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01-11-2005, 01:47 PM

> Greetings. My wife and I are going to be traveling overseas (from the
> US to Bonaire), and our bikes are going with us on this trip. I'm
> getting a couple of bike boxes from a cousin who works at a sport/bike
> store, and I've gotten advice from family and a few web pages about what
> to take off, and how to pad the bikes.
>
> I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experiences to share
> of things that might not be obvious that help ensure that a bike gets to
> its destination in one piece. Stuff like, um, "don't pack your tools
> with the bike," or "definitely pack your tools with the bike."

> Basically, I think I've got the "book smarts" to pack things up well,
> but if anyone's had any gotcha's from a previous experience, I'd be
> interested in being enlightened.

#1: Take a photo of your bike before it goes in the box, after it goes in
the box, and perhaps most important, get a photo of the box as it's being
handed over to the baggage people. You need evidence to demonstrate that it
was in great shape (especially the box) when they took possession of it.

#2: On the return, keep in mind that it's entirely possible that, at the
departing airport, the security people may require you to take the bike, and
all other contents, out of the box for inspection. This creates quite the
spectacle, as people often pack all manner of soiled clothing in their bike
boxes, which is all on display for passers-by. This ritual is repeated often
at CDG (Paris).

#3: Whatever your favorite sports drink is, chances are high it won't be
available where you go. If you're partial, say, to Cytomax, you'd better
bring it with you. Alternatives exist, but if you're hung up on a particular
one, better to stock up beforehand.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

"Greg Anderson" <nsforme@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:nsforme-D39F3F.12243411012005@host180.octanews.net...
> Greetings. My wife and I are going to be traveling overseas (from the
> US to Bonaire), and our bikes are going with us on this trip. I'm
> getting a couple of bike boxes from a cousin who works at a sport/bike
> store, and I've gotten advice from family and a few web pages about what
> to take off, and how to pad the bikes.
>
> I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experiences to share
> of things that might not be obvious that help ensure that a bike gets to
> its destination in one piece. Stuff like, um, "don't pack your tools
> with the bike," or "definitely pack your tools with the bike."

> Basically, I think I've got the "book smarts" to pack things up well,
> but if anyone's had any gotcha's from a previous experience, I'd be
> interested in being enlightened.
>
> TIA!
>
> Greg

01-11-2005, 01:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles Posts: n/a	Re: Airplane travel with bicycles > Greetings. My wife and I are going to be traveling overseas (from the > US to Bonaire), and our bikes are going with us on this trip. I'm > getting a couple of bike boxes from a cousin who works at a sport/bike > store, and I've gotten advice from family and a few web pages about what > to take off, and how to pad the bikes. > > I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experiences to share > of things that might not be obvious that help ensure that a bike gets to > its destination in one piece. Stuff like, um, "don't pack your tools > with the bike," or "definitely pack your tools with the bike." > Basically, I think I've got the "book smarts" to pack things up well, > but if anyone's had any gotcha's from a previous experience, I'd be > interested in being enlightened. #1: Take a photo of your bike before it goes in the box, after it goes in the box, and perhaps most important, get a photo of the box as it's being handed over to the baggage people. You need evidence to demonstrate that it was in great shape (especially the box) when they took possession of it. #2: On the return, keep in mind that it's entirely possible that, at the departing airport, the security people may require you to take the bike, and all other contents, out of the box for inspection. This creates quite the spectacle, as people often pack all manner of soiled clothing in their bike boxes, which is all on display for passers-by. This ritual is repeated often at CDG (Paris). #3: Whatever your favorite sports drink is, chances are high it won't be available where you go. If you're partial, say, to Cytomax, you'd better bring it with you. Alternatives exist, but if you're hung up on a particular one, better to stock up beforehand. --Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReaction.com IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member "Greg Anderson" <nsforme@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:nsforme-D39F3F.12243411012005@host180.octanews.net... > Greetings. My wife and I are going to be traveling overseas (from the > US to Bonaire), and our bikes are going with us on this trip. I'm > getting a couple of bike boxes from a cousin who works at a sport/bike > store, and I've gotten advice from family and a few web pages about what > to take off, and how to pad the bikes. > > I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experiences to share > of things that might not be obvious that help ensure that a bike gets to > its destination in one piece. Stuff like, um, "don't pack your tools > with the bike," or "definitely pack your tools with the bike." > Basically, I think I've got the "book smarts" to pack things up well, > but if anyone's had any gotcha's from a previous experience, I'd be > interested in being enlightened. > > TIA! > > Greg