Travelling to Coz again, and for every destination race i always wonder whether i should pack my bike shoes with carry on stuff or with regular luggage. What do you do and why?
My shoes get packed with my bike. If my bike doesn’t get there then my shoes don’t get there and I have all sorts of issues.
I pack my shoes and pedals in carry on. In worst case scenario and you’re bike doesn’t make it, you could potentially rent bike, but you don’t want to worry about buying new shoes, pedals and cleats.
I pack my shoes and pedals in carry on. In worst case scenario and you’re bike doesn’t make it, you could potentially rent bike, but you don’t want to worry about buying new shoes, pedals and cleats.
X2
My shoes get packed with my bike. If my bike doesn’t get there then my shoes don’t get there and I have all sorts of issues.
I’ll N+1 this, if my bike doesn’t make it, I ain’t racing.
In your carry on. You can rent a bike, you can find some clothes (pack race suit too in bag) but to ride 56-112 miles in new shoes/pedals will not be pleasant and will crack you,I have seen it happen, not pretty.
I pack my shoes and pedals in carry on. In worst case scenario and you’re bike doesn’t make it, you could potentially rent bike, but you don’t want to worry about buying new shoes, pedals and cleats.
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I pack mine wherever they will fit. Shoes aren’t any good without a bike anyway.
I pack my shoes and pedals in carry on. In worst case scenario and you’re bike doesn’t make it, you could potentially rent bike, but you don’t want to worry about buying new shoes, pedals and cleats.
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I carry my transition bag on the plane… kit, helmet, shoes, wetsuit… etc. I’ve had checked luggage take days to get to me so having my race stuff there is insurance of sorts.
I pack mine wherever they will fit. Shoes aren’t any good without a bike anyway.
Plus, shoes fit perfectly into all the nooks and crannies in a bike case!
I can slip my pump and helmet in there as well 
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I carry my transition bag on the plane… kit, helmet, shoes, wetsuit… etc. I’ve had checked luggage take days to get to me so having my race stuff there is insurance of sorts.
This is me as well, the whole transition bag with EVERYTHING I need for race day. Worst case, I can race in my stuff. Although, I understand there are new rules with regard to powder. This and the pedals always get second looks by TSA, so plan on having to essplain.
Going to the race, shoes, pedals, running shoes, wetsuit/swimskin, goggles, helmet and race kit go in the carry on. Worst case you can rent a bike, should yours take the scenic route to your destination… On the way back, it all goes into the bike bag…
Going to the race, shoes, pedals, running shoes, wetsuit/swimskin, goggles, helmet and race kit go in the carry on. Worst case you can rent a bike, should yours take the scenic route to your destination… On the way back, it all goes into the bike bag…
this +1
Additionally, I have always had fun when returning home from a race, and packing my pee’d on shoes and tri shorts in my carry-on bag. So, when departing customs, and returning INS and CBP want to inspect my bag…well be my guest. Yes, the smell has been stout, and the inspector just passes my bag on thru…
I carry on my shoes and pedals. At IM Austria my bike didn’t arrive and had to rent a road bike. Would’ve been a hassle to find shoes, let alone deal with blisters/discomfort when you have to get a model you’ve never worn before.
If I’m flying somewhere to ride (race or cycling vacation), then it’s going to be a pretty big deal for me. I’ll carry the essentials with me (shoes, tri suit, some custom nutrition). I just don’t want to deal with ‘I’ve been training/looking forward to this for XX months and now I can’t…’.
As other have written:
Going to race I carry-on shoes, pedals, helmet, suit, everything I can manage but especially the things I don’t want to lose.
Going home, I pack as much as possible in my bike box/check-in luggage because if it makes it home several days after me it’s not a big deal.
I pack my bike shoes and pedals in my carry on. That way, if my bike doesn’t make it, at least i could rent one and have my pedals and shoes. Basically, anything that goes on or in my body race day is in my carry on back pack.