Since Tribike Transport (TBT) screwed me over, I now have to travel with my bike.
I’m doing IM 70.3 Finland in late August, and IM Nice two weeks after that. TBT told me for months that they would be able to ship from Finland to Nice, but just sent me an email yesterday saying that they won’t ship between the two cities.
My question is what size of rental car is required in order to fit my bike case? My bike case is a Thule Sport Bike Case (dimensions 47 x 30.5 x 12 inches).
I’ve rented cars before for my bike case in the states, but never internationally. I know that European cars run much smaller, so I’m a little worried. There will be four people in the car (thankfully none of them are racing but me), four carry-on bags, a couple of backpacks and my bike case.
I’ve rented a lot in Europe.
Having 4 people in your vehicle with a bike box will be a problem, even for North American rentals.
I usually rent an estate (wagon) in Europe, but will require the seats to go down.
To transport a bike box with 4 people will require a large SUV or van, or some sort of external storage like a roof cage.
I’m not sure I could even fit 4 people with a bike case in my wife’s 4Runner and it’s a huge vehicle.
Instead of a car, have you thought about taking the train to France and if you need a car, rent one there?
While in Roth, we rented a car from Sixt but dropping it off in another European country was not an option ($$$). We took the train south (Switzerland, Italy, France) and with my BBA, it was surprisingly easy. Just a thought…
Instead of a car, have you thought about taking the train to France and if you need a car, rent one there?
While in Roth, we rented a car from Sixt but dropping it off in another European country was not an option ($$$). We took the train south (Switzerland, Italy, France) and with my BBA, it was surprisingly easy. Just a thought…
It might be easier to get to Helsinki first and take a direct fly (Norwegian or Finnair) to Nice. It takes 3.5 hours and costs less than 100€ per person
I agree. I think it will be a nightmare to cart around a bike box. Mostly because after the race we’ll be touring Finland (possibly Estonia) for a few days. I don’t want have a bike box in tow throughout all of that.
I’m now considering having a tribike for Finland, and having my road bike with clip on aerobars for Nice, given the technical climbing and descents, but that’s a completely different topic.
Doesn’t help with two bikes, but I always take a bike well packed in a cardboard box (free from any good bike shop) bin the box when I get to my destination (but keep the packing materials) and then get a new one from a bike shop a couple of days before I leave. Is easier than carting a box around.
You are not planning on driving from Finland to France are you?
Have you looked at alternative bike shipping companies? There are some based in Europe that might do Finland-France.
Or if it’s just whilst you are touring Finland that you have a problem, see if you can do luggage storage at the airport or at your hotel. You probably don’t want to leave your bike in the car whilst you are off sight seeing.
My brother and I planned to do the inaugural Lahti 70.3 in 2018. We were then going to head over to Jonkoping and do the 70.3 there a week later.
I had a bad bike crash a few months earlier that derailed those plans so never happened. The logistics of schlepping around two bikes/cases and four people in that part of the world was proving to be quite the challenge. They just don’t have vehicles the size we have in the US. It was a part of the puzzle I never completely solved.
Any hatchback would hold a bike box as long as you fold the back seats. The second most economic car they rent you would be enough.
But if you’re more than 2 people I think nothing short of a minivan would work. Or renting multiple cars.
Helsinki to Nice is a ridiculous amount of driving time if that’s what you were hoping to do. International car rental is possible but quite expensive.
Have you thought about shipping the bicycle from Finland to your accomodation in Nice?
It would be shipping within the EU so there shouldn’t be any customs. However, shipping companies would only accept cardboard boxes of specific sizes.
A Google search brings up many companies: sendbike, eurosender, shiptocycle and more (haven’t used any of them). Some of them even sell you the box.
Where are your flights? One option would be to leave the bike box with the hotel you’ll be staying at. Or maybe find a left luggage service at the airport?
By the way, in Nice transport is not an issue at all if you’re going there by plane. There’s a very convenient tramway from the airport to the city center. And it’s a very short taxi ride. Logistics are more complicated in Helsinki because Lahti is quite far. If you solve Helsinki, Nice won’t be a problem.
I agree. I think it will be a nightmare to cart around a bike box. Mostly because after the race we’ll be touring Finland (possibly Estonia) for a few days. I don’t want have a bike box in tow throughout all of that.
I’m now considering having a tribike for Finland, and having my road bike with clip on aerobars for Nice, given the technical climbing and descents, but that’s a completely different topic.
People ride tri bikes for Alpe d’Huez triathlon. You don’t need a road bike for Nice.
This is a BIG ask - 4 people, and their luggage AND a bike box. You are probably looking at the largest mini-van you can find. Good luck!
They do have them in Europe. My wife and I were supporting a Client of Hers who was doing the Double Haute Route Pyranees, Alps and then the 70.3 World Championships in Nice (HR Alps finished in Nice a week before the IM 70.3). Client had two bikes with him - road and TT, and quite a bit of luggage and we had our luggage (2 carry-ons) - but we somehow made it all work. I think the rental was a dodge Caravan. It was rare for all three of us were in the car together with all the gear! The one big long transfer from Pau to Megeve - the Client flew and we drove across the south of France 10 hours in one day!
Instead of a car, have you thought about taking the train to France and if you need a car, rent one there?
While in Roth, we rented a car from Sixt but dropping it off in another European country was not an option ($$$). We took the train south (Switzerland, Italy, France) and with my BBA, it was surprisingly easy. Just a thought…
It might be easier to get to Helsinki first and take a direct fly (Norwegian or Finnair) to Nice. It takes 3.5 hours and costs less than 100€ per person
That would be my choice.
In terms of what will take the people and load. Something like a Mercedes V Class LWB would probably manage it.