Trip is starting to take it’s toll.  Didn’t get much sleep again.  Woke up before sunrise, staring out into the brightening sky and really didn’t want to get up.  All sorts of body parts ache.  Everything’s filthy – there’s sticky red sand/dust on everything.

Failing Equipment –

• SD780IS Elph camera has lens issues – probably dust in the gear mechanism.
• Patriot LX 32GB SD card is ‘slow’ – slow enough that the GoPro won’t write to it consistently anymore.   On a PNY backup card now
• Crappy Tire Mastercraft 200W inverter is shot.  Pretty much only good for blowing fuses now.
• Joe Rocket Speedmaster 7.0 Gloves are continuing to fall apart.  Not as comfortable now that I’ve been supplementing the gloves with my own patches of leather, glue and duct tape.
• Ducati Performance Top Case straps have been ripped out of the top half.  Strong winds ripped the screws right out of the plastic.
• Cargo net is now all stretched funny.  Zip ties are doubling up certain lengths, but still need to source a new one.

Supplies Dwindling

• No more 15A fuses
• Running out of camp fuel – considering switching to kerosene so it doubles as bike chain cleaner.   But that stuff stinks like crazy – and it’s not like I have latex gloves to work with.
• Ran out of PJ’s chain lube – replaced with something from NAPA.
• Almost out of coffee

At least the Multi and the new BMW Rallye3 gear is holding up well.  The Duc has seen the ground on both sides now – with minimal damage.  There are some scratches to the side cases, but barely noticeable under all the dirt and bugs.  The dirt still calls to me, but I think I’ll stick to pavement from now on.  As much as some people suggest I should get a Termi exhaust system, I think the money is better spent on some armor.  Plus, you can attach footpegs to the crash bars and that would be much appreciated at this point.

BMW gear is pretty much broken in now.   It almost feels soft to the touch and the armour is starting to fit better.

Not even 15% of the way into the trip.  I probably just need a day to regroup and restock.  Attempting to find things on the run eats up time better spent focused on other things.