I love my shop

 I've been talking about this trip for a while (pretty much from the first time I straddled a motorcycle). Georgia to California. Now that I've started planning it, I am starting to appreciate the community at my shop, NPRDucati.

Home of the Duc guard Duck 

 After I returned from Charleston, I noticed my rear brakes needed some attention. I notified Paul that I was going to be bringing her in for some tender loving care. And she was pretty effing happy when I picked her up. I dodged work for an additional 45 minutes to take her for a ride. I don't know what magic the guys worked on her, but she positively sang along those Georgia back roads. It had to be Ducati voodoo, because a bike's performance shouldn't improve that much from a new rear tire and tightening the chain. (The throttle is SO sensitive now... Okay, I will stop with the motorcycle porn, before I pass the point of no return.)

My first bike at NPR Ducati

 Back to why I love my shop: they are helping me get together a list of required maintenance to keep me safe on the long, hard road across the country (and back). Before I leave, we plan on a new chain and a valve job, with tire and fluid checks. I'm certain I'll put at least 2k miles on her between now and then, so I'll probably get an oil change before I leave as well.

One of Paul's tips :)

 Last week, I spent several hours with Paul, just hanging out at the shop. Mostly asking questions about long distance traveling and getting some great advice on places to visit, staying safe, what I needed to pack... and a lot more. I really cannot express how valuable it is to be able to have them behind me.

 I cannot thank Paul, Vic, Dusty, and Daniel enough. Also a huge thanks to the rest of the NPRDucati community, without whom I would not know the euphoria and freedom of my baby multi. Plus, you guys are just cool. Only you can pull off a pet, guard DUCK at a DUC shop :)

 Please comment below if you have any suggestions for preparing my bike for this trip... or you want to share your love for NPRDuacti. ~Amanda