[The China Shipping 40 foot container backed-up to the loading bay at World Cargo International in Tukwila, WA.]

We accomplished the first tangible milestone of our journey on MON 16 APR. Two of the twelve bikes were shipping direct from Australia to China, so we began loading the remaining ten bikes outbound from Seattle into a 20 ft. container. With only a couple of bikes wheeled in, it was readily apparent that we needed a large container - the next step up was a 40-footer.

[Ten "iron horses", chocked, tied-down, and ready for an ocean journey. Image courtesy of Helge Pedersen]

The bikes will ship out of Harbor Island, Seattle, this week, and arrive in Shanghai on 05 MAY. Once there, they'll be cleared through Chinese customs, and since "foreign" vehicles are not allowed, a "loophole" will be created by re-licensing the bikes with Chinese license plates, and we'll all be issued Chinese driver's licenses. Unfortunately, we don't get to keep the plates, but imagine the fun I'll have the next time I'm stopped by a US-based LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) and hand over my Chinese driver's license!

[The Loadmasters from L to R: Yours Truly with the "days catch" of extra tie-downs, trip videographer Sterling Noren, and tour leader and global adventurer, Helge Pedersen. Image courtesy of Helge Pedersen]

The bikes will actually ship out of Seattle on 20 APR 2002, on the good ship Nordstrand Voyage 11. They will arrive in Shangai 05 MAY 2002.