Traveling Triathlete

Flying home from DC today, I got asked the question if I was in town for a triathlon while clearing security in Dulles--I was easily identifiable as a triathlete today since I had a speedo backpack with a bike helmet hanging off it. In the 20 seconds or so that I had to converse with this guy, I responded "No, I was here on business, but I travel with my bike." And he asked if I had a special box for my bike, and my answer was that I've got 2 bags so I can check my bike without paying a bike fee.

It occurred to me that very few people will ever attempt to travel with a bike. It's the realm of professional triathletes, professional cyclists, and nut-jobs.  I fall in the latter category, but for very good reason. Being able to stay focused on my workout routine keeps me grounded mentally, and being able to ride the bike I ride all the time makes it an experience that doesn't hurt, because my bike fits me, and I have a power meter to take all of the guesswork out of training properly. I suppose that last statement pushes me into the nut-job category.

I have had an uncountable number of people ask me why I just don't rent a bike. Or buy a cheap bike and give it to someone after I'm done traveling. The answer to both questions is that it won't fit correctly, and I'll be in pain and not ride it much.

I thought it might be worthwhile to put together my thoughts on traveling with a bike on today's airlines. Maybe it'll help someone.

Number 1:  Traveling with a bike is a huge pain in the ass. Accept this fact, or just don't travel with a bike.

Number 2:  Bike fees vary dramatically between airlines. In general, the more major airlines charge more to check a bike bag, while the smaller airlines charge less. It runs counter to a lot of ideas going on with the nickle-and-dime mentality of lower cost airlines, but just do your research before you buy your plane ticket. The bike fee is as much as $300 each way on some airlines, but it can be as low as $50 each way on others.

Number 3:  The mythological age of a bike fee being waived by a nice person at the check in counter ended a long time ago--longer ago than when I started flying with a bike.  I read about some of these occurrences once in an encyclopedia.  Ok--just kidding, it was on the web, but those write-ups seemed to be dated back into the 90s, if not earlier.   Do not kid yourself into thinking you can get a full sized bike fee waived because you're a nice person, or because you have airline status, or because you have a higher class of service ticket.

Bike packed for shipping

Number 4:  It is possible to reduce the amount you have to pay to transport a bike by selecting bike bags that fit within the normal size requirements for luggage. I'm currently using a set of bags sold by Ruster Sports. Your wheels go in one bag, and your frame goes in another bag after you substantially disassemble the bike. This process is not for the faint of heart.  I'm an engineer, and I like working with tools. It took me 3 hours to disassemble my bike and pack it up the first time I did it, and I now have the process down to 45 minutes. I have not been charged a bike fee using the bags so far anytime I have flown with them--but there are airlines that will charge you a bike fee regardless of the size of the bag if they identify that there is a bike in the bag at all. And if you're traveling with a bike, it's obvious--again, do not kid yourself about this.

Number 5:  Wherever you're traveling to has a different rhythm and feel for how cycling goes than wherever you live.  I've done a number of trips to the DC area. I have been screamed at for riding on the road by drivers within eyesight of signs posted that say "Bicycle Friendly Community." There are places you can ride in DC and get a decent workout in, and there are places you can ride and just puddle along, and then there are places you just shouldn't ride at all. There are differences in body language on the bike that you really don't notice until you're riding with other people from the area, but for the most part, if you're friendly and well meaning, you'll be fine.

Number 6:  Something is going to go wrong with traveling with your bike--not all the time, but more often than you'd like it to. You should expect TSA to inspect your bike bag. I get a note saying they did every time I fly with it. I once had my bike not make it on a direct flight to a triathlon I was doing, even though my suitcase did arrive. I was reunited with my bike something like 18 hours before the race. On this past trip, a piece fell out of my rear wheel hub, rendering my bike inoperable. Before I found this piece a day later, I'd gone to two bike stores to purchase a new one, and was told that it was a special order part that would take 7-10 days to arrive--my trip was 10 days long, making it questionable whether I would get the part before I left.

Number 7:  Your bike may or may not come up on the same luggage carousel as all the standard luggage. Ask when you arrive, and be prepared for the answer you get to occasionally be wrong.

Number 8:  Get a travel hand pump with a pressure gauge built into it--one that reads pressure as you're pumping, just like your floor pump does. Once I bought one of these, I didn't dread pumping my tires up while on travel. Try the "Topeak Road Morph G with gauge" pump (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Road-Morph-Bike-Gauge/dp/B000FI6YOS/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1458499904&sr=1-1&keywords=topeak+road+morph+g+bike+pump+with+gauge)

The bike bags I'm currently using

Number 9:  Pack extra clothes along with your bike, but put them inside of a pillow case you don't mind getting bike grease on. You're going to be limited in space because you're occupying some of your checked luggage with a bike. The bike, even though it is big, is lighter than the 50 pound max you can check, so you can make use of this.

Number 10:  Assess your situation before deciding what type of bike bag to buy. A single hardcase may be right for you. Or you may fall on the other end of the scale with a total breakdown and rebuild like me. And buy your bike bag well before the first trip you'll use it on, and make sure you follow the directions on how to pack your back in it. Once you weigh the balance of cost vs. time spent breaking down and rebuilding your bike, you can figure out what you want.

Even with all of this mess, having your bike with you makes long trips away from home more tolerable. Even on the days that it's been snowing and I haven't been able to ride, just seeing my bike in my hotel room helps to ground me.