Departed Napier on Air NZ for Auckland. GT all packed in a box and checked to San Fran. Handlebars had been rusted in and much effort required to get them out. Pedals an easy job with the right tool!
Arrived Auckland no problems. Air NZ boarding pass needs to be changed to United anyway as they require passport details etc. Flight to LA c. 11 hours with some minor turbulence. Bike + luggage arrive visually o.k.
Clear customs and go to re-check baggage to be told flight to San Fran is cancelled. First confirmed flight is 3.30pm so take that. Another new boarding pass issued!
Find the “Inpass” registration on the ground floor of the Tom Bradley terminal (go left out of United and walk on footpath until you get there!) Card issued within 15 minutes – no charge. Then advised expires with passport i.e. 14-2-2000! Plan is also only available to frequent business travelers.
Finally locate a United service desk. After much searching, no upgrade granted for LA à Auckland and can’t standby – currently none available. Must keep checking to try and achieve. Tandem freight not much different – can accept on day of departure but not before. They have a storage facility 2-3 miles from the airport but they supposedly don’t deliver to airport. A great help!
Arrive in San Fran – bike has apparently come on an earlier flight. Call hotel and wait and wait and wait for shuttle bus. Call them again and wait and wait. Call them again and again and again. Great phone lines! Try a different pick up location and finally catch bus.
Arrive at hotel with 2 bags and bike – need 3 hands already and no Jake yet! Registration is confirmed and they will bring the bike up to my room in about 10 minutes. I’m still waiting!
Pizza and chocolate cake for tea in the hotel restaurant before watching some TV news and calling it an early night. Learn daily temps are 10 à 20°F below normal. Great!
