Melinda had been attending my yoga class regularly, for more than a year.   I always arrived early to set up the studio before teaching.  She was always the first to arrive, bustling in with her blast of energy fresh from coming off her bike, helmet in hand and in her leathers. She was intense and I loved this about her.  She seemed to be on a personal mission, I could feel it.  Her smile, willingness to grow, change and heal herself was inspiring to all of us.  She would openly give us updates on her health and the progress she was making.

    I remember the times Mark joined her in class and how happy that made her.  She was so funny sometimes.  I can remember one day I was teaching a more difficult pose and she trying in earnest as she always did suddenly announced out in class, "Wow that one really kicked my ass"!   Anyone else could never get away with that kind of outburst in an otherwise quiet yoga class, but we all loved that part of Melinda.  She had a childlike quality of openness, caring, honesty and a sense of innocence in her newfound discovery of the world of yoga and all that it can do and heal in our lives.  Peace, inner growth and awareness come in all shapes and sizes and don't have to look like anything in particular.  I saw in Melinda a woman who wanted to change her life for the better, heal her wounds and grow.  I think she found that solace in yoga class.  I loved her presence in class and always noticed the days she wasn't there, which were few. 

    As a teacher it felt good to see her change in many ways for the better.  She seemed really pleased with herself. 

    The day she was found, we put a yoga mat out for her as we practiced our poses.  We truly felt her presence. 

    Yes, Melinda was a biker and a good one from what I hear, with many wonderful close and caring friends.  I wanted to share with you all the Melinda I knew.  She was also a yogini with her own style, practicing toward an inner peace she greatly wanted and was willing to work towards through a dedicated yoga practice.  

     I miss her very much, think of her each day and am glad I had the opportunity to know her briefly and enjoy her energy, kindness and awe.

You are sorely missed,

Namaste'

With Love,

Melinda and I met in 1991, when I started hanging out at Zeitgeist, which is where my husband, David Lewis, and I later met.  I was a young 22-year-old pool-playing, Jaeger-swilling thang who sauntered into the bar with an over-inflated sense of entitlement.  Melinda was an Amazon woman who was loved by men and women alike.  She appeared much taller than her 5'11" frame--something about the way she walked into the room made everyone aware that she was a force to be reckoned with.  With her throaty voice and gravelly laugh, she'd greet old friends and put a smile on anyone's face.  She introduced herself to my father as my protector; she did indeed try to protect me.  However, no one could protect me from myself.  She bore witness to my decline into drug addiction and homelessness and stood by me, occasionally offering a realistic appraisal of what mistakes I was making.  Still, she was always encouraging--focusing on what potential I had rather than what a mess I had made of my life.  That kind of support is what made it possible for me to leave the hell that I had created for myself and get where I am today.  It was so wonderful to see all our lives improve over these last few years.  David and I will miss Melinda dearly and will forever be saddened that our daughter will never meet her.

Ele Lozares-Lewis, MS II

Drexel University College of Medicine

“He was cursed with intelligence.” She said to me of Bill Sheffield about 4 years ago. Yes, I feel Melinda Moore had it too. Now, if I have to explain that to you, you wouldn’t understand.

“Humor is a way of holding off how awful life can be, to protect yourself. Finally, you get just too tired, and the news is too awful, and humor doesn’t work anymore. Somebody like Mark Twain thought life was quite awful but held the awfulness at bay with jokes and so forth, but finally he couldn’t do it anymore. His wife, his best friend, and two of his daughters had died. If you live long enough, a lot of people close to you are going to die.”

-Kurt Vonnegut from “Man Without a Country”

I met Melinda Moore, Big Red, Roja, some 15 years ago or so. Literate and adventurous, no one enjoyed the relief of a good laugh more than she. Although I didn’t know it then, she would be a welcome influence on my life for many years to come. Her fiery exuberance for life was contagious and something I will always carry inside of me, the sight of her big smile, the sound of her unbridled laughter.

We were in a gang together, her and me. You may have heard of the BDF. No, it’s not called the British Death Fleet because we all expire prematurely. That’s another story. We’ve lost some great personalities in the recent years, Bill Sheffield, Keith MacLackland, Melinda Moore. Each of them lives on in spirit inside those of us whose lives they touched. Envisioning a future without them is not an easy task. I believe it shows us that we all need to stick together as an extended family unit, a gang, and keep a close watchful eye on each other.

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” John Lennon said that, and I’ve learned it the hard way. Let this woeful occasion remind us that we all need to take time away from our occupations and pre-occupations occasionally to keep a loving eye on each other.

‘The righteous perish and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men (and women) are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”

Isaiah 57:1-2

Melinda, may you walk uprightly through eternity, as you’ve always done. Find rest now, and enter into peace.

My heartfelt condolences to everyone else who is suffering this loss.

If I could put into words how special Melinda was it would fill a tome.

There simply are no words. Only Big Beautiful Red memories...

I love you Red and will never forget you.

Please tell Mark H. me and Carter's hearts are with him.

Heather/Hezmodo

The UK X9 Owners Club <http://x9ownersclub.co.uk> would like to extend our support to Melinda's family and friends.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Melinda's friends and family.  I searched long and hard with a couple of my friends.  I am very glad she was found, but so sad at the situation. 

