last weekend provided clear skies (perfect for air shows) and many opportunities for pleasurable motorcycle rides across town. i intended on doing both and both i did indeed.

nicolas and i met up with lee at downsview park where the annual ‘wings and wheels’ festival was taking place (via nicolas’ late 70’s yamaha xs 650). sadly my ‘81 honda hawk cb400t (wanda the honda) is currently sitting in mumsy’s garage collecting dust and decreasing value so we made it work….in a macho sort of way… 

scoping out nicolas’ bike i noticed quickly the refreshing simplicity and detail added to his vintage bike (via nicolas and his papa’s homemade bikeshop). i was really into the customised speedometer to the crisp ‘n slim tail lights. very nice alternative to the generally chunky and aesthetically straining bits and pieces found on the 650 and 750.

equally impressive was the small plane made by lee’s father proudly showcased at the festival. lee had flown in on the very beast that day from somewhereville, ontario. the beautiful aircraft was exhibited amongst other types of craft ranging from the stunning yet small norton motorcycle collection to the quirky car/boat thing in the ever-charming colour of teal. nicolas and i could not help but feel that cars were simply out of place there, almost like they didn’t get the memo or something. 

perusing through the different showcase rooms (which were literally indoor footy fields) we came across a small screening of something ‘airplany’, a crappy simulator thing which couldn’t rival a playstation 1 and a grilled corn vendor. but topping all of them was a simulator of an economy class plane filled with people watching a 13 inch screen. it seemed like the opposite of fun, i kept having flashbacks to every flight i’ve ever taken, none of which short or pleasurable. 

all in all the festival was very entertaining. we didn’t take them up on the 40 minute helicopter/small plane rides. we also stared at dogs and chubby air cadet children over the small air show section but that was part of the fun. it was nice to see just how many random types of people came to such a niche and terribly far festival (anything north of bloor is considered the arctic to me). seriously, everything from tattoo-ridden, biker dudes to 6-pack strong, camera laden japanese families. 

it was cool to learn about plane culture as i didn’t know it existed. people making planes themselves and all. 

god i love bikes. shucks i feel nothing for planes. but a slushy, motorcycle ride and some chill friends….don’t mind…