Devon TRF Group Forum

TTR · Powermonger!!

Bouncing Bob Lewis

gaschef · Devon's Best

I remember losing Bob on a ride I was leading, We all got to the end of the lane and Bob was missing, at the start of the lane he was third in line. After waiting a few mins went back down the lane, no sign of Bob, drove back up the lane to notice steam coming out of the hedge. Somehow he had managed to ride through the undergrowth and into a hole alongside the hedge, without anyone noticing or leaving any trace in the vegetation. Hence to say a lot of piss taking to get him out the hole the rest of the ride was uneventful. Always a pleasure to ride with Bob, just wonder what mischief he can get up to on the tarmac

Cubber · Expert

One fantastic fella - a legend in his own lifetime and a pleasure to know.

Martyn

Mike Wright · Clubman A

Rode on a few rides with him and enjoyed the company..great guy

jt · Powermonger!!

A few old faces here inc Bob wink

Tigerman · Expert

jt wrote:
A few old faces here inc Bob

Remember that day well JT wink smile Glad to see I was performing for the camera! As for Bouncing Bob, got some great memories of ride outs with him. A real gent and excellent company, not to mention a top tyre changer!! smile

phil400 · Clubman A

could say a lot of good things about Bob

a real top bloke !!!

wackyracer · Powermonger!!

Bouncing Bob - what a guy smile

mogwai · Clubman B

Had the pleasure of Bobs company on a few rides, including the infamous east of east jaunt in the january snow of 2013 with JT and Doug, which ranks as probably one of the best days i have ever had on a bike. biggrin . A cracking day out with three total chaps.

jt · Powermonger!!

And I DID NOT FALL OFF that day - I dropped my bike whilst rushing to Bobs aid...... biggrin

jt · Powermonger!!

A few memorys of that day wink

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TTR · Powermonger!!

Bob has recently undergone a major operation to remove a section of his oesophagus.

He has been out of hospital for a few days now and I just spoke to him on the phone. He is doing well and up and about but not allowed to drive or ride his TTR for 6 weeks. Val doesn't drive either so Bob is sort of confined to barracks.

I am sure he would appreciate a visit from any of his old riding buddies if you are in the Birchy Barton area. I have his phone number - if anyone wants it please PM me.

Get well soon Bob!

Brian

Hoops · Elite

I wondered where me old mate Bob went, now I know! Get well soon Bob, I'll give you a call soon I think I still have your number (Bri - would you mind sending it over just in case? Thanks).

BreweryKev · Clubman B

Hi Bob

You were on my first ride with the TRF we went to Tiverton with Ollie as the run leader. I broke down on my kdx 200, the chain broke in half and we could not fix it so you gave me a lift home on the back of your ttr biggrin then picked up your car and trailer drove all the way back to Tiverton pick my bike up for me. Realised then that I wanted to be part of this friendly group. Have since met some great people and had some brilliant days out. Thanks Bob for making my introduction to the Devon TRF such a friendly and memorable one.

Kev

wackyracer · Powermonger!!

BreweryKev wrote:
Hi Bob
You were on my first ride with the TRF we went to Tiverton with Ollie as the run leader. I broke down on my kdx 200, the chain broke in half and we could not fix it so you gave me a lift home on the back of your ttr then picked up your car and trailer drove all the way back to Tiverton pick my bike up for me. Realised then that I wanted to be part of this friendly group. Have since met some great people and had some brilliant days out. Thanks Bob for making my introduction to the Devon TRF such a friendly and memorable one.
Kev

Wow! what a great story, respect to Bob, what a intro to the Devon group smile

Get well soon Bob smile

Nige · Expert

Bob you are an inspiration to so many of us.
Get well soon.

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Only went out with him once, with the Sussex brothers and they took us down Ruggadon, not bad for a 70+ fella. Was a great day out and I wish him a speedy recovery smile

Cubber · Expert

Nige wrote:
Bob you are an inspiration to so many of us.
Get well soon.

I endorse this statement Bob

Old Guys Rule, or something like that - get well quickly.

Martyn

Hoops · Elite

I spoke to the Bobster earlier, he seems to be doing well and is still riding the TTR on the road

Cubber · Expert

They do look similar

Bob Gordon.jpg

Martyn

-- Edited by Cubber on Friday 20th of May 2016 09:09:55 AM

Nige · Expert

Cubber wrote:
They do look similar
Martyn

-- Edited by Cubber on Friday 20th of May 2016 09:09:55 AM

Separated at birth

youaintseenme · Clubman B

Bob will be the one that is always smiling .

