Author Topic: Starting the TransAmerica  (Read 6153 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline joyosects

Starting the TransAmerica
« on: April 21, 2009, 05:06:33 pm »
I'm about a month and a half out from starting my trip, and I'm excited about it. 

More of the questions I'm coming up with have to do with how I start the trip than actually taking the trip.

I live in Texas.  I plan on starting the TransAmerica in Virginia.  I'm guessing that Richmond is the best airport to fly into (am I wrong?).  What do y'all recommend with shipping the bike?  Do I ship it to a bike shop from down here before I leave, do I take it on a plane?  I can get my bike store down here to pack it for me, but how do I get it put back together?

Offline CMajernik

Re: Starting the TransAmerica
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2009, 03:27:38 pm »
ACA has been hearing that taking your bike with you on a plane has gotten very expensive lately. You should check with your airline as to what they charge. And yes, Richmond is the closest large city to Yorktown, the beginning of the TransAm. You can ship your bike to a bike shop listed on the map, and have them put it together for you if you don't feel like you can do it yourself. Another idea would be to ship your bike to a shop in Williamsburg (close to Yorktown) and then find out if there is a shuttle service from the Richmond airport to Williamsburg. Make sure you call the bike shop ahead of time to find out if they will reassemble your bike.
Carla Majernik
Routes and Mapping Program Director

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring people of all ages to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x218, 406/721-8754 fax
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline dubovsmj

Re: Starting the TransAmerica
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2009, 05:32:49 pm »
hey there
i highly recommend shipping your bike via Amtrak.  I just discovered this and had great success using them to ship my bike multiple times.  Basically, bring your bike boxed up and any other boxes and they'll ship it for darn cheap.  I shipped my bike plus b.o.b trailer box from VA to San Diego and total cost for everything was $120.00.  The receiving train station will hold your boxes for up to three days free of charge.  Everything after that it's a minimal 'holding fee'.  they also have various sized boxes for shipping if you find extra things to be boxed up last minute. good luck.

michael