What is the best way to get your tri bike to an event that’s to far to drive? I plan to do the Kansas 70.3 in June and did not see Kansas on the list of races that were supported by Tribike Transport? What are the options? Bike Box and fly ?
I am not trying to be rude, but there are a many threads on the forum about this topic. I would suggest you do a search. I will warn you that their is no right answer to this, due to the many variables and inconsistencies of the process of traveling with a bike.
I also wrote on my blog about this last fall. You may find that helpful reading.
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com/2008/11/bicycles-airline-travel-challenges.html
I just got back from flying to Spain with my bike on Continental with no problems.
After hearing of the horror stories of people getting over-charged and double charged and so on I was ready when I got to the Pittsburgh airport for a fight. I had printed off Continentals bike luggage policy so I could show it to anyone who tried to charge me different.
Their policy was $100 for a bike as long as it was under 70lbs. Mine weighed in at 65, so I knew I was ok. I was fully expecting them to try to charge me $100 in addition to another $15/25 for the checked luggage fee and or come up with something else. All in all it was painless and there was simply a $100 flat fee for the bike case. I don’t even think they weighed it. My flight leaving Pittsburgh was almost 3 hours late in departing so I arrived in Newark at 7:50 or so for an 8:10 departure to Madrid. After running through the terminal to get to my gate I arrived just before they shut the doors. I asked the guy what the chances were that my luggage made it also and he said don’t worry, it would be fine. After flying to Madrid then another connection to Malaga I was thrilled when my bike and other checked bag arrived without any delay.
As a bonus, on the flight back when departing Malaga they didn’t charge me anything for my bike or checked luggage. So my experience with Continental was very positive and I paid $100 total for the bike round trip to and from Spain.
I’ve always taken my bike on the plane. Sometimes I’m charged sometimes not but at least the bike is with me and I get to ride it up to the day before leaving.
I should add that bike boxes are big so you need a decent sized rental car or big taxi. Getting around with a bike in a box is a bit of a hastle. If that’s a problem then having fedex drop it off at your hotel can be a big plus.
…After hearing of the horror stories of people getting over-charged and double charged and so on I was ready …
Its not horror stories but people who refuse to read the fine print even though it is stated here on ST over and over again.
Some people believe that just because you are charged a bike fee, the bike case can weigh as much as 100 pounds. All airlines will limit the weight of the case to either 50 or 70 pounds depending on the airline. If you exceed the weight limit then you will be charged again (double charged) for being over weight.
I am not sure why they complain all the time.
Fleck is right in that there is plenty of info to be had on this topic in the ST archives. I did some digging here on ST when it was time for me to travel to my first race and found plenty of folks who swore by their chosen means of getting their bike from home to transition and back.
A few of the constants were that:
No one method made everyone happy
Airlines don’t charge everyone equally
There are as many opinions about what to pack your bike in as there are about ways to ship it
I’ve taken my bike with me on a plane and shipped it UPS. Only problem I’ve had was that one of the rubber feet on my Ironcase went missing. I called Trico and they sent me four new ones at no cost. Problem solved.
Rob