We had a great response to our recent post on Travelling With Bikes. Now that you are all clued up on bikes and plane travel, how about picking an adventure overseas to aim for?
One event that has jumped on our radar this month is the Bali Triathlon on 24 June 2012. It's an olympic distance tri (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run), so suited to those for whom the Hawaii Ironman Champs are a step too far!
Our friends at Sharing Bali have put together a package for the Bali Triathlon from 21-28 June which includes accommodation, transfers, race entry, massages/spa treatments, a sunrise volcano climb and fitness sessions. All you need to do is get there. Details here.
Mel Rollison is fast becoming the name on everyone's lips for IM 70.3. A former Australian runner, Mel is now taking the triathlon world by storm and most recently won the 70.3 World Champs in Las Vegas.We're proud to be a part of her journey. Check out what makes her tick...
Holidaying with a bike is one of the best ways to experience new places. However, travelling with a bike can also be a recipe for disaster. Not packing your bike properly, unexpected excess baggage charges, and finding that your bike has been damaged in transit are top of every athlete's list of travel gripes. Here are our tips for getting you (and your bike) to your destination with a smile:
1. Hard case, soft case or bike box?
Everyone is different on this. Whichever option suits you best depends on your budget, type of travel and your transport at the other end. As a guide, hard cases are more expensive, weigh more and can be cumbersome to negotiate in comparison with a soft bike bag. However, they are generally more reliable for keeping your steed safe from impact damage and over-enthusiastic baggage handlers - particularly for overseas travel when you have multiple connections.
Hard cases - strong but costly
Soft cases (or bike bags) are good for domestic travel. They tend to be lighter and easier to carry (usually with a shoulder strap or wheels) compared with hard cases. The downside is that they are not as protective as hard cases. Usually some cheap foam padding from the hardware store and a few 'fragile' stickers will do the trick for domestic travel.
Soft case
Bike boxes are the cheapest of the lot. You can usually pick up a cardboard bike box from your local bike store for free, and they are roomy and easy to pack. Just cross your fingers for dry weather or you'll be carrying all your parts and some soggy bits of cardboard at your destination! A good alternative is a hard plastic collapsible box (like this one) which is light and sturdy. The AIS use these plastic boxes for their cycling teams. The main disadvantage of these boxes are that they are huge and a pain to lug around.
Cheap and cheery cardboard
2. Travelling by plane and excess baggage
Airlines are getting tighter and tighter with their baggage restrictions. The best way we have found so far to avoid paying excess baggage charges is to book your trip through Healthwise Active Travel (part of Flight Centre). They have a special deal going with Qantas that lets you take your bike for free whenever you book a domestic flight through them.
Otherwise, here is a summary of airlines' domestic charges for travelling with a bike:
Virgin Blue: Checkin luggage is an extra cost but gets you 23kg INCLUDING your bike. Excess above that is charged at $15/kg.
Qantas: Included allowance is 23kg including bike. Excess baggage is charged per piece - $20 if pre-paid or $30 at the airport
Jetstar: Luggage must be pre-purchased (which gets you 20kg). Any extra weight is $15/kg.
3. How to pack your bike
Packing a bike is a life skill that is hard the first time but super easy after that! Here's a checklist for you. You will need a pedal spanner and a multitool with allen keys.
Remove your pedals with a pedal spanner or allen key (remember the thread is reversed on the non-drive side)
Take off your handlebars (sometimes you can just twist them if your box is big enough)
Take out your seat post
Take out the wheels and skewers (you will find it easiest to remove your back wheel when your chain is in the smallest rear cog)
Remember to use plenty of padding - a safe bet is to assume that whomever handles your bike in transit cares a lot less about your bike than you do.
