Was it worth it ????? - The Harley-Davidson Riders Club Great Britain

**hollandc** · #1 28-04-2008, 01:37 AM

Dark, overcast, drizzly, misty, foggy and then wet Sunday morning, and hey still they came some 30 plus bikes families in cars and vans all to see Essjay go up on the wall. Or was it to see him fall off the wall (no it wasn’t York, although Kenny Fox did say something like ‘’ No one told me you were a Fat Ba*****’’). Anyway back to the day! After coaxing Essjay out of the café and down toward the area where the wall was set up, then the Portaloos Essjay was introduced to Kenny and a time was set.
He was going to ride the wall two sessions later as Essjay still making slight excuses at this time about Irean’s daughter still on her way. Word must have gotten around as the crowd got larger and larger the comment were getting louder as well, like is there a flat field near by that the air ambulance can land in, Hope your helmet fits me so I can take your bike home for you and is Mike the undertaker here. The previous performance finished and as the master of ceremonies stared to announce that the next performance will be in 15 minutes and Essjay will be doing a charity ride the crowd surged forward to the kiosk. The commentary then stated ok seems like it’s going to be now!
The gate was opened and all ascended the stairs except Essjay. Essjay then popped his head through the door to rapturous applause then disappeared again. The Hell Riders then entered followed by Essjay (to more applause). The show began first was young Alex on a Honda, then Luke on an Indian doing tricks up and down the wall followed by Kerrie in a go-cart. Then the moment we were all waiting for!!!! Kenny fox and the great (notice that wasn’t late great) ESSJAY!!! Kenny started the Indian and Essjay was positioned in the handlebars feet and hands placed in their required places. With a little cough and splutter from the bike they were off. Essjay holding on for grim death and rapturous applause from auditorium at the top of the wall. A little wobble and they were on the mounting slope, a little more speed and there they were horizontal on the wall and getting closer to the top. The crowd still clapping and shouting Irean’s face was a picture, cameras flashing, video’s running, Essjay smiling (or was he grimacing) one fore arm out in front of him. What a showman!!! Round and round they went. The bike then started to slow and descend to the bottom of the wall and back onto level ground and stopped. You must be getting old Essjay it took two people to help you off the bike and support you as you wobbled and staggered (worse than a Saturday night) back to the centre of the dome. The show went on with the oldest wall rider at 80 doing a few laps and then some filming with a riders view for some chap from the States.
Was it all worth it? You’ll have to ask Essjay!

Chris