Today could only be described as tense… I woke up and started going and could feel the dread of 300 miles ahead of me on a worn to shit sprocket. After just 10 miles down the road I felt the dreaded slip. I knew I could only tighten the chain a tiny bit more before it would snap and leave me totally stranded somewhere.
I had made a deal with myself that the second I felt a slip I would pull over and tighten the chain ever so slightly instead of going forward, ignoring it, and running the sprocket down more. I had saved 3 bike shops along the way to stop at to see if they had a Kawasaki sprocket. My plan was to stop at each one and change it out if I could.
I was terrified when I heard the first slip. I was so sure I would make it 20 miles outside of town before the sprocket wore down to a circle. I kept seeing the mechanic’s face in my head saying, “esto no sirve,” and thinking dammit he was right! But after tightening it once I cheered on as I passed mile after mile and began to relax a little. She was going up and down mountains with just a light tug. I don’t think I once passed 45 mph and I just didn’t care. There were a couple of lines of cars behind me and I pulled over as best I could. Once I relaxed a little I sat back and took in the scenery. It was absolutely beautiful. Without a doubt the most gorgeous day of riding I have ever done. There was almost NOTHING between Loreto and Ciudad Insurgentes. Just beautiful nature. It feels a lot like Arizona or New Mexico. Very similar plants. Huge cactus and funny Dr Suess plants.
I got into Ciudad Consitucion right around 3pm and figured it would be best to stop here for the night. It leaves me about 100 miles left to La Paz tomorrow and I feel pretty confident that both me and the bike will make it. I messaged a guy from couchsurfing and he says he has some property there and that I can leave the bike with him. I will then travel by bus to Cabo for a day, get my covid test and then travel back to the US. I just read that we now need covid tests withing 1 day of travel! What the hell. The rules have gotten so strict.
I am staying in Hotel Paraiso Del Valle and it costs $28 per night. It really reminds me of some of the hotels I stayed in in Laos. Not great, but also super comfy after a long day of riding. I’m itching for a massage in La Paz or Cabo.
Wish me luck tomorrow!