Topless in Minnesota

OK, now that I have your attention, get your mind out of the gutter. This headline could have several meanings, the one you thought of immediately, it also could have been reference to the helmet law, or lack thereof, in Minnesota.

I had the pleasure this summer to take my very first visit to the fine state of Minnesota. Taking along my trusty friend Old Blue, a 1975 BMW R75/6. My plans were to enjoy back road journeys around the areas south of Minneapolis.

I did not pick this area at random, as I had signed my son up for a week of hockey at the Shattuck St. Mary's School in Faribault. I set up base camp with the RV at Lake Roberds just south of the town.

Looking forward to my first day of riding, I got Old Blue out and headed to pick up some provisions at the local Super Walmart. As one may expect, a vehicle that is more than 30 years old may have some quirks. The cases (luggage) that I have on the bike are very old and well used Krauser bags. The top case in particular had broken hinges. This never seemed to be a problem because of how tight the lid closed and the latches worked just fine.

After stopping at the Walmart and picking up a few things, which included a pack of bungee cords that would prove to be valuable later. I picked up the bungees because I was headed to the big Cabela's outdoor store nearby. Just in case I purchased anything to large to fit in the cases, I would have some means to hold it down.

Headed down the highway at about 65 MPH, a car pulls up on my left and points to the back of my bike. I take a peek in the mirror to see that the lid on my top case is gone and my Walmart bags are waiving in the wind. I immediately pull over. An 18 wheeler pulls over in front of me. The driver gets out and I ride up to meet him. He tells me that the lid flew off about three tenths of a mile back and is laying on the shoulder of the road unharmed. He actually apologized that he could not pull over to get it for me!** (See note at end of post.)

I turned my bike around on the shoulder an proceeded to slowly ride up the highway against traffic. The looks I got from folks were priceless. The best was a group of motorcycles that were driving in the same direction that I was, except they were on the right side of the highway. These guys did a triple take shaking their heads as they passed.

Sure enough, about three tenths of a mile back, the lid to my top case lay in the shoulder un harmed. I put it back on, employed some of my newly acquired bungee chords to hold it in place and headed back in the right direction down the highway.

When it came time to do some scenic back country road driving, I was excited. I must warn you though that many, many roads in rural Minnesota are not paved. Looking at a map I would not thing that 180th St. W. would be a gravel road, as were many that I planned on taking as I went exploring. The gravel roads ate into my riding time as I could only travel safely at a reduced speed on the loose surface.

The other great danger in rural Minnesota, farm dogs! These guys love to give chase to anything that comes near their remote outpost on their lonely gravel road. With great caution I had to accelerate past them so as not to become their newest chew toy.

**Side Note - Truck Drivers

Having grown up in the trucking industry and having owned my own trucking company, I can tell you first hand that truck drivers in general are great people. The fact that the driver in the story pulled over to help me out just goes to show you their generally helpful nature. I will not mention what company he drove for because I am certain there is a suit in an office somewhere that would fire this guy for a company policy violation.

Nobody is telling their kids to grow up to become truck drivers, but it is a good occupation for people with a good work ethic. Remember that everything object in your life was at some point transported on a truck.