Flying with Claire? Worth the hassle?

[Moongidget]

I've lurked for awhile but never been super active on TE. I'm a regular on another forum, and have trouble finding where I fit in here.

That said, I'm in a quandry. Next Friday I fly to the midwest to see the in-laws. I will be there for 3 whole days, plus 2 travel days. I looked into renting a road bike, but there are no lbs that rent road bikes. (What sort of hell am I flying myself into? )

My airline will charge me $20 to fly Claire in a box each way. Money is not an issue. I'm mostly concerned with hassle and damage. If the hassle of flying with Claire is not worth the potential 3 days of riding I will get, I'll leave her home. Likewise with the potential for damage.

The draw: Cycling, like skiing, is my drug. I've been ill for a few weeks, and not been on Claire much. I have the itch BAD right now. So, I could attempt to ride mid-week a bit to try and quell the thirst, but this idea has taken root in my brain, and you know the rest.

Plus, I live at altitude, and I'm kinda interested how being at relative sea level will change my mph average, or anything else I may feel.

If you've flown with your bike, do you think it would be worth it for a 3 day trip? It's to visit my in-laws, so it would give my DH time to visit with his parents, and give me necessary alone time. Thoughts?

[OakLeaf]

If it were me, for three days I'd pass. I've always shipped my bike, never tried to schlep it through an airport, but I have dealt with large suitcases in airports before (smaller than a bike box), and I do schlep my bike to and from FedEx, and I can't ever imagine combining those two hassles.

Bring your running shoes, hiking boots, swimsuit - if you play soccer or basketball bring your shoes and troll the 'net for a pickup game ahead of time - whatever other cardio you do. That's my take.

[soprano]

I agree that for three days, it's totally not worth the hassle. The first time I boxed my bike it took all afternoon. Putting it back together was another afternoon. Not worth it for only 2 or 3 rides. Take some hiking boots or get a guest pass at a pool.

What I want to know is, what airline is only charging $20 for a bike???

[indysteel]

I think the other issue to consider is your in-laws. I'm not sure how frequently you see them, but I can imagine some hurt feelings if you went out on your own for a ride. I'm not saying such a reaction is altogether fair, but if you're both going "home" for a visit, they arguably want to spend time with both their son and you. It's an area where I'd tread lightly. Still, I think it's fine to go a for a short walk or run, especially if you can fit it in early or late in the day.

Obviously, I know nothing about your relationship with your in-laws. I'm mostly looking at it from my own vantage point as a DIL. Like you, I look for ways to spend some alone time without the in-laws during our visits to my husband's home, but sometimes I have to temper that desire for the good of the order.

All that aside, I agree that it sounds like a lot of hassle for just a three-day trip.

[Moongidget]

Thanks for the advice. I don't think the in-laws mind. We spoke to them about it last night, but it is worth another look at it. Thank you for bringing that up.

I like my in-laws, but they are sedentary people. DH and I have evolved a lot since we moved from the mid-west to CO.

Frontier is the airline. As a 1st or 2nd checked bag, the oversize luggage fees do not apply. Overweight fees would, however if the thing was over 50 lbs.

Also, I know that on Southwest bikes fly free as your 1st or 2nd bag. Skis too.

I plan on visiting my lbs today to see what they think of the idea.

[indysteel]

I like my in-laws, but they are sedentary people. DH and I have evolved a lot since we moved from the mid-west to CO.

I can relate. Totally.

If I may ask, what part of the Midwest will you be visiting?

[jobob]

[ hijack ] Indy, I have to hand it to you, you continuously give such reasoned well-thought out advice. I'm beginning to envision you as our Lucy van Pelt, sitting behind the little lemonade stand with "The Doctor is In" sign. [ /hijack ]


My half-cent: that sounds like an big hassle for three days. What if the weather is awful? (Though, from what you've been saying, I imagine awful weather wouldn't phase you.)

[Amira]

Also, I know that on Southwest bikes fly free as your 1st or 2nd bag. Skis too.

Actually, having just flown Southwest the week before last with my bike, they charge you $50 each way, even if you are only checking the bike and one other bag. It's because it's oversized (mine actually weighed in at 49 lbs, the case being heavier than the bike). I'll have to look at Frontier for some future planned bike travel, although I can't complain about SW's fee (compared to trying American or some other options). If I was flying with my bike, I'd definitely get a case for it instead of a cardboard box. For one thing, not having wheels to get it to/from baggage check and baggage claim would be a deal breaker for me. Second, the SW desk agent who checked me in said that although they don't sell extra insurance anymore, they will cover either loss or damage (it was one of those, but now I forget which) if it was in a hard case, not a soft case. I was fortunately to have a friend with a very nice, new hard case who loaned his to me, but now I'm going to have to consider buying one of my own. You do have to remove the pedals, wheels, seat/seat post (use electrical tape on the seat post to mark the height and it's a lot easier to get it all back together the way you want) and handlebars (lesson learned - put another piece of electrical tape with a mark where your handlebars line up with the groove in the stem or you'll be messing with them for awhile to get them back to normal). Electrical tape doesn't leave a sticky film like duct tape and it's easy to mark on to show your handlebar positioning. My frame was small enough that I didn't have to take my derailler off to fit in the case, but my brother-in-law did on his bike (same exact case). That added a LOT of time to packing/unpacking for him.

I can so relate to wanting your bike when you visit your inlaws. While I love mine and they are wonderful people, they live in a rural setting, where EVERYONE is sedentary and unhealthily overweight and there's not much to do. I would dearly love to escape for a few hours during the day instead of sitting in the living room watching mindless TV, but they wouldn't understand at all. I think they think we are crazy when we go out for a long walk in the evening when we are there.