Down Goes Frazer

After a very enjoyable sleep in the registration lobby, I woke up wide eyed and bushy tailed. I got ready found the directions to Great Falls, Montana and went to get Issy ready. Well She was covered in Ice and there was no way I was putting that helmet on right away (I left it outside in all the, where will I sleep confusion) So I came back in for a while. Updated pics on facebook talked to a few people and then went out to start her up. It took a couple of tries but she finally woke up. I made the Stupid mistake of wiping her off with my gloves, since it was still below freezing they were brutal to have on when riding. I had to stop twice leaving the park just to warm my hands up. But what can you really expect at eight in the morning 8,000 feet in the air.

Side Note: Not only was I over 8,000 feet in the air, but we were at the continental divide and crossed the 45^th parallel; all just in Yellowstone. I was a little disappointed in the park as a whole but it did have some cool things within it.

On the way down heading into Montana I did see some very interesting things though. A buffalo up close and some elk playing in a grassy area on the median. That was pretty cool, and My last few days of slight boredom and frustration with people seemed a little better. I’m cruising along and see the “ENTERING MONTANA” Sign I thought quick, on the day I was really tired I missed the Welcome to Wyoming sign so I had to turn around and check it out. I pulled over hit the front brake to slow down…but didn’t. I made a rookie mistake and it sent me flying into a nearby bush. When I pulled over I was on a gravel and dirt area. For those of you who don’t know dirt, gravel, and sport bikes don’t go well together. I slide out and ended up face first down laughing at my stupidity. That last for about two seconds when I thought about Issy. I turned to find that she wasn’t feeling as good as I was. She lost a mirror and her body on the right side was pretty banged up. After a questioning by the police we were both on our way. She’s a fighter and later I would realize how much of that was really true.

I won’t lie falling definitely shook me up. When I got up I had messed my knee up pretty bad. Nothing serious but falling on the bike was always a second though. Seeing how much it hurt to fall going 15 MPH put things into perspective and reality of how it must be at 80 set in. I called My cousin Has, who races bikes, and he talked me through it. Asked about the bike cause I had no idea if it was rideable and asked if I was ok. Thinking about it now I think it was in the order. Either way at the end he said you’re alright the bike’s fine get back on and finish your trip. That was really helpful, because the thought had crossed my mind quickly, but when he said that two things came to my mind instantly.

“Brick walls are put in our way to show how badly we want something”- Randy Pauch

And in the Alchemist the main character Santiago leave his land in search of the pyramids. When he arrives in Africa he is robbed of all his money and has no place to go the very first day he arrives. He meets a crystal store owner and works, for a whole year, to get his money back and some before being able to start again.

So putting it into perspective I realized I was just shaken up a bit and would get over it. Leaving after coming this far would lead to regret which would be a far worse pain then a bum knee. So I got back on and continued, determined to shake that feeling and get comfortable with Isabella. I had about 5 hours to go so I figured it wouldn’t be too hard. We went fast, we leaned hard through corners, and we made it to Great Falls, Montana where I was staying for the night.

I was supposed to meet up with someone who said they have a spot for me, I got into Montana around 2:30. At six after contacting them a few times I still had not heard from them. Finally at 7:30 (I had hung out at a truckers lounge for the duration, and they are some funny people) I get the text back basically saying they couldn’t let me stay because of some problems they were having with a significant other.

Now I’m not heartless. But I was tired from a five hour drive, upset about the fall and my knee, and my next destination was 12 hours away by bike. Needless to say I was a tad peeved. What bothered me is that earlier that day when I said I was on my way she knew. She could have just told me then I could have changed plans and made different decisions. I do feel bad for her misfortune, but this was just unacceptable. This was the first time on the road I experienced such disregard and from someone I’ve known for years not a stranger I just met. It was interesting that it happened that way. I cut my losses got a hotel for the night and went to sleep to get up for the 12 hours on the road tomorrow.

One Mile at a Time.