6/4/2022

So after calling a few dealers in the area, I sourced a clutch cable but it was back in Raleigh. I called a couple friends back in Raleigh and not one but two friends were willing to come help. In the end, my friend Keith picked up the cable and drove it up to Milton. My riding buddies went to the local pizza place for lunch and even delivered me a pie while I was waiting back with the bike.

After a few hours, Keith arrived with the new clutch cable and we swapped the cable in about 30 minutes and we back on the road. We rode to meet up with Ben in Roanoke, Va and decided to stay the night in town.

After a very long hot day of broken down motorcycle, waiting for the cavalry and losing a half day of travel, everyone was in pretty good spirits! Overall, we lost about 5-6 hours but we'll make up the distance over the next few days on our way up to Buffalo and Toronto. Certainly not the best way to start a trip but as everyone was saying, this was the best place and time for this to happen rather than a few thousand miles away with me alone and without any friends to help out.

I can't thank Keith enough for running around town to collect the cable and drive two hours to deliver it to me and then drive back to Raleigh. I can't thank my riding buddies enough for staying with me and being supportive and still laughing and having a good time during this whole ordeal. Friends are so essential to my life. I'm so glad that I have so many good friends in my circle. Motorcycle friends are another level. I am constantly amazed by the lengths that they will go to to help each other.

Day one is over and I'm glad to have it behind me. It could've been so much worse but let's hope going forward that it's be smoother riding.