Eddie Kundlar's
This is the tale of my trip to Eddie Kundlars BBQ joint in Hamlin PA today.
It started at 8 am to meet up with 6 or 7 HD guys (I was on the Legend, not the S3) And off we went, The route was pretty nice after we got off the hi-way ,up along 611 to the Del Water Gap then some other decent roads 390 I think and 191 were in there. But about 10 miles from Eddie's place my bike was handling badly and I kept checking the front tire to see if it was low.
Turns out the rear tire was punctured with a rusty sliver of metal (like the corner of a razor blade) perfectly positioned between the treads of my fairly new Michelin Pilot ! Drat!
Since the group is mostly composed of retired guys on Road Kings they have like 3 tiny air compressors. we use one to inflate the rear tire as 1 guy scouts ahead for a dealership. Any dealership. No luck of course ( and Its Sunday) but "Joe Pizza" finds a NAPA auto parts store and picks up a can of Fix-O-Flat. Which I decline, we try to press on but after a mile or so we pull of the road and they ask how the tire is doing. NFG. I say, so I tell the to go on and I will go back to the NAPA store and figure out how to get home myself.
Reluctantly they go. I return to the NAPA joint and figure I can borrow some tools ( they have a 2 bay garage there with a tire changer) and since I know you cant plug a tubed tire I would try to patch it. Get the patch kit, borrow some tools (nice guys at NAPA) and begin removing the rear wheel. I hear multiple bikes coming down the road and turn to see all of the guys had come back. They said it didn't feel right to leave me. So now with 7 guys supervising (not counting the NAPA guys)
I remove the rear tire patch it, Losing 2 quarts of sweat in the process with thier help get the tire back on the rim. re-inflate and off we go.
By the time we reach the rib joint the tire is way low again. Not good.
Perhaps there was a 2nd puncture or we pinched the tube when putting the tire back on or I just suck at patching tubes, I dont know at this point. But the day has stopped being fun. I am 138 miles from home and wondering what to do next.
We eat , I was however so hungry and distracted that I cant really say how good the food was. I ate like a wolf. Most of the conversation is about what I'm gonna do and how the group is going to make it home. I am cursing myself for not bringing the S3.( but the Road King Boys get weird around that bike) a simple plug is all it would take. 10 mins at the garage and no worries.
Somebody says they have a trailer and I could borrow it. if I ride pillion home.
And then it hits me... I have a friend yes! I have a friend in Pennsylvania!
So I call ... SlowPocono! yes kids our very own Boardmember, he's a motorcyclist extraodinaire, racontouer (spelling?) philosopher and he's really willing to come get me with his trailer and get me home! Hoorayyy! I am saved.
So with the assurance that I am going to be alright Uncle Al, his Nephew, Joe Pizza, and the rest head back home.
Chuck ( SlowPocono) arrives in his typical good humor, we load the bike up and head out to my place.
The sky is buzzing with the those powered parachutes and Hot Air ballons that look like Christmas Candy, I am grateful beyond what I can express.
Although I cannot hide the irrational fear that towing my bike along Pennsylvania's twisty roads will flip over the truck we get on just fine.
Even though the day had some hiccups alls well that ends well.
When I got home I called the Road King crew to let them know all was well.
They thanked ME for the call. Thier concern was genuine and they're committment to getting me home ( one way or another) showed me just how decent they are.
Of course Chuck is the real Hero in this story. And while I can probably never fully thank him I can compose a song for him.
This Is my Ode To Chuck/SlowPocono
( sung to the Bette Midler tune "Wind Beneath My Wings" from the film Beaches)
Ahem,
Did you ever know that your my Heeero?
Your everything I would like to beee!
Did you ever know that your my heero?
Cause you had a trailer and rescued meeee!
Did you ever know that your my Heeero?
I promise not to break down In your state again!
Did you ever know that your my Heero?
Oh, you did? well alrighty then!
__________________
No quarter asked, none given
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