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Published: July 29th 2016
Well we always knew this was going to be a big adventure, we just didn't realise we were going to get so much of it on the first day. The day started so well, landing in L.A. (I'm going to use full stops here, to differentiate from the other LA, aka me. Now check the title of this post again) only a little late at 7am and pretty well rested (gotta love a flat bed). Stoked to discover customs was open on a Sunday and so we could pick up the bikes today, get organised and head straight out Monday morning. Excellent start.
After sharing the ream of paperwork we had brought with us, we were told to walk over to the guy in the forklift and he'd get our bikes. Andrew was a bit confused. There were no painted walkways, no signs telling us to keep safe, and the guy in the forklift rather nonchalantly cruised over to us, not following any marked route, leaned out and grabbed our forms. Spoiler alert: we didn't get run over.
Forklift man came back pushing a large cardboard carton. Firstly, I did not expect my bike to fly to the
US in a cardboard carton. Secondly, show some respect dude! Andrew's came out first and all looked good, and we set to removing the 30 screws that connected that cardboard carton to an aluminium frame. When mine arrived, apart from the brake lever sticking out the side of the box, it all looked good as well. And I had far less screws to remove than Andrew, so I was feeling like a winner. All electricals had to be disconnected and fuel emptied for the bikes to be transported, so we set to reconnecting AR's bike and fuelling it up. Feeling pretty pleased with ourselves when it roared to life. Mine was next. Hubris is a cruel mistress.
With cardboard and screws strewn across the concrete, we expected to don our helmets and roar off to Santa Monica for a quick spin. The cool Aussies cruising Venice Beach was our vibe. Alas, my bike showed no signs of cooperating with our plan. We connected, disconnected and reconnected everything we could see, but still no signs of life. Admitting defeat, we called our insurance line to get assistance. We expected a little RACQ-type van to be at our beck and call. The world is full of learning experiences. Not only did the insurance company have no record of our policy, but we learned that a 'Roadside Assistance' package covers towing and flat tyres only. No way. I was not having my Harley towed when it hadn't even been ridden on U.S. soil yet. Surely there must be someone who can come out and have a look. Two hours of phone calls to every Harley dealership in the vicinity, as well as the A.A.A. (motorbike membership 14 days to process) and I succumbed to the inevitable. My bike left customs on the back of a flatbed truck.
We had found a dealership that would look at the bike in the morning, so Andrew followed the tow truck on his bike and I went back to our hotel awaiting further instructions. More learning opportunities. Turns out there are two Harley dealerships in the area. One was around the corner, the other was about 15kms away. Perhaps AR was jet lagged and didn't see all the details of the address. He and the tow truck went to the one 15kms away. 15kms in L.A. involves a few freeways and is a bit of a deal. They weren't expecting us. Tow truck and AR turn around and drive back to the one around the corner. Fortunately the technician had stayed back for us and in 5 minutes had brought my bike back to life. Apparently another wire needed connecting that we hadn't spotted. Seriously how many do you need? Finally I get the phone call, hop in a cab and doesn't take me long to get to Andrew & the bikes (after all it's only around the corner). We are tired and relieved, we'll still be ready to go in the morning. But learning experiences were not finished for the day.
Andrew had already fuelled his bike up, and we just needed to fuel mine so we could have a quick get away tomorrow. U.S. Service stations have a great system where you can pay for all your fuel on credit card at the bowser, without having to go into the store. You just need to enter your postcode along with your credit card. AR tried a random number as a postcode. Didn't work. Then tried the postcode of our hotel. Still didn't work. Stomped into the store to see a cashier. Apparently ANZ didn't like that approach and put a stop on our credit card immediately. Funny how quickly banks act when it comes to not paying you money. Now we have no fuel and no credit. Fortunately we had some cash on us and hopefully the hotel hadn't discovered our cancelled card yet.
We thought it best to leave the day where it was and head back to the hotel. What could go wrong in 2k's? We decided we only needed one ticket at the hotel car park as the two bikes share a parking bay. Andrew collected the ticket from the machine, boom gate when up and he rode through. I should have been a bit quicker. Fortunately the boom gate missed my mirrors and landed on my handle bars. Unfortunately my hands were around those bars. My knight in black leathers parked his bike (rather casually I might add) and came back to the rescue.He lifted the boom gate (a piece of which was now missing) and I managed to back out and ride around it into the car park. My only injury was a grazed knuckle from where my ring had been smashed into my hand. As a safety share I suggested I might not wear rings while riding. Andrew suggested I try and avoid running into any more boomgates. I'll take that into consideration. On the upside, I now have a cool biker name: 'Boomer'. I'm hoping the yanks will think it represents a majestic 'roo bounding graciously and freely across the open plains.
As we sipped on a well-earned IPA and G&T at the end of the day, Andrew reflected that some days are a bit of a kerfuffle, and others are more of a kerfuckle. This day was definitely a kerfuckle. We expect there will be more before this 5 week, 8,500km adventured from L.A. to NYC is over. Hope you enjoy sharing it with us.
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Neens
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Kerfuckle
Love this, well I don't love the kerfuckle of a day....but if it makes you feel any better you wrote this so well I was feeling your pain!! Nothing like a kerfuckle day to make you feel alive ?? love yas happy riding ?