The next morning I was determined to get the scooter fixed and even do some maintenance on it. I called up Sandy my mechanic. And asked his opinion about the exhaust. He asked me to take a picture of it and send it to him. His opinion was “it’s not a big problem, if it doesn’t bother your ears you can ride your scooter in that condition.” I knew it was possible but I don’t know how much stress can the exhaust take before it really breaks.
I went on and moved on other things I can do that morning. One of the most important things I needed to do was to change the oil. Now as per the last time I did, it was a disaster. So this time around I knew I have to pay attention more. Remember I was still in a park so I can’t just dump motor oil anywhere. I prepared the scooter by pushing it on the top behind my tent so no prying eye can see what I will b doing. I logged a log below the scooter to get a lift I needed for me to drain the oil. For the catcher I pulled out a zip lock and prepared it near where the drain will be. Once I as able to unscrew the oil cap, the black motor oil dropped down the zip lock and it just was the right size. It was able to fit for that quart of oil from the last time in key west. I then put back the oil cap back when it was totally drained. Grabbed two bottles of the oil I bought and refilled the motor. I made sure I didn’t get any l ask of sort. I didn’t was to be a major pollutant in the area, so the used oil was placed back to the empty bottle now and I placed back in my pack for other uses soon. I then revised my GPS to route me to the motorcycle shop I figure can help me fix the exhaust. This shop was located in Pensacola. So for me to do this means I needed to head back to north then head west inst ad of just heading westward towards Alabama. At the first motorcycle shop I went it was still closed. I went on back to my GPS and found another one near by. It took me 30 min to go to the shop from the camp grounds. The shop I went had a proper show room of different motorcycle brands but there were no scooters. This got me worried but I might as well try. There were two guys working outside and I just sort out of rolled to that garage and asked if they can help me out. I pointed the issue with the exhaust and some few issues I’ve Ben having like power loss from the engine. They mentioned a shop that makes that be able to help me. It was the shop I went already that was closed and I have mention d to them the limit d amount of time I had. They were so accommodating that they went to the back and checked if they would have the same pipe size I had just for me to get help and get rolling. The owner came out and was super surprised about my journey. He then ask me if he can film me for an interview to their channel in YouTube. I didn’t hesitate b curse this would actually promote my site and my travels.
They gave me the news that they did not have the part I needed to fix the scooter. I then thank them and ask their opinion on riding it to just to Houston. They told me if I can bear the sound the scooter can even run till California. But the loss of power might be also because there is no resistance from the exhaust thus the engine has no idle adjustment and consuming more gas and making inefficient power output. I thank them again and rode out and they took more shots of me riding out.
I was super excited to ride this day because I would be leaving Florida state now and entering a different place now. After a couple of hours I have just reached Alabama and from that crossing the road was leading me inland, thus changing the views around me. I needed to pass Mobile, Alabama then swing to New Orleans, Louisiana. This was going to be a day of riding. This route will be one my longest rides on the whole trip. I have to ride hard and push the bike to its limits. I still had no plates and the exhaust was just super loud. Upon crossing Alabama I saw a gas stop and decided to gas up, I did not know when the next stop will be so I rather do it now. Sheriff pulls up on the other side and was staring at the scooter. I went in the mini store to pay the gas and decided to come out if he does throws me questions. I stood beside the scooter and he comes close and asked me if my scooter was a ruckus. I then replied “it’s actually a replica of a ruckus but stretched out.” He asks me “where have you been traveling from and where are you headed?” I told him I heading out west and I came from NY. I told him the lost plate story and how it’s going to be a problem passing through. The sheriff tells me as long as I have a report, it won’t be a problem and it’s rare that they will stop you unless your in the highway or just breaking traffic rules. I asked him if the report came from another state will be a problem. He then says it’s officially stamped and signed it won’t be a problem and they can honor that. I was glad on hearing this and thank him for the tip he then mentions that if I want another report the sheriff house isn’t too far and some one can help me. He wished me luck and drove off. I got back in the scooter and went on the road.
