Today was deadline day. The bike arrived in Seattle. I could have picked it up or had it, still in its crate, shipped straight to the UK.

It all depended upon the result of one final call. A call that confirmed that there was no point in trying any longer. An open invitation to do anything that is required to alter the situation was summarily snubbed without hesitation.

And so the bike was picked up and collected for shipping. 50 to 60 days time I’ll see it again at a dock in Liverpool.