When Turkeys Fly: A Different Twist on a Thanksgiving Profile!

Created by ICA member Bill Jenks, this imaginative story ride follows Tom the turkey, a big dreamer on a quest. Inspired by classics like Jonathan Livingston Seagull and The Wizard of Oz, this journey invites riders to follow Tom as he envisions a life beyond the barnyard—a place where he can soar with the eagles and find true happiness. Every track on this ride is carefully selected to reflect Tom’s adventures, ambitions, and spirit.

Bill’s inspiration for this profile has a fun backstory: when one of his riders asked about plans for the Thanksgiving class, Bill hinted that they’d just have to wait and be surprised. With a grin, he added that he’d be happy to share the details on Thanksgiving morning—or perhaps sooner, “when turkeys fly.” The irony of his comment stuck with him, and by that evening, he was sketching out Tom the Turkey’s story. By the next day, Tom’s dreams of soaring were ready to take off! It’s a perfect reminder that inspiration can strike in unexpected places—even in a bit of holiday humor.

So, if you ever wondered whether turkeys could fly, this ride proves that anything’s possible in the cycling studio. 

Bill’s comment to his rider is a nod to one of the most iconic moments in sitcom history—a key inspiration behind his theme of flying turkeys. For those who might not be familiar, the iconic line from WKRP in Cincinnati captures the chaos of a Thanksgiving promotion gone comically off the rails:

“As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.”