Pat Thomas

Our editor started riding as a teen in Bermuda in the fifties. His mount was a Kriedler K-50 with two gears and 49cc which made it the fastest bike in the school at that time. In Germany in the late sixties he purchased a one lung R-26 but couldn’t keep his feet on the pegs due to the vibration.  This eventually led to an R75/5 that he rode for many years, touring Europe with his late wife, Rosemarie, she mounted on a Honda 500-4.  During this period Pat started up a BMW MOA Chapter for American and German riders, served as club president, wrote articles for the newsletter and ended up becoming a BMW MOA Ambassador.

In 1979 Pat’s interest and energy turned to flying with the Ramstein AFB Aero Club where he became a Certified Flight Instructor and was, you guessed it, very active in club activities.  In 1993 Pat flew his own four place single engine plane from Michigan where, you guessed it, he was President of the local Aero Club and Editor of the club newsletter, to England!

Pat started riding again two years ago with the purchase of a ’04 R1150RT and found out that he still loves riding.  He was able to get his original MOA number back (#1791) when he rejoined.  He’s looking forward to riding with his son, Michael, who lives in Southern California and has his eye on an R1200RT.