I have two ironmans this year that will both be a 6 hour drive.
Fortunately (also a challenge…) my family is coming - wife and 2 kids.
My question specifically is what to do with this bike. 10 years ago when I didn’t have kids it was easy to drive with the bike in the back. Now with 2 kids in the back, I’m not certain what the best option is. I’m certain I can’t fit my bike, luggage, and multiple humans in my vehicle as is. Note: my bike is a TT bike that is expensive, so I worry about outside exposure (bike racks). So…
I rent a massive SUV or van and drive it to the triathlon
I buy a rear bike rack for my vehicle and put the bike there (which does solve my storage issue in the vehicle)
Other ideas?
Any advice would be great. What have other people done? Do you worry about your bike while driving if it’s on a rack?
Remove the wheels and put the frame gently on top on the luggages. I cover bags with a throw away blanket and let the frame seat on top. Put another blanket on the frame and lay the wheels on top or you can shove the wheels any space you can find.
Do you have to go sub 10?
Do you have to spend a certain amount of time training? Per week? Total time in months or years?
Do you have to be a very strong cyclist?
Do you have to have a sub 3:40 marathon?
Do you have to finish the swim in less than 60-70 mins?
Does it make it appreciably different if you set a new WR at 7:30, and/or KQ?
Do you have to go sub 10?
Do you have to spend a certain amount of time training? Per week? Total time in months or years?
Do you have to be a very strong cyclist?
Do you have to have a sub 3:40 marathon?
Do you have to finish the swim in less than 60-70 mins?
Does it make it appreciably different if you set a new WR at 7:30, and/or KQ?
I’ve had 3 adults and a toddler in a Pacifica with a bike in the back (diagonal with both wheels on) with a ton of luggage around it. 14+ hour road trip with no issues.
Get a kuat. You’ll be able to use it forever. A hitch mounted bike rack is great to have. I’ll be driving 7 hours to Chattanooga with 2 kids and the wife in a crossover SUV. No biggie.
Get a kuat. You’ll be able to use it forever. A hitch mounted bike rack is great to have. I’ll be driving 7 hours to Chattanooga with 2 kids and the wife in a crossover SUV. No biggie.
This. I don’t worry about my bike on the back of my SUV with my Kuat rack. I’ve driven from North Carolina to IM Louisville (2x), IM Florida & IM Maryland with the bike on the back with no issues.
Get a kuat. You’ll be able to use it forever. A hitch mounted bike rack is great to have. I’ll be driving 7 hours to Chattanooga with 2 kids and the wife in a crossover SUV. No biggie.
This. I don’t worry about my bike on the back of my SUV with my Kuat rack. I’ve driven from North Carolina to IM Louisville (2x), IM Florida & IM Maryland with the bike on the back with no issues.
Do you cover your bike?
No concerns with the bike on the back of the car in terms of damage?
This is really helpful advice.
I have two ironmans this year that will both be a 6 hour drive.
Fortunately (also a challenge…) my family is coming - wife and 2 kids.
My question specifically is what to do with this bike. 10 years ago when I didn’t have kids it was easy to drive with the bike in the back. Now with 2 kids in the back, I’m not certain what the best option is. I’m certain I can’t fit my bike, luggage, and multiple humans in my vehicle as is. Note: my bike is a TT bike that is expensive, so I worry about outside exposure (bike racks). So…
I rent a massive SUV or van and drive it to the triathlon
I buy a rear bike rack for my vehicle and put the bike there (which does solve my storage issue in the vehicle)
Other ideas?
Any advice would be great. What have other people done? Do you worry about your bike while driving if it’s on a rack?
Thank you!
Buy a truck. Bike goes in the bed. Easy to lock it. If your really concerned, but a cab for the back of the truck.
Lift the truck and put a gun rack in the back window. No one will mess with your stuff.
We have done 13 hour drives to Placid and Tremblant each year with kids. If your car has the rear hitch, buy the rack. If you are really concerned about the elements, possible rain etc, get a cover to put over your bike.
Your bike will be fine.
Get a kuat. You’ll be able to use it forever. A hitch mounted bike rack is great to have. I’ll be driving 7 hours to Chattanooga with 2 kids and the wife in a crossover SUV. No biggie.
This. I don’t worry about my bike on the back of my SUV with my Kuat rack. I’ve driven from North Carolina to IM Louisville (2x), IM Florida & IM Maryland with the bike on the back with no issues.
Do you cover your bike?
No concerns with the bike on the back of the car in terms of damage?
This is really helpful advice.
I do not cover the bike & I am not worried about damage to the bike. If you secure the bike correctly with the Kuat rack (I have the NV 2.0) then about the only damage would come from being rear ended. I’m not going to worry about that because that is out of my control.
Get a kuat. You’ll be able to use it forever. A hitch mounted bike rack is great to have. I’ll be driving 7 hours to Chattanooga with 2 kids and the wife in a crossover SUV. No biggie.
