November 1st (dia treinta y dos) - Back in Houston!
With a new ticking noise coming from my engine, I begin to question whether my camchain needs tightening, a job which I cannot do and will take a BMW technician at least four hours, if the chain itself is not worn past repair.
Mihai is not doing much better as his bikes chain is about to come off completely, with every single part of it kinked and even lube isn't helping much anymore. These bikes deserve medals for what we have put them through, and despite my problems with my bike in the past, I can confirm that BMW does make a very strong bike!
WIth my arm bent at an awkward angle, clothed with three tshirts and a wooly shirt overneath, two pairs of socks and underwear, and all my riding gear, I am still freezing cold on the highway on our way back to Houston. With seven hundred and fifty miles of highway to go, we race for our goal.
We have learned a very valuable tip this day. We like to call it fishing for trucks, as it seems to be our only salvation. The trick is to find a truck that is going the speed you desire, then with your balls tucked away, you ride about five feet behind it. While the truck deflects the wind and produces a nice heat, it makes riding livable for us. Plus, you can save on gas!
Spending over twelve hours like this is a bit nerve racking, but at the end of the day you can untuck your balls and be happy they haven't frozen off!
Back in Houston we are happily greeting by our friend Dru and taken into her warm house. Tomorrow the BMW mechanics will determine whether we are riding home, or taking the bikes in a van.