Traveling With My Bike Friday

[tulip]

Here are some pictures of my Bike Friday and clothes all packed up and ready to go to France on Sunday for three weeks. I will check this bag and bring a small carryon with my helmet and mapbooks. I posted photos and an explanation for TSA and whoever else might inspect the bag between here and there.

I'll report back on this adventure in transportation. Oh, and the wine and cheese, too.

[jesvetmed]

Tulip... what a wonderful trip for you! I hope that all arrives well.
I LOVE that you put pics and instructions inside for the TSA folks.. what a great idea.
Happy Travels! Can't wait to hear all about it (and see the pics, of course!)

[Blueberry]

Bon voyage!

Happy travels, Tulip! May you have a safe and wonderful trip!

[PrincessAna]

Awesome pack job I hope you have a great time!

[shootingstar]

I'm sure tulip you'll have a fab time! How long will you be in France? Is just France?

A good friend bought a Bike Friday and she went cycling for a week..in Quebec...That was last year...she loves her bike. She has another bike, a road bike.

About 5 days before he flew off the Europe where he is right now, he bought a folding bike and took it with him on trip. I can't remember exact brand, starts with "D".

[tulip]

Shootingstar, I bet it was a Dahon. They make quite a few folding bike models. I will only be in France--in Brittany and in/around Paris. I don't like to cram too much in a vacation, and I only have a few weeks.

Here's what I was able to pack in that suitcase. It weighs 55 lbs; 70 lbs is the limit for international flights:

bike
pannier rack (a special folding one)
bike tools
folding tire
underseat bag (tube and power bars)
protective plastic and felt covers for various bike parts
cycling shoes
2 pr. cycling shorts
rain jacket
2 short sleeve and one long sleeve jerseys
1 pr cycling tights
arm warmers
2 prs pants and 2 skirts
6 blouses and one cardigan sweater
3 scarves (it's France, afterall)
6 pr undies and 4 pr socks
toiletries
one old towel for when I put the bike together
soft nylon bike bag (for when I take the bike on the Metro)

I roll my clothes up in Eagle Creek packing cubes, so they are protected from the bike grease. I had to sniggle and snuggle the clothes around the bike. Going with a few smaller cubes is more flexible than one large one.

[Triskeliongirl]

That is great you did such a good packing job. But, I am gonna give you one word of warning. I traveled a lot with my bike friday before it was stolen, and found TSA was least likely to take it out and mess with it when I didn't pack too much else in there with it. If they can easily see what it is without removing stuff, they are less inclined to remove stuff, which means less chance of things getting bent, etc. You can always pack your other things in a soft sided suitcase that could be stowed in the friday case.

[tulip]

I may do that, Tri. I don't leave until Sunday, so I have some time to ponder my options. I packed my clothes in two cubes and one plastic bag, all near the top in an effort to make them visible, removable, and put-backable. But TSA is unpredictable, to say the least!

Tomorrow I'll see how it works with using a larger carry-on bag with my clothes. That would also help cut the weight down to under 50lbs for the checked luggage. The weight limits are 50lbs for domestic flights and 70lbs for international flights. I'm flying from Richmond to Atlanta, and then Atlanta to Paris. Does that mean that my bag can only be 50lbs for the first leg, and 70lbs for the second? It probably depends on the ticket agent.

[OakLeaf]

How exciting! Have a great trip!

[NbyNW]

Tulip, thanks for sharing the pics & packing strategies. I got a Dahon last month and just started commuting with it, and I've been curious about people's experiences flying with their bikes.

By the way, what kind of suitcase are you using?

I hope your trip goes smoothly and that you have a great time in France!

Bon voyage --

[shootingstar]

Shootingstar, I bet it was a Dahon.

Yup, that's it! He's in Copenhagen right now...marvelling at cycling culture there.