Safe Return Doubtful

7 miles (11 km) – Total so far: 7 miles (11 km)

Experience over the years has taught me how to get rid of much of the hassle of flying with the bike. But not all of it.

The discomfort starts with Manchester Airport. Living in the middle of nowhere means that there is a considerable shock, akin perhaps to mild agoraphobia, when entering the airport on one of its busiest days of the year.

Overnight at the Radisson (freebie courtesy of Hotels.com) helped, as did avoiding their ridiculously expensive bar and restaurant.

Boxed bike checked okay. Came to 22.8 kgs, purely by chance. Late departure meant rush through terminal 5. All then well until sick passenger meant unscheduled stop in Edmonton, and still on the runway for 3 hours.

Some good reading, interrupted every 10 minutes or so by hysterical laughter from the large lady next to me watching movies. It’s not that I don’t have a sense of humour…

Arrived into downtown Vancouver though for bike assembly and couple of local ones. Warmer than I had expected, at 28 C at 9 pm.

Fat Tug IPA from Driftwood Brewery, Victoria at 7% PBc dry stout from Persephone Brewery, Gibbons, BC at 5.5%. Decent selection at Malones Tap House on North Pinder.