Hi

Well here we go. Myself and my wife are Australians preparing for a trip to the US and into Canada commencing June 2014 for a couple of months to catch up with some friends we haven't seen for a few years now. But instead of seeing the country at 35000ft, we would like to experience it at 3ft instead.

We are shipping our own motorcycle into LA from Australia for a pick up at the end of May. Most of the approvals for the import and export are in place and our bike looks set to be crated up in the coming weeks and sets off in early April. Our flights are now booked as well. I'll add here that the HUBB and its participants have been a wealth of info for all of this. I cannot imagine how it would have been pre-internet to plan something like this. Hats off to you both Grant and Susan.

All going well, our general itinerary is leaving LA on 30th May to visit a good friend in Las Vegas before heading towards the Zion NP maybe across to the Navajo bridge up though US 163 and head toward the Colorado rockies, Million Dollar Hwy & independence pass (if its open), black hills area across to the upper Michigan peninsula and on into Ontario. Our return leg is somewhat loosely planned at this stage. We are undecided whether to head back after coming over the top of Lake Superior to come across US 2 or stay in Canada heading west through the provinces. But most likely to end up in BC either way, coming back down the WA and OR coastline before heading a little inland to return to LA.

A biker friend in Canada has sent me a heap of awesome AAA maps that he has marked up for the great rides in the states and provinces that we'll pass through. That along with all the advice on roads that has been shared here, we can hardly wait for it to begin.

I would like to ask if anyone could help with local advice on where I could clean the bike for when I recrate it on our return to LA before we return to Australia. Australian quarantine is quite rigid and no doubt our bike will be pretty dirty from the all the miles. Any local advice anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

We are looking forward to catching up with some great friends we miss dearly and hopefully meeting any Hubbers and making new friends along the way.

Clasty