You can breathe easily. I’m excited to report that the Riverhead Mufflerman Indian “Chief Running Fair,” who had his butt kicked by hurricane Sandy is back in action!
Not only is he back together, but he’s been spiffed up a bit with some fresh paint AND… a Christmas wreath. ::sniffle:: Isn’t he handsome? 🙂
Good to see you again, big buddy!
The Riverhead Muffler Man Indian whose name I’ve just discovered is “Chief Running Fair,” was downed by the winds of Superstorm Sandy.
When I saw photos of the poor guy, torn in half at the waist shortly after the storm subsided he looked like he was reaching for a lifeline from next to his own still-standing legs. “I’m hit!”
My heart broke a little.
This weekend while we were bumbling around in the Ural, we made a pit stop to see him for ourselves. All that was left when we pulled up was his peeling pants. Insert huge frowny face here.
But… as I looked around, I noticed a few feet of his arm sticking out above a fence inside the grounds of the Raceway. It was kind of like he was waving to me saying, ‘I’m over here. I’ll be okay!” And I sure hope he will be. According to a Riverhead Patch article, the owners of the Raceway do intend to restore him.
Hang in there, big guy!
The mighty Indian just a week before Sandy brought her havoc to our area:
Continuing the tv/movie vibe from my post about the Buzz’s Skelly ~ In the same town of Riverhead is a Muffler Man Indian that was featured in an episode of the Sopranos. I have posted about him before but, every now and again I stop by to say hello.
With these big fiberglass beauties standing outside and braving the elements year after year – you’ve got to check on them every once in a while to see how they’re holding up.
It’s starting to look like the Indian could use a little TLC. He’s got some cracks in his fiberglass that are giving way to holes and he could really use a fresh coat of paint. I hope the folks at Riverhead Raceway give him a little love soon. It would be a shame to watch him deteriorate further.
On Sunday morning I woke up to sunshine. As I padded down he hall towards the coffee pot, I got that feeling. You know… that special feeling. The one that says maybe you’ll be able to sneak out for a ride today. And, I did.
With temperatures approaching 40 degrees, the roadways though wet were free of ice and snow. Even with no electrics running on the DRZ, my REV’IT gear is really quite warm. The more I use the Sand jacket and pants, the more I like them. Money well spent.
I putt-putted along, splashing through the puddles along the north shore, stopping near one of the sod farms in Riverhead. The frozen field looked like the tundra. When I took my helmet and gloves off, the wind stung my face and hands as it came whipping across the open plain.
It felt so great to ride. The weeks of snow and ice clogging the roads were a distant memory.
I’m sure you’ll be happy to know that I have another pair of glasses with – get this – TWO lenses! I’m going for the Carrie Donovan look. How am I doing? Fabulous?
Now I just have to work on the helmet hair and the windburned face. One step forward, two steps back.
