Going on vacation and want advice

[runningteach]

Hi Ladies,
My family is going to Bar Harbor next week and I can't decide if I want to rent bikes while there or bring my own. I have a Rav4 and don't have a roof rack system, but have the rack that came with it. Can I strap my bike up on that or do I need something special? When I take my bike places around here I usually throw it in the back, but we will have luggage there and the kids. DD usually brings a ton of stuff too. I do plan on renting mountain bikes with DD to ride in Acadia, but I like having the option of being able to do out on my own whenever I want too. My kids are teens and will probably sleep late and I am an early riser. Dh is not a biker and neither is DS.

[goldfinch]

I have a Rav4 and have a hard time envisioning strapping a bike to the roof rack without scraping either the car or the bike or both. But maybe someone has a lab rat solution.

[westtexas]

Would it be possible to get one of those Saris racks? I know they make some that supposedly fit on all models of cars, even those of us with small SUVs with huge flat backs. Although if your Rav4 has a wheel back there, that might be tricky. You might also be able to pick up the necessary components for a roof rack for a couple hundred and be able to install it yourself (this is what I am going to do for my CR-V).

I agree with Goldfinch... sounds too risky to just strap it down. I'm super paranoid about scratches on my car and my bike.

[buffybike]

Get a Saris-i love mine

[pll]

A friend of mine has a RAV4 with a roof rack (Yakima highroller). We needed a step stool to put the bikes up there (safely), although a tall person will do (her brother in law, over 6 feet tall) did not have trouble removing or putting the bikes on the rack.

I liked that particular Yakima rack so much, I splurged and got one for my Mazda 3. It does not touch the bike frame and it is easy to put/remove the bike, provided height is not an issue! (else, carry a step ladder)

[runningteach]

Thanks pll! I looked at the Yakima website and see that they have a rack that attaches to a spare tire, perfect solution for my Rav! Now if I want to bring my bike I can.

[featuretile]

I just came back from Bar Harbor and riding in Acadia National Park. I was concerned that our Bike Friday's would not work on the gravel carriage trails. Well, they did. You don't need a mountain pike to ride these roads. The surface is smooth packed dirt with small gravel embedded in it - no loose gravel, no ruts. I rode a little slower than on a paved road, but had no problem, no slippage at all. So, if you bring your bike, you won't need to rent a mountain bike. You could spend that rental money on a bike rack......