So I was standing outside a tattoo parlor in Lacombe a week ago, having a smoke. My lovely wife Lana was inside getting her first tattoo. One of the tattoo artists from the shop came out of the bar across the street with 2 other dudes and stopped at the 2 bikes parked right in front of where I was standing. One was a Harley, one was some japanese cruiser (sorry folks, they all look the same to me....
), and the guys where talking about how they had 5 hours to get to Swan Hills to start their shift at work. At posted speed limits, with no traffic they were at least 6.5-7 hours away from there, but whatever..... They all said thier goodbyes, I finished my smoke and went back in.
Lana was getting her ink in a room right behind where I was standing, with a big picture window looking out on the street, so I was watching these 2 guys gear-up and take off. The guy on the Harley slipped on his jacket, popped on his half helmet and blasted off. The guy on the japanese bike took alot longer to get ready and then fired up his bike. He dropped it into gear, let the clutch out and stalled it. Then he repeated the procedure, about 14 times, always with the same result. His buddy was long gone, so this guy just sat there, with his hands in his lap, lost as to what to do next.
By this time, Lana had lost her grip on my ear, since I had been foaming like a rabid dog to get outside all this time, and I broke out. I say to the dude, "Hey buddy, put your kickstand up."
He looks down and says, "Really? You think that's the problem?"
"Oh yeah, I'm real sure of it." (like you were going to ride off with that kickstand down on purpose.....
)
Now I can't help myself..... "Nice bike. Soooo.... how long you been riding?"
Honest to God, this guy looks at his watch and says, "About 20 minutes."
Just then his buddy on the Harley realizes he's light on the riding partner front and comes back looking for him. Mr. New lights up his bike, puts his kickstand up and they took off.
Good Luck on that ride to Swan Hills there Fella. Watch out for deer. I would bet a years wage's that those 2 didn't make their shift at work that night.
And here's Lana's Tat. It is still a little scabbed up but it's only been a week. I like it. She likes it too. But she's not real sure she wants to get the skull on her tailbone done anymore.....
