and that they wanted for nothing. Intelligent, warm and witty, he was equally happy conversing about serious subjects or putting on a daft accent and mocking Southerners. Actually, he was probably happier mocking Southerners. He did do that a lot.
His greatest loves were bikes, boats and people. He ran an internet bike forum, www.gbbikers.co.uk, where he made some great friends. He was ever-present at bike meets and few things made him happier than spending time in the midst of his “forum family”. He had also recently “invested” in a boat, and taken some trips out into the Scottish waters. He delighted in wave-hopping, much to the disgust of anyone in the boat with him at the time. More than anything, he loved to share the fun and be around friends.
He died following a collision with a car during a biking holiday in Europe. He was with a group of friends and his beloved partner, Kirsty, who had taken in the MotoGP at Le Mans and were meandering across France towards Germany. The group had had a fantastic three days together, and laughed non-stop for most of it – centred around Mik’s jokes, story-telling ability, facial expressions, fake accents, permanent cheeky grin and his capacity for surreal, off-beat conversations. His death was instant - he did not suffer - and it is some comfort to those left behind that he had had such a good time and went out happy, doing what he loved, with that huge Gixxer grin.
We are all privileged to have known him, and only regret that it was for far too short a time.
He is gone from our lives, but will remain always in our hearts.
Sleep peacefully Mik our friend – you will never be forgotten.
In honour of the big, cheeky, sarcastic, ginger, Scottish fella, family and friends would like to raise money for the Great Northern Air Ambulance, because he and Kirsty enjoyed spending time with friends and the forum family in Yorkshire, and the Air Ambulance make the difference between life and death for so many bikers.
