It was friday morning, the 13th of November. 10:45 am. Despite the chill in the air, i was excited. i was going to meet my bestest new friend, Uncle Ernie. We were going to meet at the Moto Guzzi shop, and check out the V7 cafe.
I kicked the Ural to life. First kick. The Enfield is asleep for the winter. She settled into a comfortable idle.
Sweatshirt, check. jacket, check, Gloves, check. Goggles, check. I brought a scarf. Not a long white silk scarf, as I would like, but a shorter plaid scarf, older than my kids. Uncle would be there at 11:30, and I didn't want to disappoint him. It was nippy, but I warmed at the idea of meeting my good riding buddy again.
I mounted the Russian steed, and engaged reverse, Crunch. The Ural does not have a synchro transmission. I backed out the driveway.
First stop was the texaco station. They proudly advertise "100% gasoline. No Ethanol", and I treated her to the best. The 45 Russian farmhorses propelled my chariot to a dizzying 50 mph as i headed towards my destination.
As I traveled through the metropolis, I encountered many waves, and thumbs up. Everyone likes a sidecar.
When I arrived at the moto guzzi shop, I was alone. Uncle Ernie had not arrived yet. I went in, and looked around. "Have you seen Uncle Ernie yet? I queried".
"Goofy looking guy with an Aprilla"? he responded. I couldn't let him insult my bestest buddy like that and I snarled "that's an Enfield".
I waited, and waited, and waited. The owner amused me with his vast knowledge of motorcycles, that that helped pass the time. They had a classic cafe on the floor but I didn't check it out, because I was waiting for Uncle Ernie's succinct remarks on the product with his decades of experience.
I went to the phone book, and while there were a few people with the last name Ernie, none had the first name "Uncle". There's only so much time you can spend in a 20x20 showroom. Saddened, it was time to go. I felt a tear roll down my cheek.
As i was leaving, I heard the mechanic they call "Oil" ask "why is he crying?"
To which the owner responded "that Uncle Ernie didn't show"
"aye" added the mechanic called "Oil", "he'll do that to you. Always promising to show up and never doing that. A bit unreliable if you ask me".
"and he gives a lousy haircut"
The Russian Iron carried me home, to my fortress of solitude. Tricked again by Uncle No Show.