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  • The 3-wheeler poem, "Ode to the Trike"

    This was originally written by a member of the old message board, Chris Palmer back around the year 2000. It resonated with many of us at the time, and we felt it necessary to re-print it on the main site where it would be much more visible. We now bring it to the new design, in un-edited form. Enjoy.


    By Christopher L. Palmer
    Lots of negative comments from various people compelled me to write this little poem. Not Longfellow by a long stretch but here it is.
    Later, Chris

    ‘Ode to the Trike’

    by Chris Palmer

    They say my bike’s a relic of days long since past
    That it’s best times are over, and really not all that fast
    They say that it’s too risky, why would you ride that thing?
    Don’t you know one day, you’ll be in a body sling?


    Isn’t that thing illegal, didn’t Uncle Sam say stop?
    Didn’t they already throw in the towel, and call that thing a flop?
    The chassis cut in half with a torch, the motor pulled and stashed
    You say you did me a favor, stopping me before I crashed


    The magic, pride, joy, and thrill that I’ve had over the years
    Will never be forgotten just because of somebody’s fears
    1 wheel, 2 wheels, 3 wheels or 4
    How you ride it means much more


    You said that things were better now, felt like you were in heaven
    Since all those blasted 3 wheel machines died in ‘87
    Yet here I remain in the saddle of my infamous atc
    Just to remind you that you didn’t get the better of me


    Although my bike is unstable as you would like to say
    I couldn’t imagine myself riding in any other way
    You say that I’ll regret it, that I must not be too keen
    All you’re really admitting is that you don’t know how to “lean”


    You tell me 4 wheels are better, that it’s a safer way to ride
    I’ll try to keep that in mind my friend, the next time I roost your hide
    You say 4 wheels are superior, modern marvels of the time
    You just keep on thinking that when you see me turn on a dime


    Banshees, warriors, blasters, and the ultimate raptor rule?
    You go ahead and pay 5 grand, and you’ll look really cool
    I choose Tri-Z’s, 350X’s, tecate’s, and 250r’s
    To me they are and will remain the true shining stars


    Scoff, laugh, and jester all you like about my toy
    Say it’s a joke, a pansy ride, built for a little boy
    One day you’ll see me fly past you, in a blurry flash of light
    With roost on your head and dust in your eyes you’ll realize that I’m right


    To those of you who’ll join me, to be proud to ride 3 wheels
    Don’t ever forget the joy you’ve had and how exciting it feels
    We may be the few, the brave, the last of a dying breed
    But our atc’s still live on, and quench our thirst for speed.


    The End
    Comments 24 Comments
    1. rocco's Avatar
      rocco -
      poem is great.explains it all.i remember being 14 with my 85 kit 250.That thing would do anything a 2 wheel bike would do.all my friends thought it was dangerous but like you say you have to know how to ride it.i also remember being 6 and riding my brothers 12 speed a few scars but i did it.ive had 2,3 and 4 wheels and my best memories is on my kit 250.every time i would get off it my adrenalin was pumping so hard my hand would shake for minutes.i love them thats why i bought my 86
    1. rocco's Avatar
      rocco -
      i also remember telling my uncle to be careful its fast,next thing here he comes holding on dragging his ass all the way down my gramps gravel drive way.one of the funniest things i have ever seen.oh ya today they have cars that park them selfs,for people who don't know how to drive.
    1. AIR_RIDER's Avatar
      AIR_RIDER -
      I love this. I get chills every time I read it
    1. jeff686's Avatar
      jeff686 -
      Trikes are were its at, atc70 or 250r, nothin beats a trike
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