A few hours riding you could tell the state budget from Alabama with the roads are not as good. There were plenty of pot holes and it’s not as pristine compared to other states I’ve been. Speed limit was still on the spot on local roads averaging 40-45. Driving through Alabama it looked more like when I was driving through Georgia to Florida. It was just open road and rich vegetation around you. Car plates have already been shifted from seeing cars with Florida plates to Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana plates.
My route will be taking me to couple of cities and the first was Mobile, Alabama. It wasn’t as far from Saint Bernard state park. As expected I am already feeling the wrath of the hurricane season. I got my first rain shower of the day in Mobile. The worst part about this was I saw the cloud formations. I am no weather expert or a meteorologist but at this point my weather instinct from the Philippines has already kicked in full gear. Weather basically in the Philippines can be predicted easy by looking at he clouds. It’s either you get rain or you get sun. Pretty much thunder storms can build up unexpectedly. When it’s developing and moving, you can easily see it by looking up. I would say these are the few things you won’t be able to determine or even kick in when your inside a vehicle. Your always in a shell of protection and would never worry about being rained out.
Mobile is an industrial city I would say. It’s not as big as a proper metropolitan city but you can tell that it used be a big port city where shipyard factories are everywhere but now you can see it and it’s all rusting away. By the time I enter the city proper I already saw the clouds rolling in. Mobile has its best part as an industrial city and its small tunnels and bridges was very enjoyable to ride. I took the liberty of filming as much as I can since this is my first time now going through the southern states. Leaving the city I stayed with my route heading west and keeping at it route 90 all the way. I decided to take this instead of 98 from Pensacola. I would have a better scenery riding out Florida. I decided I would rather have a better scenery riding in to the southern states than riding out of Florida.
Leaving the city proper the heat was at it peaks. The sun was beating on you and the clouds are forming behind you. It was a ride of the life time. As soon as you were done from the industrial side of Alabama then it turns into a small quite town then you cross another border welcoming you to Mississippi. It turns into a historical road in which houses that existed for 200 or so years are kept and preserved as historic buildings. These houses are located along route the highway and it not even like a few blocks. This stretched for about 2 miles. The houses looked like a big movie set from the movie interview with the vampire. Very southern American Victorian era. Each has the same design for the most part. The front lawn has a great space for kids to play along and the classic wooden front porch to watch people pass by. These houses are about 2 floors with an attic.
Riding on this road was pleasant and I was able to join it as much until I head a snap from the rear of the scooter. I stopped on the side of the road and parked it near a Chinese fast food place. This was almost noon and the sun was brutal, not to mention I was getting hungry already. I got off the scooter and looked around and from my suspicion it was the frame that broke heading to Miami in Florida or one of the locks for the exhaust snapped. That side of the scooter was always a problem since the engine is directly mounted to it and it’s subjected to road and engine vibration. Upon doing a quick look I saw a piece of metal hanging near the wheel and my suspicion was on point. The frame that was welded from Florida once again gave in. The scooter was not meant to be pushed this hard with the weight on it. It was too obvious that stress on the materials are subjecting it on its limits. I suddenly looked up on my phone to find a car place that does body works for a sure welding job. This gave me a little bit frustration and at the same time made me rally worried on how the scooter can take more punishment. I told myself “I got two more days of riding. Have a quick weld and it’s all done.” I looked up the area and there wasn’t really anything close. The closest I saw was a small auto body works shop that like a 5 min ride. I navigated my phone to the auto shop and rode slowly. This frame is a support to the main frame for the engine, the rear wheel and the exhaust. I have to drive carefully for me not to damage any of those other parts. Every bump I was hitting you can hear a part of the exhaust of the engine hits the rear tire. The road conditions in mobile made it worst and a lot of the time I come to almost a halt jut to be extra careful hitting bumps and irregularities on the road.
The GPS then give me a message “Your destination is on the right” I kept looking at it and waving my had with the big helmet I was wearing. It was closed and looked like it was already abandoned. Next door to it was a car part shop. I introduced myself and asked them where I could find an auto body shop. They pointed to a door next to them and said “Oh! He moved just next door. There’s a gate and you have to go inside at the back.” It really sounded sketchy but I didn’t have a choice, if I wanted to get it done I have to ask. I rode the scooter to the back and saw guy that had his dreadlocks wrapped around the top of his head and I then asked if he does welding jobs. He smiled and said “yeah sure how can I help you then.” He said this with a light Caribbean accent and no trace of southern accent. I showed him that a bracket from my frame that broke off and asked him if he can weld it back together. He looked at it closely and said yeah and probably we can do a different weld since the last job, even reinforced snapped. I happily smiled and asked him if he can do it. He said yeah that not a problem.
