Final Agenda & Bike Preparation

Well, it is a little over 2 weeks now until launch time, and final preparations are being done. Jenn has completed her "Erin Document" which can be used for Erin's caregivers over the 19 days we are gone. Jenn's mom will watch her for the remainder of the first week we are gone, Jenn’s friend and associate from work Breau will help us out the next week, and Uncle Larry and Aunt Caroline will take her to Aiken for the last week (Thanksgiving).  We cannot say thank you enough to these folks who allow us to do these rides. This should be the last one however, as the plan is for her to accompany us in future years.

We spent a lot of time last week finalizing our arrangements with the help of our friend Andrea. Funny how we take things for granted in the US. A prime example was the Baja Northern Ferry reservation (Guaymas to Santa Rosalia). Weeks ago I had sent an email to them asking how I could arrange passage for us, our motorcycles, and an overnight cabin. I never heard back and assumed that it was either ignored as I didn’t do the request in Spanish and it came to someone who didn’t understand it, or it simply went unread. I had tried to call, but all of the numbers that I could find were disconnected. Multiple requests to ADVRider and Horizons Unlimited (Adventure rider sights) for information came back with responses about the unreliability of that service. Anyway, a good number was found and when Andrea made the call, they said that the reservation for Martin was booked for the dates we requested and everything was set. I ASSUMED they would respond with a message confirming my request. Damn western thinking! Anyway turned out this was a non-issue and the sleepless hours worrying about it were in vain.  Ha sido una putada

A lot of time was also spent arranging for Mexican Vehicle Insurance (a must in Mexico), arranging for evacuation (people & machines) insurance, and pre-registration for our Vehicle Importation Permits. Seems there is an issue with folks taking bikes across the border and selling them at a profit without required import duties. So as of June 2011, we have to post a $400 (cash or credit) bond on each bike which will be refunded when we leave the country.  

Although I have been rambling along about everything BUT Bike Prep, we did do some things this week to get them ready. As we needed to spoon on some new tires, I had heard a lot of good things about the Dunlop 606’s, but Jenn rightfully convinced me that we should stick with the tire that we have had extremely good service from in our last 2 trips, and has yet to let us down, the Continental TKC80’s. So they were ordered and installed.

We also did some basic maintenance, cleaning and re-oiling the air filters, checked coolants, and fixed some miner electrical problems. Next week we will perform a “T Clock” (thx Mike), change oil, lube chains/cables, and install the new replaceable fuel filters that I found. 

Next ............ Final Bike Prep!