Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Richard Ebbett the adventurer competes at this year’s Tarawera 100 motocross race. File photos
MOTORCYCLISTS throughout New Zealand are mourning the death of Richard Ebbett, 39, who fell into the Mount Ruapehu crater lake last week.
Mr Ebbett owned Moto SR, a motorcycle suspension business initially based in Whakatane but more recently in Taupo.
Underwood and Wilkins Motorcycles service manager Joe Daniels yesterday described Mr Ebbett as an “awesome dude”.
“He was the sort of bloke who would go out of his way to help anyone, and he was willing to pass on his knowledge to other people to help improve their riding experience,” Mr Daniels said.
Mr Daniels was beside Mr Ebbett on the start line of this year’s Tarawera 100, and helped him with his goggles just before the big event started. “I rode with him regularly. He was a great riding companion.”
Good mate Brian Cornes said Mr Ebbett was not only deeply immersed in motorcycling, he was also a keen mountain biker and adventure rider.
“He was a real adventurer,” Mr Cornes said. “It doesn’t surprise me that he was up on the mountain skiing; his Facebook page is full of photos of people with motorcycles, bicycles and paddling gear in rugged places.
“He was an incredibly friendly guy and well-liked by everyone he came in contact with. After moving to Taupo, he became involved with four-wheel offroad racers as well as bikes.”
Mr Cornes said Mr Ebbett built his business up from scratch to the point where he was regarded throughout the country as the go-to person when it came to motorcycle suspension systems.
“He went to every event and freely gave advice to riders. If there was an event on anywhere in New Zealand, he would be there.”
Mr Ebbett left home last Thursday to ski at Whakapapa on the northern side of Mt Ruapehu and he was reported as missing on Friday night.
His body was found in the lake by searchers on Saturday morning in an area where many people went to get a view of the lake.