Gatesgarth Pass looks absolutely gorgeous though. I think I must do this route at some point if it remains legal for us.

supertaff · Clubman B

Thanks Pete.
I recall Gordon was always smiling despite my calling him Bob.....

Pete · Expert

Bob bounces better than Gordon. His name is well earned and he always came up smiling on every occasion he and the TTR parted company in front of my camera, I never kept count.

TTR · Powermonger!!

Bad news I am afraid. "Bouncing" Bob passed away at 4.45pm today from Corona virus.

Bob had difficulty breathing so was taken in to hospital on Tuesday after calling 111. Bob and his wife Val had been self isolating for 3 weeks and they couldn't think where he caught it from. They went out for a meal before they isolated but, other than that, they had no idea of the source. Bob was in his late 70s.

He was a regular visitor here at Exton every Wednesday morning for a coffee and chat until the DVLA took his licence when he got a cataract a couple of months ago.

He is the first person I know to catch the virus and, sadly, the illness had the worst possible ending.

I know that Bob was much loved by those who knew him and was spectacularly (on occasions) entertaining on trail rides hence the nickname "Bouncing" (aka Badger) Bob. If you look back up through this thread you will see what I mean.

RIP Bob - some good memories matey.

Brian

Steve H · Devon's Best

RIP Bob, a true gent and always great to ride with.

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Gutted A real character who will be sadly missed. Bounce to heaven matey!

Rip

Nige · Expert

Many fond memories of Bob.
God bless you.
Condolences to Val.

KronreifTrunkenpolzMattighofen · Devon's Best

Such a shame, I remember trying to find his garden to drop his bike back after he bounced a bit harder than normal.

Rest in peace, fond memories my friend.

chriscole · Clubman A

Bob was a true gent, I have very fond memories of trail riding days with Bob such a sad loss my thoughts are with his family

steve xr33 · Clubman B

Sad news, RIP Bob you will be sadly missed.

jacks · Expert

Oh, so sad.

The posts above are a tribute to a great guy and friend to all, a pleasure to be out on the lanes with because you knew nothing would be taken too seriously.

What a nasty virus this is.

Stay safe everyone.

wackyracer · Powermonger!!

"Old Guys Rule"

So Sad to hear this about Bob, a really nice Guy and I feel privileged to have known him smile

A true friend to DTRF group and always on hand to help with tasks

R.I.P. Bob you won't be forgotten

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hampsterracing · Devon's Best

very sad to hear :(

A big loss to his family and friends always positive and "bouncing" in more than one way.

Roger

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

RIP in peace Bob, feel very honoured and proud that Bob was in a big way a part of all our lives !!

Cubber · Expert

RIP Bob my old mate. A truly likeable guy who will be sorely missed. Condolences to Val.

Here are a few of the many shots that I have - he's somewhere on each one and will bounce out at you:-

Mark's Harley.jpg

Martyn

Pete · Expert

Once aupon a time (eight years ago) on an East Devon trail ride I crested a rise to see a long wide puddle ahead and on the left something I could not quite make out lying in the hedge. 06 192-143, 262, 142 Pound & Naps lanes.MOV_snapshot_03.00_[2020.04.11_09.52.06].jpg

In the distance something detached itself from the scenery and rose above what I now saw was a motorcycle lying on its side. 06 192-143, 262, 142 Pound & Naps lanes.MOV_snapshot_03.06_[2020.04.11_09.52.27].jpg

Before we got much closer the rider had remounted. 06 192-143, 262, 142 Pound & Naps lanes.MOV_snapshot_03.12_[2020.04.11_09.53.18].jpg

It was sobering to see the water half way up his number plate as he churned out of the far end of the lake across the lane. 06 192-143, 262, 142 Pound & Naps lanes.MOV_snapshot_03.16_[2020.04.11_09.53.34].jpg

He rounded the next corner leaving a cloud of steam in his wake. 06 192-143, 262, 142 Pound & Naps lanes.MOV_snapshot_03.21_[2020.04.11_09.53.58].jpg

I was concerned by what looked like smoke pouring off the bike as the water evaporated of the machine. 06 192-143, 262, 142 Pound & Naps lanes.MOV_snapshot_03.36_[2020.04.11_09.54.25].jpg

And the rider. 06 192-143, 262, 142 Pound & Naps lanes.MOV_snapshot_03.45_[2020.04.11_09.55.26].jpg

And I will always remember Bob for the happy positive good humoured cheerful bloke he was as this final pic shows even through the helmet from the creases in his cheeks as we laughed at his recent predicament. 06 192-143, 262, 142 Pound & Naps lanes.MOV_snapshot_03.40_[2020.04.11_09.55.06].jpg

He will be missed.

