Wow, what a day I’ve had today !! Lots of (GOOD) things happened today. The day started early, because suddenly, at 06:45 AM the idea that the hour at Germany and the hour at Spain were different stucked into my head, and I had to woke up and connect to the internet to check it. False alarm, but I was already awaken. So I opened my MacBook and worked a bit on some pending projects, and by 09:30 I was at the dealer at Augsburg. They don’t open until 10:00, but Susanne and Michael were already there, and let me in. They were expecting me, because Axel, the guy I talked to yesterday, send them a message to warn them. So they let me in, buy me a coffee, and show me around the shop. What a nice shop they have !! Looking at the bikes, the clothes, the merchandise and everything they have on sale there, time went by and Axel arrived to the shop. He had a look at the chain and got to the same conclusion I arrived yesterday: The best thing I could do was to replace the chain and take the chain tensor away. And so I did. Now my bike has a new chain in place, and no chain tensor (it was the origin of ALL the noises that made me sound like a “just married” car, with alll the tins in the back…). And although he didn’t have the right tools (they don’t work with chains, because Harleys don’t normally use chains…), it was reasonably fast, so I left Ausburg with time enough as to make a relaxed trip to Prague. And you bet it’s been. What a difference !! Now the bike is smooth as silk, and the only sound I hear is the music coming from the pipes. For the first time in this tour, I’ve been able to not pay attention to the different noises coming from my bike, (I was developing a certain paranoia….) and let my mind wander with no direction, getting to what some call “the Zen of riding”. And I’ve loved it !!

So I’ve arrived to Prague with no further complications, and I’ve met again sooo many friends I haven’t seen since the last Posse Ride. Finally we are 75 people, from 16 different countries, with a shared passion for Harleys and the open road. I have even had time for a fast shower and a quick beer before the opening ceremony, where Geert and the rest of the team briefed us on the details of the tour. Pretty much the same than the 1st edition, but since more than 60% of the people is new to this kind of tours, all recommendations and explanations were needed. After all the videos, explanations and introductions we proudly took the Oath, promising that we’ll enjoy with a smile everything that comes during the ride.

After that, we head outside and enjoyed a fantastic BBQ. Great food among great people, with a lot of stories to tell, to try to catch up on what has happened to each of us in this past time. But the night was not over, since Giel has another surprise for us. A group of french music students, that were at Prague on holidays, agreed to come to our hotel to play for beers. What a nice group they are. They play something like New Orleans-like music, but with a twist. They don’t play. They perform. And they do it great. And since we all want to have fun, we had a great time. Shouting, clapping, dancing, singing….anything you might imagine, we did it. What a great way to start the Posse Ride !!

So here I am, at Prague, being again the only Spanish representative in the group (guess why some call me “the ambassador”….) after 4 days of adventure, and ready for 15 more. I just hope the bike can keep up with my rhythm, and stays in one (working) piece until the end of the ride, at Rome, on the 18th of July. I’ll try to keep you posted on the progress we make.

Ride safe out there.

See you on the road !!