Traveling with My Bike?

In order to increase my options for bike and triathlon events, I would definitely need to travel with my bike. Most of what I'd do is within driving range, something like 3-400 miles at most, but I really do not enjoy driving long distances often (I did it regularly in college). I am comfortable flying, but I'm not quite sure about flying my bike around.

So, if I'm driving, what's the best way to carry my bike? I have an "on top" rack right now (Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon), but I think the vibration would not be friendly for my bike (not to mention the bugs I'd have to pick off). The rack I have now is not a fork-mount, which is another option for on-top mounting. I am sure I could get a rear/hatch-mount system, too. What do you guys recommend or have experience with?

And, if I'm flying... what do I do!? One of my cow-orkers said they make bike "cases" for traveling with your bike, but I'd be afraid of what happens if it's not good enough or the airlines decide to eat my bike. Maybe if I shipped it ahead of time? Do a lot of events offer this? Major bike events seem to, but triathlons not so much (maybe something big like an Ironman, but I'm not yet an IronColby... yet). I suppose I could ship to the hotel, but then it has to arrive with me anyway, so I might as well just fly with it and know that it's there. Settling a dispute with the airlines and UPS is pretty much the same irritation level anyway.

The reality is, if my bike were eaten by a car or bugs or the airlines, I could replace her, but I (we?) would be emotionally estranged for quite some time ;) I would be especially disappointed if this happened on my WAY to an event. Maybe I am just being overprotective, but I wouldn't send my cat/dog/future-child alone on an airplane without some accountability either ;)

What do you guys think? Fly? Drive? Best way to carry my precioussss?

Most (if not all) airlines will hit you with a surcharge to fly a conventional bike. Can't recall the exact figure.
You can avoid this by going with Folding bike(like Bike Friday, or a coupled frame, but this could be expensive.
I remember reading somewhere that If you join USCF (Bicycle Racing Foundation), They will give a limited number of voucher s good for the surcharge on United. You may want look at that, or see if the Tri Foundation does something similar. I think The League of American Bicyclists and Adventure Cycling have a discount program too.

If you are going to fly make sure you take out travel insurance specifying what your bike is worth to that trip. Sure they'd have to replace the bike if they lose it but the competition fees (etc) would ALSO have to be compensated.

The bike boxes are cool. my boyfriend uses them a lot! In Australia the BIKE BOX is Corrugated cardboard.

Ummm... how about you leave a few days early and bike there?

Cheekily yours
RR

I prefer a rooftop car carrier to a rear mount system. With the bike on the back of the car, someone could rear-end you in a parking lot and bend your frame. Or what would be a very minor fender-bender on the road could ruin your bike. Of course, with a roof rack, you have to watch out for low underpasses. I believe you can get front-end covers for bikes so they don't get bug-splattered on the roof. I wouldn't worry about vibration - if the bike can take being ridden on rough roads with you aboard, it can take the auto vibration.

As far as shipping your bike goes. I've never tried this, but was under the impression that your LBS will ship it for you (for a fee, of course) to a LBS at your destination and they will re-assemble it for you so it is all ready when you get there.

I shipped my bike to Maine for a repaint. The LBS dismantled it for me, small fee, and boxed it. I ran it down to UPS and shipped it. The LBS would have shipped it but the UPS had already picked up that day. BTW, I did insure the frame for the current value.

Some of the bike shops around here rent boxes.

My bike fits inside my Honda CRV. No worries about it getting damaged on the outside of the vehicle.

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Originally Posted by RoadRaven

Ummm... how about you leave a few days early and bike there?

Cheekily yours
RR

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Such a simple solution! Why didn't I think of that? :p :D ;)

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Originally Posted by DebW

I prefer a rooftop car carrier to a rear mount system. With the bike on the back of the car, someone could rear-end you in a parking lot and bend your frame. Or what would be a very minor fender-bender on the road could ruin your bike. Of course, with a roof rack, you have to watch out for low underpasses. I believe you can get front-end covers for bikes so they don't get bug-splattered on the roof. I wouldn't worry about vibration - if the bike can take being ridden on rough roads with you aboard, it can take the auto vibration.

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Good points. I've seen the bug covers. I think maybe a fork-mount system would be a little more stable and a little less noisy than the full mount. I have driven 70+mph for maybe 30 miles, but that's about as far as I've gone, so far. It was pretty noisy,

I didn't think about the vibration, but you're right... not a lot different. I was concerned about the rear-ending problem, but I do see a *lot* of people driving around with the rear-mount racks and that got me thinking. Sometimes it's best to go with your gut ;)

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Originally Posted by TriChickie

As far as shipping your bike goes. I've never tried this, but was under the impression that your LBS will ship it for you (for a fee, of course) to a LBS at your destination and they will re-assemble it for you so it is all ready when you get there.

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Good idea, I didn't even think of that. A built-in network of people who know how to treat bikes well!

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Originally Posted by Kathi

My bike fits inside my Honda CRV. No worries about it getting damaged on the outside of the vehicle.

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When I read that, I thought "duh!" I think if it's just my husband and I driving (or just me for that matter), mine would fit in the hatch/back seat, too. Our back seats do fold down and it might just be enough room (plus it's a pretty small frame, since I'm so short).

I should be able to have room left over for gear in there, too, but if not, it's back to the roof-mount system.

Thanks everyone for their input -- I really appreciate it.