Finally, after 6 removals and reinstalls of the carb, the bike was no longer flooding when we cut the motor.
What did you do, I asked? What was the secret?
Just a little piece of trash (
basurita) was all Victor would allow.
Almost immediately, I believe it was 4pm by now, Richard calls.
“Come meet us in Lagunita,” he says. I’ll have a room for you
I’m on it! Lagunita is 2 hrs away. On pavement.
One parting shot of my savior, Victor and his son.
How much do I owe you?
300 pesos. ($21)
I gave him 400.
Back to the hotel to put my things together. Settle my bill.
Back to the auto mechanic’s yard to modify my hard splint with a power hand saw I’d noticed lying about.
So that I could wear my jacket over it.
Pack the bike. Put the splint on.
Good bye, everyone. Goodby Aquismon.
I head out. Finally on the road again.
And it begins to rain.
Now I’ve got to tell you I had lost all of my confidence in riding on the hwy by this time.
Much less riding in the rain.
The rain came down harder. I found shelter and waited it out. Precious time ticking away.
It let up and I was on the road again. Deathly afraid I would have another spill.
Smooth sailing to the “Y” where Hwy120 (to Xilitla & Jalpan) splits off of Pan American 85 (to Tamachuncharle and Zimapan).
From here 120 makes a precipitous climb into the mountains.
It begins to sprinkle again. By Xilitla its dark and really coming down.
It’s always raining in Xilitla, I’m thinking. The rain just gets worse.
Now I am in a torrential downpour of epic proportions.
Jiminy Christmas. I pull off the road. This is not going to work.
Its raining cats & dogs. I dismount to get my bearings.
Across the hwy I see a little white haired gentleman in a doorway, silhouetted against a warm interior light.
He’s looking at me.
I casually cross the street in the relentless rain. Peek over his shoulder.
“Is this a hotel,” I ask?
Yes, why don’t you put your motorcycle in the garage so it won’t
mojarse.
I had just lucked into the
Hostal del Café.
Alejandro in his wonderful library. I've always wanted a room like this.
Holed up in Xilitla. This will do for the night