Denaye Giroux Blog: Never Forgotten

September 24, 2011… a day that turned our lives around. That was the day Lucas Bachman was taken from all of us so suddenly after a car accident. This young, talented boy was taken much too soon and the days never get easier not having him around. For anyone who knew Lucas, he was the type of person that was full of personality, would be willing to try anything and was always the life of the party and of course the trouble maker. It didn’t take me long to get to know Lucas. He was the happy, approachable guy at the races, always willing to lend a hand or just sit back and talk about how the day was going. His talent on a bike never went unnoticed, he was known for his great style; he was the whip king!

I got to know the other side of Lucas in 2010 after he came down to the PerformX Camp in California. His hard working attitude is what really got me. He put his whole heart into everything he did. There are many memories I have of Lucas, but the one I will never forget was down at the Camp when we were told we would be going to the beach! We were all excited to get away from the house for a bit, and get some time to relax and explore. Now Todd on the other hand had a different story for us; when we arrived we walked down to the beach and when we stopped along the shore line, Todd told us to take off our shoes because we would be running across the jagged shore line rocks for 45 minutes. He said this was a mental challenge. If we could get through this we could get through anything. After that was said I am pretty sure Lucas must have been the happiest person on the beach! Smiling from ear to ear he sprinted across those rocks much like how a normal person would be running along a smooth road. While the rest of us were swearing in our heads, he was dancing circles around all of us, high flying and giving words of encouragement to every single person he passed. In the moment, I wanted to punch him for being so positive and enjoying this challenge so much, but now that I look back on it, he was always the light of the day, he enjoyed every single moment in his life and made everything he did enjoyable for everyone.

His funeral was held at the Lloyminster track, which has now been renamed “Lucas Bachman Memorial Raceway.” His parents, Carline and Gary Bachman, along with his siblings Miranda, Charity and Josh have been the strongest people I know. They all have their special memories of Lucas and are willing to share his life with all of us. They have welcomed everyone into their family and live in Lucas’ honour seeking out everything he would want them to do with their lives. After seeing how many people Lucas had influenced over his life, it brought up a new event called the Lucas Bachman Memorial Ride.

After attending the 2nd annual LBMR ride this past weekend, it’s an emotional event that Lucas would want us to do and be a part of. Half a day of racing followed by a Memorial Lap for Lucas, a Whip contest, Trick Contest, Goon Riding, Dash for Cash, Awards Ceremony and a big party to end it all off the only way he would want it to be! The Memorial Lap is one of the hardest things I have had to do, and I am sure everyone else out there would say the same. The emotions get drawn out pretty quickly. After lining up along the bottom of the Widow Maker, where Carline and Gary spread their son’s ashes, brings up everything that was felt the same day at his funeral. Seeing how far everyone has come in the past two years only makes us all wonder where he would be today.

Lucas was like a brother to me and to many others. He was a boy that was put on this earth to make a difference. He influenced people in many different ways and now brings us all together to celebrate his life. Our Moto Family is one that can never be broken. We all stick together in times that are needed and will always be there for one another. We all miss his big smile, long eyelashes, contagious laugh, and personality. He is gone but will never be forgotten.

LB470