June 2003 - Letter from the editor - Roly’s ice cream run - Danish with a Bitter Taste

Sep 27, 2026

June 2003 newsletter text combining a letter from the editor and two feature narratives. “Roly’s ice cream run” recounts an early-morning drive of Triumph cars around Ottawa, weaving through speed-limit tension, near misses, landmarks like Parliament Hill and the National Arts Centre, and ending with mixed outcomes at the Dairy Queen stop and follow-up messages. A separate article by Tim Dyer, “Danish with a Bitter Taste,” explores the practical challenge of selling restoration projects and parts to an overseas buyer despite initial assumptions about container delivery and deal ease.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryComic

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

Letter from the editor

Roly’s ice cream run

Danish with a Bitter Taste

June 2003 Letter from the editor Roly’s ice cream run It was all Roly’s idea. For the May meeting, our pres., Andre, had the glorious idea; this club was going on a drive around town. When an e-mail from Roly popped across the screen of my computer stating,“We better stop for an ice cream at the Dairy Queen,“Roly’s ice cream run” was organized. I quietly commented “Roly, you and I shouldn’t even be PARKING, at this establishment, but Roly choose to ignore this objection. The drive was on. On May 27, just before dawn, 10 polished and gleaming Triumphs could be seen roaring around the city of Ottawa. “Oh, officer did the sign say the speed limit was 40, I thought it said 80 km/hour on the sign a few kilometres back?”......I was trying to catch up with the group, as I had been arriving late for the meeting and was running around, trying to get things organized and, not having had a chance to even look at the map to see where we were going, co-pilot and navigator Haasper had orders to make sure we didn’t get lost. I stepped on the pedal, slid trough some yellows, but finally caught up with the group. Hot with racing fewer, I managed to pass some cars gallantly on a four-lane. We leisurely drove though the east end. Suddenly, in a dark street, Dean, in a TR8 , passed me at the speed of light, tires squealing, Dean grinning, me cursing. We drove through the area along the Rideau Canal that is now home to the Tulip Festival. Wilf, my faithful passenger, hands waving in a sweeping motion: " Hey, honey..........look at the beautiful tulips, just like Holland"…..Quick glance, exhaust roaring loudly, spitting smoke, loud guitar rhythms blasting from the radio, images of tulips in bright colours of red, white, yellow flashing by …….. There is Dows Lake. Quick look to the right, yes, water, boats, out –door cafés, people walking, or are they jumping to the side for safety, tires squealing around the corners, going into the round about at a good speed. "Take a left here, watch that pedestrians, did you see those beautiful blossoms?"......No she did not. No time to take the eyes of the road, the oil pressure gauge, the temp control, the speedo flashing back and forth, she's shifting wildly, she's trying to stay behind the TR8....The National Arts Centre, a red light, we didn’t make it. Fingers drumming nervously “make it green, let there be green”…….. The car is idling too slowly, we’re vibrating to the beat of Jesse Cook. Finally we’re on, first, second gear, exhaust fumes drifting by, there’s a definite rattle under the car. Could it be the new exhaust, rubbing on the chassis? Now, passing by Parliament Hill, the Supreme Court building. There is Mounted Police standing guard, alert eyes watching the parade of rumbling Triumphs with surprise. One by one, we casually pass by, frozen smiles, nodding in agreement to the speed limit. It's dark already; I can see Barry in his yellow Spit in my rear view mirror. He's trying to stay closely behind, but for some reason seems to disappear on occasion, and then suddenly he's back, taking up the chase again. Parliament is behind us, it's time for some speed, follow the leader down the Parkway along the beautiful Ottawa river. Barry is gone again. Surely, he must know the way to our destination, the Dairy Queen Ice Cream place on the corner of Merivale and Baseline. I nearly miss the entrance to this busy place where the first Triumphs are already parked. There’s Jeff stringing booster cables.“What's the matter?“I inquire.” Oh, my TR8 can't drive this slow, it's the carbs, I'm having some problems”, John Tierney explains......... . The gang is already seriously working on huge amounts of the frozen stuff............" Wasn't that fun??" cried Mr. Pres. who didn't do any driving himself, but was leisurely enjoying the mild evening ride in a friends car. Just another fun drive of the OVTC. Oh Barry?................He arrived after all, sporting a band of cement dust on the lower

FAQs

What was Roly’s plan for the May club meeting?

Roly proposed a town drive, and the group organized “Roly’s ice cream run” including a planned stop for ice cream at Dairy Queen.

Where did the Triumph drive go and what notable places appear in the story?

The drive moved around Ottawa, including areas along the Rideau Canal near the Tulip Festival and views of Parliament Hill and the National Arts Centre before reaching the Dairy Queen.

What challenge does Tim Dyer describe in “Danish with a Bitter Taste”?

He explains that selling restoration projects and parts to an overseas buyer seemed straightforward, but the reality turned out to be more complicated than expected.

Sep 27, 2026

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