Monkey See, Monkey Do

FOR SOME WILD AND CRAZY REASON the sidecar or side hack passenger is called a ‘monkey’ or ‘hack monkey’. There were three of us on the September 8, 2012 (Inter)National Ural Rally that started in Campbell River, British Columbia with two bikes, and a pick up in Courtenay of another two-person team. Our convoy roared south on Highway 19A to the Denman Ferry crossing at Buckley Bay. We boarded the ship, travelled 1.2 nautical miles for ten minutes and disembarked effortlessly. The weather was on our side with clear blue skies and a beautiful wind swirling around my helmet on the roadways.

We investigated the local Saturday Market and purchased organic garlic from a local vendor. Further up the road we settled at a waterfront picnic site to share our lunch. We gazed out over the Strait of Georgia and agreed that there was no better place to be than right there, right then.

Back on the paved secondary road we left it after only a few kilometres and travelled seventeen more on a variety of gravel and soft sand roads. One of the drivers, who can shift into second gear without having to stop his bike, sped up in front of us, leaving us in his dust.

Our drivers were steering while we monkeys were taking photographs of everything that caught our eyes. What freedom to sit facing the action, hands free, safely seated on a wide, padded cushion.

Ladies, give it a go if you haven’t already done so. Wear the right equipment and soon you’ll be bugging the driver to make a regular monkey out of you.

Team waits for ferry

On and off to Denman Island

Roads less travelled

Susan on Denman Island