Every Little Bit Helps

In three days I'll be on my way to Taiwan.  Two days ago I towed the bike trailer for the last time and yesterday I dismantled it ready for packing.  My airline ticket allows me two 23kg hold bags.  One will be the trailer containing the tent, etc and the other the cardboard box containing the bike.  I need to balance the weigh of each to ensure I remain within the 23kg allowance.

I didn't opt for the cheapest economy fare selecting instead a fare that gave me two pieces of hold baggage and the ability to change flights.   The latter is a "fall back" position should something go wrong with the bike tour forcing to return home early.   Seat selection options going to Taiwan were limited, but I managed to find a window seat.  I could have selected a seat in an emergency exit row, which has more leg room.  However Cathay Pacific wanted more money.  My return flight is on 1 January and it appears few people want to fly on that day.  Cathay Pacific allowed me to select a seat in the emergency exit row at no additional cost. 

As I was carefully disassembling the trailer, placing all the small parts into a plastic bag, I thought  might be a prudent measure to check the lubrication in the trailer wheel bearings.  I'd not previously checked this and as I'm away from home it seemed like a sensible measure.

Well there wasn't much grease in the bearings and more surprising was there were two ball bearings missing from each side.  I suppose if you're a Chinese bike trailer manufacturer trying to maintain a living through COVID then saving four 5mm ball bearing on every trailer adds up!

I cycled the 10km to the local bike shop this morning and purchased 25  ball bearings for $5.  They would have been cheaper from eBay, but I don't have the time.

With the trailer wheel bearing sorted and greased I turned my attention to the bike.  Removing the 19.2Ah battery has definitely reduced the weight of the bike.  I just have to hope my second battery is delivered from China to Taiwan by the time I arrive. 

I'm carefully bagging all the bike small components and any tools I use are being set to one side to ensure I take them with me for the re-assembly in Taipei.

  

All the components are being cleaned and checked as the bike is disassembled.  I have a large roll of heavy duty bubble wrap which I'll use once the bike is fully stripped. 

The other project is also slowly moving along.  The area behind the workshop has been cleaned of vegetation and the building materials restacked.  I've also made a start on the lean-to framing. 

 

I won't be installing the roof until the neighbours tree has had its haircut.  That won't happen until after spring as there may be birds nesting in the tree.