Ashley McGowan: Cycling identity and HGR business owner tragically dies in Ninderry motorcycle crash along Collins Road

A 39-year-old Sunshine Coast cycling identity and business owner has been remembered for his larger-than-life personality and love for his craft after his tragic death.

A much-loved business owner and cycling identity has been identified as the victim of a tragic motorcycle crash on the Sunshine Coast.

Yandina man Ashley McGowan was riding along Collins Road, Ninderry about 7pm Tuesday when his motorbike left the road and struck a large log and shipping container.

Nearby residents desperately tried to save the 39-year-old’s life, however he died at the scene.

Mr McGowan, a former Brisbane-based business owner who relocated to the Coast, was being remembered for his larger-than-life personality.

His devastated partner Michelle Freeman said the Yandina father would be missed by his family.

Ms Freeman said he had travelled along Collins Road regularly and was an experienced motorcycle rider.

Yandina man Ashley McGowan tragically lost his life in a motorcycle crash in Ninderry on October 20. Picture: Facebook

Friend Eamon Thompson said cyclists would travel from afar for Mr McGowan’s bicycle expertise as he often “fixed the impossible” repairs for his customers at his HighGeaRacing bicycle workshop in Coolum.

“He was a guru, he had such a knowledge, and his dedication was furious,” Mr Thompson said.

“Ash never had to advertise, he was just so well-known, and was just such a special guy.”

Mr Thompson recalled when his mate of 10 years was involved in a crash along the Bruce Highway in 2020 and suffered several injuries to his head, hand and leg.

“He ended up having several operations to get his leg fixed and he could only stand on it for 20 minutes at a time before it started to swell,” he said.

“Even with that he would be down at his repair shop repairing bikes and showing his employees what to do.”

Opening his business in 2008, Mr McGowan moved the HGR workshop to the Sunshine Coast in 2016 with his family but still provided services in Brisbane.

“Even though he moved he would still travel to Brisbane twice a week because he had a cult following,” Mr Thompson said.

“He would often leave at 6am most mornings and come back at 3pm and deliver repaired bikes to each of his clients’ homes.

“Ash was able to build the business up so quickly.”

Nearby residents, who asked not to be identified on Wednesday morning, said it appeared the motorcycle and rider had “missed” the bend travelling northbound and crashed into a large log.

The residents said one of their neighbours, a mother of school-aged children, raced from her home after hearing the impact and ran to the scene to try to save Mr McGowan’s life.

The scene of a tragic motorcycle crash on Collins Road, Ninderry, on Tuesday night. A 39-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman reportedly gave CPR and offered words of comfort to Mr McGowan until paramedics arrived.

Forensic crash unit officers were investigating the crash.

Mr McGowan’s tragic death followed another serious motorcycle crash on Tuesday, after a motorcycle and car crashed at Parsons Road and Mons Road, Forest Glen, shortly after 10am.

The rider in that crash was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition after suffering lower limb and significant head injuries.