| We stopped outside of the park for breakfast at 11 am local time. We stopped
a little later for gas after a winding route through the Sierra Nevada's. WOW!!!
And wow again. One rush after another. The endless winding roads are taking
their toll on the rear tire. Maybe it has something to do with how aggressively
we are taking the curves, but it is obvious we are not going to make it back on
this tire. The sidewalls are badly cupped and worn through the tread. The center
tread still has some mileage left before hitting the wear indicators, but since
we still have lots more mountain driving to do, we need them changed. We pulled
out the BMW annomyous book and looked for a dealer near where we where
heading; San Francisco. The first dealer contacted could not change the tires. We
next contacted Marin BMW in San Rafael who said they could do it if we got there
by 5:00pm. We went over the San Francisco Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge!
Way cool!!! We found the BMW place and waited while they replaced the tires. The
Service Manager said he had never seen tires worn like this. |
We had a chance
to check out the 2005 RT while we waited. It is now R 1200 RT. Sweet!!! Very
sweet!! Just might have to get one someday. The trip so far is great. It is
difficult to believe we've been gone a week today. There is so much to do and
see! Back on the road again about 6:15 p.m. local time. Both tires replaced,
and both valve stems. Jeff also had them adjust the gap for the Throttlemeister
while the bike was in the shop because it was no longer holding the handgrip.
The guys at Marin were really great. Thanks guys. Seven-thirty local time we
get to our hotel in Napa. The rooms are individual little houses that look
like stucco huts-very cute, cozy and we will be here for two nights, so that's
even better. Oh, there is a three-sided carport enclosure that is attached to
the hut to park the bike in, very nice. We go back into town to do the laundry.
Two doors down we eat pizza while we are waiting on the wash. Life is good!
End Point: Napa, CA
Odometer at End of Day: 18540
Miles Traveled: 401
|
