Today was supposed to be a glorious ride through New Mexico from Gallup to Eagle Nest with a stop at the nearby Angel Fire Vietnam Memorial. Dad experienced all of this as planned, I did not. Instead, I got to experience something called “tapping out”. Tapping out is two left hand taps on your helmet, then you move off to the side of the road. If you don’t need help, but simply needed a break, were drowsy, or stopped for some reason other than a mechanical issue, you just hang out till the rest of the pack moves on, you take care of business and fall in behind the chase vehicles till we all get to the next stop.
I tapped out today. I didn’t want to but it was necessary. On the 2nd leg of our trip, I started having some issues with the bike. I experienced difficulty shifting the transmission between gears. When we stopped for lunch, I’d intended to look at it, but forgot to do so. Part way into the 3rd and last leg of the day, I chose to tap out and get the bike trailored for the remainder of the trip instead of endangering those around me. To get the chase vehicle’s attention, we are supposed to wave and jump up and down, do whatever it takes to be noticed and get help.
Because of this circumstance I didn’t really participate much in the rest of the day except for the fine meal put on by the Village of Eagle Nest. They were so very generous. There is more to say about them, the massive cake which was made special for the event and the free 5 min. massages being offered to all of us, but it will have to wait. I need to hit the rack. Tomorrow, Dad and I will leave ahead of the pack and limp the bike to a Honda dealership in Pueblo, CO for assistance. No matter the outcome here, I am finishing what we’ve started. I’ll leave the bike and rent a car to DC and pick it up on the way back if necessary, though I hope it won’t come to that. Thanks to all of you for your support. It’s needed more than ever right now.
For lots of pictures, check out the link I gave all of you yesterday. Jean is doing a great job of snapping shots as we ride.
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