Simple Test Kitchen

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After my saddlebag failure, I threw out the damage saddlebag and took the connecting straps off the remaining good saddlebag. My idea here was to use the remaining saddlebag as a tailbag. I have a 50L but that obviously is too much. I also have one of those magnetic tankbags but the magnets are too weak. It can function as a tailbag but is small. Using the remaining saddlebag as a tailbag would give me a 25L bag. Good for an extended day trip.

The plan was to stow my stove, fuel, water, coffee, some biscotti and my utensils in the 25L bag. Attaching the bag and a small folding stool to the back of the bike, I was planning to stop for coffee a few hours out from home. Coffee and biscotti on the road.

This worked well. I know because it was cold and wet by the ocean and hot coffee and some orange and chocolate biscotti was very welcome. The water boiled quick even in the wind. Feeling warmed up, I could now continue.

"The Loop" or rightfully the Pacific Marine Road Loop is about 260 km but usually takes about 6+ hours. There are some great twistys and some long fast straights. This is not a route to take lightly.

Not sure what happened. The bike looks in fairly good shape but I didn't poke around. Considering the angle, direction and final position... maybe a tire blow out. Seems a bit final for just a tire though.

It looks like whatever happened it was on a fairly straight stretch of road.

Once I got in to Port Renfrew, I realised it was still early. Some other friends were heading out that way but I was ahead of them. I figured I'd waste some time and wander about. Maybe they'd show up.

From the pier at Port Renfrew

Close to the same spot, just turned a bit left

And turned left a bit more

While waiting to see if my friends would show up, I met a couple of riders on Africa Twins. They laughed at my bike being named Rhonda. They also told me that, by description, they saw my friends earlier. Eventually, I figured they only came out so far, then turned back.

It turns out that the friends, who didn't know I was there, stopped at a restaurant before the Port Renfrew pier. I never did meet up with them, but then, the original plan didn't include meeting up with anyone. From messages I figure I was only about half an hour ahead of them. 

The saddlebag as a tailbag worked well. This might be a good solution for work. Especially seeing as I don't feel comfortable using a communal lunch room with communal appliances and little ventilation. Maybe I should consider frying up hamburgers in the parking lot 😉

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