God Bless you all for trying so hard to find her.  I just pray that if I'm out riding and something happens, I get this kind of support.

In thoughts and prayers,

Shelly H.

The next few days will be difficult for all of us...

Silver lining, possibly: the grassroots search effort was most impressive to see! I hope it stands as a model for future searches; someday an injured rider's life will be saved by a similar (and rapid) response. Definitely worthwhile!

When everything quiets down a little time spent going over organizational lessons learned and such will pay dividends down the road. I'll bet Melinda would dig that.                                 

I was so saddened to learn the bad news this morning.  Pete and I want to express our sincere condolences to Mark, Kim, and to all Melinda's family.

How awful to hear the news today. My heart goes out to all of Big Red's family and friends. I never knew her, but she seems like someone I would've enjoyed hanging out with and riding together. I send many, many sincere condolences.

She rang the damn bell while she was here, didn't she... God bless her and rest in peace.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Mark, and her extended bay area family.

Receiving the word of Melinda's death last night has thoroughly rocked me.  My heart goes out to her fiancé and her family.  Melinda befriended me at a time in my life when I really needed someone.  I spent many miles riding with her, camping, going to races, Keith Code's school and just having a blast.  Everywhere we went she knew someone, I was always amazed, it didn't matter what podunk town we were in in the state someone would come up and say hi.  She introduced me to many incredible people and my life would have not been the same without her in it.

The world has lost a legend, a powerful, dynamic wonderful personality, and she will truly be missed.

RIDE ON, BIG RED, I LOVE YOU.

Alicia Erickson

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family at this time of heartbreak and sorrow.

Everyone has their own special way of mourning.  Please accept mine.

Melinda,

Did you know we loved you

Did you know we cared

Sometimes we didn't tell

Sometimes we didn't dare

But we watched you

And admired you

And were glad you were our friend

Even those that didn't know you

Felt the love we did extend

We will miss you

But always love you

We are not angry

Even in our despair

We are better for having known you

Or for knowing those who knew

Because you were special

And magical and beautiful

Even after the end

I just wanted to offer our condolences to all of Melinda's family and friends. She sold my husband and I a BMW a few years ago, and we both thought she was one of the most vivacious and personable women we had ever met. Her love for motorcycles and riding was infectious, and we caught the bug bad!

I remember hearing the stories of her "Lady Godiva" ride, and thought, that's a woman who isn't afraid of life, which of course makes her death even harder to understand. I trust in my heart that she is still doing what she loves; she is just doing it beyond our reach.

All our deepest support,

To Mark and Melinda's family,

We are deeply sorry to hear of Melinda's death. We were friends of Melindas through Santa Rosa BMW and felt a lot of love for her as I am sure all the people she touched do. We rode to what we thought was the approximate site today and left roses on a rock for Melinda. Our hearts and our prayers go out to you all.

In vision of the dark night

I have dreamed of joy departed-

But a waking dream of life and light

Hath left me broke-hearted

                  - Edgar Allan Poe

Melinda, you are missed more than you will ever imagine. My Tuono is ebbing, as has yours...

From my roommate in Italy, Mia Iaconi, who knew Melinda from when she lived across the street on Sanchez, many moons ago, and the 4th of July and Christmas at my Place. Mia has advice for all of us:

remember to hold hands crossing the street.

stay close to people with heart and clear thinking

love your dog

don't ever be afraid of asking for help.

keep one really raw and close friendship....be there for others....you're a big girl now....and you have already done some of these things so well.

do you think you can drink from the pitcher for me? just once though...i don't want to encourage the devil in you.

big squeeze. mia

and

in italian 'tuono' means thunder.

i can't claim i was a friend.

however, i liked her for her big character. drink a long one for me.

I don't know Melinda. However, surely part of her legacy will be how this incident brought the motorcycling community together. I found information of her being missing on bmwsporttouring.com; I know it was also posted on various other motorcycling boards. Melinda no longer belongs to just her family and the  Sportriders group, she now belongs to the greater motorcycling community. We all grieve for her loss.

We can, perhaps, find solace in that she died doing what she loved. I could think of many worse ways to go.

Melinda, we wish you blue skies and good roads .... for eternity!

A. Peter Algover

As Vice President of the Redwood Empire Tall Club, and as a motorcyclist myself, who had met Melinda many times, I wish to offer condolences to friends and family on behalf of myself and all of our club members.

Melinda was a wonderful person who shall not be lost from the memories of those of us who knew her.

My name is Douglas Lytle and I am writing to offer you my condolences on the accident. My father, David, was killed on Highway 1 in June 2003. In reading the Chronicle report, it appears that the accident was not far from where my father's car also went off the road. The road from Jenner is beautiful but incredibly dangerous. I offer you my sincere condolences in your loss.

Douglas Lytle

Sorry to read about Melinda, please pass on my condolences to her friends and family.

