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 !!

Augsburg is just 400 kms away from my initial destination, Prague, at the Czech Republic, where I’ll join a group of 120 Harleys, to take part on the II European Posse Ride, and meet Geert, Annick, Giel, Berre, Marc, Pavol, Dyke and a lot of new and old friends. To come here I’ve chosen a more scenic route than the one that I’ve originally planned, and I’m happy I changed my mind this morning. I’ve ridden from Besançon to Belfort, as planned, but then I’ve ridden all the way up to Colmar, and from there to Freiburg, Tuttlingen, Ulm and finally Augsburg.

I’ve really enjoyed the day, riding on a wide variety of roads, from big national roads, to small one lane roads among corn fields, to medium sized roads packed with big trees on both sides. It’s been a great ride today, with several stops to enjoy the views and local food, something that I recommend you do everywhere you go.

Did I say yesterday that the chain was not going to be a problem? Well, maybe I was a little too optimistic. Today’s ride has been an orchestra of “clicks, clacks, plocs, clincs, placs” and all sort of metallic noises you can think of. The problem is that it was not only the sound of it, but it also started to under perform, as I could feel in my feet (and in the ass…) how the chain looses traction from time to time, giving a “wobble” effect to the ride, instead of being a constant push. The chain tensor was also not performing well, as it’s getting also a bit loose. So I’ve taken a decision. Tomorrow I’m replacing the chain with the brand new one I’ve taken with me, and I’m taking the chain tensor away. I’m sure it’ll be better, as apart from that, the bike is performing great.  I’ve riding this bike without a chain tensor for the last 30.000 kms, so I know it’ll work fine., at least for the lenght of this tour. There’s an HD dealer here, at Augsburg, really close to my hotel, and I’ve already been there talking to one of the guys who work there (it was closed by the time I got there), and he told me they will help me out tomorrow morning.

So let’s concentrate on the positive things (which outnumber by far the negative things) and enjoy the rest of day. Tomorrow will be again sunny and fine, and I’ll get to Prague and have fun among friends. And that’s great, whichever way you look at it.

I have to leave now, as my dish of cholesterol has arrived, and I’d rather have it hot. Cold cholesterol is not so tempting.

Take care, my friends.

See you on the road !!

PS.- Big flying bugs, even tough you’re in France, don’t taste like foie. Believe me.