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FLASHER

Mess Press, Issue #3, 1992

It started out like any other day. It seemed like everyone was talkingabout the same thing. "Are you going", what, was hot on the street.Going meant that the RUSSIAN RIVER RIDE was coming up soon. Its the messengersright to passage, a sacred event. I thought about the ride realizing thatthis would be the 7th time that I had done dubious pleasure to go out ridingwith the cream of the crop.

The day went on until I saw the most horrifying wreck. This Limo crashedinto Flasher my bro. The pig limo slammed him into a truck that was infront . He was smashed like two hands clapping. I called in on my radiofor an ambulance then went to his aid, he was really messed up. His bikeand his legs were one, caught in some horrible twine. I held his head stilland tried to say the things that he would hear. The only thing that hesaid to me over and. over,"Shit it looks like I not going to makethe ride".

They put him in the ambulance with his bike still tingled in his legs.Time went by. The doctors said that he might not be able to ride againlet alone walk.

Well the ride went on as planed but this time there was some dark cloudthat hung over us. Flasher wasn't with us. We talked about him on the wayup. His real name is Troy, he got his nick name because he is truly FAST,and also he had this funny habit of taking of his clothes when he got drunkat parties. That is why we call him Flasher,

Up at the Russian river we were given the last warning "stay outof the Gorge" our favorite camping spot. The ride that didn't seemto have the enthusiasm like the past rides. It must be because our heartswere with flasher. How can such a good man be taken down.

Well rumour has it that the owner of the limo is the owner of the bankof sujimto and a bike enthusiast to boot. He felt responsible and tookcare of Flasher. They sent him off to Sweden where they have some hot shotdoctors. After that we never heard from him again.

The year went by, same old shit. Not hearing anything from Flasher hisname became like a legend. Like Spaz people talked about him even if theynever knew him. Well a year went by too fast. Time for the next RUSSIANRIVER RIDE.

Most of us had forgotten about Flasher there were a lot of new bikes.We were out in front of HARVEYS . Harvey was out on vacation, but Sam openedup early there was a record, number of us. I counted 40. As we were readyto grope I noticed this thing coming up the ally. It was some kind of weird,little car or something. We all watched as it approached. Shit it was Flasherin some hand pedalled bike.

It was some aerodynamic bike with silver cover, a huge skull and crossbones. The thing was very high tech. All of us who knew him were standingwith our mouths open. The thing that he drove was some kind of high techarm powered thing shocks and, all of what you could never think of.

The Flasher gave me a $100 bill and said "Get every one what theywant" So I got beer batteries and cigs. We left with the biggest yell.Our bro was back. The only thing that bugged me was that there was a wheelchair on the back of his contraption. He could not walk. He did the ridewith amazing grace. His hand powered thing could even go up curbs. Theride was great.

As usual we met at Safeway, ready to go to Parkers . The Flasher hadsomething else to say "FUCK PARKERS We all followed him out of Gurinville.

Most of ye merry people did not have time to get, beer, but Flasherwas back. So we followed him. He lead, us to some redwood wall. He whistledand the door opened. Inside there were cabins and too many people . I foundout that the people that were there were to serve us - that fact is soforeign to us laborers of the street.

I could not believe it Flasher spent a whole year thinking about theRide. He did us yop right. Every thing from hot tubs to servants. BEERgalore. Shit it just goes to show ya the fact that a brother is a BROTHER.

Two days of total fun! We all left. I cried, never saw him again.

If you have comments or suggestions, email me at messvilleto@yahoo.com