The Bike!

Location:	Vancouver Air Cargo
Mileage:	0!

When we get to the agent, Swissport, the lady at recpetion grins and says "oh yes, the bike, it's here". Its too early for relief as we need to get it through Customs and check it over. We head off to the Customs House, where we happen to have a Customs Officer who comes originally from England. So we chat about Blighty, she stamps our carnet and we are out of there in minutes and forty six dollars lighter (they checked the bike out for bugs the evening before and we paid for the pleasure!).

Back at the cargo depot, it's another bunch of stamps and then the bike is wheeled out. It all seems in order, we connect up the battery and the bike fires up first time.

We are out on the open road in no time, fill the tank up for a cheap 35p per litre (cheap for England!) and take the bike out for a spin around Vancouver, along the Marine Drive and end up at the John Valk BMW dealer. John sorts us out for a few bits and oil (thanks!).

All we need to do is to sort out bike packing and then start the 2,500 mile ride north to get to our start point!

Arriving in North America

Location:	Vancouver
Mileage:	0!

We are jet lagged but have arrived in Vancouver on schedule. The only thing we need to find out is if the bike has got here too. It is 6.30 in the evening and we have to wait until the next morning before we can phone the freight agent , Swissport.

It's a hot and humid night, more reminiscent of Singapore than Canada. After a rack of ribs and cold beer, we catch some zeds and try to adjust to the eight hours difference.

We are up at five the next morning; we ring the agent at eight. They sound a little vague as to whether the bike has arrived. So we pack our documents and do the couple of mile trek back to the airport to find out in person!