US-50 Coast-to-Coast: Day 12

I was on the road in San Luis Obispo at 8:00 AM. I went across the street to the Chevron station and paid $4.49 for gas. At one point in the US 50 trip I paid $2.54 for gas, which was getting close to almost half the California prices. I cannot believe how much California gas costs compared to other states.  

It had rained over night, but in the morning it was bright and light. Looks like I was going to have a great day on my short ride to Orange County.  But, it was not to be. 

I headed down the 101 with the intent of taking the 166 west, and then Tepusquet road south until it hit Foxen Canyon road. When I got to the 166, I found out it was closed. Not sure why.  Perhaps mud slides from the previous night’s rain?  

Therefore, I kept going south on the 101 until I ran into Foxen Canyon road. I was surprised that there were not many cars on the road. I probably ran into 1 or 2 during the half hour it takes to ride the canyon back down to the 101, where I picked up the 154, which would take me to Santa Barbara past Cuchuma Lake.

The temperature was in the mid 80s at this point and very pleasant.

I went through Santa Barbara and then down to Camarillo along the ocean. I took one of the farm roads to connect with highway-1, so I could go along the shoreline in Malibu.  As I was entering highway-1 off Las Posas Road, I shifted and then it happened. There was no resistance to the clutch lever. The bike was drifting with no power. I pulled to the side of the entrance ramp to highway-1 and parked it. 

I got off and was fiddling with the clutch lever, when a car pulled up behind me and parked. Out jumped a lady and she said “Your chain is back up the ramp.  There is nothing I can do, so I am going to leave.” At which point she jumped back in the car and left.   She was right.  About 100 feet up the ramp was my motorcycle chain in the middle of the ramp. I looked down and “yup, my chain was missing from the bike”. 

I started walking up the ramp and a bike came down and parked. The guy jumped off and asked if he could help. I then noticed that he was riding a newer Suzuki dl650.  I told him my bike was the same as his. We discussed the chain and he suggested we walk up the ramp looking for any other pieces that came off.  We found none. 

We went back to my bike and he asked questions about my bike configuration and farkles.  At that point I noticed that he was wearing a Schuberth helmet, just like mine.  He said his name was Bob and he lived in Simi Valley. I asked him where I could get service.  He told me, but also said they were closed today (Monday).  Bob suggested that the clutch cable was severed by the chain when it came off. Good observation and thinking, because at this point I was not thinking too clearly due to all the things going on.  There was not much more for Bob to do, so he left going South bound toward Malibu. 

I researched my service options and there were none. I think it would take at least two days to fix the bike after ordering the parts. I called AAA and told them to come and get me.  The driver came after about 30 minutes. He suggested I tow the bike to a shop in my area, if it was within the radius of my AAA plan. I called, and I had a 100 mile radius, and it just so happened that my house was about 100 miles away. At that point Bob reappeared to see how I was doing.  Bob and I talked briefly.  At this point Bob is my best friend.  I feel that I had known him my whole life, and here he was giving me help and comfort on the road.  Going to miss Bob because we had this dl650 and Schuberth connection thing going. If you read this bob, then send me a message.

I told the driver “Home James”, and off we went to Orange County with the bike on the back of the tow truck. I got home about 3:00 PM. I suggested to the driver that he back up the truck so we can unload the bike into the garage. The driver had other plans. He parked up the hill, and told me that that I should roll and ride the bike down the hill, up my driveway and into the garage.  So, that is what I did. I got enough momentum to make the garage, and park it just like I had power. 

So, that was my day. Not the ending I was planning, but if I had to break down it was good that it was only 100 miles away from my home, and not in the middle of Kansas with 106 degree heat beating down on me, and the next town 200 miles away. 

So here is how the day stacked up. I was on the road for 7 hours, which includes bike and tow truck time. I did 155 miles on the bike and 104 miles in the tow truck for a total of 259 miles today. 

Regarding the total trip from Ocean City, Maryland to home, I did 4,052 miles which also includes tow truck miles.  A worthy adventure if I must say so. What is next?  I really want to do the Alaska to Argentina ride.  But, maybe I should do a few more long distance rides before tackling that one?