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As he was preparing his materials and welder for the work, he asked the kind of scooter I was riding because he has a Harley at the back and it’s just very fortunate that he might be able to help me much more. My eyes widen with excitement and told him my story. Him and his assistant couldn’t believe I rode all the way out there already. He told me he used to be in NYC but moved out here since it was more cheaper and it was closer to his family. I didn’t even noticed his assistant was even wearing the “I love NY”shirt and pointed out to him. We just both cracked up and did some small talk while prepping the scooter. The mechanic asked me if I wanted to at least do a quick fix for my exhaust. I asked him “What can be done to that anyway? Unless you have an extra one that can fit?” He then tells me he has an extra exhaust baffle that fit and slip into mine, it’s not going to replace the whole exhaust but at least it will cover the big hole and muffle the sound a bit. He then goes to back and shows me this exhaust baffle and tries it on the my exhaust. It’s long but he said “I can cut it for you and this is from an old motorcycle I don’t even own anymore. The best thing with this is at least it fits when it’s cut and can suppress that loud sound.” I told him “Hey if you could do it why not” he then proposed a thicker metal to be welded first on my frame. The last time was a thick plate but it snapped. He will do another piece which he believe can hold out better than just another plate like last time. He started cleaning out the metal and using a metal sander to make it smooth then he uses the piece to stick the two fragments together. Once that was done he then starts out with the exhaust. He cut it shorter to fit it then slides it in. Unfortunately the main problem with his solution is that my exhaust is made from aluminum. The baffle he is fitting is made from iron. He explain to me there is no way from him to weld two different metals but what he can do is clip it in. He then clips it in and asked me to turn in the motor. Believe it or not it sounded perfect. The exhaust sound was cut off so much is was very much tolerable to ride again. I asked him the price and to be honest he only asked for $80. I was so thankful for him taking me in and even giving me better quick solutions for my problems I ended up giving him $120 instead. He wished me luck and warmed me that I can reach Texas but the things he did might not last as long if I would be riding the next two days. I thank him again and I told him I understand and was just thankful for his help.
I was sweating so much because it was already midday pass 1pm. I still have a long ride ahead of me and focused on gaining some miles asap. Now it’s time to leave Mississippi and head on to Louisiana. I still have not heard from my friend that lives in New Orleans. Good thing there is a state park close to city limits. St. Bernard State park would be my last campsite to visit.the moment I crossed Louisiana state line I know the end of trip is not far also. The original route I planned was to reach San Francisco but due to unprecedented events during my trip I lacked the funds to push further.
The route took me still along the coast lines and it from rich vegetation and southern vintage houses, my scenery was again evolving. The road never look pristine as it look at the eastern coast. There were more narrow roads than usual and towns were nowhere nearby. The road starched long and once again I get to see the coast line. To my surprise it didn’t even looked like the coast. The roadside and scenes looked like swamped wet lands. There were shallow wet lands and there were clean beach up ahead. It doesn’t looked like it was made for the public to stop and enjoy this. It looked more isolated private beach houses. But you can tell it doesn’t look like a proper beach house. The house have mostly signs for rent and a lot of the house were taken. A lot of the house are brand new I would say 2-3 years old from being constructed. The paint looked fresh and even the concrete and the wood panels on the windows looked new. The strange part about this was it looked more like a fishing village set up scene. The house are all elevated because I guess from the rising tides and not only that each house has a white sand beach set up that looked like man made. Some of the house are directly siting above the water level with foundations dug under the water bed. It really felt that you are isolated from everyone else.
