The picture above is the only picture I captured of the Yamaha & Enfield together on this particular day at this particular homestead & there's a very good reason!
I had been to this homestead a few weeks before & after riding the River ride with Marv for the first time today, I decided to show it to him. The place is located right along the river so after crossing the bridge, we made a quick left & followed the long dirt driveway to the house. We shut off the bikes, dismounted & both dug out our cameras to take the usual pictures.
I had been to this homestead a few weeks before & after riding the River ride with Marv for the first time today, I decided to show it to him. The place is located right along the river so after crossing the bridge, we made a quick left & followed the long dirt driveway to the house. We shut off the bikes, dismounted & both dug out our cameras to take the usual pictures.
I managed to take the picture above when suddenly we heard what sounded like gunfire! I looked at Marv who responded with ......... "High powered rifle by the sounds of it". My immediate thought was...... this farmer has had enough of people trespassing, smashing windows, spray painting the place & He's decided to shoot the offenders as a lesson!!!
Bang, bang!!! Ok, I'm concerned now.... I look over at Marv who appears to be re-living some Vietnam experience, his face which has lost every drop of blood and is quite ashen looking, is wearing the most ridiculous (I'm not worried) smile I've ever witnessed & didn't go far to instill confidence in yours truly!! But then, I can imagine what I looked like to him! We exchanged a few words in higher than normal voices.... something to the effect of "I think it's time to get the f--- outta here!!! Marv being the older one of us mounted his bike like a 17 year old with a rather unusual spring in his step!! Before I even put my helmet on, Marv's bike was shooting a 40 foot rooster tail into the air! I don't think he'd gone 25 feet & he was already in 5th gear!! Now I'm not sure how much horsepower an Enfield has but I know for certain he used every horse in the stable.
Bang, bang!!! Ok, I'm concerned now.... I look over at Marv who appears to be re-living some Vietnam experience, his face which has lost every drop of blood and is quite ashen looking, is wearing the most ridiculous (I'm not worried) smile I've ever witnessed & didn't go far to instill confidence in yours truly!! But then, I can imagine what I looked like to him! We exchanged a few words in higher than normal voices.... something to the effect of "I think it's time to get the f--- outta here!!! Marv being the older one of us mounted his bike like a 17 year old with a rather unusual spring in his step!! Before I even put my helmet on, Marv's bike was shooting a 40 foot rooster tail into the air! I don't think he'd gone 25 feet & he was already in 5th gear!! Now I'm not sure how much horsepower an Enfield has but I know for certain he used every horse in the stable.
Bang.... bang, ok, this is seriously not funny, I finally get my helmet on, start the bike put it in gear & proceed to drive into a bush!! Bang, bang!! More shooting!! I catch a brief glimpse of Marv as I try to free myself & experience a feeling of pride knowing that on this day, there's not a Nitrous powered Harley anywhere that could have beat him!!! His would stand as the fastest Quarter section ride of the day!!..... Rocking the bike back & forth between Hail Mary type chanting, making promises I will never keep like a drunk hovering over a toilet bowl, I finally manuvered the bike enough, broke free of the bush & created a 50 or 60 foot rooster tail of my own, running with my feet to gain an extra horse or two.....not having much regard for the red line limit!! I met up with Marv at the end of the driveway...... and we decided to cross the bridge, keep our eyes open & try to identify who the shooter was!
As I crossed the bridge, I couldn't see anything so we rode up a ways & turned down a familiar road when I realized my helmet straps were flapping in the wind. In my haste to vacate the place, I'd just plunked it on my head & made my departure! We pulled over, dismounted & Marv said that he'd seen a young guy with his girlfriend on the opposite side of the river, her with rifle in hand, apparently using the old paper thin house as a target for her shooting lessons! Close call!! We uncerimoniously checked ourselves over for holes, flesh wounds, eventually satisfied we were in one piece, we hopped on our bikes & proceeded on the rest of our ride. From time to time, we have a good laugh about the day we were shot at but it's all in a days work for an Alberta Ghost Rider!! I since returned to this place & took the rest of these pictures with no perceived gunfire which was a relief!! As I was leaving, I looked down & saw what resembled 2 tire trenches in the driveway & had myself a good chuckle!!
James.
James.