THE family of a young Bracknell motorcyclist who died while on one of his favourite rides from Oxford have paid tribute to “the most helpful person”. 

Christiaan Cloete, from Wildridings, spent the morning of Bank Holiday Monday at H Cafe, a favourite haunt for motorcyclists off Oxford Road, but died in a tragic collision after coming off his Suzuki motorbike on the ride home. 

Friends and family travelled to the spot where he died on Tuesday evening to lay flowers, light candles, and pay their respects to the popular 26-year-old.

Christiaan’s brother, 24-year-old Gustav Cloete, spoke about the family’s struggle and said: “Everyone loved him, he was really the most helpful person.

“Everyone has said even the people he just met for the first time he made an impact on them. He went out of his way to help them. If he was busy and someone needed something he would go out of his way to help them out. He was just a lovely guy.

“He always said it was his favourite ride.”

He added Christiaan, who worked as a bartender at Pine Ridge Golf Centre, loved motorcycling from day one after buying a motorbike rather than a car around two years ago and was one of the first ten members of the Berkshire Bikers group. 

Bracknell News:

Christiaan was a passionate biker since first starting to ride around two years ago

The family settled in Bracknell after moving to the UK from South Africa in 2007 in search of a better life. 

They have set up a fundraising page to help pay for Christiaan’s funeral, which may not take place for several weeks due to a police investigation into the incident. 

Writing on his JustGiving page, Gustav said: “Almost every day you hear a story about someone passing away but you never think that it would happen to you or anyone close to you. 

“Christiaan was a beloved son, a brother by blood to one, but a brother to many through his acts of kindness and the friendship that he gave to those around him.” 

Berkshire Bikers released their own tribute and said: “Chris touched the lives of so many and pushed us all to do better, be better. 

“The little world we live in has been shaken to the core and our lives and community will be forever wondering how to keep going without him. 

“Christiaan your light shall forever be missed and we will all do our best to help others, even if just half as much as you did then we are on the right track. 

“Till we ride again my friend, my brother, love from all your family and bike club, Berkshire bikers.”

Thames Valley Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident or saw Christiaan and a friend before they travelled back from Oxford, to contact them on 101 quoting reference number URN 563 (2/5).

To support the family’s fundraising, visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/gustav-cloete-1

Any money remaining will be donated to Cancer Research UK.

Did you know Christiaan? Leave your own tributes below.