bikes on a plane - any thoughts?

vermootencp · June 2007

Hi,

I'm planing to ride the Marmotte in early July, entry and accommodation are sorted out. The problem is getting there.

(i) can't fly to Grenoble or wherever cos I haven't got a carrier for my bike
(ii) driving will be an utter bore, take 2-3 days each way and cost a fortune in petrol.
(iii) train is very costly (>œ300)

Any thoughts? All posts appreciated, it's a bit of a poo of a dilemma.

Cheers,
Andy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll do what I can to help y'all. But the game's out there, and it's play or get played. That simple."

KeithG · June 2007

Get or hire a bike bag is the most obvious answer surely.

Noodley · June 2007

yep, what Keith said - you can pick up a simple bike cover (CTC sell one for much cheapness) to pack the bike into when flying, and tape it shut when you get to the airport.

vermootencp · June 2007

But won't that damage the bike? I figure the hard shell covers protect one's investment, whereas the soft ones are asking for airline baggage handler trouble?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll do what I can to help y'all. But the game's out there, and it's play or get played. That simple."

Unknown · June 2007

Hire a hard shell. I don't know if any of the Manchester shops do this but Sigma Sport in Kingston definitely do. It's worth asking around.

Is the expensive part of the train journey in the UK? If not, use the SNCF website as you'll get better prices than Rail Europe qoute. They post tickets to the UK too.

Noodley · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by vermooten

But won't that damage the bike? I figure the hard shell covers protect one's investment, whereas the soft ones are asking for airline baggage handler trouble?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll do what I can to help y'all. But the game's out there, and it's play or get played. That simple."

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

there is as school of thought who would argue that a bike in a cheap clear cover taped up with masking tape is better than a sturdy case - the airport staff see it is a bike and fragile and treat it as such rather than seeing it as a sturdy case and flinging it about.

vermootencp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by andyp

Is the expensive part of the train journey in the UK?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Manchester - Dover is ¶œ78
Calais - Grenoble is ¶œ163

Both reasonable, I think, but it's cheaper to fly. Criminal innit.

Thanks for the advice, people!

Andy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll do what I can to help y'all. But the game's out there, and it's play or get played. That simple."

ASC1951 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by vermooten

But won't that damage the bike? I figure the hard shell covers protect one's investment, whereas the soft ones are asking for airline baggage handler trouble?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Only if you're unlucky. I've never used a hard case and in 20+ years I've never had a bike damaged.

Eurostar · June 2007

To minimise risk on the way fly with it in a cardboard bike box from a bike shop. Often free or a couple of quid. Pack it really carefully. Chuck the box in the bin when you get there. On the return flight you can risk having it unboxed. Yes, baggage handlers are careful with unboxed bikes - they wheel them around instead of chucking them or stacking them. If the ailine want it in a bag they usually provide one.

pw2389 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Eurostar

... Yes, baggage handlers are careful with unboxed bikes - they wheel them around instead of chucking them or stacking them...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm planning on using the CTC bag, but presumably once taped up inside then neither the baggage handlers or I will be able to wheel it about (unless I'm overlooking something)?

Unknown · June 2007

I use the disposable cardboard box from LBS routine, I even ask for all the plastic spacers for forks and ends for the skewers, always managed to get them and, touch wood, have all my bikes intact.
I pack the box with my tent, sleeping bag, etc to minimise weight of luggage, the bike box goes free or there is a set price.

george

_________________________________
Trip
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bedstead · June 2007

Just spent a few days in the Alps, flew by Easy Jet who charged an extra œ30 for the bikes. Bikes were in soft bike bags (œ75 from wiggle) and they were fine. Check that your insurance/travel insurance covers you if the worst was to happen

vermootencp · June 2007

Thanks one and all but the driving option is the best for me, all things considered. It costs about the same, incredibly, and it means I can take all my tools, laptop, spare wheels and that. Plus I'm completely scared of flying and can only go on a plane if I'm off my chops on valium.

Cheers,
Andy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll do what I can to help y'all. But the game's out there, and it's play or get played. That simple."

mrushton · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by vermooten

Thanks one and all but the driving option is the best for me, all things considered. It costs about the same, incredibly, and it means I can take all my tools, laptop, spare wheels and that. Plus I'm completely scared of flying and can only go on a plane if I'm off my chops on valium.

Cheers,
Andy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll do what I can to help y'all. But the game's out there, and it's play or get played. That simple."

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Try Eddie mcGrath (urmston) or Bike Shak(Altrincham). Having been on the Marmotte route last week, are you sure you wouldn't prefer flying to cycling[;)] The Galibier was stunning but closed at the summit (snow) so had to go thro' the tunnel, Alpe d'huez was hot

M.Rushton

vermootencp · June 2007

Thanks Mr Rushton. My sis used to live in Grenoble and assures me that Calais - Grenoble is an 8-hour drive.

I can do dat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll do what I can to help y'all. But the game's out there, and it's play or get played. That simple."

Flycatcher · June 2007

I saw a great tip in a magazine on holiday about bikes on planes and that was to use foam pipe lagging around the whole of the frame. You can really easily protect it in transit, just use the cardboard to pack out the carrier as suggested.

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(") If I could do a baby elephant I'd use that instead.

xilios · June 2007

If you fly, make sure you got the address of a bicycle repair shop near the airport with you, also a hotel just in case the worst happens.

www.geocities.com/bike_journeys/index.html

bikes on a plane - any thoughts?

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