The next morning, we decided to do one final Milk Run before Keith had to go home. Sleeping Beauty elected to stay home, so Unleaded, Jessica and I boarded our bikes, and headed for Route 39 for the last time on this Marathon Milk Run.

Stopping for fuel, I noticed a problem. A BIG, BIG problem.

Now, I ain’t no tire scientist, but I know this much – these Pilot Powers are history. And so is our last ride up Azusa Canyon.

Or is it?

I’m stubborn as a mule, and don’t give up that easily. Keith offered to buy breakfast instead, Jessica graciously offered to let me ride her bike and go up on the back of Keith’s.

But I had a better idea.

Oh yeah baby! That’s right! I took to the canyon on Fiona’s baby Ninja!! Call it a Milkshake Run, call it whatever you want, but make sure you call it fun!

Even with Keith singing ‘Fat Guy on a Little Bike’ at the top of his lungs the whole run, I seriously couldn’t stop smiling. This little Ninja has some balls, enough to haul this fat guy around at top speed. It’s so much lighter than the FJR that it just seems to fall into the corners with unprecedented ease.

What a BLAST!

In order to get Unleaded to his flight on time, we had to cut our last Milk Run short. We finished in record time.

And sadly, that was that. Before Jessica left, Fiona and I invited her to join us on a little Death Valley run next week, and she readily agreed. That will be a fun two-day jaunt for sure.

Then the house was quiet. Everyone was gone. It was sad. I always feel a twinge of depression when a great trip comes to an end, because I want them all to go on forever.

Trying to cheer myself up, I checked my email. I had one from my friend Dan, the guy that took me up to Highway 33 my first time, so many years ago. Dan has since moved to Sydney, Australia, but we keep in sporadic touch. Here is the email he sent:

And with that simple email, a new ride, a new quest to claim another island for the Kingdom of Rhode Island was instantly in the planning stages.

To Be Continued… In May!

Author: frenchy

One Response to “Marathon – Post Script”

1. Torch says:

   March 9, 2009 at 7:59 AM

   That tire looks scary! Honestly, it should have been caught many miles ago on a pre-ride inspection.
   Probably preachin’ to the choir.

   Ride on,
   Torch

   Reply