so, i was riding my motorcycle to vegas. that's right, i took my vegas to vegas. i was a nice ride, especially the way there. the way back was quite windy, and i just wanted to be home. since i was on the bike, i needed to figure out how to carry luggage. i was traveling light (two shirts, a pair of pants, etc.) so i was just packing my clothes in a messenger bag. i bought a cargo net deal to strap the bag to the back seat.
(actual cargo net)
the system worked very well on the way over. i also had my camel back, so i'd have water on the trip. i put my valuables (wallet, phone, $) in the pockets on the camel back. on the way back, it seemed to work well, too. that is, until i was about an hour from home. i stopped for gas in bakersfield, and hopped back on the highway. i don't know why, but about 30 miles down the road i had some weird feeling to check on my bag. reach back behind me and all i feel is seat. crud! where did i lose my bag in the last 30 miles? what's in it? do i just cut my losses or go back and try to find it. it was mostly clothes, but i knew there was a credit card receipt in it as well. i freak out about stuff like that, so i knew i had to go look for the bag. but, i didn't want to ride all the way back to bakos. i got off the highway and headed back towards bakersfield. i decided i would go half way back, and then head towards fresno and see if i could spot it. it was night (8ish) and it's pretty difficult to look for a dark blue bag while driving @ freeway speed. twice i thought i saw something, but neither were it. one was a tire tread. i was pretty discouraged, and was almost back to the spot where i realized that the bag was missing. i think i was an exit away from where i turned around, and then i saw it: some of my clothes! i slowed down, pulled over, and walked back. now, the clothes and stuff was across 3 lanes of traffic, so i'm walking and trying to see what's there. i crossed the highway and started picking up clothes. i got it all back! well, i did lose one pair of socks, and my swimsuit was tore up, but everything else was good. and, i found the credit card receipt. super sweet. what i didn't find was the bag itself. gone. i also lost my u-lock that i use to lock up my bike. and, i saw half of the pliers that i had with me (one arm of it completely gone, i left it all behind).
and i still have the cargo net. it let my bag go, and just sorta slid down.
