The Carolinas’ Full Throttle Magazine
48
A Chance Meeting By: Wally Wersching
April 18th was going to be a fun filled day with many events to attend. I had my calendar marked, and I was anticipating all the friends I would see. BUT, with the corona virus restrictions, they were all canceled. I awoke on Saturday morning, and it was raining. It was fitting because I couldn’t go anywhere, so it might as well be raining. Later in the morning, the sky cleared, and the sun came out. It turned out to be a great spring afternoon with temps in the low 70’s. I couldn’t stay home. I had to go for a ride. I decided to take a ride to the Kings Mountain National Battlefield. The museum is closed but the trails are open. I also wanted to drop off a Carolinas’ Full Throttle Magazine to Lamar – one of the rangers. I’d put the magazine in the mail slot or slide it under the door. He really enjoys getting the magazine every month. I loaded the pack on “Miss Vickie” with a stack of Carolinas’ Full Throttle magazines, and left home about 2pm. The ride down to the battlefield was perfect. I wore my old Vanson leather jacket, and it was just warm enough. aturday
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When I arrived at the battlefield, I tried to slip the magazine under the door because I couldn’t find the mail slot, but it wouldn’t fit. Lamar will have to wait until next month when they’re open again. I gave the magazine to a couple who had ridden in on their Harley. They were sitting on the wall next to the path - enjoying the weather. I also saw an unusual bike parked near the trail. It was a like new Ural with a sidecar. I love the look of the Ural – like a vintage BMW. The Ural motorcycle is a motorcycle with a sidecar originally produced by the Irbit Motorcycle Factory, in Russia. Its production originates from 1940 when the Soviet Union stole the design of the R71 BMW motorcycle – one of the best military motorcycles of that time, which had been used in the German army since 1938. The modern-day Ural motorcycles produced by the IMZ are mainly heavy sidecar motorcycles with modern two cylinder, horizontally opposed four stroke engines, featuring a fuel injection system, a four-speed gearbox with reverse gear, Electric / Kickstart. Primary drive to the rear wheel is shaft and there is a shaft drive to the sidecar wheel, which was primarily designed for rough Russian roads, but makes the Ural quite drive able on a variety of surfaces. The one at the battlefield was slightly modified. The seat in the sidecar was removed, and a pad was placed on the floor. I figured that it was for a dog to enjoy the ride. I looked around for the owner, but he was probably walking around the battlefield trail with his dog. I put a copy of the Carolinas’ Full Throttle Magazine in the sidecar. I headed out going toward Rte. 161. Before I got up to speed, I saw the reflection of motorcycles through the trees.
