How do YOU get your bike to your races????

Hi Ladies!
Okay so I have a bit of a dilemma, I am going to a race in Holland, my first overseas race:D, and I have NO IDEA as to how to get my bike over there without having to spend big $$ to get it there. From what I can tell from the airlines website, I have to get a cardboard box to ship my bike, which I don't like because I do not want to deal with a broken bike, but if I go buy a nice bike box (the one that I'm looking at weighs 38 lbs by itself so it would be at least 60lbs with my bike) I'm going to be paying so much for the extra weight :mad:.

So what do you do???? What would you do???? I'm trying to get away from this trip for as cheap as possible, because I'm still a broke college student :rolleyes:.


Thanks for the advice in advance!!

Happy New Year!:D

Tom D's. article. Detail intensive as always....



http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/fea...ng-steps.shtml

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/packing.shtml

I took my bike to a ride in CA from the UK at no major cost. I was able to rent a box from my LBS for the trip, which was cheaper than buying one myself. A hard shell case weighing 15kg. With the bike it ended up within the weight limit of a normal suitcase. I checked it in as one of my two allowed suitcases and did not end up paying anything extra going there. I did have to pay a 25 dollar fee for it being oversized on the way home again, but had no other problems. Only hassle was maneuvering through London Underground with the big box and a suitcase. Good luck with your race!

wow! That bikesport link IS super detailed. I have used a similar case (Trico iron case, borrowed from our local tri club), but did not take the bike apart to that level. To transport my road or TT bike, I only had to remove both wheels, then remove the handlebars & twist/lay them sideways beside the frame. Have flown several times without damage (knock on wood), but my husband has had bikes damaged in cardboard boxes. Domestic (US) incurred a fee; international was free. Check your airline for details -- and have a super race!

Thank you! Those articles really helped a lot, and it's good to hear that you all haven't had too many problems with transport :cool:. From looking at the websites, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can count it as one of my checked items.

Thanks for the help and thanks for the well wishes!! :D

There is also a great article in this month's Mountain Bike Action....

Hey pinkychique best of luck in your race!

Only advise I have to offer is be sure to pay the extra for insurance! From what I've been told insured luggage always gets TLC in transport.