A few years ago, I took a road trip by myself up north into Canada. While there I happened to stop by a motorcycle event happening at a Harley Dealership. I couldn't help but notice the majority of those attending, both men and women were wearing vest. Granted they help keep your body warmer in the cooler weather and did provide some protection against the cold. But they were wearing them more like a fashion statement. Instead of plain denim or plain leather vests. they were nearly filled with what I want to call purchased pins. The same cheap, sometimes funny ones, but foolish nevertheless that you could get form your local Five and Dime stores,
I am sure that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but seeing it only made me think they were want to be's. They seemed to be trying to imitate the wiser older more experienced bikers. Ones whose vest would be decorated with pins from their many events. Places where they had traveled or gone to over their many years of riding. Having them all over the front of the vests as if to demonstrate or brag.
It got me wondering if there really were any pins that you could actually earn, rather than just buy or purchase. By coincidence, I began reading an article on my way home from that trip. I had been in Ontario, Canada it was mid-July that year. What made the article interesting was I noticed the National Canadian HOG Rally had been scheduled on the ending weekend of the Sturgis Motorcycle or Black Hills Motorcycle Rally and Races. I had thought it was rather strange they had scheduled it that way.
What raise my curiosity and then got me even more interested was in the article it stated that if you brought proof of attending the Sturgis Rally, they had a “special” pin for you when you arrived at the Canadian National Rally.
This was something that I was looking for, a real challenge. It would be like reaching for a brass ring, a bit daring too perhaps. Since I would be doing this alone. I'd be in a foreign country without knowing anyone along the way or while I was there.
Once I had gotten back state side and had stopped in my local Harley Davidson Dealership. I picked up the same issue magazine I had read in Canada. But something was quite different in it. The same story was missing. I didn't give it much thought at the time since I was busy getting things ready for my annual ride to Sturgis, SD.
I had virtually forgotten about it until I met a guy from Canada who was on his way and going to the National Canadian HOG Rally. It was while I was with my "Wise Guy" buddy's. We were all having breakfast, in a town thirty miles north of Sturgis, in a restaurant in Newell, SD. We had struck up a conversation after having seen his license plate. It was then that I had asked him what his "proof" was? He said it was his Gas receipt with the location and the date on it. I was somewhat surprised and intrigued, wishing I had thought of that myself.
It would be a few more days but by that Friday, I had refueled and had started packing for the trip onto Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. My "Wise Guy" buddy's that I had traveled up to Sturgis with ,were somewhat disheartened, because of my earlier than normal departure.
I enjoy a little variety and different scenery when touring by motorcycle. Rather than take the straight shot to Saskatoon from Sturgis, SD I had chosen a different route that would allow me to score a few more points on the ABC's of Touring. (But that's another story.)These other roads were even more desolate. When I arrived the next day, I had rode approximately 650 miles from Sturgis the day before. I entered the facilities of the Rally at 4:00pm and presented my proof, the coveted Sturgis Gas receipt.
The woman behind the desk made a phone call and informed me, Quote: “ I’m sorry but registration closed at 2:00pm”. There was nothing she could do.”
I was frustrated and sadden. Perhaps angered a little, feeling as if I had been sucker punched. I had foolishly been chasing after a mirage. I was stunned, and needed to rest, relax, and think a moment before I went off half-cocked.
Looking around I began to wonder what to do next. I realized my plans were based on what would be happening that Saturday in Saskatoon. Now it seemed as if everything had suddenly changed. To make matters worse I had no idea what to do.
Needing to find a place for the night I pulled out my trusty Road Atlas. Then located a Provincial park not too far south of Saskatoon that had camping facility’s. After having a huge Chinese buffet supper I headed out and arrived at the park just before dark to set up my tent.
The next morning my 2001 Electra Glide Classic would NOT start. After using the park’s telephone for a considerable amount of time while I answered numerous questions over the phone I was informed there would be an additional charge that, I would have to settle with the driver to have the bike towed to the local dealership. The truck was also delayed an hour and a half longer than what I was told to be expected.