The repairs that were done looks like it was holding up. It’s been a long stretch of roads and bridges I’ve been on already and now my gas running low. I knew this was going to happen anytime soon since its been more than an hour or riding. As it so happens no gas stations . I wasn’t worried as much about this since I have the gas tank behind me. I could go two fillings on that tank alone. But just stopping from a random place on the side of the road isn’t always ideal. I saw a sign for gas ahead. This gave me a sign of relief and went on and kept my eyes open for the station. After a mile or so the road bent turning to the right, the moment I was in that curve then I realize the station was just to my left and i was going to pass if I don’t stop and turn around. I went on the side curb and did a U-turn to get to the other side of the road. It looked more a store than a gas station. They only had two pumps and has a convenient store and a bar. Most gas stains outside the city are set up differently. Most of them have the credit card built in the pumps and there’s still some that u had to either come to the clerk and pay first or let them know your using it then pay after. The credit card set up was there but it wasn’t working. I went back to the in to look for a store clerk. To my surprise it wasn’t just a grocery store. It was a bar also. I asked the bartender when was the store clerk for the gas, She then pointed to me to go through a door and asked me if it was for gas. I replied “Yeah I needed some gas” She then tell me that they might have shut down the pump. I was wondering who closes a gas station in the afternoon. There were no station around they can easily make a quick buck. I went through the door and saw the store clerk about the gas she then tell me that she closed the pump already. I asked her if she can help me this time because my gas was low and I do not know where is the next store. She apologized and said she can’t open the pumps for me. She told me that there will be another gas station in 5-10 miles. I drove off a bit annoyed, nothing was coming up on my gps for a gas station. I have no choice now but to keep riding.
I was getting close to my final camp site then the engine stopped responding. It happened plenty of times and I knew I was out of gas. I always ride on the right most lane so it was easy for me to go near the ditch and get the gas tank filled up. Its always been a production doing this. At the early stage of my adventures I realized when I ran out of gas I didn’t have a funnel for the gas. So I was always spilling and splashing it everywhere every time I fill up, I had to buy a funnel one time at a 99c store to resolve this. But guess what it flew out of the motorcycle GOD knows where in Virginia. This time around I was prepared. I made a cut out of a bottle, threw the other half and the other half with the bottle neck I tied to my gas tank. This cutoff bottle saved me when I was in the keys running out of gas and it made my life easy filing the tank up.
Upon stopping I did my routine check before filling up. I’ve noticed the muffler that was fixed in Alabama isn’t holding up very well. The clip that held it together was becoming loose. This is the cause by the vibration in my opinion. You can see from the tiny hole, the hole clip was locked just got bigger. “This exhaust wont last long for sure” I told myself. I went back to business and started filling the gas tank and started riding back.
The quite beaches started to change upon crossing this steel bridge which now lead me to an industrial area. these were all oil depots, shipyards and warehouses. I got a call from Uncle Nestor and asked me where I was. I told him on the phone i was already in New Orleans and will need to get in touch with a friend and try to see if I can connect with an old friend from NYC that moved in no. To my avail, she has not responded to me and I had made plans for my stay. I told myself ill go as planned and head to Saint Bernard State Park
It was getting dark and I finally made it to Big Lagoon State Park. I rode into the gates and asked the attendant the price and WATER!! Clean drinking water is as important to me as my gas tank. I never knew I would think about it a lot while on the road. She directed me to a drinking fountain. I had my fill and filled up my drinking bottle. She told me where my spot was and thank her for the water and drove in the park. The park wasn’t big and there a big crowd gathered in one area. I was wondering what this was and as i got close to the crow it was a camping trip from a bunch of teenagers.. I went to my spot and settled down. to pitch my tent. The campers weren’t rowdy but you can tell their hormones were all over the place and being teenagers. After setting my tent, I went back to my scooter and did a check up. The exhaust was just going to give out. So i just accepted its fate and kind off just give it a slight pull and the pin gave out and there goes the exhaust that was added on Alabama. I went to closest trash bin and threw out the baffle that helped it run quiet. I was in disbelief to the nature around in the park. I spotted a family of deer grazing on the park. close to my spot there is a path where u can see the mangroves with he swap waters with crocs.
It was pass 9pm and the sun was going down and still no word from my friend and abandoned the idea she will get in touch with me. I went to the old oil stash I had and attempted to use it as oil lamp to recycle but it didn’t work… maybe i was too optimistic it will but it didn’t and started to make fire from the the rim it was provided on my site to prepare my dinner
