I’m considering signing up for the Challenge Barcelona in September. I was wondering how people found the travel between Barcelona and Calella with a bike box. I’m traveling alone, and I’ve travelled with a bike box before and have always found it a bit hard if there’s a lot of lifting involved. Is it easiest to take the train? Is renting a car a good idea?
I was in Gijon last September and I rented a car to tote my bike around – I spoke with a few people that flew into Madrid and planned on taking their bikes on the train to Gijon, but their bike boxes were not permitted on the train. They ended up renting a shuttle bus last minute … I’m not sure if the same applies traveling to Barcelona, but you might be better off renting a car.
I did the race in 2009 and the train from Barcelona to Callella is by far the easiest and cheapest way. Theretrain trackis so follows the coast so it is quite interesting as well. I had no problem with the bike box on the train. Check with the race organisers as they should be able to advise. Also when you are in the final few km’s of the marathon and you turn off the lap course to go to the finish you still have at least 2km to go not the 1km that was signposted!!
We travelled from the airport to Calella with bikes in 2009 - it’s pretty easy, and cheap too. You have to change trains once 10-15 mins from the airport then it’s an hour or so to Calella along the coast. The station in Calella is right in the centre of things so you won’t have far to go to where you are staying.
Anyone going this year? This will be my first ‘iroman distance’ triathlon, so I’m really looking forward to it! I’ll take the train from Barcelona airport, sounds like a fun ride.
I´m coming like a thunder! 
Heard also that train is the easiest way to Calella. The only if is that spanish railway assistants do not understand English so well, so it´ll be an adventure, too.
I did a race last year in the south of Spain (Marbella). Technically, taking a bike on the train is not allowed. However, if it is packed up and it is not huge (e.g. the triall3sports case), then I doubt anyone will bother you. You may want to book a first class ticket in advance as there is usually more storage room. Basically, if you can lug it up a few steps then it should be fine. Driving gives you freedom but it is expensive and an unnecessary hassle.
I did my first ironman distance triathlon yesterday in Spain. Perfect conditions, perfect organization, I love this sport! Pretty happy with 10:29. No problems traveling by train from Barcelona airport to Calella by the way, only stares from fat Germans who wondered what was in my bike case.