Y'all ain't from around here...

Today Ron got out his Ural Patrol motorcycle (which is the same as my new one except for paint and accessories) and we went for a ride on the country roads around here. He had never ridden in the sidecar so he asked me to drive. He's a brave man, let me tell you.
I was happy to get some wheel-time on the new model. It's a bit different from my old 650cc but I started relaxing and getting the hang of it.

I have to say this part of Tennesee, at this time of year, is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. The roads were practically deserted and wound through farms, woods and over streams.
At one point we surprised 2 deer then a 3rd one jumped out and ran across in front of us. We also came up on a wild turkey.

We ended up in the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area and drove along unpaved roads. There were lots of bumps, ups and downs and potholes but the Ural soaked it all up with ease. They're made for use in Siberia so American dirt roads are easy.

We spotted a rutted hill and Ron wanted to try out the 2 wheel drive so I climbed up the hill and took some pictures of him coming up the trail. The Ural made it easily.

A couple of old guys came by in a pickup (the only car we saw back in there) and stopped to chat. Soon as I started talking he said, "Y'all ain't from around here, are you." Guess I'll have to work on my accent.

We got back to the paved road and stopped in a little town for a snack and drink and saw a couple of prisoners at the courthouse, washing the sheriff's car. How could I tell? Well, they had on black and white striped pants and shirts that had PRISONER printed on them. Pretty hilarious.

I was getting tired so Ron took over the driving and I rode in the sidecar for the last 10 miles to home. He's a lot smoother driver than I am. I started leaning in the turns and he was able to pick up the pace a little and we had some fun.

For those who have never ridden in an outfit, when you make a right turn the sidecar wheel wants to lift off the ground. That's called "flying the chair."
The passenger (or "monkey" if on a racing outfit) can help keep the wheel down by leaning way out to the right.
On left turns the rear wheel of the bike wants to come off the ground so everybody leans left. In racing, the monkey actually lays on the seat behind the driver to keep the wheel on the ground.

The Ural is far from a racing bike but the same principles apply. It's just harder to throw your weight around because the passenger is enclosed in a steel tub. You can go a lot faster when the wheels stay on the ground and it's quite a thrill when you get going fast.

It's also a lot of hard work throwing a 900 pound bike around. We both came home tired.

Anyhow, it was a beautiful day and the scenery was a knockout. If there was an ocean here, I'd live here in a hot minute!

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