Author: Åsa

So, it all fits nicely in my drybag. The dry bag fits nicely in the PacSafe net. And it all fits on the back of my Ducati. I went for a  test ride to see how it worked and the bag doesn’t seem too big and it did not bother me during this short ride. I passed a few bumps but the bag didn’t move noticeably – that is promising.

Those of you who have paid attention to previous posts know how much I dislike fuelling the bike, it gets even worse when the tank bag is fitted. This fuel will last us half way on day 1 at least.

Finally I’m off work and have some spare energy to use for packing. With a temperature reaching 40°C it’s hard to get anything done.  I’m eager to go north but for the weekend I’m heading to Valencia to enjoy the Formula 1 race. That leaves today and tomorrow to end the preparations for the Grand Tour.

Toiletries, contact lenses, medication, glasses, maps, booking reservations and tickets, passport, calender, papers for the bike, spare keys, computer, iPod, camera, cables and chargers, jump start cables, tyre repair kit, pack safe net, chain lube, disinfection spray, spare padlock, washing detergent and more.

6 socks, 6 knickers, bikini, 3 bras, 2 skirts, trousers, fleece, 3 long sleeves, 2 t-shirts, 4 tank tops, 2 leggings, longjohns, belt, 2 buffs, travel towel, scarf, running shoes, shoes, flip-flops, rain trousers for riding, cold weather gloves and cover for the bike.

Now let’s see if I can make it all fit within the 60 litre dry sack and tiny tankbag.

At 1.30 pm I got a text message from the Ducati garage saying that my bike was ready to be picked up and the cost was 292.19 euros. Thinking that was ridiculously cheap and way too early in the day, I was prepared for something having gone wrong with my communication and not everything would have been done. That does happen frequently with my level of Spanish. But when I picked up my bike  it all seemed fine and now the Ducati is ready to travel:

All the bits of the maintenance seem to have run smoothly, new oil, check of this and that…. I even got a new airfilter and a closed cover for free! Now I won’t have to worry about water coming through the old one which was an open filter and a cut-open cover prepared for racing silencers which I don’t use after importing the Ducati to Spain.

And I was told that the heated grips work now… due to +35°C I did not feel I need try this, but I will definitely be sending happy thoughts to the guys in the garage on the next rainy day!

So everything was good then! Too good! Coming home I examined the receipt and it seems like they haven’t charged me for the tyre. When I can leave work early again I’ll go there and sort it out.

So, this was a pretty damn good day, I even managed to get my hair cut. Only a few small things remain now. Awesome feeling – stress relief!