My man Patrick

Hindsight is 20/20 so as I write this it’s easy to say that something wasn’t going right; but it wasn’t. About half hour to an hour of riding, the BMW started to feel weak. Similar symptoms to the issues that had arisen before so at the next gas stop we check out the front rim and it’s definitely solid; it can’t be that. All I can do is feel it out as we push forward. Yesterday’s ride was too good to compare to this, primarily for feeling uneasy with the bike’s performance, so I can’t say I enjoyed it as much.

Add 190 miles, going west, from the Rabbit Ears Motel in Steamboat Springs into the small town of Roosevelt, Utah where the dry climate and heat has made itself known. Bruno pulls over in a residential area to double check directions. This has to be the 3rd or 4th requested stop, on this trip, on Bruno’s part where trouble meets us. He settles on our route and the R90 doesn’t start. I hit the ignition switch and nothing, no noise, no starter motor turning over, nothing; nothing but smoke and burnt electronics.

I dismount to analyze the gremlins that exist in the world of automotive electronics and smell that my ignition module has been prepared ‘well done’. Critical thinking, mocking up solutions, contemplating loss of time, considering cost of new parts all start to rally through the space between my ears; there’s probably smoke rising from there as well by now. My thought process is interrupted by the voice of a wholesome Michigander who’s asking if we are alright.

Patrick steps out of his Chevy and quickly begins offering us his shed space along with the use of any tools he has. We just met the guy but the vibes felt right so we trusted him and took him up on his offer. Not sure if fate played a part in this but his house is two blocks over from where we currently stand. Bruno and Gomes go ahead to park their fully functioning machines at Patrick’s house while I remind myself how unnecessary it is to have a gym membership when having to push an old Airhead gives you this much of a work out.

As Bruno and Gomes have the opportunity to get to know Patrick, I’m in my own world trying to figure out how to get a replacement Dyna Electronic Ignition Module in a timely manner without breaking the bank. Me and time must be on round 3 by now and it’s not going in my favor as it’s too late in the day to find any local shops who might still be open. Even then, this part isn’t normally stocked and usually is a special order item, which means my chances are even slimmer to have it by tomorrow. Furthermore, the fact we are in a different time zone doesn’t help as it’s well beyond the appropriate time for me to call the Standard Cycle guys.

I walk up the dirt driveway only to announce that said part will not be here by tomorrow and that it would most likely be the following day. After hearing the news Patrick offers us his RV to sleep in to which I counter by asking if we can instead pitch tents in his backyard. He has no issue with my request but not without offering us a home cooked meal. By now the hospitality is through the roof and we don’t want to take advantage but Patrick isn’t the type to take no for an answer. Ground buffalo and potatoes it is.

Dinner was prepared by the duo that is Patrick and his wife. He happens to be married to a Navajo Native American who explained to us that their people much prefer not to be glorified in anyway, therefore, out of respect, I will not divulge her name. We thank her for her hospitality as we eat the delicious meal that was prepared for us. Over dinner Patrick lets us know that he’s actually going into Salt Lake City tomorrow morning and being that he has a trailer we can get the bike there tomorrow. This sounds like the right course of action as Salt Lake City has a few motorcycle shops that could probably help, so naturally we concur with this mission before calling it a night.

The following morning is spent packing up all our gear and engineering a way of getting my bike onto Patrick’s trailer. After applying the strength of 4 guys, a couple ratchet straps, and sheer will power, it all comes together but before we depart a certain ceremony is performed.

Patrick’s wife agrees to send us off with a blessing by way of her people. With some smoked sweet grass, we stand before her, consuming the rhythmic syllables of the Navajo language. Of course we didn’t understand what she was saying and I’m not one for religious merit but it was an honor to stand in that moment.

Once on the road, I had no choice but to turn the passenger seat of Patrick’s truck into my personal office. The 3 hour ride to Salt Lake City consisted of a few laughs, good conversation and a ton of phone calls to shops in hopes of getting a decent price on my replacement part within 24 hours. I happen to get in contact with the manufacturer of the piece and after going back and forth they agree to send me over the last one that was in the warehouse at no charge with next day shipping to the motel we will be staying at in Salt Lake. Now, I can’t say for sure, but this morning’s blessing might have come through. I celebrate with Patrick while Bruno and Gomes ride behind us unaware of the good news.

Upon arriving in Salt Lake, we unload my bike into the parking lot of the North Temple Inn and say our goodbyes to our humble host. It was an amazing experience to have spent this time with Patrick and we wish him and his wife the best. Hopefully we’ll see you again!