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CHARLOTTETOWN’S COPPER CHOPPER A HEAD-TURNER
If
you chance to take a cruise out Mt. Edward Road in Charlottetown, you’ll
likely see a rad-looking chopper sitting on a front lawn. Slow down
and look
hard; you might be fooled. Rather than a working model, this chopper is a
work
of art, made entirely of copper!
Graham
Gillis, the creator, is an artist who has done both tin and copper work.
With a mother and a number of aunts who are all artists, it was only natural
that Gillis would inherit artistic talent. “I can paint,” Gillis says,
“However, I used to work in a machine shop. One day, someone gave me a
sheet of
copper, and I pounded a lighthouse out of it on a phonebook.”
He has
always been interested in motorcycles, and owns a couple of Harleys, one
of which is a ‘99 Soft-tail in yellow with purple flames. Gillis has
driven
bikes since he was a small kid, having held a m/c license since he was 16.
The enthusiast has built bikes before. “I could just see
this bike,” Gillis
says. “I said to myself ‘I’m going build myself a bike – a full-size
copper
chopper.”
“The
first winter we moved into town, I drew it out on floor of basement – just
sketched it out. I pounded it out with a screwdriver and hammer.
Nothing’s
done really technical. The only thing that’s not handmade is the two second
hand
valves. But most people think it’s a real bike.”
Is Gillis
destined to make copies of this copper creation? Strangely enough, the
design of the original bike, which he sketched on the basement floor,
refuses to
go away. Even though the artist has painted the basement floor a
couple of
times, the lines of the design keep coming through. “I’m using it now,”
Gilis
explains. “Only scaled down, for a weather vane.
If you
have a spare minute or ten during your Island visit, cruise on by and see
the Copper Chopper, one of the snazziest signposts in Charlottetown!
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PEOPLE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY
At the recent "Run for Kids" charity event, I met two
friendly couples who DID come a long way ..... all the way from Nebraska, in
fact!
Jim and Barb Eckhout,
 rode
their brand new, two-tone green H-D Ultra Classic 2007 from Amherst,
Nebraska. "She was brand new
when we left home," Jim said proudly, "and now she's got 6500 miles on her."
The Eckhouts pointed out the somewhat quirky fact that their hometown is
1733 miles from the east coast, and 1733 miles from the west coast.
(Wonder if they measured it, themselves?)
Riding along with the Eckhouts were Doug and Karen Daake,
of Riverdale, Nebraska on the H-D Ultra Classic 2001, burgundy-wine in
colour. Both couples say it's
their first visit to PEI, but want to come back some day.
"It's just so beautiful!," said Karen, "And everyone is so friendly!"
Dogs
on Wheels ...
One of the bad things about leaving on a vacation is
having to leave ol’ Fido behind (poor dear!). No matter whether you leave
your darling at a kennel, with family, or even with a loving, caring pet
friend, he’s going to miss you, and of course, you’re going to miss him.
What’s a dedicated biker to do?
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Still another enthusiast modified the trunk of his
Goldwing with ventilation louvers and plexiglass windows (and a comfy
blanket, of course!), and their little Shih Tzu has a airy, comfortable
“pad”with picture windows. Elsewhere in North America, there are
companies which make pet-sized carriers to fasten on the fender of your
bike, and even doggie trailers to haul behind your ride.
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Enterprising riders spotted here
on the Island have some unique solutions to the pet travel problems: one
avid biker added a sidecar to his 750 Honda, and the newest member of
the family – a black lab – rides in state, while “Dad and Mom” ride on
the bike, itself.
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WHAT ARE PEOPLE UP TO?
To find out what's happening in
Prince Edward Island during your visit check out the provincial newspapers,
visit the Tourism Information Centres and ask for a Vacation Guide and
Festivals listing, pick up a copy of The Buzz which covers the
cultural scene and check out the Events link on this website.
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Of
course, SOME people prefer their pets stuffed.....
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US Travellers Drop Into Summerside
Show
Sterling Page of Sunset
Beach, North Carolina and John Kendall of Grafton, Massachusets heard about
the Atlantic Canada European Motorcycle Weekend held at the Silver Fox Yacht
and Curling Club in Summerside and the Lobster Carnival. John, sporting a
gold "Bum Burner " achievement on his plate holder, and his travelling buddy
are on the ride of a lifetime. Heading to Newfoundland via Cape Breton's Sydney
ferry, they planned a circular trip to Happy Valley Labrador, and then
through the only recently opened road to Quebec.
Just A Biker?
His
dancing blue eyes, framed by long, lanky salt and pepper shot hair, and the
perpetual grin beaming out over the equally long and grey beard ... as soon
as you look at him, you think "Biker." He's been attending Island Rally for
years. Known to most as, simply, Animal, this "typical" biker is very
atypical: very few people guess that he designs women's clothing, with a
biker theme. And, although he won't talk about where he works (talking about
the day job is boring!), he does admit that he and a friend/partner collect,
repair and refurbish unwanted computers, and give them to low-income Halifax
and area families - completely free! So, he may look like "just a biker" -
but he is ever so much more. And a perfect example of why we should never
judge a book by its cover.
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