Riding the highway to heaven

Bikers came together to give well-known biker, Claus “Santa” Grutzner, his last ride on Sunday. Grutzner passed away last week after a battle with cancer. Members from various motorcycle clubs met at The Grove Riverside Shopping Centre in the morning. From there, they headed off in slow procession to Bushveld Lodge.

Grutzner had been a member of Wranglers Motorcyle Club. Bikers from Wranglers, Sabie Biker Church, Bomb Shelter, Elite Warriors, No Mercy, De la Rey Ryers, Mad Dogs and Wanted, all took part in the procession – led by Grutzner’s wife on his motorbike. Hi-Tech Security Nelspruit and their medical team helped the bikers by blocking off the intersections when they passed.

Once at the lodge, the memorial service began with Past Louis van der Walt presiding. Grutzner’s sons, Dieter and Karl, spoke about their father’s life and how he had touched so many lives. He had worked as a sales manager for British American Tobacco until he retired. A poem was read by Wrangler president, Wolf Nel:
“So long old friend
The gypsy wind, it called your name
No time to say goodbye
You left us here alone old friend
To take your final ride.”
After the service, the bikers went to stand next to their steeds to do the last rev. The sounds bellowed across the fields in honour of their beloved friend.