Socorro County

The shipping nightmare has continued. I spoke to the local agent this morning who advised me the container was being taken to the distribution centre as we spoke. Whilst the bike hadn't been released, she said it was probably worth going to the distribution depot and that might speed things up. She made it very clear that she wasn't supposed to say that but it might help. Full of optimism I ordered a taxi and headed to the distribution depot.

When I got there I eventually spoke to the warehouse manager, a lovely lady called Diane. She advised me that whilst the container had arrived there was no way that it was being emptied today as there were other containers that needed to be emptied and returned to the port! I gave her my best sob story but to no avail, the best I got was her direct phone number and email and a promise that she would try and get it off loaded tomorrow. Again the operative word is try!! At least I now have the number of the organ grinder!

It was now past midday and there was nothing for it but to find another hotel and lick my wounds.

Once I got to the hotel I had a really nice chat with the hotel manager who was from India. Interestingly he said he was only here for the money and once his son had graduated he and his wife were going back to their village in northwest India.

I think with the benefit of hindsight you probably need 10 days from the date that the container arrives in the country to the date you can pick it up, we live and learn. The disappointing thing is the poor advice I've received from shopping agents.

Today is another day of ups and downs. I spoke with the distribution depot in the morning to be informed the container would definitely be opened today, however probably not until lunchtime and depending on where the crate was in the container would depend when it would be available, the probability was that it wouldn't be available until tomorrow! I started to formulate a plan of what to do today. An hour later I received a call telling me they'd opened the container and the crate was right at the front. Result!

I then ran into the next roadblock when I was asked how it would be collected. I explained that it wasn't going to be collected and that I'd been told the bike would be taken out of the crate and I could ride it away. Apparently that's not how it works. A few phone calls later and the warehouse manager said she'd speak to her boss and see if they could open the crate. At lunchtime I again decided to head back to the warehouse to somehow make it happen, after waiting for another hour for the warehouse manager to come back from lunch they eventually agreed to open the crate. They were reluctant for me to help because of health and safety rules but the chap opening the crate was incredibly slow so I muscled my way in and gave him a hand.

It took about about 1½ hours to unpack the bike and get it ready to go.

I decided to get out of Houston and head straight for a camp ground at a place called Falls on the Brasoz at Marlin, 150 miles northwest on Houston. It was 4.30 the traffic was heavy so I decided to take the direct route on tarmac road. There was a weather warning, but I looked at the weather radar and thought I might just miss it.

After a stop for some fuel and something to eat I pushed on.

The sky started to get very dark, lightning was flashing off to my right and the wind started to pick up and I was being blown around a bit, this is when I needed the 250lbs BMW. Google Maps had already warned me of the risk of thunderstorms. I pushed on. There were a few spots of rain, then it started to get a bit heavier. I came off the main highway in search of a cafe/fast food place. Before I could find one I passed an underpass under the main carriageway, I spun the bike round and no sooner had I parked up than the heavens opened up and the rain was bouncing off the road with plenty of thunder and lightning thrown in for good measure. I checked the weather radar and could see this was supposed to blow over in about 45 minutes and almost on cue the rain stopped the skies brightened and I headed off again. The campground was still an hour away but I should get there before dark.

I got to the campground at 8.45 and met the local ranger. He told me I could camp under the pavilion if I wanted to, at least I'd be under cover. That night the heavens opened up again more torrential rain, thunder, lightning the full works. I obviously feel back to sleep and didn't wake until 7.30. The first thing to do was to check the weather radar and more storms were headed my way. No time for a leisurely start I'd hoped for, if I headed north I might just be able to stay ahead of the weather.

By the time I'd got packed up and got on the road it was 9,30. I was slightly annoyed with myself because that was later than I wanted. I sped northwest past Waco and I was staying ahead of the rain. I stopped at a fast burger restaurant to take a break and get something to eat. I checked the weather radar again it looked like I'd missed the storms, great result. I eventually decided that the best thing to do was to head to Miller's Creek Reservoir by a direct route. I went through a small town called Throckmorton which sounds like it belongs in the Cotswolds not Texas. Not far after that I turned off the road and left tarmac for the first time in my trip. The track was fast and easy to ride and it wasn't too long before I made it to the reservoir. It was about 4.30 and I was pleased to have avoided the storms.

I hung my stuff out to dry and headed off to explore a bit.

After I'd worked out my route for the next day I decided to get to bed early, so I could get an early start. I'm not sure what time I was woken but I was greeted with more thunder, lightning, wind and rain!! The storm passed over and I eventually fell back to sleep.

I woke up at 6.30 and decided to get going as quickly as possible before it got too hot. The track away from the reservoir was lethal, thick clay, zero grip but I carefully made it to the main track. Initially it was quite good but then it changed to wet clay and the bike was sliding so I dropped the speed right down, again the surface changed with more grip but not for long and I was back on thick muddy clay. Progress was going to be horrendously slow and it was only a matter of time before I ended up dropping the bike, time to re evaluate. I decided to head for Lubbock on tarmac and I'd think again later, at this rate it'll take forever to get out of Texas.

I stopped at a roadside cafe for some breakfast and got chatting to a family with 3 children. The children were asking all sorts of questions, where was I from, where was I going, why did I speak with a funny accent etc etc. when they were leaving the boys wanted to try on my helmet which I was happy for them to do and the obligatory photos were taken. I went to leave shortly afterwards and went to pay the bill only to be informed by the waitress that the gentleman had already paid it. What incredible kindness and I didn't even get an opportunity to thank them.

Rested, refueled and full of coffee I pushed on to Lubbock and then on to Brownfield

I stopped to refuel the bike and decided to get some lunch and considered my options for where to stop this evening. I was thinking I might book a hotel room and forgo the camping but wasn't sure. Then one of the ladies at the restaurant told me there was another storm coming in and that sealed the deal. I found a motel about 70 miles from Roswell and thought that would be far enough for the day.

I headed off again. The scenery was flat and pretty featureless.

When I got to the motel it resembled a derelict dump and although I was keen to stop for the day I wasn't stopping here. After a quick replan I found an Airbnb in Roswell. It was the middle of the afternoon, it was very hot by now and I was cooking. I got one of my water bottles and emptied it over my head and my T shirt. Back on the bike and another hours riding!

More to follow, things are on the up!!Read more