Barry

MELINDA

Melinda was a biker chick

Who loved to ride and party

She wasn’t prim or coy or shy

She was a little hardy

We don’t know why she did it

We’ve never seen the like

She put her fancy leathers on

And rode her trusty bike

She didn’t go to school that day

She went out, for her last ride

We don’t know why she did it

But she planned her suicide

She drove out to a craggy peak

Along the rugged coast

She looked around and thought a while

That’s the place she loved the most

She revved the engine up one time

Then turned the bike around

She went back for a second look

Then put both feet on the ground

She tried to fly that bike that day

Although it can’t be done

She knew what she was doing there

She didn’t come for fun

She revved it up and popped the clutch

The engine screamed and roared

She only knew one way to live

She held it to the floor

We know she did it her way

Cause that’s the way she chose

We all should be that lucky

To choose the way one goes

She’ll always be remembered

For how she lived her life

A kind of nice and friendly girl

Who hated pain and strife

We wish you well upon you’re ride

To the heavens blue and white

We hope you’re happy where you are

Peace, God Bless, and Shine real Bright

I didn't know Melinda or know you mark and I don't really know what to say at this very sad time but after reading what everyone has said about her, she was a wonderful person. I am blown away by the outpouring of love and respect for Melinda and you Mark, just incredible.

Mark I wish you strength, I am thinking of you and your families.  I ride too and you are now my brother.

Rest in peace BIG RED and god speed.

Your brother.

The picture of the handgrip on the beach on your site brought tears to my eyes. I didn’t know Melinda, I ride dirt bikes and Harleys here in Santa Rosa, but a sad loss like this touches us all. Hopefully she is in a happier place. My sincere condolences; my thoughts are with her family and many friends

I last saw Big Red at the wake for Bill Boyd.  Took pics of her and Mark together.  I sent the pics to Mark.  I'll always remember her as the happy person she was that day.  She and Mark really looked like "a couple". 

I'm really grieved about her passing.  My condolences to Mark.

Godspeed,

Dear Mark and Friends of Melinda,

We are so very heartbroken and sorry to hear of Melinda's passing.  I can't begin to imagine the pain your all must be experiencing. We did not know Melinda personally, but from what I read about her we wish we

had. Our love and hugs are forever yours.

 -The Kulas Family ~ Scott, Cara and RJ

'05 ZX-6R

'98 VFR

'98 F650

At first I said "I'm still on the fence" about that girl.  That was about six years ago.  She was a thoughtful friend to me it turns out.  She left longer voice-mail messages than actual conversations we'd have on the phone, about how she was coming to the City, what time and where, and if I could come.  She always said "Hey gorgeous" I figured she said that to all the girls, but it always made me feel great!  Every time I saw her she would ask about my kids, "How are the little munchkins?"  Melinda brought her new bikes over to the house to show my little girl.  I haven't told her yet. I feel funny about saying any of this to anyone . . .

Thank you to all who shared information, made difficult phone calls, all your hard work.  I'll miss Melinda, I feel like calling her now.

See you all around town.

Love, Kyle

Like so many people, I am heartbroken to hear about Melinda.

This may seem strange to put out there, but I have Melinda's 1995 XR650L.  I bought it from her a 1-1/2

or so ago.  It's the same as when I got it, with the exception of a couple of new stickers and no "Big Red" sticker (which she removed before she let me take it home).

Please let me know if Mark or others want the bike, want it added to the Zeitgeist memorials, or anything

else with it.

I only met or saw you on a few brief occasions, and there was so much more to you that I never had a chance to know.  You probably wouldn't have even remembered me at all, it has been so long.  But true to form, you made an impression on me even from afar, and I have easily remembered you.  Some people just weren't made to walk quietly through life, leaving things gently undisturbed and quickly being forgotten.  People like you, Melinda, are something different entirely.  You were something special, a force of nature like a mighty storm coming through.  I think it's fair to say that most people who knew you probably were not unsure of how they felt about you, their feelings for you were strong whatever they were.  In my experience I think that you were the sort of person who pulled no punches, and there is something in that to be respected all by itself.  It was hard for me to understand where you were coming from back then since I had not had an opportunity to get to know you better before you made a big initial impression.  Hey, we redheads come with a certain amount of attitude and fire, we cannot help it, it's genetic!  You certainly were one for the record books, though.  It is such a shame that I feel I know so much more of you since you initially disappeared than I ever did when you were with us.  How can it be that I can feel such a loss for someone I barely knew--and had only inflamed me?  I only know that I worried along with your old friend (my best friend), and everyone else when I heard you were missing.  I couldn't seem to think of other things, as I did my job driving around our county, I kept looking for you around each bend and in every grassy thicket I saw I hoped for some sign.  I imagined fearfully of the myriad possible reasons for your absence, and began to know a loss in my heart, as if you were my own friend.  I tried as did so many, to spread the word near and far, and kept the evening vigil at the computer.  When that call finally came, the sad Truth hit me harder than I expected.  What ghosts did you have, Melinda, that caused you so much pain?  So many people loved you, why did your suffering end alone?  I wish we had gotten to know each other, and I wish you were still here.  You could have taught me a few things.  I'm sorry you hurt so badly, and I my heart breaks for all your family, for Mark and your many close friends who are all hurting so much now.  I hope that you have gone to a better place, with smooth, open roads, no bugs, and the wind blowing through your hair.  I hope that you have Peace, now, and your spirit feels free.  I will not forget you, and I know that even in death, you touched so many it's hard to fathom.  I will try to be a support to your lifelong friend who I know is feeling the blow of your loss now.  Melinda, you will be missed.  The void where you should be, is sorely felt near and far.

