To Hell and back

It was with great interest and sentiment that I read of Rob and Ross’s “The Trip” in OBA 53. (The Walla way to Europe). It must have been something in the air in the mid ‘70s, as I too purchased a 42 WLA (civilian) and set about a trip, granted not of the magnitude undertaken by these two gents, but maybe I got somewhere they didn’t (and likely didn’t want to!). My plan was to ride from Niagara Falls New York (home) to California, (a bit like Sydney to Perth) and possibly on to OZ? While a BMW never entered my mind I did turn down two brand new WW2 RCAF Triumphs, still crated, for a neglected 1942 WLA, of which we had to dig out from under 3 other motorcycles (from Walter Kohl’s, Lockport, N.Y. – you may have heard of him). My Father and I rebuilt the motorcycle in his furniture restoration shop (one of the rare times he stopped his trade) and I then set off with a $300 bankroll. All went relatively well until I hit 3 days of torrential downpours in Michigan, everything I owned was drenched and I was the proverbial sodden mess. However, when the weather cleared, I did manage to go to Hell (please see photo), Michigan. So whenever I am told to go there, I can honestly say, I’ve already been there and its a not a bad place, overall. While skirting Chicago (home of the toll every 5 miles) the bike and I were suffering in the heat and a 45 mph cruising speed does not friends make with commuters. After some distance, a car occupied by 4 young fellows, having a good time, pulled alongside me as if to pass, but they didn’t, they kept pace with me, swerving into my lane, back into their lane, repeatedly. Suffice to say by then I was sweating upon sweat at the prospect of something ominous happening (I’d seen Easy Rider and I didn’t like the outcome!). This game of dodge-em reached its fever pitch when I had nowhere to go and the car came way too close for my comfort almost touching my crash bars, with my hands clenched to the handle bars awaiting impact, expecting the worst, wondering what my obituary would say…and then, suddenly, the car’s passenger side window rolled down, an arm reached out the window and there, in a clutched fist, was an ice cold beer-being passed over to me! I can honestly say, some 40 years later, that was still, by far, The Best Beer I’ve ever had! (yes, I pulled over to drink it). My WLA is still with me and although I now own several BMWs, were I to consider a trip of any magnitude, the WLA would still be my first choice. Although my WLA and I had to cut our trip short, we did finally make it to OZ, some 35 years later. Thank you so much for a continued excellent magazine and I tip my hat to, Rob and Ross and their Trip. I think I can safely say, “I get it”. Bryan Fowler Oakdale, NSW