Brought our Bike Fridays to Mexico -- Success!

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08-23-2015, 05:49 PM
emily_in_nc

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Brought our Bike Fridays to Mexico -- Success!

Hi!

As some of you will remember, DH and I spent six months last winter/spring (Nov - Apr to be exact) in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We bought beach cruiser bikes at the beginning of that time, and while they were better than no bike at all, they did leave something to be desired.

Once we decided we were coming back here again after a few months back in the US visiting family, we decided to risk bringing our Bike Fridays with us. We bought our Pocket Crusoes in 2004 but had actually never flown with them, only taken them on road trips. So, this, our virgin flight, was a bit nerve-racking.

I'm pleased to say that everything went off without a hitch. We packed them very, very carefully, bungeed everything together, and even managed to bring a few extras (helmet, Keen Commuter sandals, etc.) in the Samsonite cases. We photographed the packed set-up and printed out notes to TSA explaining what was in each suitcase and how important it was that they be repacked exactly as they were.

Attachment 17749 Attachment 17750

And yes, we both ended up with a TSA form indicating that the suitcases had been opened, but they didn't attempt to un-bungee or unfold the bikes. Seems that they just looked inside.

We are so very happy to have our bikes down here and have been enjoying riding the bike paths and to do errands. They are so much more satisfactory than beach cruisers!

Attachment 17751 Attachment 17752 Attachment 17753

Even though these bikes are getting quite elderly now at 11 years old, they have been well maintained (by DH), and I even ordered a taller custom stem for mine last year when we visited the Bike Friday factory in Eugene, OR! I'm a bit older now and needed a more upright position, so this was a good purchase. We'll keep these bikes forever, at this rate. :D
08-24-2015, 04:09 AM
Pax

That's a pretty spiffy set up, glad the TSA didn't mess them up!
08-24-2015, 06:24 AM
OakLeaf

Nice!!!

On the outside of my bike box, I wrote in silver Sharpie "Please Re-Tighten All Straps If Opened - Thank You!"

Just kind of a final reminder. Then on the inside, I've just kept the paper packing instructions that came with the box. DH and I have both had the experience of getting a box back with the outer closures loose. (Though I'm still not positive that when it was my bike and I'd already left before he put a few final things in, that he fully tightened the straps as I reminded him. :p ) Thankfully neither my bike nor his camera gear was damaged, but it was pretty scary. Glad yours went well!
08-24-2015, 07:31 AM
rebeccaC

thinking this means a ride to tulum and posted photos here :).....enjoy being there even more with your fridays!!!!!!
08-24-2015, 09:34 AM
emily_in_nc

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccaC

thinking this means a ride to tulum and posted photos here :).....enjoy being there even more with your fridays!!!!!!

Not sure about that...I don't really have any desire to ride on the highway. I know others do it, but that just doesn't seem like a lot of fun to me, between the pollution, buses, and fast drivers zipping by. We ride the bike path down to Xcarat all the time, though. It would be great if they'd extend it to Tulum one day!
08-24-2015, 01:18 PM
Crankin

Welcome back! Glad you are enjoying the Fridays.
I went to Tulum in 1971. Nothing but a beach back then.
08-25-2015, 03:37 AM
rebeccaC

Quote:

Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Not sure about that...I don't really have any desire to ride on the highway. I know others do it, but that just doesn't seem like a lot of fun to me, between the pollution, buses, and fast drivers zipping by. We ride the bike path down to Xcarat all the time, though. It would be great if they'd extend it to Tulum one day!

except for the pollution sounds like an interesting ride...:)....i've seen a friends beautiful photos of the mayan ruins at tulum overlooking the caribbean and wanted to see more :)
08-27-2015, 07:03 PM
emily_in_nc

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccaC

except for the pollution sounds like an interesting ride...:)....i've seen a friends beautiful photos of the mayan ruins at tulum overlooking the caribbean and wanted to see more :)

Here ya go! We visited Tulum and the Maya ruins there in Dec. 2012, though not on bikes. It is beautiful...but very busy with lots of tourists. We went back on a day trip to Tulum recently (via bus) but did not re-visit the ruins.

Visiting the Tulum ruins: http://bebelize.weebly.com/bebelize-...eautiful-beach

Renting beach bikes and riding from town to the beach and back: http://bebelize.weebly.com/bebelize-...ulum-bike-ride

Enjoy!
08-28-2015, 04:45 AM
Crankin

The beach itself looks exactly the same! Just a whole lot more development around there.
When I was a senior in HS, I did a school trip to Merida. We did a few side trips (one involved going to a town with one bathroom and sleeping in a hammock in a shell of a house. At that age, I was not prepared for that!), including Tulum and the ruins. I mostly remember climbing up the pyramid at Chiken Itza and being scared to death to go down. I actually went down on my butt, which took a very long time. A foreshadowing of my dislike of descending on a bike! My other memory is of course, being able to drink at age 17, and learning about rum and cokes.
08-28-2015, 08:42 AM
rebeccaC

thanks emily!!!...i did enjoy it :)
08-28-2015, 06:55 PM
emily_in_nc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crankin

The beach itself looks exactly the same! Just a whole lot more development around there.
When I was a senior in HS, I did a school trip to Merida. We did a few side trips (one involved going to a town with one bathroom and sleeping in a hammock in a shell of a house. At that age, I was not prepared for that!), including Tulum and the ruins. I mostly remember climbing up the pyramid at Chiken Itza and being scared to death to go down. I actually went down on my butt, which took a very long time. A foreshadowing of my dislike of descending on a bike! My other memory is of course, being able to drink at age 17, and learning about rum and cokes.

Ha -- love it!

We spent several days in Merida on this same trip (Dec. 2012) and loved it. It's too blinkin' hot there right now since it's inland, but we hope to get back there this winter. Have not been to Chitzen Itza, but hear it's very crowded with tourists so will probably skip it. On the other hand. we absolutely LOVED Palenque, which are huge ruins not so bustling with tourists. My quads ached for days afterwards with all the steps!