The Magical Motorcycle Helper Man
Today I was at school, desperately trying to start Gorbachev, my poor frozen motorcycle, to take advantage of the 30 degree weather and go for a ride. Battery freshly recharged I set out through the last of the melting snow to give it a shot but his innards were just too gummy and cold. 10 minutes into my attempts to start it I hear another motorcycle pass on the road leading past the school. I turn around and see a guy and his wife riding by, the man, eyes completely off the road, was staring at me. He was riding the exact same motorcycle as mine. Five minutes later, their business at a nearby company finished I heard them riding back down the hill towards town. I didn’t dare to stare again so I just kept at the bike, but soon I hear the motor come closer and then turn off. Magical Motorcycle Helper Man appeared at my side, “Yasaan be?” (What’s up?) I go on to tell him about the cold engine and weak battery. He helps me start up the motor and then run it hot to get the oil back to a more liquid state. He then explains in rapid Mongolian where I can purchase a motorcycle battery charger which I definitely need to do because my battery is “muu” (bad). He makes sure I get out of the school yard and onto the road before going on his way. What a great guy, a true motorcycle man, and definitely magical.
On a similar note, a week ago I got stopped by the cops for the first time with my motorcycle. I’d always been dreading the day I would have to try to explain who I was and what I was doing with a Russian motorcycle in Mongolia. Best part of the story? I was pushing the motorcycle because the battery was dead and I was trying to get back to the apartment to wait for my mechanic. So yes, I got pulled over by a Mongolian cop, for the first time ever, and I wasn’t even riding… classic. I ran into the same cop today walking home from school, he recognized me right off (who wouldn’t recognize the tallest guy in Erdenet?) and stopped me again to ask how the motorcycle was and if it was better now that the weather is warmer. I guess a week ago he wasn’t really pulling me over for any scary reason, he was just fascinated by a giant white guy pushing a Russian motorcycle who actually understands a bit of Mongolian (most Russians here don’t bother to learn Mongolian).
