| Re: quick transport-on-minivan-roof question
Henry wrote:
> Howdy. My relatives are coming up to visit, and they're bringing up
> two bikes with them ("teen/regular" sizes). They've got a Dodge Caravan
> with factory roof rails. They'll be driving about 350 or so miles from
> Virginia to NYC. The route will be almost totally on the big interstate
> highways (relatively smooth roads), about 7 hours or so (passing through
> Washington DC just to glance at the sights).
>
> The minivan will be full inside, so we were wondering if anyone has
> just tossed a couple of bikes on the roof (front wheels removed, of course)
> and just tied them down with bungee cords. This is not a regular
> occurrence, so spending a pile of money for a "real" rack is something
> we'd like to avoid. I figure i can buy a cheap tarp and wrap it over the
> front/top of the bikes to keep out any major downpours, and use duct tape
> and/or bungee to keep it all from flying away. The minivan will only
> be unattended during rest stops, and I can also u-lock them to the
> roof rails (these are just cheapish $300 bikes).
>
> Advice, anyone?
Go ahead and do it. Use toestraps (ah, memories...) for more secure
attachment. I always secure each bike in two places. Those racks have
cut-outs on the metal piece that runs the length of the car, and you
can thread the strap through it if the cross-strut is not convenient.
A bonus: makes the car easy to find in a parking lot.
HTH
--Karen M.
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