A Fool's Progress: Fleeing Ernesto

I Got up good and early. I loaded my gear and kissed my family goodbye. I will see them in 22 days.

They dawned cool and cloudy. I decided to hit Gettysburg regardless since it was really on my way. Too much slab and not enough tourist.

I had no sooner edged into Lancaster when the front tire went flat. Seems I had pinched the tube when I mounted the new set of tires on the bike. I pulled into a parking lot and aired up the carcass. While doing that, a nice fellow came out to get into his truck. As we chatted, he pointed out, in his thick eastern Pennsylvania accent he directed me to a bike shop not 5 miles away. It pays to be open and friendly on the road. Grouches dont get help.

I headed out and ended up making a hash of his directions. The leak was semi-slow. I had to air up once more in the few miles I traveled. Eventually I found the place I was looking for: B&B Yamaha in Lancaster. Turns out they are also a KTM dealer.

I bought a new tube for each end and a spare fro the front, giving me a spare for each and one to replace the holed tube. The guys in the shop loaned me a jack to heave the front of the Q up in the air while I worked. What was I going to do if they wouldnt? Why, improvise, of course.

With Ernesto's hot, wet breath on my neck, I got to work. Just after I had peeled off one bead and pullead tube, a wrench came over to me "Donny" on his shirt. I would find out later that he is the Service Manager. He was jazzed about my trip and we talked about it as I fiddled about with the tire.

Now I know a lot of things. And I like to share my knowledge. I can even be a bit pedantic about it. Nevertheless I do not know everything, not by a long shot. What I know about mounting tires and dealing with flats has been learned by trial and error. No one ever sat down and showed me the best way. So when Donny offered to give me some pointers, I was all ears.

I learned a lot from Donny in just a few minutes. Turns out he has an ISDT silver medal. If anyone knows about dealing with a holed tire and quickly...that would be someone who knows. Then all of a sudden he straightened up and said "c'mon". He led me into a bay and proceeded to just get the job done in 5 minutes flat. No charge.

Mind you, this is not an idle shop. 4 stations crowded into a 2 roll door garage and all busy. He told me no charge, but I had to lay down a twenty for shop beers or whatever. He and the rest had just saved me a lot of time and sweat; not to mention the stopover at Gettysburg.

As I left Donny handed me his card. I also picked up a pair of real spoons instead of the recurved bars I had been using. If he finds them to be the best for his tasks, then I wont argue. I also stopped in at the head dude's office and praised the service dudes. It is always good to let a guys boss know when he kicks ass. When was the last time your local shop dropped what they were doing to help a wayward traveler gratis?

Donny, here's to ya. I owe you.

I followed PA 30 out to Gettysburg. As you would expect the town economy and feel is based entirely on the local events of 1863. But to this westerner used to every building being relatively new, the old buildings and circle in the center of town are charming. I would enjoy spending a day or two kicking around here with my family. Unfortunately the raind started in ernest when I arrived. I did make it to the main souvenier shop and up to the museum at Cemetary Ridge. I also stood on the spot where President Lincoln gave the Address. I stood and faced across the valley toward Seminary Ridge. Then I rode out of town and to Seminary Ridge where the field is open. Eery. Somehow the cold rain is appropriate even though that week some 140 years ago was beastly hot and humid.

I continued up 30 in the Seattle-like rain. Byt the time I hit the turnpike, my hands and feet were soaked and cold. Leather sucks. It gets wet and stays that way, losing all elemental protection.

Just about dark I made Wheeling West Virginia. I hunted aroound for a hotel. Not finding any to my liking I headed west toward Columbus. The rain had largely stopped by now and my gloves started to dry. Boots were a soggy mess though. I finally kalled it quits in Cambridge, Ohio.

As I sit here at 8 AM on the second of September, A steady rain is falling outside the hotel room. The Weather Channel has no good news. Everywhere I want to go is going to get rain or thunder storms in the next week. Ernesto wrecked the eastern mountains for me. Joe over on the west is going to wreck the Southwest. Even Colorado and Utah are going to get it. Right now, heading home and spending a week or two with my family sounds pretty good.

But for today the plan is to head south into Kentucky and Tennessee.