Goodbye, Big Red.

Hoist a drink for me for Melinda at Zeitgeist.

I wish I wasn't 7000 miles distant.

Regards,

I was fortunate enough to have known Melinda through her work at the Santa Rosa BMW shop and we had the chance to ride together several times over the course of the past few years.

I am a fairly recent transplant from Los Angeles where my friends and I tore up the pavement along the pacific coast highway for many years, and Melinda's wild and warm hearted spirit reminded me of those friends I left behind.

But sadly I was affected by this tragedy in a much more personal way. Thirteen years ago I lost my wife to a stroke, most likely helped along by excessive stress and depression and when I was a child my mother committed suicide. Because of these two events I myself have become very intimate with what it is like not only to grieve the loss of a loved one, but also how horrible it can be to live with untreated depression, having just barely made it myself. I have a good life today with many gifts, but it is only because somehow I have been lucky enough to survive some rough times.

Mark, my heart goes out to you, and I know there will be days that will seem endless almost beyond the scope of imagination. But just know in your heart that Melinda is watching over you during the roughest of those times with a sense of long awaited peace in her heart.

Although I did not know Melinda really at all, I did share her yoga class with her in Santa Rosa, and also, coincidentally, her Photoshop class at the JC over the summer. We chatted briefly once or twice, and I knew that her fiancée had given her some wonderful computer software which she was trying to learn how to use, hence the Photoshop class.

As a 43-year-old mother of two kids and a non-motorcycle rider, I always marvel at the guts and bravado of women who ride. I was always aware of Melinda's presence when she arrived at yoga or Photoshop class (often late!) with a windblown look. She seemed very strong and rather spectacular to me. I thought of her as an independent and interesting woman, one that I would have liked to have gotten to know better.

Clearly, she was well-loved by her family and friends. It has been a heart-wrenching experience to travel the last many days with all of you in the journey to find her. Thank you for continuing to share on the website with those of us whose lives have been touched by Big Red. My prayers are with you.

Love,

Melinda Moore was easy to love. I did from the very first time I saw her at the BMW 49er Rally in 2003. I soon discovered that everyone else in the bay area motorcycling community knew and loved her too.

I was privileged to be with her on her very first ride on that Aprilia Tuono:

http://www-cdr.stanford.edu/~petrie/missmelinda/

It was a very long ride back because we had to stop and show off her new bike to everyone she knew on the coast. And that turned out to be a surprisingly large number, all of whom were all excited for her.  The dessert chef at our restaurant even made a special dish for her.

Charles Petrie

We all miss her very much and send all our best. I knew her a short bit but feel like I have known her forever.

All the best to friends and family

I just found out about Melinda on Friday...  my heart sank...

     I have known her for several years, but got to know her more closely, about 3yrs ago...  she was a very good friend to me...at a time in my life when I had forgotten, how important friends can be...she lit it up.....as she always could.....in any situation you found her in...

     I rode with her several times, and one time in particular sticks out...  We were on Butt's Canyon Road, the back way up to Middletown...  She was on her then new R1100 BMW...  I was on my FXR...  we just gradually built up speed, as I knew she was new to the bike, and didn't want to make her push it any harder than she felt comfortable... After a while, a couple guys on sport bikes, one on a fireblade and one on something else similar...  came up upon us, and started riding along with us... eventually, on one of the few straights on that road, they thought they'd pass us...

     ...That just wasn't gonna do for me...

     I then began riding hard enough, in order to re-pass them at certain points, that I had to start backing it in to the corners to hang with these guys...  which went on for a few miles...  All the while, as I looked in the mirror at various points along the way...  there was Melinda...  right there...  never giving up...  She never would, or could, new bike or not...

     My heartfelt condolences to Mark...  and all her other friends....her presence will be sorely missed in my life...

I remember getting a call from Melinda when she unexpectedly (and unplanned, apparently) rode into Las Vegas and called me for a reference to a cheap place to stay. After taking care of that, I told her, to her surprise, that she had arrived on the very day of the BMW Special Preview Day before the public opening of "The Art Of The Motorcycle" at the Las Vegas Guggenheim Museum and gave her directions. She came, of course, without a prior reservation or registration. No Problem!

I hardly got to speak to her during the day-long festivities and meals for she had to see and spend time with so many friends. Serendipity at its finest.

Many of you who were also there regularly chuckle (or more) about her visits to me at Stanford Hospital after I had my black-out stroke at about 75 mph on my Ducati. I was still "out of it" and not really expected to live, so I have no memory of those visits; but Melinda always had a great time telling me how I had convinced her that the doctors had approved my going on a morning ride with everyone the next day.

I was lucky enough to see her with Mark, and their obvious caring and delight with each other at both Sears Poi...  er, Infineon and Laguna Seca this year. I was not able to come over for their big party.

I will always remember a large, laughing, loveable, kind, beautiful lady who was also a very capable rider. I prefer to think that, as with my stroke-induced crash, her accident was an accident of nature. I will miss her greatly.

    Close to ten years ago now Melinda and I crossed paths: such a shimmering beauty . . . reading "Twist of the Wrist."

