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May 28, Thursday
Joel took the day off from work, and we got out the sewing machine, and the hose, did some repair work to several pieces of gear, and washed both of the BMWs. That clay and gravel gunk was like concrete. What a nasty mess to clean, but once accomplished, Bear looked much better. Later that day, I called Gina’s BMW in Iowa City and asked her if they had a rear mud flap. If you recall, I’d broken one off in Belize or Mexico somewhere. Gina said they could order one, and I explained I was “on the road” and that I’d just have to try to get one further along the route. Then Gina showed how great a dealership she runs by offering to remove one from one of her bikes, giving it to me, and ordering a new one for the showroom bike. Wow. Joel and I mounted up, with Alex, my niece, riding passenger with me, and zoomed down the interstate to Gina’s. Once there, with the part already removed for me, I had a thought, and asked her if this part was covered under warranty. Gina made some calls, did some imaginative explaining,
got her mechanic to look at the bike and discover a sheared off bolt, and they powers that be approved under their “ make the customer happy” program a replacement for free action. Nice. $130 saved, plus the labor of tapping out the sheared off bolt. We rolled back to Joel’s place, grabbed the tires that had arrived earlier in the day from Southwest Moto Tires in Tuscon, AZ that I’d ordered Sunday night online, and headed to Joel’s friend and mechanic about 6 gravel miles away. We all worked at replacing the tires and had a great visit at the same time. Back again to Joel’s this time in the dark and dodging multiple deer, and another night spent in the frilly canopy bed of Katie’s room. (Another niece). I hadn’t been sore all day, so I was dreading the morning.
May 29, Friday
Everyone had left the house but me, so I packed up, had a bit of breakfast, and hit the road to wander on up to Money Creek MN and the Hiawatha rally. There I set up Big Agnes, claimed a picnic table, and waited for Dom LoDuca to show up. He set up
next to me and we had a great time chatting away, with a campfire that evening.
May 30, Saturday
Neither Dom nor I had a desire to go for a long ride, so we mostly lazed around the rally camping site, looked at the few vendors’ offerings and then did make a run into town for food, and a few incidentals. The evening’s meal was provided by the rally, and Dom won free tickets to the Missouri rally later this year, which will give him a good excuse to “have to go”. I met and talked to about a hundred riders, all interested in Big Agnes, and how all my stuff was stowed on the bike. I did notice 3 or 4 other GS’s with Micatech bags. I know they’re catching on. Another great fire tonight, and we both noticed it was getting pretty cold. Just before climbing in to bed, I got out the second sleeping bag just in case.
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