robbie

I pull up to a red light on my bicycle next to a cool-grey antique. At the wheel is a young man who looks like he belongs there. I try to gesture to him that I’d like to take his photo by miming to hold a camera in front of my face and pressing an imaginary shutter. He looks at me and shakes his head. The light turns green and he pulls away – and so the chase is on. I pedal like a madman. After about a minute of pursuit the car pulls over and Robbie rolls down the passenger side window. He perceived my charades as me telling him that he got flashed by a speed control camera and is delighted to hear that I want to take his picture instead.

Robbie is from Lörrach, a small city just across the border in Germany. He drives lorries for a living and there’s nothing about it that he doesn’t like. Sure there are long days, he explains, but all in all the profession suits his character exceptionally well. He likes to vacation in Scandinavia and always by car. Most recently he drove to Africa via Gibraltar. His Sunday driver is a 1960 Morris Minor 1000 with a Mini Cooper engine swap. It was originally built in England and has been driven to Australia on a long-haul rally by a previous owner.

I like Robbie. He’s uncomplicated and genuine. Robbie values his independence, the open road, and I don’t see him ever working an office job. He speaks his mind freely but does not waste words. Robbie has two older sisters. He appreciates the essence and simplicity of certain antiques. I wonder if Robbie likes old cars because of his character or if his character is in part a product of him liking old cars. We both agree that some things were built better back then and at the same time are grateful to be right here, right now.

[18] Sunday, May 30, 2021