With the Harley overhaul complete, the clutch adjusted (again) and a new combination speedometer/tachometer installed, it was time for a shake down ride.  No big deal, just a quick hop to make sure everything is in order before leaving the safety of our home garage and shop.  Sooooooo, at 9am Friday morning we decide to ride to Mexico for lunch!

Not kidding here - it was 9am Friday morning, we were eating breakfast (overslept again since we're unemployed) and we decided lunch in Mexico would be a good idea since the checks only come in the mail every other Friday.  This is in spite of the fact that everyone knows the most authentic Mexican food is available right here at Taco Bell in the mall.   But aside from the food issue, it would also be a good shake down ride to make certain all the parts on the bike were doing what they were supposed to do.

From Palm Springs we headed South along the western side of the Salton Sea,  then headed East along the border almost to Yuma, Arizona.   There we turned South and crossed into Mexico at Los Algondones.  It's a great little border town with plenty of discount dental clinics, knock-off t-shirts and cheap drugs.   We lunched at a small restaraunt in the plaza on low cal, low fat, restricted sodium, lactose free enchiladas, tamales, burritos and quesadilas.   Then it was back to the pharmacy to buy a couple hundred Viagra (you never know, right?) and Stacy also had two compound root canals done and a pair of new dentures fitted - all for $39.95.

Back on the bike we cruised North, returning to the States and then East around the Glamis dune field (the largest transverse sand dune field in North America) on the straightest, flatest, most desolate road in Imperial county.  Continuing with the trend of inexpensive medical treatment we received free dermabrasion due to the strong wind blowing sand across the road.  Trust us when we tell you that hitting sand at 60 MPH on sunburned skin is a real thrill!  Turning North at the agricultural center of Brawley we rode up the Eastern side of the Salton Sea and finally turned West across the Coachella Valley back to Palm Springs.  400 miles, ten gallons of gas and eight hours later it was 5pm and we were showered and sitting at one of our favorite local pubs drinking (what else) a cold beer and chewing Zantacs by the fistfull to cure the heartburn from lunch.  Fortunately we got the Zantacs for free in Mexico because of the volume purchase of Viagra - and oh, by the way, the bike ran fine!


                         
      STACY HAVING LUNCH IN LOS ALGONDONES                              THE "QUICK" 400 MILE RIDE AFTER BREAKFAST