Never before or since has a chat been so fun or defined such an impression: we only shared a few hours of lively talk; I felt her boldness, unique humor, sincerity and empathy, such a dazzling mind!   We swore to ride soon, but lost touch . . . like all our lives, such a brief glimpse . . . then gone. 

    But some memories last forever; I'm so grateful for her moment in my time, though she passed me in a flash.  You, Mark, and the rest of Melinda's world of much closer friends, I feel, are very very lucky souls indeed.  Melinda and you all will now be with me through my last day.

Happy trails my friends,

I just learned about Melinda's passing yesterday, sadly, while at a motorcycle racer's funeral (Keith Pinkstaff), here in Portland.

I first met Big Red at a BMW Rally in Redmond OR, 2001.  After the Rally, she came up here to Portland on her Bandit to stay for a few days before she set out on her trip across the country to New England.  Melinda joined me and my friends for our annual Tour of Eastern Oregon.  Melinda was impressed with our deserted roads and beautiful scenery in the mountains and high-desert, also by the sporty pace of our riding in the sparsely-populated region.  Melinda quickly and easily befriended the local Portland motorcycle enthusiasts.  

Another year, Melinda rode her Bandit to Salem OR to visit her grandparents and stay at my place in Portland.  Unfortunately, her Bandit broke down.  Fortunately, Melinda was very selective in choosing her friends and appreciated the loan of my spare bike, a Ducati 900SS.  We ended the week loading her Bandit in my truck and driving her back home to Santa Rosa.

Melinda returned my favors by putting up me and my friends on a few occasions, whenever we rode south to the AMA Superbike at Sears Point and another occasion when I passed thru twice on my cross-country trip to Daytona.  Melinda showed me around the Bay Area, taking me to the SFMC club-house, and to the Song Dog Ranch.

Here are a couple of great quotes from Melinda; when calling me from New England and bragging about how she rode thru four or five states in one day, she clarified it by pointing out that "out west we call them 

COUNTIES".  When we were talking about Road-Racing at Sears Point, an eavesdropper had to tell us how much he enjoyed the "All-Harley Drag Races" and Melinda responded with "All-Harley?  What’s that, the Special Olympics of motor-sports?"

I will miss her sense of humor and sense of adventure.  Our world is a gray place with out Melinda.

Paul Andor Nagy

Portland, OR

Melinda will always be the strong-willed, outgoing, all-smiles person I would see along with her bike. My first meeting with her was when she helped me get fitted for my Vanson Leathers. It was cool to meet another woman my height, and we talked about tall things and big feet.  I thought, “she’s neat,” and still do. We never had a dull moment when we did have conversations. She was Big Red... what can I say. She was happy the last time I saw her and full of bubbles and life. I'm very saddened by her passing from us. I will miss her. My heart goes out to her family. Please hang tough like Melinda would have wanted you to.

I would like you to please ask her family if it's all right if a tree can be planted in her name. 

I am the leader of the Bay Area RAT Pack Triumph Club, sponsored by CAL Moto Mountain View. We would like to plant this tree in her honor. We would like to have a plaque made with her name and perhaps a poem and picture placed at the tree's base. Please let us know your thoughts and where you would like this done. I will never forget her smile and laugh.

Maya LaLai

Melinda and I had spoke a few times regarding BMW business. I was so saddened to hear the news and that I missed the Memorial ride. My recent mothers death had all my attention or I would have written sooner. My very deepest condolences to her friends, family and loved ones. When a motorcycle enthusiast fails to return home the hurt and loss is as really for me as the loss of a family member. I will miss chatting with Melinda and am so sorry I never had the chance to meet her in person.  This is truly a very sad day for me...

MELINDA WAS MY FRIEND FOR MANY YEARS , I ALWAYS LOVED SEEING HER. SHE WAS THE SECOND BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDER I EVER KNEW.

AS SOON AS I FOUND OUT ABOUT MELINDA BEING MISSING I SENT OUT YOUR FLYER TO ALL MY CONTACTS AROUND THE COUNTRY. IT WAS AMAZING HOW FAST AND HOW MANY PEOPLE RESPONDED TO THE CALL FOR HELP IN FINDING MELINDA.

Prayers for the family and friends.

Hello.  I just found out about Melinda this morning and am deeply 

saddened.  I would have flown out on Saturday if I had known.  Please 

keep me posted--if there is another memorial, I would very much like to 

attend.

With much sadness,

Ele

I cried when I heard of Melinda's passing. I cried because I realized that I hadn't seen her in a while, and because it hit me that I will never again, hear her laugh, see her smile, share a joke sitting next to her at Zeitgeist...  she is lost to me now.

I toast (with a White Russian, her poison of choice when I first met her) to a ballsy broad who said what she meant, who would pick you up when you were down, who was a good enough friend to be honest and tell you when you were a mess. I remember fighting for Camel bucks, lamenting over love, sex and all in between. I remember rides at 2 a.m. out to the beach.

All who knew her were blessed. My sympathies to Mark and all those who loved her......

