Might see you Friday...

I visited Buffalo, NY then Erie, PA trying to get extra time on my temp plate. No good. I am swimming in an ocean of paperwork, telephone numbers and conflicting info. If I can't sort this in the next 24 hours, I'll be seeing you Friday (if you are reading this in the UK...)

Before leaving Toronto I was told I could get 10 extra days. According to my research in the USA this should not be possible. However, it sounded good to me. I visited NY to investigate full registration anyway (NYS is the only state to offer exemption on sales taxes- elsewhere I would pay 6-8% of the purchase price). However the insurance card is not good enough for their system. I phoned the insurance company and the only person who can deal with this is away for the week- so off to Pennsylvania- to find that despite information gleaned from PA DMV before leaving the UK, I cannot get a temp plate in the current situation. (I did not forsee certain details when making the calls fromt he UK but I will spare you the them here). Net result is that I must return to Ontario province in Canada to get the extra 10 days- this is the last remaining option, otherwise the bike must be on a plane by Friday, that's only 72 hours and I'm in another country right now!

So, back in to Canada- Hamilton Vehicle Office. Who tell me they categorically cannot issue a temp plate because I already had one from Michigan. Not to be defeated by the massive bureaucracy machine (I did live in Russia for 9 months!) I returned to Toronto to the same office that offered me 10 days extra, spoke to the same person and pointed out the problems highlighted in Hamilton. There are no problems apparently. Sign the form, write in the policy number and "you're good to go". I do need another document faxed from the previous owner which has yet to appear but when it does I can do proceed. The balance of timing is critical. If I wait til Friday and it goes wrong I will have a bike that I cannot ride to NY to get shipped. If I do it earlier I waste valuable travelling days.

I have been told twice by the same operative in Toronto that I can do this- so I am gambling a little, but I will wait til Friday, get the 10 days extension and then spend then last week..... in Canada? Or going down the East Coast? (Which would you do? Phone voting opens at midnight...)

Despite this hassle, I am enjoying the road trip. I still get a kick out of looking out to the side whilst riding and seeing the American countryside roll past, legs extended on the cruising pegs, stereo on full volume (Rock FM still). It's amazing.