FLIPSIDE MOTO

From its inception, the idea of a motorcycle + sidecar as family adventure conveyance has seemed a bit kooky. Admittedly. So, for our first adventure it seemed sensible to take a relatively safe route down familiar roads: we set California's Humboldt Redwoods as the destination for our first excursion with The Red Dragon. We would take a couple days to get there -- and get familiar with the new ride -- then "car camp" in the forest for a few days before proceeding down California's glorious Highway 1 to San Francisco. 

 

In hindsight, though the landscape was familiar, it was quite bold to forge into the uncharted territory of sidecar touring with the entire family on this unfamiliar ride. We left home only days after Jason had purchased the rig from its previous owner and driven it home from Seattle. The bike was in great condition and had passed a safety check by a local shop before Jason drove it home, so we felt we'd run the mechanical due diligence necessary to go in confidence. But driving a sidecar? That was a bit of a different story. A sidecar performs *very* differently than a motorcycle: not only does it not lean, but the steering is heavy (like a car without power steering) and the vehicle handles differently when turning left versus turning right. And though an experienced motorcyclist, Jason had only driven a sidecar a couple hundred miles at this point. But after some reflection about safety, our capabilities and our priorities, we were resolved to make this happen. "We'll take it slow," Jason said. "There is no rush. It's about the experience, right?"

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So, we packed up and were astonished at how much we could fit into the massive trunk of the sidecar, especially in comparison to the typical "extra pair of pants and t-shirt" approach to motorcycle packing. Heck, we managed to get a tent, two-burner camp stove and small cooler in there! But looking back we both admit the first few days on the road were a bit nerve wracking. From the perch on the back of the Goldwing, Alenna held the sidecar the entire time and stared at the connections between the bike and car, convinced she'd see a bolt jiggle loose but be able to hold the rig together with her superhuman strength (she likes Wonder Woman a lot). Clearly unrealistic, but somehow comforting. Meanwhile, Jason drove much of the first few days white-knuckled until he got a feel for the dynamics and forces at play. It was probably the kids who adapted most quickly, reading books, listening to music and napping (yes, they fall asleep in the sidecar frequently, actually).

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But wow do heads turn when this thing passes by! Once we got over our concerns and started noticing the responses of others, it was amazing. You can barely pull into a gas station without being photographed and asked to explain how this incredible vehicle works. As if we weren't conspicuous enough, every time we rolled into a rest stop, restaurant or small town, the kids would blast songs -- such as ice cream truck music -- from the built-in sound machine and loudspeaker mounted under the car. Quite a spectacle. We frequently felt we must look like the circus had come to town, but also came to see this as a fantastic way to meet smiling people. It was also fascinating to see the different reaction a family on a sidecar gets from the public, compared to on a motorcycle. It's endearingly refreshing to compel so many people to laughingly snap photos and literally roll down their windows to give us a thumbs-up -- to the point that we actually sometimes wonder if we might be dangerous distraction on the road.

 

This maiden voyage was thrilling as we meandered our way through the splendor and majesty of California's giant redwoods and along curvy two-lane highways on the rugged coast aboard this new mode of transport, completely engulfed in the sounds, smells and feel of the environment and open road, just as we had been on motorcycles. So day by day our initial thoughts of "what have we done?!" turned to visions of "what could we do?"

 

By the time we cruised into San Francisco, surprising family with The Red Dragon and its music blaring, it was clear that this would be the first of many great adventures.