Bennett Mizzbee Gallivan

In Memoriam to Melinda Moore,

Melinda, it has been some years since I last saw you. Those were heady and  wonderful days between The Zeitgeist, Farley's and our rides down the Peninsula, Marin, and about The City. I knew you were a cut above the pack when you marveled at my Norton and yet hopped on any bike and proved that it was the rider and not entirely the machine! I was impressed by your skill, courage, and expertise. Your reputation preceded you and quickly I realised that your legendary presence was no myth at all. You radiated confidence and had a joie de vivre that was intoxicating to say the least. I loved to be around you, Melinda; you inspired people with your outward and optimistic spirit and your inflammable bravado. When I think of those years in the early 90's, you loom like a beacon of light.

It is indeed sad to see you have crossed The River, Melinda. But I want to say this to you... you left this place with the same passion and courage that you had as you throttled across life's wide and sweeping plain.  Thanks for sharing your good vibration with me, Melinda... see you on the other side, babe. I love you forever!

Dave Cooper

YPG - Ducati 900 Superlight 1991 - 1995

San Francisco, 1969 - 2001

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, 2001 - present

     I was sorry to hear about Melinda.  I didn't know her, but I am also a rider and am from Sebastopol.  I have bookmarked your site and would like to be able to participate in a ride.  I would also like to honor Melinda's memory at our annual AMA ride, Boot Hill Memorial, if you have no objections.

God Bless,

Scott

Met her a few times at Santa Rosa BMW. I recall she had broken down somewhere up in Oregon or Washington on a weekend ride and had missed a day of work. She was a warm , friendly person and a dedicated, enthusiastic rider! From the Midcoast of Maine,

Ride safe, Roland

I am so sorry to hear about Melinda.  She was my neighbor in Forestville for many years.  I will always remember Melinda as a happy positive person with a smile on her face.



My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family and friends during this difficult time.



Serena Holdren

To Mark and all of "Big Red's" many loved ones,

Our deepest condolences...we all will miss her very much.  The last time we saw her was at Mando's, and she was dressed out of her usual character, as a "girlie girl".  We teased her all nite.  Who was this beautiful red headed beauty in a skirt.  She looked great.  What a wonderful way for us to remember her. 

All our love and heartfelt sympathy,

The Parkers

My heartfelt condolonces to Melinda's relatives and all other loved ones.

James Alexander Davis

I was surprised by the intense sadness I felt when I first heard about Melinda being missing. I read a flyer on the gas station door here in Boonville. I was then overwhelmed by sadness when I read that she had been found, and the circumstances around her death. It's clear that even though I don't consider myself a friend or even casual acquaintance of Melinda, she made an impression on me that was profound. I met Melinda at the Zeitgeist about...oh could it have possibly been 14 years ago, I always admired her. I was fascinated and almost awe struck. She had the most beautiful smile and the walk and talk of the coolest chick I ever met.  Easy, confident, sure, vibrant and alive.

I will always admire Melinda for her strength, her skill, her spirited personality.

I am sadder than I knew I could be.

I am thinking of you who knew her and loved her and my heart goes out to you.

Peace,

Sblue

I want to send my condolences to Mark and all of Melinda's family.  I met her a few times and attended her 40th birthday party.  It was fun.  I remember feeling a little intimidated by her, her height, her hair (I have red hair too, but hers was better), and her personality, so bold and tough!  I admired her right away. I could see how everyone respected her and the way she was "one of the guys".  I liked that best about her.  I saw her at Falcon Fest

2 years in a row.  I wish we could have talked more but you only really think about those things when someone is gone.  What you wish you did.  I lost my friend Doug Smith in July, an accident on his bike, and I felt like I had not said enough to him last time I saw him.  That's normal I guess. I imagine everyone who knew Melinda feels the same way.  I wish you all NO REGRETS! Keep each other close and just say what you mean to say and express what you feel to everyone you love, so there are no regrets that way. Now I've become a real mush! But I don't mind and so far, no one who loves me seems to mind getting the extra hugs now and then.  I feel for all who lost Melinda, who held her dear. My wish for you is that you feel closer to the ones you love and KEEP them close, love them, tell them how you feel and know they feel the same way, even if they can't say it.  Every time I go outside and see the mountains in the distance, I think about Melinda.  I'm sure sometime soon, that will start to fade, but for now, I'm reminded of how precious life is when I look out there at the horizon.

Be safe and take care of each other.

Richelle

It’s too bad that as Melinda stood on that precipice, some gloved, goggled, helmeted, leather clad Clarence Oddbody didn’t ride up and take her on a tour showing her how many lives she touched, and that it really is a wonderful life. Her demise has been preying on my mind as I am sure it has on many others. There is, in this world, one less person who I know who will greet me warmly with a big hug. Strange, how someone capable of emitting such light could fall down such a deep dark hole. Gonna miss that girl.

With deep sympathy and thoughts to all.

Peace

My thoughts and prayers for Melinda, her family, and her friends.

Godspeed Melinda.

Bruno

Montreal, Canada

CBR 929

I met Melinda once.

    To hear of her death has been quite a shock.  I was pleasantly surprised by her outgoingness and friendly nature.  I had met her at a motard race in Stockton and she had invited my friends and I to her birthday party.  We had other plans that evening so we declined but we were touched by the gesture.

    I didn't learn of the search for her until after she had been found. It was a strange feeling reading an article about someone's death and being hit with the jolt of recognizing the person.