-- Edited by Pete on Saturday 11th of April 2020 09:23:34 AM

TTR · Powermonger!!

Some lovely comments and photos. I will try and find a way of getting Val to see them.

If anyone would like Val's address to send a card then please PM me.

Brian

brownie · Expert

really sorry to hear this bad news,
like everyone else i found bob to be funny,always smiling and a really nice bloke,
i was following him one day down 192-063 when his front wheel washed out and he went down hard on some rocks, i winced and stopped to get off my bike and by the time i had got off he was up and away and i soon realised how he got the name bouncing bob.
RIP Bob.

Lost · Expert

Its been such along time and now the memories come flooding back
Seeing the tributes and pictures in Bobs memory
Im sorry we lost touch Bob

BreweryKev · Clubman B

Very sad news. Bob was a great bloke, he will be greatly missed.

V Twin Funster · Expert

Great to see so many memories of Bob. A smashing chap that i rode with many times. RIP cry , mate.

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Must be a tribute ride out when all the corona ends?

Shame we can't give him a good send off now cry

TTR · Powermonger!!

I had an email from Hoops (Martin Hooper) and he was happy for me to put it on the forum with the rest of the tributes:

"From time-to-time I drop in on the DTRF forum to see how things are going though I dont have an account anymore and I was saddened to read of Bob Lewiss passing. What a shock. The last time I spoke to him was a few years back when he had cancer I think you gave me his number and I gave him a call to see how he was, but I dont think he really remembered who I was. I can only agree with the posts on the forum what a terrific chap, always smiling, always bouncing back. I had the privilege and sometimes frustration Ill admit, due to his front trials tyre to taking him out on his first runs around east Devon when he joined us. He bounced everywhere and that front tyre was soon changed! He was always a happy and helpful chap, friendly to all and not afraid to get stuck into any trail. Im sorry I lost touch with him when I moved away from trail riding, but I did see him about occasionally on the road on his TTR. Its so very sad hes been taken away by the coronavirus, and I suspect all his old and new friends wont be able to attend his funeral under the current circumstances.

Id be very grateful if youd pass on my sincere condolences to his wife and family, Ill be thinking of them and Bob during this awful time. Feel free to put this on the forum if you think its appropriate.

All the very best to you and the wider DTRF family.

Cheers,

Martin"

mogwai · Clubman B

Rode out with Bob a few times, including the legendary snow ride with Doug and JT, an absolute gent of a man and the source of many smiles. Blessed to have met him. The hedges of Devon will miss him. RIP Bob.

jt · Powermonger!!

I confess to shedding a tear on reading this, Bob was an absolute legend and inspiration. I was lucky and privileged enough to share many rides and laughs with him.

The world has lost a beautiful soul - I bet hes up there now bouncing off a hedge, tree or falling in a ditch somewhere bless him

Thoughts are with his family.....

trackman · Clubman B

I will always have fond memories of my ride outs with such a gent .RIP Bob.

TTR · Powermonger!!

Message from Simon Vernon:

Sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Fond memories of him on the A2E on his DR250 a few years back. Remember him coming a cropper and we all gathered round him lying on the ground grumbling "I hate ruts"!

Gruff growl · Clubman A

Bouncing Bob, you have been and always will be an inspiration to me and many others.

Keep on bouncing and inspiring others, wherever you are.

RIP

youaintseenme · Clubman B

What a shocker !

I avoid the crazy media and have kinda managed to carry on with life and projects pretty much as before lockdown.

But loosing Bob suddenly brings it home that this is not some vaguely distant threat ( last time I checked, the stats suggested 1 in 3000 infected in Devon )
Suddenly this is real and has the potential to take the more vulnerable from us.

Hopefully most of us will be in the 85% category of mildly or even un-effected and a vaccine will show up in time for the 15%.

Hard to add much to the words above, just a bloody legend and will be truly missed

And we cannot even go to the funeral to say goodbye )-:

Perhaps when its all over we can have a special gathering for Bob ..........