JPFreek - Index

JPFreek - magazine - Index

Off-highway
Off-highway
Companions
Text and Photos by Tom Bell
When on the trails, do you ride alone or with a passenger? I
have met those who prefer to ride alone and those who prefer
company on the trails. Not all passengers are human, however.
Sometimes, man’s best passenger is simply man’s best friend…
Meet Kenny Francis and his riding partner Sam. I met Kenny a
year or so ago on an off-highway experience at Turkey Bay, an
OHV park nestled in the Land Between the Lakes recreational
area which lies between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Every
time I have been on a ride where Kenny was along, Sam has
been his co-pilot, and the most popular one on the trails too, I
might add.
They have been riding together since July of 2002. Sam is a
Redbone Coon Hound and loves to run along the trails with the
group, utilizing that unique bark of his breed to let his master
know he is rooting for him on various obstacles. At times, Sam
almost seems to be spotting Kenny over them.
I asked what his most memorable experience was with his
co-pilot Sam. “When camping out during deer season, Sam
wanted to get into Kenny’s sleeping bag with no avail, but Cody
(Kenny’s son and about the same size as Sam) got into his
sleeping bag, which was poised on top of a table and was
pushing Cody off the table.”
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sam even has his own t-shirt from
Island Burgers of Sacramento. At this
local favorite burger place, a hostess
asked if Sam would like a t-shirt, and he
got his very own.
Those of you considering taking your
best friend on the trails should be
aware of a few precautions to ensure
the safety and good health of your
riding buddy:
Make sure you have a good riding
harness for when he/she is riding in
your vehicle, especially on public roads.
Make sure to take along a leash for
times when control is needed, such as
standing in a crowd watching others
tackle an obstacle.