Transport my bike to DC?

I found out today that I'll be working in DC for a couple of months. I hate the idea of leaving my new bike at home, and there are some great trails in the DC metro, to Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania etc. Has anyone transported their bike cross country? Cost?

Thanks,
lisa

I've never done it before, but I know some women here have. They make big hard cases (and soft ones, too) to transport your bike in. You can take them on the airlines, but they'll charge you (an arm and a leg from what I understand). I've heard of people buying one of those gigantic suitcases, then taking the bike apart and putting it in there (removing both wheels, handlebars, pedals, etc). If you're going to be there a while, it might be worth the time it takes to break your bike apart to have it with you. I guess that would only work if your bike is a small frame tho.

I posted a thread recently about a similar subject, and the best option is probably for you to use a LBS to ship to another LBS. They'll disassemble it, ship it, and then assemble it (obviously for a fee).

I think a couple of people here have done it, and could advise you on the cost. :)

Here's my thread:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=8016

I just flew from Vancouver to Montreal with a pair of precious road bikes (one carbon, one alu-carbon). Air Canada charges $50 CDN per bike each way. This was my first experience but for what it's worth here's my report:

I bought a pair of soft bike bags (the second item on this page http://www.cdisports.com/carrying_cases.htm) and packed the bikes like this:
- Took off both wheels and replaced them by shipping spacers/braces (available for free from your bike shop)
- Took off skewers from wheels
- Took some air off wheels (but not completely - it's supposed to be pointless but some airline employees still think it's important so whatever)
- Took off pedals
- Loosened handlebars and turned them to the side and down
- Unscrewed derailleur from its holder (to prevent it from bending/breaking) and just let it hang loose, as per my mechanics' advice
- Padded the frame with styrofoam (a friend suggested pool noodles but we ended up taking pieces from an old camping mat) - that's extra peace of mind.
- ... that's it.

It took a bit of time because it was the first time but rebuilding the bike was pretty fast. (Just have to remember to screw the handlebars side screws first and the top one last next time.) Packing them when we go back home will be rather quick.

I chose the soft bike bags over hard cases because the hard cases are 1) bulkier and 2) tough to lug around if there are no elevator and 3) they take a whole lot of room at destination. The soft cases are 1) bulky, but we can squeeze them to fit two of them and two big suitcases in our Civic; 2) have a shoulder strap (but the model we have very badly needs more handles sewed to it) and 3) takes relatively little space when rolled up so we can leave them in a wardrobe. Another big plus of the soft case is that it can't be put UNDER a pile of other suitcases by airline employees. It goes in the "bulk" compartment of the plane's cargo.

The bikes arrived unharmed to Montreal.

However, note that two airport employees I've talked to recently, who also cycle, told me that the best mean of transportation for your bike is a clear plastic bag (taking the pedals off and turning the handlebars to the side). That way, airline employees can't do anything else with it than let it free stand. The thought of having his carbon bike fly in a plastic bag freaked out my boyfriend so I talked him into the soft case instead.

From other people's experiences, I would stay as far away as possible from cardboard boxes for flying airplanes.

Do not hesitate to ask if you have anymore questions...

EDITED TO ADD: We also tossed a lot of cycling clothes and other stuff in the bag. It gave it some shape (and gave us more space). We got chain protectors from the bike bag company so the clothes were unharmed / unstained by the chainring.

If you do a search on it here you will find many have asked this same ? We are going on a bike trip next month and shipping our bikes through Fedex. If you go to your local lbs they have box's from the bikes they get. They are all to happy to let you have them. Pack it in the smallest box possible with lots of pipe insulation, bubble wrap and tape and you should be fine. We are shipping 3 bikes with insurance of coarse from Calif to colorado. There are several ways you can ship it and everyone has had good or bad experisnce with them all. It is just your luck of the draw I think as far as it getting there safely. Good luck and remember get insurance through the delivery service.
Happy trails!