Bigger Smile, today! They say  "you get by with a little help from your friends" and our trip took on a happier tone after the lost bike episode(which is still somewhere riding across the country) with the help of Merrily(who loaned me a bike that fits) and Craig(who has an Aircaddy bike box)
So at 4 am on Wednesday we will escort the loaner bike on the plane and I can at least ride a portion until my own bike which will have travelled 9000 miles, arrives..
 Will keep you posted as to it's condition...it,probably will at least need a Pepsid!