As a guy who remembers when riding pillion wasn't considered gay but would never do it for fear of relinquishing control, (no roller coasters nor horseback riding for me neither) I think side-hack racers are all badass, especially the monkey. I salute all those pavement-scraping maniacs.
More than badasses my eloquent recluse, noasses on many an occasion . . . Gran was a virtuous lady, you've clearly strayed from her path of bath salt tinged righteousness.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it started being considered gay at about the same time those "If you can read this, the bitch fell off." shirts became popular. Motorcycle sidecars have always been a favorite of mine (yeah the bitch fell off and is now seated comfortably and has a better view of the road thank you very much) especially if I see them containing a dog wearing goggles and a scarf. If that's gay than I don't wanna be not gay.
ReplyDeleteSidecars are very useful contraptions, driving one is definitely an acquired skill. Sidecar racers are plum crazy! A friend of mine raced a Yamaha TZ-750 powered 'snail' with his wife as 'monkey'. He said he could never get enough braking...
ReplyDeleteI had to put a climbing harness on my dawg and caribeener his butt down, or he'd end up in my lap...
Never rode a sidecar rig, but I tried to ride an old HD Servi-car once and about killed myself trying to counter steer. I then executed a beautiful (albeit involuntary) 360° trying to make a simple right hand turn.
ReplyDeleteI then decided that for me it's either two wheels or four and nothing in between.
Sounds to me like the ability to ride a motorcycle with a sidecar requires a greater skill from the driver. From general appearances from a non-rider such as myself I thought it would be easier. In reality its a bit of a "third wheel" so to speak.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you have to leave all your motorcycle instincts behind. After you learn to apply the right body 'English', and understand the principles involved it becomes second nature. Getting back on two wheels is interesting, for one you have to remember to put your foot down at a stop...
ReplyDeleteYep, unlearning is the toughest thing.
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