     But far stranger is my travels on the 25th of September.  My Girlfriend and I rode up to Monte Rio to visit a friend for the weekend.  On Sunday we ventured out to the coast to enjoy the beauty and serenity of Highway 1 as in snakes along the coastline.  We stopped at the turnout just south of the one Melinda drove off.  From what I can piece together of the timeline, her body was there below us as we looked out to sea.  Below is a picture of the coastline and the turnout from the 25th.  Feel free to use and keep the picture as you see fit.  If  you wanted to add it to the site you are more than welcome.

My deepest sympathies and thoughts are with you.

Sincerely,

Jrod

-fellow biker-

I never met Melinda, I wasn’t a friend of her, I even didn’t know about her presence on the Earth before. A friend of mine told me about her when she disappeared.  I was deeply touched about this fact, because I’m a woman and because I’m a motor biker. But, probably, what touched me more are all the mails that I read on the internet and the great demonstrations of love that she received after her disappearance. And now I miss her as a friend, and I regret I never had the possibility to meet her beautiful soul. Melinda taught me how important is to have good friends and to love them as much as possible. And I envy all of you that had the possibility to enjoy her presence in your life. Keep her memory in your hearts and she will live forever.

Melinda was in my Photoshop class this past summer at the JC.  She was such an energetic student, really seeming to be inspired by the Photoshop program.  She was anxious to work on her travel photos especially from her trip across the country in 2001.

I am so sorry.

Windsor

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.

I am following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard him call.

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me.

God wanted me now, he sent for me.

                 See you down the road.

In early September 2003, I met Melinda quite unexpectedly when I strolled into Scuderia West on my search for "the perfect bike" for ME.  As a new rider (only 2 years at that point) I had tons of questions (and a few already formulated opinions!). 

As I was talking to Don, I noticed a vibrant presence in the form of a 6' ish, red headed, bawdy, broad standing next to him.  She and I struck up a conversation and she told me she had only a week prior bought a brand new Aprilia Tuono (one of the bikes I lusted after but could only aspire to ride).  As we continued to talk, I felt Big Red was already doing a bit of a needs assessment on me.  Then she offered me her card and suggested I "come up and check out the bikes at her store - Santa Rosa BMW.  I confessed that BMW was my first choice.

2 days later, I rode up from Oakland and before the day was over, I had purchased a new 2004 R1150R!!  Melinda and I had so much fun during the process; she made the sale painless and even escorted my "chicken shit ass" on a test ride with much patience.  From then on, we stayed in touch:  she sent me the occasional hand written note of gratitude for my business; but more, she would call me from time to time to check in with me, see how my riding was coming along and to let me know about events, especially those in which women would be participating.

The last time I saw her was back in July '05 at Moto Meccanica.  She seemed thrilled to be "back in the saddle" of retail sales.  We hugged, laughed a lot and enjoyed our few brief minutes together.  After exchanging updated phone #'s, I left.  We emailed each other a few times and then, I saw the headline in Urban Moto.

Devastated is an understatement when describing my reaction to her loss.  My heart sunk and is still very low. 

My sincerest heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all of you, her closest friends and, of course to Mark.  I leave you with this, a favorite quote of mine:

     ...and all who know this life, will know it too briefly,

     ...and all who leave this life, will leave it too soon

With all my love and regards,

I am a friend of Melinda's father John.  Melinda and I had the same health problem, mine developed into cancer and her and I have not emailed in a while.  Naturally, I was quite distressed to hear the news, I enjoyed my communication with her immensely.

I hope all of you are taking care of yourselves.  Melinda was a sweet person.  I wish I could have helped in some way.

Dear Mark,

On this occasion please except my deepest condolences to you, and all of your loved ones.

You and I only had the opportunity to have met once. It was a lovely sunny day, this year at the Sonoma County Health and Harmony festival with Melinda. I was with my friends from the City, who had come up to play music at my house. We all chatted about our bikes, etc. over our beers. And she was wearing a beautiful spring dress. Something I had never seen Melinda in before! She looked lovely. And that's how I fondly last remember her.

Melinda and I met through friend Dave Dallman, and we all had gone on a few rides together. The best one was to Auburn, Ca. for a BMW rally in the gold country. We left the night before with Big Red leading, as Dave and I were her guests staying at a friend of hers house in San Francisco for the night. We arrived at the friends and dropped our sleeping gear.  She, (the friend) was an attorney / motorcyclist and a very nice person, I can't remember her name at the moment, and I haven't seen her since?   Anyway, we all went to dinner at this great little restaurant they knew of. Then we when to Zeitgeist bar, and Red introduced us to all her friends there, fun. Then to another party at someone's house. It was a big old room, with a rope swing in the middle. They'd said it used to be an auto mechanics garage downstairs, and the living quarters upstairs.  Cool place. We were all over the town that night on our bikes, she knew how to show a couple of beemer guys a damn good time. We were all pretty tired by the time we hit our pillows. And this was all the night before we had a long ride to the rally in the morning. Great times!!

