The Life And Times Of The CoffeyMen
Part Five!
Let me retreat back in time to my younger days. December the 9th, 1951 ... 1:00am. I had just taken a young Lady to her home after a date. I am driving home through a heavy woods. The date being over l was driving leisurely about 35 mph. as I exited the woods, .... FOG, Fog so thick I can't see the hood ornament, l mash the brake peddle, it drops to the floor board. I know from all the many times driving this stretch of road there is a upcoming right hand turn.
i turn but too late, the vehicle's front wheels climb the left bank, l have pulled the emergency brake so hard it tears from under the dash.
As seat belts were not on cars in 1951 downward the car tilts to the right, sliding me toward the right hand side and door. Holding with a death grip to the steering wheel it it bent into the dash. I plant my foot against the door and shove.
....... As the car overturns l feel like a slap on my shin. Back again upright, off in the distance i hear the shattering of glass. .... .....
I should have known better as my last encounter with a motor cycle ended with me and said cycle plowing through a 3 rail fence. Nothing being hurt but my pride.
I swung a leg over the seat eased the throttle a twist and I was on my way. There was a course, well, more of a dirt trail through the bull rushes behind his shop. As I gained speed, not of my own doing but a lousey throttle. Faster and faster l went all the time twisting back on the gas to no availe. Fear , then Terror ..... Finely l came into a turn much faster than my skills would allow me. Ass over tincups I crashed ! .... Wrist watch shattered, shirt sleeve ripped, knee torn out of my pants. Face and arms bloody. But the most humiliating of all I had to go face my wife.
There I stood battered and bruised, "I'll never do that again, too dangerous."
I confessed ..... Within a week I rode home on my new Honda. I was
hooked.
On a happier note ..... The New Year's eve that everyone at our party was snowed in, 27" if memory serves me. And as we lived in a small 8' wide mobil home on a country road people were sleeping every where. As luck would have it we had just gone grocery shopping the day before, needless to say by the month's end there were slim pick'ins in our pantry. Yet a grand and happy time it was.
.... Back in the 60's a young fella, Joe Martin had a machine shop in Wilmington, Delaware, he also owned a couple of old motor cycles, one if I remember a Bultoco with very little brakes. .... I decided to give it a try. Also have no ignition switch, Joe jumper the wires, kicked her over, stepped off and handed it over to me.
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