Ready...Steady.....Sttteeeaaadddyyy....

The anticipation is killing me! The bike is on-board the Ecu-Line vessel and sailing the Atlantic as I write this entry. I even have the container number to track it from port to port..TEXU2244768 and it is on time so far.

I have been going over my check-list again and I am keeping to the maxim of go-light, go-small go-minimum, although there is a temptation to take this do-dad or that gizmo "just in case". Those are the warning words for me. As soon as I suffix "just in case", it gets put back instantly. Just the basics!

So now the challenge is to patiently watch the second hand sweep the clock face over and over and over again until departure time on Wednesday. First goal is to be at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial on Canada Day (1st of July) then visit a number of WW1 and WW11 grave sites to pay respects to relatives who rest there. Will be going along the coastal road in the North of France (Dunkirk, Dieppe, St. Valerie) and then down south of Amiens to the war graves.

The watch face above is a Swiss made Roamer that belonged to my father. His brother, who was a multiple amputee and served with the British Merchant Marine fleet, bought it for him with the little money he had in those impoverished war years. I always keep it close - but boy! do that second hand ever turn slowly!!! Come on Wednesday!!

Shipping

The shipping process is well underway now. The bike has been secured on a pallet and prepared for shipment. It will be entirely enclosed in a plywood box and strapped down to prevent any movement. All the wood has to be stamped as kiln dried and or chemically treated to minimize the chance that bugs will be imported along with the bike. The guys at Outaouais also made sure there was lots of protective padding around the bike so there would be little chance of scratching the bike as it is shuffled around. Now, just have to pray for fair weather and tail winds for the ocean crossing.

The Customs folks need to have a "ship to" address as a reference point for the transit and customs declarations. They are obviously concerned about theft and shipping of vehicles overseas. I was very fortunate to have a friend in Belgium who kindly offered to help out so that is a load off my mind. I understand there can be a ton of bureaucracy with some of the transportation logistics so any help getting through the maze is very welcomed!

Crossing the Rubicon

Crossing the Rubicon
This morning, I took the BMW over to the Outaouais Moving to be crated up for shipping. I spend about an hour last night going through the checklist I made up for the saddle bags and making sure the tent, sleeping bag, stove, tools etc etc. were all there, safely stored for shipment and securely locked onto the bike. The team at Outaouais explained how they would be building the crate and the finer points of the shipping process.
As I drove away in the cab I couldn't help but feel that I have just stepped into the warm flowing Rubicon. You can talk about something and plan it down to the last detail. But until you take that first intentional step to cross the river, as Julius Caesar did in 49 BC, you have not fully committed to a specific plan of action. Before that committed step, it is as if you allow yourself a back door to retreat because there are a thousand reasons why you shouldn't do something and only one really good and compelling reason why you should. It is interesting the difference you feel after you take that first determined step forward. No turning back and no intrest in looking back.

Planning and Preparation

By nature, I like to research and plan down to the finest detail, then plan for every possible eventuality or contingent event. I know of at least three entirely unflattering names for people like me. But, broad shoulders and years of working with folks who's life mission is to MAKE you discover your faults, and force you to confront them, have finally dulled the edges. Like this tumbled rock from the Atlantic coast of Isle of Lewis in northern Scotland. Stuff just rolls off as I get older - and hallelujah for that!

So, I have tried my Darwinian best to suppress the planning gene on this trip by fussing over only the critical to and from parts of the journey. Everything in between will flow, I nervously assume, with the weather, road conditions, proximity to vineyards/beer gardens and sites of personal interest. Frankly, I embrace the opportunity to confront chaos on it's doorstep. At least, I say that now....

It is getting nearer and nearer to the launch date and I have concentrated my time on the essential logistics and preparing the bike for the trip. From the logistics standpoint, I have been dealing with the folks at Outaouais Moving in Gatineau, Quebec. Really friendly people with a ton of experience in national and international shipping. Essentially, they are going to crate the bike for shipping, transport it to the port of Montreal, load it into a container and ship it to Antwerpe Belgium. Shipping to the EU is a bit more demanding than in the past. The wood used for the crating has to be certified (kiln dried and chemically treated) so that no nasty bugs are taken along for an ocean holiday.

I am lucky to have had an outstanding BMW motorcycle mechanic (Jesse McGrath - Premier Cycle) go over the bike from top to bottom. Jesse is a meticulous craftsman, highly experienced, with a great personality and an outstanding business sense. What a combo! It is really refreshing to deal with someone like Jesse. You know that when he works on your bike, it is going to be safe and in top form.

Now, after months of planning and dreaming, things are beginning to fall in place rapidly. It seemed like the proverbial Rubicon River was waaay off in the distance - to be crossed by my alter-ego. But now, I am systematically executing the plan and scaring the b-jeepers out of myself in the process. I cycle from giddy excitement to terror in mere seconds and repeat the process over and over throughout the day (and night no doubt). Still, I am having a great time working through the details and I am so very grateful that I have the opportunity to colour my landscape with this adventure.