Canada & northern US in 2 parts - bike storage?
 

I am planning a trip to Canada and the northern part of the USA for 2014. Because i've got only 8 weeks time in 2014 i am wondering whether it would be possible to park the bike somewhere for 8 months or so. So i could split the trip into two parts - the first starting in Halifax heading west, breaking and then part two going back to Halifax via the USA (possibly another 6-8 weeks).

Any ideas?

Good idea to split the trip in two. If I was you though, I'd consider riding across North America just once and save the second portion of the trip for the exploration of western Canada up to Alaska and down to the western US. The west has the Rocky Mountains and is in my opinion has more striking scenery. The middle of the continent is nice, but not sure a person would get a lot out of crossing it twice.

It's roughly the same to ship back to Europe from the west coast as it is from the east (by air anyways).

Alaska is a good point. I possibly could think about that, too. ANd split the trip into three. Why? It looks like there is only 1 way to ship my bike by RoRo with Wallenius, from Bremerhaven to Halifax. And i'd like to get it back to Germany in the same way - roll on roll off. Hiring containers and building crates is quite anoying when there is another possibility...

What i read recently it's legal to leave a vehicle up to 12 months in the US while in Canada the bike would have to leave the country if i leave it.

So has anyone an idea where to leave / park the bike in the US?

You can still ship ro-ro from the west coast to Bremerhafen - I did so last year. Take a look here From Los Angeles, United States to Bremerhafen, Germany - July, 2012 | Horizons Unlimited

Hi Thermal,

thanks for the info. That sounds good. In the meantime i also got an information from Wallenius that they do so. So some more options are rising for my travel routes. :)

And i fully agree with your post regarding organising the transport with the shippers and so on. Unfortunately it looks like it's not possible to ship any "personel effects" with the bike (except some tools can remain on the bike). But i will see what happens next year ...

Good day Gestein!!

If you want to store your bike at the end of next Summer, I live in Cold Lake, Alberta. If you don't mind storing it next to my KTM, you're more than welcome to do so!!

I live on a Military Base, so it's kindda safe!! LoL

An extra checked-in luggage accompanying you on-board usually costs 100 CAD or so. No issue there if you put your most needed personal effects in a large duffle bag (dry so you can use it at destination). Cheap, no hassle and quite safe. My 2 cents.

We did exactly that. Shipped bikes to Boston and rode across to the west and then stored the bikes in Las Vegas for 6 mths.

Came back, collected the bikes road up,to Alaska and then back to New York

I have a deal for you, storage for your bike in Western Washington State, with shop and tools if you need. AND I could use storage for my bike in Western Europe starting mid May. What options might there be for storage for me there.

You can have your bike in the USA and Canada for 12 months on temporary import. If you need more time than that you will need to make a run down to Mexico to restart a new 12 months.

I have been seeing the world on the "installment plan" for several years and am now planning on making it to Europe for six weeks in May and June.

Bob:scooter:

Gestein
Sehr gut, to split the trip in two. I did Halifax to Anchorage and back in 7 weeks. I wished i took more time to do the 21000km. Considering the costst of shipping it's also a good idea to use your bike for 2 holiday's. I used a compagny in hamburg for shipping and everything was very easy. People in the us and canada where always very nice and interested when they saw my license plate.
Take enough time for the Yukon and Alaska, probably the most beautifull part of your trip and you wil never regret. Start making a blog here or on the adv forum, we love it.
Mail if you have any questions and if take a look on my dutch blog during this winter, it helped me throught the winter counting down the days before my trip started.
Viel spass
Albert
www.ajklik.nl/alaska