I'm the new kid on the block. I live on southern Vancouver Island and enjoy driving my 94 Triumph Tridant with Velorex 700 sidecar. I'm the chauffer to 2 border collies - Reba & Scarlet. They love to ride in the sidecar sporting Doggle Sunglasses. The greatest joy is that when we ride around is the happiness that people show in their smiles. I feel in a small sort of way we are a cure for road rage. We'll see a person in traffic with a sour grin gripping the wheel of their vehicle. When we pass frustration transform into a smile as bright as a sunrise. So fellow Hackers go out and spread joy with your sidecars.
You sure got that right HH. You made me think of Archie and I headed north last August from my daughter's place in Tacoma to Pete and Patty's (Liberty) in Seattle. We were on I-5 during the morning crunch time. If we were moving at a pretty good clip, Archie would be laying down in the sidecar. When we'd come to a bit of a back up and have to slow down, he'd pop up to see what was going on. People for several lanes around us would break into smiles, pointing and waving. Happens regularly in our normal Spokane area traffic but it's rare that we're riding in rush hour on I-5.
Thanks RT for sharing your story. I love the picture of your dog. I notice when going fast on the freeway the dogs do crouch down, but through town or back roads their heads are up. My dogs love the MC so much that I have a hard time sneaking out of the house without them.
I too get a lot of joy riding around with my 2 small dogs. they love it! every time i mention 'going for a ride' the run to the garage door all ready to go!!
I get lots of smiles from cage drivers, pedastrians, store parking lots. Got to remember to allow time in the lots forconversation.last week I went to the locl post office, and the post mistress had to come outside to see what the fuss was..one guy was saying he wished he had a camera rght now, another older lady came over and struck up a conversation about the dogs, and also the SC rig. she said "normally I dont talk to 'Motorcycle Riders'".. the rig is a great ambassador for biking.
The dogs have gone riding, camping, to local parks where kids gather around...makes my day! every day!!
lot of 'thumbs up from car drivers next to me.
actually, this also happens when my wife is aboard!! lots of smiles all around.
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Thanks Bob for your post. Great pics of sidecar and dogs.
Gotta agree with everything you all have already said. Me & crozb (canine monkey) get lots of smiles, waves, we've even had our picture taken while waiting for the light. You know what else strikes me? I get 'the wave' from ALL makes of other 2-wheeled riders. That strikes me both as good, and sad. Sad cuz my husband, who rides 2-wheels, doesn't get the same wave. So, maybe we are good will embassadors to other riders as well, eh? Ah geez, can't we all just get along? : ) (I just couldn't resist, sorry!)
When I rode my 250 rebel around I did get some waves but no smiles. When I drive the
Hondasauras around vitually everybody on other bikes wave and I really get lots and lots
of smiles. I guess those of us riding these rigs don't seem to be a threat. It is not uncomon
when i am parked for people to ask me about the rig. The Hondasauras with the cargo
box is a real eyecather anyway. I hope the trend continues
Y'all better never be in a hurry driving a sidecar or a trike for they are the best conversation pieces that I know and don't plan on any fast departures from any place you happen to stop at
sidecars are the best ambassitors for the sport of motorcycling there is. i am a "biker" who happens to build and ride sidecar rigs. in my black leather and black motorcycle i look like the guy your mother warned you about,but with the sidecar on the same machine,it takes thirty minutes to pump four gallons of gas.last year on the way home from nationals,we met lots of people(and handed out a lot of Hannigan catologues) everywhere we went. i have been trying to get the break-in miles on the Warrior before putting a chair on it,but to be honest,i like riding a rig better.can't wait to get this project on the road!
