“ I guess you ’ re not from around here . A bit further north maybe ” ???? “ No mate , ‘ I am from Wigin , what the bloody ‘ ell are you doing round ere ?”
Two days later and 32 days since leaving Boston , I was taking the bike back to Eagle Rider , in San Francisco . 8525 miles added , another new front tyre needed . Stickers removed and a good wash .
Highlights were the people of America , Facebook and blog invites and overnight stays . Strangers in the street who say hello , the homeless guy I shared my lunch with , the hikers , the bikers and the gas station and diner folk . To Lawrence the ‘ Elk ’ fraternity gent who opened his heart in a long conversation over breakfast , I regret not stopping for his clubs memorial day service .
Once in the big city , looking over at the Golden Gate Bridge , I was just another tourist , and the anti-climax hit home . This was my last night in America , and I was alone . Sharing the experiences , the sights and the road with someone would have been a blessing , but also a further concern . I realised that night , just how tired I was . 33 days and jus 2 days off the bike was too quick . How many things have I missed , how many invites should I have accepted ?
Adventure Biking as they call it , does not need a certain machine the route does not have to be off road , or in a dangerous or difficult country . Language does not have to be foreign . The adventure is what you make it , and as my natural tendency is to start up conversations with anyone , anywhere , the stories just happen . I opened up to strangers and they responded . Usually favourably , always with surprise .
26 travel hours later and after just 5 hours sleep , I was on my BMW R1200GSa , in the City of Manchester , England riding back to town in the Manchester Parade . The only motorised vehicle in the parade , jet lagged , and at walking pace for two hours both the bike and I were overheating . 60,000 Manc ’ s lined the streets to see floats , bands , dancers , and looking puzzled , a fat old bloke on a motorbike . Most had no clue who or why , but one guy made my day by shouting out to me that he had seen my trip in MCN .
Thanks to Bennett ’ s Biker Dreams . HC Travel , Eagle Rider and the Yanks and Manc ’ s on the road to Manchester
E : road2manchester @ gmail . com 07941 813255 www . unitedstatesofamanchester . blogspot . com Pete Johnson .