Bike protection when travelling abroad. Help?

[Toks]

Any advice guys, I've got the Wicklow 200 and the etape to come and wouldn't like to go through [url=http://www.londoncyclesport.com/Blogs/Blogsmessages.asp?dt=4&UTN=9&srchdte=0&V=1&SP=]this[/url] type of drama again

[Sylv]

Take as much apart as you can! Pedals, cranks (drive side), chain, rear mech (that's an accident waiting to happen), forks, bars, post and saddle ...
Use the plastic thingies new bikes come with to protect the fork and frame dropouts from getting squashed.
Then use as much bubble wrap and tube protection as you can lay your hands on.
Pack your wheels in separate padded bags if possible, take skewers off.
Stick some of your clothes in the bag for added protection.
Then keep praying

[huw williams]

You're going to Wicklow? Any chance I can have a story from you on that for CW?

Been meaning to get there for years - people tell me its a war out there cos the road surface is weird - not rough and potholed nescesarily but coarse tarmac - meaning its hard to get momentum

[Toks]

Yeah no probs Huw its actually my second time. I'm staying in Dublin again - cool place . Cheers Sylv having travelled abroad approximately ten times with the bike I thought I'd be ok keeping most parts intact. You live and you learn!

[Toks]

cheers Marco. it sounds like thats the best option unless your gonna get really creative with polyestyrene

[Elliot M]

you can use the bike boxes that shops get new bikes in, they are free, lightish and protect the bike well, but very difficult to carry on public transport, ok if you have a lift to/from airport

pipe lagging (from DIY stores) is very good for protecting frame tubes, you can easily cut to fit each tube, secure with tape.

edit: only just noticed your link. sorry to hear that!

[Grahame]

I've got a hard case that I've used plenty of times - it does a good job.

I'm using it from 19th June to 8th July, if you want it outside of those times, you are welcome to borrow it - the rental is a very reasonable "Giant Toblerone or bottle of nice wine per week"

[Richard (Apples)]

Hiya Toks

The company I booked the Etape through are taking me bike in a van for £35.....would you like me to ask if they'd take yours as well

[Toks]

thanks for the offer Rich. i better just get something more permanent. cheer i'll let you know graham

[higg]

Sorry to hear that, really bad luck. Check out edinburgh cycle co-op. I got a flyer in the post yeaterday. I think it said £169 for a rigid case

[Maria David]

Sorry to hear about your bike Toks - sounds a nightmare. All that preparation for nothing.

A few tips :

Just wrap up your bike as well as you can for Ireland. Might be worth seeing where you can rent a box.

Some clubs (Dulwich Paragon is one of them) have bike boxes and have a system of renting them out, generally on a first come first serve basis. Maybe something for ACC/Mosquito to consider. Otherwise try a few of the bike shops.

You can buy cardboard boxes at the luggage shops at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. They are specially for bicycles.

It might be worth picking an airline that will at least compensate you for damage done to your bike. Check for damage to your bike before you leave the airport.

My bike was damaged in transit when I flew BA last year. The folks at Geneva airport were very helpful. They compensated me for it, and the man at the counter was also able to give me the names and locations of local bike shops.

If you've flown somewhere for an event, especially big bike countries like France and Italy it is generally possible to get your bike fixed, or at least they can do something to make it rideable for the bike event. They are pretty sympathetic. The local bikers or the organisers can point you in the right direction. Failing that, you can always hire a half decent road bike, especially in Italy.

Make sure your bike is insured for riding abroad, including flight transit. Some companies ask that you let them know in advance of your trip that you intend taking your bike abroad.

Good Luck at Wicklow !

[Toks]

[quote="Maria David"]
You can buy cardboard boxes at the luggage shops at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. They are specially for bicycles.

Good Luck at Wicklow !

[higg]

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 127m003662

This is the hard case option. £100

[Alex P]

Easyjet are employing a new bike protection plan when you take your bike with them, as recently experienced by a member of Geoffrey Butlers going to Italy for the Giro and a weeks riding.....

You pay your £10 and Easyjet put your bike in storage at the airport, safe and ready for your return from your biking holiday, no worries about damage in transit, no losing your bike at a foreign airport, no crash damage if you wipe out whilst riding it on unfamiliar roads - you do not even have to clean your bike.

There is of course a little stress at the airport when you arrive as you enquire about the safety of your carbon framed Campag record kitted bike but it is a little price to pay.

I'm sure that this a special one off offer as Easyjet will not be able to afford all the extra storage space.

[Alan M]

Toks

Are you being compensated for the loss? I believe that I read of a recent test case where the airline lost its case and had to pay all costs.

I used Grahame's case last year (thanks again Grahame - still owe you that drink) but I like the idea of the club investing in a few boxes that can be offered out to club members - what say our esteemed treasurer? . If you decide to purchase I would be interested in buying into a syndicate with you on the assumption, and to our mutual benefit, we'll never spend time in a foreign country together. No I'm kidding Toks, really......

Alan