About 200 British cycle fans lined up to roar their engines in tribute to Bill “Bib” Bibbiani Sunday. Photo © Jeff Sedlik and used with permission.

by Timothy Rutt

Bill Bibbiani was a former member of the Pasadena Unified School Board and friend to many.  He was also an avid motorcyclist and president of the Southern California Norton Owners Club for aficianados of that British brand of cycle.

When it became known that “Bib” had pancreatic cancer and had gone into home hospice care, his fellow riders cooked up a tribute that was sure to please him:  on Sunday, May 6, 200 British cycle owners would gather at Lucky Baldwin’s pub in Pasadena.  From there, they would ride to Bib’s home at 1168 North Hill Avenue and, at high noon, surprise him by revving their engines together for 30 seconds in his honor.

Bibbiani, center, at a meetup to say goodbye to friends in Lucky Baldwin’s Pub last week. Photo: © Jeff Sedlik

But Bibbiani died Saturday night, May 5, before the rally.  The riders decided to hold the ride anyway, in tribute to Bib’s memory, to say goodbye.

Some of it was captured on YouTube:

Here’s the parade going up Hill Street, along with the roar:

And here’s another view of the 30 seconds of open throttle in front of Bibbiani’s home: