Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Shipping bike box to final destination

« on: June 14, 2013, 12:16:52 pm »

Nefydog your approach is very practical an inexpensive. I bought cases that are luggage type with built in handles/wheels so I could wheel bikes to and from the airport and assemble/disassemble wherever and at my convience. Also my cases meet the maximum size allowable as checked luggage with no additional charge. My problem and the problem I want others to hopefully avoid is my mistake of thinking you can cheaply ship the cases to your next destination. In the future I probably will only use my cases if my trip begins/ends at the same location, which in and of itself can be very limiting.

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General Discussion / Re: Do I ship stuff to my starting point or buy it there?

« on: June 13, 2013, 12:13:40 pm »

Be very careful using FedEx and UPS. The size of the box can drive up costs as much or more than weight. I had an experience last year when I shipped two bikes from Florida to California via FedEx. They both weighed the same but my LBS gave me one box that was noticably bigger than the other one. That box costs twice as much as the smaller one. I shipped both back to Florida at the end of my tour as freight on Amtrak (while we flew home) and it cost a third of what FedEx cost going over. Transit with Amtrak was a little longer though. What ever you do check and recheck your plan. I personally seem to have a habit of making costly shipping mistakes.

3

General Discussion / Re: Shipping bike box to final destination

« on: June 12, 2013, 02:11:51 pm »

Wanted to update interested parties on my unforeseen expenses to ship bike cases to my final destination: Upon delivering my cases, the UPS driver presented an invoice for 87.00 due in reference to import tax. I had no choice but to pay. It seems when my friend shipped the cases from Switzerland to Scotland he failed to check the proper box indicating  the cases were not a commodity subject to an import tax. As an individual who had never shipped anything from one country to another and who was doing a one time favor, it is an understandable oversight. Bottom line; It has now cost me a total of 319.00 dollars to have my cases shipped to the final destination of my tour. AN EXPENSIVE LESSON HAS BEEN LEARNED.

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General Discussion / Re: Shipping bike box to final destination

« on: June 02, 2013, 12:33:35 am »

Thanks for your response John, in doing further research I have found the following. It will cost about 232.00 US Dollars to ship my 2 boxes. Actually quite a bit of money. There is a cost to pay for leaving expensive bike luggage behind then having it shipped to your final destination.

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General Discussion / Shipping bike box to final destination

« on: May 31, 2013, 11:50:49 pm »

I started my tour in Zurich, Switzerland and have drifted north along the Rhine and crossed into UK, I am now in Scotland. I have deciced to fly out of Glasgow to my home in the USA. Having left my bike luggage cases in Zurich I have requested a friend to ship them to another friend in Glasgow. Does anyone know of any potential problems with this shipping scenario. Anyone have firsthand knowledge on best and cost effective shipping.

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Gear Talk / Re: How much does a sleeping bag liner increase warmth?

« on: October 13, 2012, 09:06:35 am »

Opinions and personal experience vary. As winter is approaching you will have plenty of cool weather to experiment in your back yard with a liner, layering clothing etc. Your personal experience will teach you the most. Don' forget to use your tent as this will add a few degrees warmth. In any event a bag liner is worth the expense as it will not only add warmth but protect your bag from dirt/grime.

7

Routes / Re: Outter Banks direction of travel

« on: September 17, 2012, 09:15:20 am »

Thanks all for the input, looks like I will be going north to south.

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Routes / Outter Banks direction of travel

« on: September 12, 2012, 07:03:17 pm »

Will be doing the section of the Outter Banks between Wilmington and Newport News during the second week of October. As I have family in the area it wil be possible to start from either the north or south. Based on previous experience does anyone have any experience with prevailing wind direction?

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Gear Talk / MKS EZY Peddles

« on: August 19, 2012, 12:46:56 pm »

Looking for comments/recommendations from anyone who has used MKS EZY Peddles. I am interested in using them on my touring bike to ease the process of removing/reinstalling peddles when shipping my bike.

10

Gear Talk / Re: map cases

« on: August 13, 2012, 08:35:03 pm »

My wife an I each have the Ortlieb Ultimate 5 handlebar bag with the accessory map case. For easy access to read maps or written Q sheets (directions) you can't do much better than the Ortlieb set-up. It is a bit pricey @ about 130.00 plus for bag and map case.

11

Routes / Card Sound approach Fla. keys

« on: August 10, 2012, 06:41:28 pm »

Will be cycling to the to Florida keys end of this month. I recently heard from a south florida resident that US 1 from Homstead to Key Largo now has a rideable shoulder and he recommended this route over the Adventure Cycling Card Sound road route. I am skeptical of this recommendation. Has anybody cycled the US 1 route recently and can you recommend it over Card Sound?

12

Routes / Barcelona to Amsterdam

« on: August 07, 2012, 02:22:36 pm »

I will be in Barcelona in late April and would like to cycle north to Amsterdam following the Rhine through Germany. I have been told due to prevailing northerly winds this is a north to south route, is this correct? I am hesitant about taking a train north and starting from Amsterdam at the end of April due to cold weather. I am therefore hoping to go south to north thus moving north as it warms up.

13

General Discussion / Re: Transporting a bicycle

« on: August 01, 2012, 07:26:41 pm »

You can ship via FEDEX from the east coast to west for 100-150 dollars depending on weight and size of the box. Same bike in a large bike box vs a small one is a difference in 50 dollars. Most bike shops will give away boxes for free, be sure and get the smallest possible. Info on packing is available via google this website or the bike shop. If you can't do the disassembling yourself most bike shops will do it and pack it for around 50 dollars. You can then ship to a shop to have it reassembled. Bikes can be shipped as baggage on your flight but this can be expensive depending on the airline and can be difficult and/or expensive as some airlines are not bike friendly. Do your research!!!

This is a small overview and much more information can be found by doing a word search on this site.

14

General Discussion / Re: What do you use for sunscreen?

« on: July 19, 2012, 07:28:50 pm »

Ridergirl50 is dead on the money with her assessment of arm protectors. I live and ride in Florida in 98 degree heat. Can not stand sunscreen and don't use it. My Pearl Izumi (white) arm protectors are comfortable and do not feel warm and if anything shade my arms and produce a cooling effect by the process of evaporation. When I stop and go into an establishment I forget I'm even wearing them. I have tried the baggy long sleeve fishing type shirts and I feel the sweat running and the shirt feels sticky and miserable. Do I think I look weird with the skin tight arm protectors? Yes, but they ABSOLUTLEY work. Incidentally m wife wears Canari brand and they work well also. Just be sure and get the light weight sun shades and not heavy black winter arm warmers.

15

General Discussion / Re: HELP! Are me and my girlfriend ready for this tour?

« on: July 10, 2012, 04:17:22 pm »

You won't be the first or last to accomplish a ride like that (with highly questionable) bikes. As you are young and fit, other than saddle discomfort which will decrease with time, your bodies will adjust just fine. It is important to have the local bike guy at least look at the bikes and insure the fit/size is workable and that there are not any immediate and noticeable mechanical issues. Reasonably serviceable tires are important though and the ability to repair flats. All said and done at your age and with your travel experience I would DEFINATELY do it.

We will be interested in your success so please keep us informed. As there is no substitute for youthful exuberance and the sense for adventure I know many of us will be just a little envious.