Bikers ..:Bikers:..

Clubs of South Africa
Derek Berkowitz derek

Coffee at rallies will never be the same!

Derek was born in 1964 and has been riding bike for 31 years. His first bike was a GL500 Silverwing.

Derek started the first ever rally coffee tent. Thank you Derek.

More 1000 cups of coffee passed through that tent. He was assisted in starting and running the coffee tent since 1992 by the CMA East Rand branch and Andy. They would greet you with a smile and a cup of hot well appreciated coffee.

But coffee was not the only thing you found in Derek’s tent. There counselling, friendship and advice.

Though Derek went through some tough times himself he was always there for others.

In 2005 Derek became President for the whole of the East Rand CMA.

1996 & 1997 saw Derek hitting the books as he studied towards his Diploma to become a Pastor at Bible College. Unfortunately he was not able to finish due to other commitments but still hopes to do so.

In the 2000’s Derek was hit by hard times, which led to his loosing his employment and then his business. This was close followed on by the loss of his marriage. However Derek with God’s help and his faith in Jesus Christ did not give up.

Now Derek has a stall selling Arlen, Ness and Derik top of the range leathers.

On the 19 September 2009 Derek married Melanie Myburg and a month later won the ZX10R Kawasaki at the 2009 Rhino Rally. He swoped the Kawa for a Honda Valkyrie Cruizer which was more to his liking.

The last time I saw Derek he was frantic getting all those stalkies into line at the 2009 Poison.

Derek’s plan for the future is to set up his own Bike Accessories Shop.

Just a Bike
I saw you hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.
But you didn't see me put an extra R50.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.
But you didn't see me playing Santa at the local orphanage.

I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant when you saw my bike parked out front.
But you didn't see me attending a meeting to raise more money for the disabled.

I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by. But you didn't see me riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children.
But you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you stare at my long hair. But you didn't see me and my friends shave our heads for breast cancer.

I saw you roll your eyes at our Leather jackets and gloves.
But you didn't see me and my brothers donate our old ones to those that had none.

I saw you look in fright at my tattoos. But you didn't see me cry as my children where born or have their name written over and in my heart.

I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.
But you didn't see me going home to be with my family.

I saw you, complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.
But you didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you yelling at your kids in the car. But you didn't see me pat my child's hands knowing she was safe behind me.

I saw you talking on your cell as you drove down the road. But you didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you race down the road in the rain.
But you didn't see me get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.
But you didn't see me trying to turn.

I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
But you didn't see me leave the road.

I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass.
But you didn't see me. I wasn't there.

I saw you go home to your family. But you didn't see me.
Because I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family.
But you didn't see me