Images from along the route.


falling off his motorcycle. As emergency personnel removed his helmet, our group got a good look at him. He was young, and clearly underdressed for the cold. He was ashen, almost blue in color. A folding chair was produced and he was lifted on it for examination. "He has no warm gear?" Farook, one of our riders asked. "It doesn't look like it," I responded.


Motorcycle competitors had their spare parts and gear shuttled along via support trucks. If this guy had something warm to wear, it was probably packed away and inaccessible.


"I'll be right back," Farook said, and


walked toward the racer. He introduced himself and they shook hands, engaging in conversation as the medics finished taking vitals. Then Farook removed his winter clothes, fitting them on the exhausted racer. Gently he slipped the windbreaker suit on him, zipping the gear and checking for proper fit. Reenergized, the racer stood, thanked John with a vigorous handshake and mounted his motorcycle. With a kick the machine came to life and he was off. Our group marveled at Farook’s effort, praising his kindness and producing scraps


of warm gear to replace his own. Our papers in order, we passed into Chile


and began our descent, riding with caution among the passing competitors and sup- port drivers. I thought about Farook and the racer, strangers in a chance meeting made from difficult circumstance. Motor- cycling might be a solitary endeavor, but when the path became difficult, a helping hand always seemed close by. It was an oddly comforting riddle. I smiled, shivering and tucked against the


body of my machine, and knew that on this mountain, in this cold, on this day, there was no other place I would rather be.


February 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS 49


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