formed between woman and machine … the bike saved
her life. “Never have I been so glad to be alive.”
The Enfield and Jacqui share a love yet, like all special
relationships there are times when things can become
stressed, pushed to breaking point.
“I lost patience with my bike recently when, on arriv-
al in Australia, everything went wrong with it,” Jacqui
stares blanking at the black machine. “It had to have a
new generator; a new carburettor; two new oil seals; a
new gear selector spring because it was stuck in second
gear when we were running away from a bushfire (in
Tasmania); a new kick start spring and some welding in
the luggage carriers.”
The list goes on, Jacqui continues like reciting a shop-
ping list.
“Sometimes, it just won’t start which is annoying,”
there’s that stare again. “But because it has a kickstart, it
keeps me fit and warms me up in cold weather.”
“I could absolutely not sell this bike. It would be like
selling my best friend,” Jacqui looks at it fondly.
A smile crosses Jacqui’s face and she immediately
points out, “It makes me, and other people smile,” and
with that we all smile. The old Enfield has that effect on
anyone who sneaks a look.
in Australia exploring the south-east corner including Tasmania, the
trusty, sometimes unreliable Enfield was there for every kilometre
of the adventure. We witnessed first hand the smiles the old bike
brought to onlookers; often something a GS, Africa Twin or KTM
can't do. It was quite an experience ...
Jacqui's Hit The Road, Jac! provides an insight into how the
Enfield makes Jacqui smile, makes others smile ... it just brings joy.
Hit The Road, Jac! available on Amazon or at jacquifurneaux.com
A regular contributor to TRAVERSE, Jacqui Furneaux was recently
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