This site is a memorial to Patrick James
Patrick
Patrick Andrew Charles James , affectionately known to many as `Padders` was
born 1969 in Coventry and grew up in the family home in the village of Welford,
Northamptonshire. A bright and academic lad he was awarded a scholarship to
Uppingham School at the age of 12 and excelling there gained a place at Keele
University where he obtained a degree in Computers.
Far from rushing to establish a high powered career Patrick’s spirit of
adventure led to his pursuit of many varied working and leisure activities such
as training stallions with a French circus, motorcycling to Sardinia to work
with Show jumpers, assisted competition driving ponies in Wales and manning
the gates at Euro Disney as it was built.
He travelled far and wide, skiing, hang gliding even more recently paragliding in South Africa and spoke four languages, Italian, French, German and Portugese.
He helped with his chosen charity ` Cottesbrooke Driving for the Disabled` whenever
he could.
Later, returning to work with computers, Patrick negotiated a four day working
week whereby he could spend 3 nights in London at his house in Lubenham and
the rest of his time in the Countryside that he loved.
Around 1998 Patrick discovered dirt biking and fell in love with the sport in
all of its many forms. In particular he was a keen `trailrider` and quickly
developed a broad knowledge of lanes both close to home and further afield.
He often entered rallies both in the U.K. and abroad travelling and competing
with friends singly or in team entries, sometimes as a sidecar passenger.
Competing in the Alto Turia rally in Spain Patrick was having `the ride of his
life` lying in 7th place from 90 and his team, Andy Pandy, as a result, placed
3rd. Sadly it was in this event on 1st May 2003 whilst riding a special test
that Patrick had a freak fatal accident.
He enjoyed riding his trusty old DR350 through many adventures and was a capable
rider though far more likely to stop and help you if you were stuck than to
ride over you and use you as traction. That was the spirit of the man.
Some of those adventures are recounted here on this site, his reports full of
humour and with a style that has you reading eagerly on.
Patrick was a kind and good soul always ready to help others. Modest, intelligent
and with a superb sense of fun and adventure, he lived life to its fullest,
always seeking new challenges and opportunities and along the way making many,
many friends.
In a nutshell he was a `Top Bloke`.