Another story is the bike now in my garage. My black K1200 RS. It all started when...  I was in the BMW dealership just kinda minding my own business, and just looking at the new models. And dreaming a bit, and then I made the mistake of test riding a K bike that day with her. It was so nice, now I wanted one. But the coolest black one had already been sold, and I just couldn't have it in any other color!! So I thought I would get outta there, go home, and just come to my senses again about the fact that I was saying "I want it right now, Red, I'm an impulsive buyer!!" I got home and felt safe! But "NO", Big Red was on the case now.  She had found another one for those clients. And called me three hours later, "Smitty, you can have the bike today." And for you it's a low, low, $19,999.99 out the door today! Come on down. Now, all I had to do was put my money where my mouth was. She even arranged for the owners Chris and Denise to throw in a helmet on the deal.

When I went to pick it up, Red had also christened it with a name, in the form of a card printed out and laminated, that fit perfectly into my tank bag.  The card read... "Parking for Smitty's Big, Black, Beautiful, Bomber."  That was Melinda…  And I've loved every moment of riding it since. Thanks Red!!

Please accept this small gesture of my love, with all of your and Melinda's friends and loved ones, threw this prayer written from my heart in Melinda's honor.

Yours Sincerely,

Greg Smith

"Smitty" as she called me.

MAY IT BE WITH THE BLESSINGS OF THE SUPREME BEING THAT WE GATHER IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR FRIEND MELINDA. “BIG RED”

HEAL US HEAVENLY FATHER, AT THIS TIME WHEN OUR HEARTS MAY BE TEMPORAILY FILLED WITH GRIEF IN OUR MOURNING HER PHYSICAL PASSING, SO THAT WE MAY REJOICE IN THIS MOMENT IN OUR MEMORY OF OUR FRIEND MELINDA’S SPIRIT, NOW ALSO WITH YOU.

BLESS US THIS DAY, AS WE CELERBRATE HER LIFE, AND ALLOW US THAT SAME OPEN, FREE-SPIRITED COMERADERY THAT SHE LOVED SO MUCH, TO FREELY EXPRESS ITSELF HERE, THROUGH US, IN OUR PERSONAL STORIES OF HER, AND IN THE UTTERANCES OF HER NAME, AS WE JOYFULLY PARTAKE IN FOOD, DRINK, SONG, AND RIDE, TOGETHER.

AND MAY THE VERY UNIQUELY INDIVIDUAL, FREE SPIRITED, PERSONAL STYLE YOU LOVINGLY GAVE HER, WHOSE VERY EXUBERANT NATURE EXPRESSED ITSELF MOST JOYFULLY THOUGH HER, AND DEEPLY TOUCHED US, AND MADE ITS INDELIBLE IMPRESSION ON EACH OF US, BE WITH US FOREVER, IN OUR HEARTS, MINDS, AND IN OUR SOULS.

As I thought of Melinda this morning, I remembered a line from a Beatles song... "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make". Wow girl, you surely made a lot of love!!!  They say you can't take it with you, but you can take this Melinda, as it's your glorious creation. All this love you created.... bask in it, be proud, shine on cosmic sister.  And know that you are so very loved. I pray that you knew this while you were here with us, but somehow I doubt it. You blessed this world with your presence, as you are love is action. I thank god for sending you my way. From now on Melinda when I think of you (like I did every freakin' day when you were here). I will act on my love, just as you always did. Thank you for making this world a better place and being a constant source of inspiration.

Love, Kama

I found this piece on another site and include it here because it shouldn't be missed...

The Legacy When I Die

I want to leave you with something, something better than words or sounds. Look for me in the people I have known and loved. And if you cannot live without me, then let me live on in your eyes, your mind and your acts of kindness...Love does not die. People do. So, when all that is left of me is love...give me away.

I'm truly sorry for your loss.  I never met Melinda, but that is my loss, as everyone spoke well of her.

I heard of Melinda being missing while I was visiting my daughter Victoria Reynolds & her boyfriend David Dallman, and they were very concerned about her.

The day after I returned to Atlanta Ga. her body was found.

I was thinking of her and wrote this Ode to Melinda.

Hoping this closure will bring peace to you all.

Have a Better Tomorrow

-"Harry Reynolds, Sr."

Melinda was a biker chick

Who loved to ride and party

She wasn’t prim or coy or shy

She was a little hardy

We don’t know why she did it

We’ve never seen the like

She put her fancy leathers on

And rode her trusty bike

She didn’t go to school that day

She went out, for her last ride

We don’t know why she did it

But she planned her suicide

She drove out to a craggy peak

Along the rugged coast

She looked around and thought a while

That’s the place she loved the most

She revved the engine up one time

Then turned the bike around

She went back for a second look

Then put both feet on the ground

She tried to fly that bike that day

Although it can’t be done

She knew what she was doing there

She didn’t come for fun

She revved it up and popped the clutch

The engine screamed and roared

She only knew one way to live

She held it to the floor

We know she did it her way

Cause that’s the way she chose

We all should be that lucky

To choose the way one goes

She’ll always be remembered

For how she lived her life

A kind of nice and friendly girl

Who hated pain and strife

We wish you well upon you’re ride

To the heavens blue and white

We hope you’re happy where you are

I was reading some of my poetry books this morning, when I came upon this poem that made me think of Big Red. I thought I would share it with you. It's by one of my favorite poets, Emily Dickinson.

So proud she was to die.

    It made us all ashamed

That what we cherished, so unknown

   To her desire seemed.

So satisfied to go

   Where none of us should be,

Immediately, that anguish stooped

    Almost to jealousy

-Amy