Day 29 - Flight to Victoria

We finished off the packing about 6:30am and sat patiently waiting for the taxi to arrive at 9:30 am to take us to the airport. Marge likes to be ready early, and this leaves us a lot longer to worry. We sat on the front steps of the hostel and chatted to a couple of guys we had met on the ferry who were touring on motor cycles. One of the bikes was a custom built Harley called a Jackpot Custom, and after the special paint it cost around $50 thousand dollars. It was, of course all tricked out except for a muffler and so very loud.

The taxi van arrived early and for a minute, or two, was concerned that we could not get the bike in, but with some arrangement of seat backs, we managed to get everything in and off we set. For once everything went swimmingly at the airport check-in. The Air Canada Staff were cheerful and once they understood what we wanted to do were very helpful indeed. Likewise the security guys who initially wanted us to unpack the bike, but negotiation and common sense prevailed, security was satisfied, and the box re-taped with little delay. Thanks to all.


The flights were just boring, and that is also just great. We of course got chatting to lots of folks, which made the time go quickly, and at 19:00h local time we landed in Victoria. The bike was among the first things off and we were pleased that it seemed to be in good order. We assembled the bike in a bike assembly point in the grounds of the airport which was furnished with a pump and bike work stands and in about an hour we were on our way to the Waddling Dog Quality Inn. After a little discussion the bike was housed in the beer and wine stores, while we went into a rather swish accommodation. Well worth the little extra. The Pub Grub is also highly recommended.


The highlight of my day, apart from the safe arrival, was that we finished the jam we had lugged for 2000 km in our oats in SJ so I don’t have to pedal it over the Rockies.

Pictures

23kph average

Distance: 7km
Total Distance: 2074km
Alt change: 12m
Total Alt change: 11458m

NOTE: Does not include plane and taxi.