Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Double trouble!

It was the day of registration for the Nelson RAT Raid... a handful of us were gathered at my place, an hour's ride to the event, waiting for a break in the clouds to roll out those last remaining miles. Finally and with trepidation in our hearts we braved the the chance to push on through to the final destination.

Now I'd intended to ride to Nelson with the boys, then return with Larry to my place later on (I'm in the habit of commuting to the Raid and Larry was staying with me). And I figured it might rain and I HATE getting my Trumpet dirty so I decided to take the XL350 instead. Well let me tell you, the skies opened up with torrential rains enough to raise concern for ride and rider. And while riding over to Nelson I checked my fogged out rear view mirrors often and at one point I saw no one behind me save Bob and his Rocket. Where were the others? I soon pulled over with Bob who said the others had pulled over some time back... possibly to get out of the rain. I turned around and soon came across three drowned RATs in the throws of pushing Larry's bike off the road to a nearby parking area. Larry's bike had sadly, broken down.

And the rain was pouring down in Biblical proportions. A man appeared from a nearby building and offered to put Larry's bike under a roof which is where we put it. And then the reality of transportation became a reality. Larry and I had to get back to my place while the others carried onto the Raid.

"Larry" I said, "you have two choices... you can hitchhike back to my place, or get on the back of this here XL350 and ride back with me." THAT'S when the double trouble kicked in 'cause Larry opted to ride back with me. I straddled forward as much as I could to give room for Larry to mount his tall and lanky frame on the back. And I was almost riding the whole way back on the friggin' tank while Larry struggled to stay with the bike and together we tunneled through the driving rain in an effort to get back to where we started out... back at my home.

What an ordeal... what a sight!! Two friggin' drenched old farggin' farts seemingly glued together atop a vintage dirt bike, making their way through pounding rain, barely able to distinguish grey road from grey backdrop at 60 MPH while every pocket, shoe and glove filled with rain, seeping right through to the bone, replacing marrow with water!!!

We made it we did... and man was I glad to get off the bike (and so was Larry). And after pouring water from my boots and changing clothes we were able to start thinking about what to do about Larry's bike. Whew...

Later on my friend and neighbour came over and offered to retrieve the bike with his truck. We accepted his gracious offer. Later on again, Friar showed up who just happened to be carrying not one, but 2 spare CDIs. The following (and much drier) morning we swapped out CDIs on Larry's bike and it fired right up!!!!

There is a GOD and his name is Friar!!!

So... there's a story for ya. If you're in trouble might as well make it a double and get it over with!!!

Its been raining here all day too. Would have been a sight you two on the old xl.

Actually its a very good story. Its about the adventures in trying to get there that makes the memories.

When you are all smiled out many years from now from a hard day, remember that one. You will smile and say, what a great time that was.

Them's the ones that make the stories Keith, As Ron said, you'll be telling that story years from now.

Could anyone explain "rain"? I remember seeing it once, but it was a long time ago and I forget what it is. If it's good, (can't remember) could you send some this way?

great story

Quite an adventure and very well written story Keith. Glad you got the bike fixed. Hope your XL350 has recovered too.

That's funny. Glad it all worked out in the end.

::Blush::

Riding on the back of an FXR 10 miles on a California freeway on a tiny pillion with another fat guy (who happens to be fearless) to retrieve a loaner Dyna for myself was the most terrified I can remember being. But your story sounds worse. Lol

I wish I had seen that. Sorry for the woes, but man that had look fun two half drowned fellas on a dirt bike ripping down the road. Like a Laurel and Hardy episode.
Glad yall are ok that's kinda dangerous. Also glad his bike is up and running now

"REPLACING MARROW WITH WATER"!

haha...that line's great...very dramatic and descriptive. A good song lyric too.

Well having witnessed this event, I wish I could have gotten the camera out. It was hilarious. I felt bad for Larry, so I didn't want to laugh, but man. For those who don't know Larry is very tall and thin and the only thing to hold onto on that little bike was Keith. That is one way for two fella's to get to know each other.
I thought it was ironic that it was a wood flooring place that let Larry park his bike (woody).

That is one heck of a funny story!

The mental image of you two on the 350 (in the rain storm) reminded me of the two guys on the mini bike in that movie where they were riding over that mountain pass in the snow.

Hmmm, Larry hasn't responded to this thread yet. I wonder what THAT means!

Thanks Keith.....I LOVE stories like that!

That which doesn't kill you, makes you...


...stranger.

Ha haaaaa

At least you weren't this crowded.