“Don’t Touch That!”

Thought I’d preface my first day’s entry (to be posted at the end of the day or when I can get online) I’d clarify and answer the question about Trafalgar.  I’ve heard people try to pronounce it, Truh-fall-ger, and the name comes from a cape on the SW coast of Spain where Horatio Nelson (British) defeated Napoleon’s French and Spanish fleet in 1805.  And no, I didn’t name my bike after a square in London.  I like to name my bikes to give them some sort of soul (not to suggest any biblical consequences here), enjoy history and the sea, and hopefully the Triumph will be victorious over the distracted fleet of idiots out there that navigate the highways and byways.

One idiot saw me sitting next to the Triumph Explorer XC (Yes, Trafalgar), enjoying the shade with a cigar, paint brushes and paint near by, when he asked, “What’s traff-alger?”  While simultaneously swiping his hand over the fresh paint on my tank where I had just painted the famous sea battle’s namesake.  I screamed “Don’t touch that?” about a second too late.  He looked down at his paint smeared hands and asked for a rag.  I wanted to stuff the rag down his throat, but politely fulfilled his request and then tried to correct the damage.  I suppose it was baptized sooner than expected.  With its battle scars I begin my journey to remain upright, meet friend and foe on the road, and enjoy all that makes this the greatest country in the world.