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Page 4 of 4 There was a guy behind me in a white Ford truck, couldn’t figure out why he wasn't passing me just stayed there. Really wanted him gone in case I went down; would prefer not to be run over. When I finally saw a little convenience store just before the turn into Parker I pulled in and he followed. Apparently he had seen my little fly like a kite trick a few miles back and had his wife ready with the cell phone for 911 and had been trying to shine his lights ahead of me so I could see. The only place he knew of to wait out the storm was the local AM/PM, all the hotels and campgrounds were full due to the holiday. So, he led the way into Parker trying to help me cut through the wind easier. I figure there must have been a good 30 different people during my trip that tried to help me out in one way or another just to do it. Really great guy, I wish I had gotten his name.
I tried a couple of local hotels but they had been calling looking for vacancy’s for other people all day with no luck. So, I had to make a decision as to whether to stay in Parker at the AM/PM until it cleared up or head down 95 to Quartzite. With luck the weather would let up enough for me to take I10 towards Phoenix and home. If not maybe they would have a hotel room available. I waited about an hour grabbed some food and headed toward Quartzite.
The wind was terrible on the way down there, practically had to lay flat on the bike and prepare for the inevitable push/pull gusts that came through. When I arrived I was lucky enough to find a Motel 8 with a single vacancy due to a last minute cancellation. The idea of returning home that night was out the window, I had called my dad for a weather report and the gusts along I10 were North/South, no way I'd make it all the way to Phoenix without severe injury.So, I grabbed some much needed sleep and headed the last 150 miles to home at around 6 am. Very little wind/traffic pretty easy last ride back. I have to say problems, reschedules, reroutes, delays, mechanical issues etc. this was a perfect first tour. I originally had the idea of just a long ride and hitting all sorts of locations along the way. Though I love the photos I took and really enjoyed the ride none of that compares to the people I met along the way. I missed out on the last part of the coastline South of Big Sur because I chose to meet Emily & her mom. I rode over the Sacramento river at night, couldn’t see anything because I wanted to meet up with Ryan. The list goes on and I wouldn't change any of it, the people I met wound up being more important than any of the things I saw or did.
I just wanted to take a second to thank everyone who helped me with my first trip. Also, to mention that when I say Emily & her mom, or Tony & his wife, I didn't use their last names because I wasn't sure if they wanted them written about or not.
From the Ninja 250 forum:
Ryan (ithaca00) in Sacramento - Really great guy, I was grateful for the opportunity to ride with him.
Tony & his wife in Oakland (kiwi_outdoors) - Incredibly nice people who took in a complete stranger.
Emily (teknokruncher) & her mom in Monterrey - Had a great ride with you guys hopefully we'll meet up again.
David (ddenis669) & his wife in Maricopa - Can't say enough about the help and hospitality he gave me while there. Truly a hell of a biker.
From the Sport-Touring.net Forum:
Gil & Becky (AKA Dr Gil) - Gave me a room, food, shower, laundry and offered to let me stay an extra day just to rest up. Great people.
I received advice and help from people from all 3 of these forums. Tons of really good people on them, everyone should check them out when they have the chance.
Ninja250.org
Ninja 250 Riders Club: Index
Sport-Touring.net
Index - Sport-Touring.Net
Kawasakimotorcycle.org
http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/ Thanks again for all the help & advice everyone, and if anyone comes through the Phoenix area just let me know and we'll head out for a ride.
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