Day 35 - Monterey, California

I'm calling the trip....yep.  :(

This past week, it's been nagging me a bit.  I wasn’t ready to admit I was done but today it all came to a head......   

My plan was to ride into Monterey, live like a normal, do some shopping, take some pics for you, etc. but before I continue with how I came to my decision I need to tell you a couple of quick things:   

• I’m getting pretty tight on money AND am getting tired of being frugal.

• I am a bit lonely lately.   It’s starting to wear on me traveling alone.  - AND I’ve had feeling that I've accomplished what I set out to do so in a weird way I'm just out here wasting time, prolonging getting settled and getting back into the workforce.

• I'm getting tired of the bike, the weather, the packing. loading and unpacking. The uncertainty of where I'm camping each night.   

• And lastly, within the last week or so I’ve been hearing a “clunking” sound in my lower gears.  I figured my chain was loose so I've been of the mindset to find a bike shop somewhere to help me adjust it.

So....back to today.  I checked the oil this morning and it was low so with the clunking sound and the fact I was due for and oil change, I decided to call a local bike shop.... 

....Turns out my chain is shot.   They can't tighten it back up and it’s trying to slip off the socket.  (that explains the clunking) They “life-flighted” a new chain in for tomorrow.   The guys didn't even want me to ride it out of the shop.  :(    Aren't I lucky it didn't break on me on the road and cause way more damage?

Now...if I had a big ol’ bank roll, I could handle this but since I’m so tight on money already, it hurts like the devil.    So, you see me, making my way to my decision to end this tour.

My insurance covers a rental car until my bike is fixed, so I picked one up and oh, I'm sorry but what a feeling!  I wasn’t cold or too hot, I could pull over and look at my phone without baking in the sun, no shifting, no balancing, no watching the road for potholes or crazy drivers, no taking my helmet on and off....you get it.    It's pretty nice to be back in a car.    (Again, you can see where I'm headed with all of this.)

So, with all of these factors my decision has been made, this is the start of the end.  

Don't fret though, It's gonna end well, there are two BIG events I just can't miss!   

Leguna Seca to watch the Moto GP riders.   

I volunteered at the track!   Wahoo!!!!  

and

Las Vegas, baby!!!  

Gonna be a great ending to a great trip!!  

Starting mileage: 14380   

Expenses:

Gas        $0.00

Food      $17.00      

Lodging $35.00  

Misc.      $0.00

Total      $52.00

Spent      $2.00-

+/- Trip   $669.00-