24 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
A look back at the Deziels’ mountain biking prowess
York University/Toronto Telegram Photo Collection.
Memories of pumping gas
Long before self-serve pump, I tripped over the gas stations became pop- hose and fell on my hands ular, Barb Pickard of the and knees in the snow. Toronto Telegram decid- The nozzle came out of ed to learn how to pump the filler pipe and joined gas. She said “the whole me in the snow. The car lesson took only fifteen minutes.” The customer’s car was a 1957 Chevrolet station wagon with a dealer sticker for Bill Sherk Ken-Clair Motors in Toronto. Because she was putting in behind me backed up and the more expensive ESSO went to another pump. EXTRA, this station wagI finally got the gas on probably had the 283 flowing in, but couldn’t cubic inch V8 engine. remember how much All Chevrolets in 1957 the driver wanted. Not had the gas filler cap clev- wanting to leave the hose erly concealed inside the again, I yelled until I got a tailfin on the driver’s side. reply: “Two bucks of the The year before, it was in- cheap stuff!” side the left rear taillight The next four hours housing. For 1958, it was were a blur. When 10 between the trunk lid pm rolled around, it was and rear bumper. On the time to go. I expected ’59 and ’60 Chev, it was to be fired. Instead, Mr. behind the rear license Lehman told me “we are plate. giving you lots of extra The photo of Barb Pick- hours because you need ard reminded me of my the practice real bad!” first night on the job at Always looking for stoHarold Lehman’s ESSO ries. Email billtsherk@symstation at Bayview and patico.ca. Broadway in Toronto. It was January 2, 1962, the coldest night of the year. When I served my first car, a ’54 Ford, I knew the gas cap was behind the rear license plate, just like on our family car. RESIDENTIAL BUILDING SOLUTIONS I lifted the hose off the “From the ground up” pump, pulled down the New Homes Additions license plate, put the nozDecks Fencing zle into the filler pipe and Roofing Siding squeezed. Nothing hapGarages Sheds pened. I had forgotten to Windows Doors erase the previous sale Renovations Drywall from the pump. 519-791-3219 In heading back to the
THE OLD CAR DETECTIVE
RBS
By C. Scott Holland Much of the summer of 1989 per week to Pontiac, Michigan to LEAMINGTON — Back in 1989, was spent competing in torturous, train on the ski slopes. Locally, mountain biking was a relatively difficult mountain bike competi- they had a 10-mile loop north of new sport. And in that year, one tions, one of which was the 1989 Talbot Road West and also used Leamington man, who had spent World Mountain Bike Champion- the Ridge hill and often had Tom much of his life as a teen and adult ship held at Mammoth Mountain, and Sue Omstead along with involved in motocross racing, California. them. switched sports. A total of 120 men entered the The Omsteads’ participation As he reached the age of 40, event in the 30 years and older was purely for fun and the fitness. Chris Deziel realized he could no category and Chris placed 50th. In Chris noted that there was a longer compete against kids who the women’s 26 and older catego- huge difference in real mountain were half his age or younger. So ry, Karen had a 9th place showing bikes and the ones bought in local he quit and adapted his skills to out of 31 entered. In the Kamikaze stores. “The real mountain bikes a similar sport. He had begun Downhill which was a race down have to endure the torture with mountain biking a few years pri- the 11,000 ft. mountain as fast as thick tires for riding both on and or and that had turned into a full possible, Chris finished 50th and off road, have straight handle bars time fitness hobby. Karen was 12th. and thicker frames,” Soon his wife, Karen joined him. he said. “There are t ou l zie De “It’s a totally also lower speeds ris Ch ziel and stead, Karen De t Holland Collection Om e Su different kind of for hill climbing d, ea st Tom Om the Scot oto courtesy of workout,” Chris and short mountain on the trails. Ph said. “It’s a lot bikes built for duharder.” rability, rough and As an added bendifficult terrain.” efit, it was someThe Deziels adthing that they both mitted the sport could do. can be dangerous At the time, Karand advised that en noted, “He apthe danger comes plied his motocross in not knowing skills, which made how to handle it easy for him while and control the I had never done bike. There is things like jumping need for safety over logs with bikes. equipment as Chris enrolled me in well — proper helmets, a school in Vermont After 10 summer races, gloves and eye wear. with professionals to teach me.” Karen captured first-place at an “It’s a really great sport,” Karen Initially for both of them, it was Addison Oaks, Michigan event. said. “A wonderful form of fitness just for fun, but soon it became a Weekly practices took up about and lots of fun.” serious sport. 14 hours, as well as traveling twice
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