AvaTharr on Nostr: THE TALLINN FREEDOM RIDERS The meeting had been called to discuss America. This was ...

THE TALLINN FREEDOM RIDERS

The meeting had been called to discuss America.

This was unusual for the Tallinn chapter of the Harley-Davidson Owners Club. Meetings normally concerned routes, weather and whether Jaan's Sportster was technically still a Sportster.

Peeter had prepared a statement.

“We bought Harleys because they meant freedom.”
Everyone nodded.
“And now?”
Nobody answered.

Outside, six Harleys stood in formation beneath an Estonian flag.

“It is still a Harley,” Mart said eventually.
“That isn't the problem.”
“It is literally the problem. We are a Harley-Davidson club.”

Peeter ignored him.

“We cannot ride around Estonia representing American freedom if America itself is no longer clear about Russia.”
“Do the Americans know we're representing them?”
“That is irrelevant.”

Jaan folded his arms.
“We could switch to BMW.”
The room went quiet.
“German.”
“Yes.”
“We have historical issues with the Germans too.”
“We have historical issues with everybody.”
This was difficult to dispute.

“What about Triumph?”
“British.”
Another silence.
“Ducati?”
“Italian.”
Nobody even bothered discussing Italy.

From the end of the table, Toomas cleared his throat.
“Honda.”
Everyone turned.
“Honda?”
“Japanese. Reliable. Politically manageable.”
“You want the Tallinn Harley-Davidson Owners Club to ride Hondas?”
“No. Obviously we'd have to change the name.”
“To what?”
Toomas considered this.
“The Tallinn Freedom Riders.”
Peeter looked suspicious.
“And what would the Honda represent?”
“Nothing.”

There was a long silence.

Outside, the Harleys gleamed magnificently.

Peeter slowly nodded.
“That might be safer.”

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