robermv32, I am sorry to hear about your friend and riding buddy and hope he responds well to his treatment. I subscribed to your thread when you first posted it, but didn’t see the very last few words until today. I was curious as to what the responses were going to be as it is easy for me to give an opinion, but I am not in your situation. The title of your thread sums it up well: “The trip must go on”! It seems to be the prevailing theory that you should proceed. I agree, but I don’t have to contend with your “lovely wife”. I will tell you this, my missus was not overly thrilled that I was going on my adventure alone and would have preferred someone else be along. I would have too, but finding people you know that can take off for a month is easier said than done. Is seems to me, the obstacle now is how do you convince the missus that everything will be fine. I did a couple of things that somewhat relieved her anxiety. I took a cell phone, but I knew the service would be sporadic at best, but assured her I would call at a pre-determined time so she knew I was alive and well. She gave me a couple of phone cards that could be used from motel telephones. I couldn’t see why I needed two phone cards, but I used them both and bought another one in Pocatello, ID before I got to Choppers Garage. Without a doubt, the best purchase I made prior to my adventure was the mini computer. I could leave her a message here on HDT, or on facebook (have your missus join HDT). We also subscribed to a phone tracking service so if something catastrophic occurred, she would at least be able to tell local authorities where to look for the remains (I can say that now since I returned in one piece). You are also heading to the most popular motorcycling spot in the country and literally thousands of others are too. Stumbling into another rider/s going to Sturgis will be easy if that is what you want to do. I would bet at any rest area along the way, someone on a motorcycle will be on their way that wouldn’t mind you riding with them for a day or more. As you have a month to ponder this situation, there is a good possibility someone on HDT will want to ride with you for a portion of your trip. DakotaRob and Michaelzz28 have already said they will ride some with you. You have certainly been given some good philosophy to ponder by those that have responded thus far and I hope you go, post your trip with pictures and have a great time.