The Cormanus Chronicles - The Three Strikes Ride

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

On Memorial Day last year, I rode my BMW to the Rose Hills cemetery to visit the grave of a friend of mine, killed in 'Nam. I typically bring a tallboy beer that I share with his spirit by pouring a bit on the grave. Fixing to leave, I went over to the bike, which was parked on a crowned road. I opened the hard bag on the left to put my hat and crushed beer can in there and get out my jacket, then when I closed it I had to nudge it closed with a knee. That's when it started tipping away from me and due to the camber, went all the way over. I couldn't lift it against the camber and there was no place to get a grip on it for a reverse lift, you know, walk it upright with your back against it. Being it was a very nice Memorial Day, there were a lot of people visiting graves. Rose Hills places a flag on the grave of every veteran. As I stood there huffing and puffing, a stocky young Latina woman offered to help. I was dubious, but, OK let's try it. The two of us got it upright. The only damage was to the right-side mirror pod, which had popped out of its break-away mount. I tapped it back in, noted some scratching, but was on my way again, thanks to the kindness of strangers.