At the Vintage Motorcycle Show

Last Saturday, in the bleak and sometimes pouring rain, I drove out to the AMCA Viking Chapter’s annual vintage motorcycle show. It was held on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, in the Progress building, so I was allowed the cheap thrill of driving my car on the grounds where I’d only been before on foot, in August heat, trudging through crowds of energetic fairgoers.

There were a few soggy vendor tents sunk into the lawn on the north side of the building. Men with long-sided mustaches presiding over tables of cycle parts: pipes and pedals and handles and what-not. A junk table of easter eggs awaiting the perfect need to walk by and take notice. There were bikes of dubious heritage standing in the rain, for sale but wet, and more grim-faced vendors, so I ducked my head and went inside.