"Million Mile" Lyle - Lyle Grimes has passed

[bamabmw]

Oh Dear,

I am just so sad. Lyle has apparently died in a motorcycle wreck. Million Mile Lyle was an icon in the BMW world for years. I'm just glad I got a hug or two in at the National and at the Chicken rally this year. He is definitely going to be missed by many. This has hit me hard because he was such a nice man, and so fun to be around and so interesting to talk to. I always looked forward to seeing him at rallies for years now. Kind of like a Dad passing on, to me.
Thanks to Stretch for alerting me to this tragedy.
Connie

http://blog.drivinglaws.org/2009/08/10/louisiana-natchitoches-parish-fatal-crash-2/

http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/GrimesMiles.asp

[Bikebum]

I had the opportunity (privilege) to sit down and chat for a while with Lyle at Johnson City. We laughed about getting old with all the aches and pains, and talked about the sad day when our families would "take away the keys" to our motorcycles. Little did I know that Lyle would give up his keys so soon. The BMW rally circuit will be much emptier without Lyle's presence. May he rest in peace.

[terese]

Got the email from Stretch... Just saw him at the National. So sad.

[Vance]

Thanks Connie. Wow..I am shocked. As stated we will miss him for sure..what a great guy. I too visited with him at the rally and always enjoyed talking to him.....

[Bikebum]

Vance, In the August newsletter there is a picture of you presenting the grand prize at Johnson City and Lyle is in the picture with you. Check it out on page 10.

[Gator]

Someone had a post on the MOA Forum last night that said there was a rumor that Lyle had been taken in an accident. I tried for about an hour after that to confirm on various TV and newspaper websites but could not find anything. Wanda called me this morning after my doctor's appointment to tell me it was true. It is very sad to hear. I can't recall any rally that I have attended that I did not see Lyle. In fact I always made a point to try to find him and shoot the breeze with him for a little while. As Connie said, he was an Icon in the BMW world. It's always sad to hear of a tradgedy like this but I think if Lyle had been able to plan his exit from this world he probably would have chosen to leave doing what he loved to do, riding his BMW. There will be an empty spot at all the rallys to come but I know that Lyle is looking down on us and hoping that we won't be too sad about this. He is home and would want us to celebrate his life on a motorcycle, not his death on one. He's probably smiling and telling us to ride on. He will be missed

[Vance]

You are right JJ. I remember him being there now that you pointed it out. He was waiting on me to get him back over into the Elementary School where he thought he had left his boots. Of course it was all locked up by then and the janitor was at the closingceremony and he had already told me that he knew the boots were not there. But we got Chuck Manley to take Lyle back over there in a golf cart to look "one more time". I checked and he had his tennis shoes on but had lost his boots!
We will miss him.....

[Gail]

That is sad. He was just a super nice man and we will miss seeing and talking to him. Gail

[Norwood]

Learned yesterday of the sad news about Lyle... got email and link to newspaper account.

Only having known Lyle for the past 10 years during rallies and say hello....but last year I have the chance to sit down with him at the Dogwood rally early one morning and had that talk that I will always appreciate more now than ever before.... he was what we " all want to be" a great rider and friend.

He will be missed....Rest in Peace my friend.

[terese]

Funeral Arrangements

The Funeral arrangements for Lyle have been complet ed .They will be held at the LEITZ-EAGAN FUNERAL HOME 4747 Veterans Memorial Boulevard,Metairie,LA 504-888-8440 on Saturday, August 15,2009 Visitation will be from 10:AM TO 1:00PM Interment will follow at Garden Of Memories. Those who wish to send flowers may call 504-888-6300

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/westwego_motorcyle_nut_killed.html

[Bikebum]

This tribute to Lyle was posted on the Gulf South BMW Owners Club web site. I thought it was appropriate to post it here also:

http://www.dotphoto.com/AdShowParent.asp?SID=256384

[gsezrider]

Connie,
I do hate to hear that. I also saw him at the national. He was a nice gentleman.