I hope everyone has taken a road trip, with the boys, with family, with girls - to enjoy the sights and the free spirit that often overcomes a person when they get out of their comfort zone of home. Privileged is how I'll explain the people I've been able to travel with and share some very cool experiences, and a few not so cool ones that we laugh about now!! But, hey, that's what life is about!
One of my first big road trips was to the Six Days in Tulsa, OK in 1994. Burt Petersen was riding Junior Trophy and at the last minute I was changed up from his mule to a club rider. My wife Terri travelled the long way from Southern Alberta to Tulsa. During the trip, which ended up being 22 days long, we kept a journal in the truck to note any and all cool things that happened to us. Recently I found the book and as you could imagine, some pretty boring notes.
Like the abundance of road kill in Wyoming, no homeless??? We followed a custom combine crew in southern Montana, and eeked ourselves as we passed a grain truck that was pulling a grain auger down the interstate with some heavy wire. Burt and I scared the knapping Terri driving through Arizona by slamming on the brakes, screaming "Not the children, oh my God, what have we done!!!" She thinking that our swerving had ended the lives of some new Americans, when in reality it was the wind blowing thistles across the highway. As a dirt biker, you realize that we get bored easily, and we have to find amusement somehow.
Ever hear of "majority rules" when it comes to pit stops? 1998, 5 of us drove the 16 hrs to Washougal to watch Ricky killl 'em. The boys decided that a few road bevvies should hit the spot, and while good times were had by all, we do realize that what goes in must come out. And MR BEER SWILLER, who, is bragging at his consumption rates, soon turns into a ball of concentration and pain as he's the only one who needs to pit. Good times watching the men become boys again!!!
The King of all Rednecks, Clint Riviere, has a food group called Ketchup. During our trip to the Six Days in Poland, the man never ate, due to the abundance of Katsup and no Heinz. Yes, guys whine, yes, we ignored him, however he is no dumby. The following year, in Slovakia, the man came prepared, walking to the restaurant or cafeteria with his bottle of JUMBO Heinz.
This is the same trip he earned his infamous nick name...a name that has earned him international respect, as a man who defies political pressure, and takes no gaff from locals. The Aussies called him Kung Fu Clint, and would solute him by standing like a stork, on one leg, arms up and out. Just in case you decide do drive over Clint with your car, and think the locals will back you up don't. It will turn into an international incident of fairly extensive proportions, and you will pay, with a kick, heard, once already at least, around the world.
It is the cold day of winter that I remember these stories, laugh, and then get motivated to live more in the coming year. Have some good ones kids…let's hear about them!! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it







