Just to follow up with everybody who helped - I packed the case last night because it's going to DHL today after work.

I really had to try and figure out what to do after taking the bars off because my cables are so short and the computer/powertap wires make it even shorter. I had just enough length to get the bars off the stem and rotate them parallel to the fork, tucking one of the bar ends beneath the fork. I just hope the cable doesn't pull too hard on the front break and rip off!

It was kind of scary packing my bike for the first time. I only have one to ride and race and do everything!!! So I hope I did everything okay. The directions weren't all that great to follow either...which didn't help. I also figured that this would have been much much easier either with a work stand or another person. Doing it by myself felt like it take twice as long - especially when it came to putting the lid on and tightening the straps! I was walking on top of it back and forth tightening the 3 belly straps. lol

But it really was easy. Most of the time came from figuring out how the heck the bars were going to be situated or which front chainring to keep the chain on or what other items I wanted to put in with the bike (helmet, shoes, tools, etc.). Once I get the hang of it, the packing time should definitely drop a lot.

I wished my bike goodbye this morning when I walked out the door - "okay bike. have a safe trip and see you in Florida! byyyyeeeeee."