On my way... Days -1 & 0

5/29/2019, Day -1
0500 MST - The alarm rings to get going.  Flight out of DEN is at 0817 and the airport is busy.  Long lines for baggage check, but luckily I have TSA Precheck.  Flight is uneventful but I'm in row 37.  I arrived in Portland early at 1030.  Portland airport actually has a bike assembly area with a stand and everything.  Took the MAX train to downtown, where I dropped my bag into storage at Amtrak Union Station.  I do some supply shopping at REI, grab a bite to eat at a sports bar, and wait for several hours for my bus to Astoria at 620pm   Another 2hrs 45 min later and I get to the Commodore Hotel Astoria about 930pm.  A day full of planes, trains, automobiles, and walking.

Portland Union Station

5/30/2019, Day 0
Today I picked up my bike from Bikes And Beyond in Astoria.  I'm glad I had them assemble it.  They seemed very busy with the Trans America Bike Race starting in a couple days.  I rode around the waterfront and then up to the Astoria Column.  The view wasn't great since it was overcast and a bit foggy, but it still gives you a nice view of the city and it was nice to get on the bike for a couple of hours.  Tomorrow starts the journey.

Funny Stuff.. well, sort of...

So the other day I was looking at the artwork on the covers of the Adventure Cycling Association maps.   They have boats and pronghorns and waterfalls and such, right up to map 11.  Yup, that would be a MACK truck right there.   Welcome to Kentucky I guess.

Shipping the bike using Bikeflights (and UPS)

I used Bike Flights to ship my bike to Astoria, OR.  I had a box from moving that I used to ship it in, which I got it from a local bike shop for nothing.  It also had a bunch of the axle spacers and axle protectors with it.  I recommend that you try to get these pieces if you go this route.

The main things I did were to cover the frame with pipe tube insulation and zip ties, removed the rear derailleur, removed the front and rear brake calipers, and finally made sure that everything was secure in the box.  I also left the rack attached to the bike.  We'll see how well I did when the bike shop opens the box!

Delivery to Bike and Beyond Successful (So far...)!

Pretty happy with the service I received with Bikeflights.  Highly recommended.