Flying with Bikes - Should we or shouldn't we?

[DarcyInOregon]

The cyclists I know who travel with their bikes own a special cycling suitcase. The airline allows each person to check in two suitcases. If you are flying economy, and some flights have economy seats only, then the weight limit per suitcase is about 50 pounds. If you fly first class, then you get a weight limit more towards 70 pounds. Therefore one suitcase is devoted to clothing and the second suitcase contains the bicycle and accessories.

If you have a quality bike, your bike and the suitcase it is in should come in at under 50 pounds, including a few bike tools, the helmet and so on.

However you have to take the bike apart and put it back together upon arrival.

I don't have any personal experience with this scenario. I know of one senior male cyclist who owns a home in Las Vegas and rents an apartment in Portland, and he flies back and forth with his bike in this fashion regularly, like once a week.

If you take a vacation off of your personal bikes, it does force you to do other things, which can be very rewarding. I just went on a cruise to Alaska (thus no bike) and I really had a lot of fun. I don't regret my time off the bike at all, even though I have a century in a few days.

Darcy