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.