Once at the dealership I noticed that, not only was my seat’s backrest but also my longhaired sheepskin were missing. These items where expensive and would not be easily replaced.
As I sat down and pondered my thoughts as I waited it was becoming clearer to me that in the brief 24 hours or so since I had left the States and come into Saskatchewan, the following had happened:
(1) I had raced to get to the Canadian National HOG Rally, but still got there too late to receive the “special” pin that I had came for.
(2) My motorcycle breaks down and will not start the next morning.
(3) Accessory parts of my motorcycle end up missing in transit,
(4) I had no idea of the cost or the expense of the repairs as I waited.
(5) It was already late afternoon and I had not had so much as a cup of coffee or anything to eat that day and was feeling sick to my stomach.
As I sat outside feeling sorry for myself, I begin thinking that this was becoming a very disappointing excursion. I was trying to remain as calm as I could, but by now I was shaken and ready to lose faith in my decision in coming. I was beginning to worry that I had taken on too much without enough preparation for the economical devastation this was going to cause.
As I waited, I tried to remain upbeat as I spoke with many of the workers and customers that happened by. After all it was Sunday and because of the National HOG Rally the dealership was open when they normally would not have been. That was actually a plus for me . So it could of been worse.
It was about this time when A regular patron of the dealership pulled up on his Harley. He had this rather large Green and Yellow Saskatchewan flag on the back of his “dresser”. I approached the “Canuck” to ask him where he had gotten it, since I had never seen one like it before.. He first started to tell me, but then he said: “You’re not from around here? Are you?” I shook my head no and then without hesitating, he took the flag off his bike and handed it to me. Saying;” Keep it, it’s yours. I can get another one you can’t.”
I was elated from that point on. It was at that moment that I felt as if things were turning themselves around. Pat the tow truck driver returned a little while later and surprised me by handed me both my backrest and my missing sheepskin. He had traveled back and found it and then had worked the paperwork so I did NOT have anything extra to pay on the tow bill.
Then, someone had overheard the mechanics talking. They brought back some encouraging news. It was not the motorcycles module or its “computer brain” that was defective on my motorcycle. That would have made it a very expensive repair. Instead, it would be less costly. However, they were still weren't positive what was wrong but they were still working on it.
By this time, several of the dealerships crew had heard of my disappointment over the Sturgis to Saskatoon pin. As a nice gesture they went out of their way and got a group together as we all stood around.
I was presented with two distinctive pins, one was of the Canadian flag and another of the Provincial flag of Saskatchewan. It was a wonderful gesture and I felt honored and uplifted as I told them, I had something the other people at the National Canadian Rally did not have. I had new friends.
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They stayed later than their closing time to make sure my bike was finished. It had been a cam sensor. The cost was minimal and I would be back in the wind. I thanked them, paid the bill, placed the Saskatchewan flag on the bike, and I left heading for a Chinese Buffet.
When I returned home after traveling 6,000 miles through 12 states and 4 Canadian provinces in the previous two weeks, I called the Canadian HOG to find out what had happened.
After talking to Mary Reddick, a HOG Member Services Coordinator who was gracious enough too not only answer all my questions but to put my mind at ease. She explained what had happened. It was then I found out that there were two different Hog Tales magazines. A US and a Canadian version. She asked that I send her a fax of the gas receipt along with my address and telephone number. Which I took care of immediately.
I received my Sturgis to Saskatoon pin by mail a few weeks later. Although it has been a few years now. I keep it with those ones I was given as I remember the memories and value of that trip. But most of all, I remember and value their kindness, and their friendship.
The Sturgis to Saskatoon Pin is more than just a trophy and therefore virtually priceless because it was earned, not purchased. It was more than just a learning experience, or an adventure, it was an experience Because it was with my Brothers in the Northern Winds.
It was a memory that I felt I needed to share.
I wish you all well in your travels….
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Sincerely… STIX DOUGLAS
