Airplane travel with bicycles

01-11-2005, 09:24 AM

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

> 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
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
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

> 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
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
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

> 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
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
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, 02:20 PM

"Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote in news:uIYEd.9538$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].prodigy.co m:

>
> #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.

I won't comment on the bike packing practice you recommend because my
experiences are different but I had a buddy who brought his own drink
powder in a large water bottle taped in his cage. Needless to say CDG
security picked his bike to unpack and took a fit when they saw the
powder in the bottle. Neither his offer to taste it nor all claims
that it was what it was avoided a 40 minute farce, and he finally
ended up tossing it down the toilet even though security really knew
it was sports drink.

01-11-2005, 02:20 PM

"Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote in news:uIYEd.9538$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].prodigy.co m:

>
> #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.

I won't comment on the bike packing practice you recommend because my
experiences are different but I had a buddy who brought his own drink
powder in a large water bottle taped in his cage. Needless to say CDG
security picked his bike to unpack and took a fit when they saw the
powder in the bottle. Neither his offer to taste it nor all claims
that it was what it was avoided a 40 minute farce, and he finally
ended up tossing it down the toilet even though security really knew
it was sports drink.

01-11-2005, 02:20 PM

"Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote in news:uIYEd.9538$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].prodigy.co m:

>
> #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.

I won't comment on the bike packing practice you recommend because my
experiences are different but I had a buddy who brought his own drink
powder in a large water bottle taped in his cage. Needless to say CDG
security picked his bike to unpack and took a fit when they saw the
powder in the bottle. Neither his offer to taste it nor all claims
that it was what it was avoided a 40 minute farce, and he finally
ended up tossing it down the toilet even though security really knew
it was sports drink.

01-11-2005, 02:23 PM

In article <Xns95DB9C141A811mikelatshawca@64.59.144.76>,
Mike Latondresse <mikelat@no_spam_shaw.ca> wrote:

> "Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <MikeJ@ChainReaction.com>
> wrote in news:uIYEd.9538$wZ2.7333@newssvr13.news.prodigy.co m:
>
> >
> > #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.
>
> I won't comment on the bike packing practice you recommend because my
> experiences are different but I had a buddy who brought his own drink
> powder in a large water bottle taped in his cage. Needless to say CDG
> security picked his bike to unpack and took a fit when they saw the
> powder in the bottle. Neither his offer to taste it nor all claims
> that it was what it was avoided a 40 minute farce, and he finally
> ended up tossing it down the toilet even though security really knew
> it was sports drink.

Luckily, my wife and I are both imbibers of water on our rides. We're
not hard-core enough to pay for liquid refreshment.

Besides, on an
island that's only 25 miles long, we'd have to travel it twice to really
start getting tired.

Water will suffice for us.

*Goes to take pictures of the bikes before the tear-down begins*

01-11-2005, 02:23 PM

In article <Xns95DB9C141A811mikelatshawca@64.59.144.76>,
Mike Latondresse <mikelat@no_spam_shaw.ca> wrote:

> "Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <MikeJ@ChainReaction.com>
> wrote in news:uIYEd.9538$wZ2.7333@newssvr13.news.prodigy.co m:
>
> >
> > #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.
>
> I won't comment on the bike packing practice you recommend because my
> experiences are different but I had a buddy who brought his own drink
> powder in a large water bottle taped in his cage. Needless to say CDG
> security picked his bike to unpack and took a fit when they saw the
> powder in the bottle. Neither his offer to taste it nor all claims
> that it was what it was avoided a 40 minute farce, and he finally
> ended up tossing it down the toilet even though security really knew
> it was sports drink.

Luckily, my wife and I are both imbibers of water on our rides. We're
not hard-core enough to pay for liquid refreshment.

Besides, on an
island that's only 25 miles long, we'd have to travel it twice to really
start getting tired.

Water will suffice for us.

*Goes to take pictures of the bikes before the tear-down begins*

01-11-2005, 02:23 PM

In article <Xns95DB9C141A811mikelatshawca@64.59.144.76>,
Mike Latondresse <mikelat@no_spam_shaw.ca> wrote:

> "Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <MikeJ@ChainReaction.com>
> wrote in news:uIYEd.9538$wZ2.7333@newssvr13.news.prodigy.co m:
>
> >
> > #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.
>
> I won't comment on the bike packing practice you recommend because my
> experiences are different but I had a buddy who brought his own drink
> powder in a large water bottle taped in his cage. Needless to say CDG
> security picked his bike to unpack and took a fit when they saw the
> powder in the bottle. Neither his offer to taste it nor all claims
> that it was what it was avoided a 40 minute farce, and he finally
> ended up tossing it down the toilet even though security really knew
> it was sports drink.

Luckily, my wife and I are both imbibers of water on our rides. We're
not hard-core enough to pay for liquid refreshment.

Besides, on an
island that's only 25 miles long, we'd have to travel it twice to really
start getting tired.

Water will suffice for us.

*Goes to take pictures of the bikes before the tear-down begins*