assembling a bike at NY JFK airport...

[don-s]

Hi all!

(hope I'm posting this in the right place, if not, sorry.... new here...)

This summer I'm cycling the Southern Tier from Florida to San Diego, and on my way back to Holland I'm going to stay in New York for a few days. The perfect ending of the trip would be to cycle from JFK airport to my little 'Bed and Coffee' in (on?) Manhattan. I always transport my bike in a bag, with wheels, panniers, seat and handlebars removed, and need about 20 minutes or so to assemble my bike when it gets out of a plane.

Never been to the US, I can imagine that security is a bit different than it is in Europe, should I worry about that, or just unpack my bag in the bagage-area and start working on the bike? Any experience/advice on how to handle this??

Thanx!


Don

[BrianW]

Since you will be on an intra-USA flight and don't have to worry about customs, you shouldn't have a problem assembling it in the baggage area. However, if it isn't too hot/cold/rainy out, I always prefer to find a nice, private place outside to put my bike together. I find it much less stressful and it's nice not to have all those people staring at you/asking questions.

The most bike-assembly friendly airport I've ever been in? Adventure Cycling's tiny hometown airport in Missoula, Montan. An outside, covered area just for bike assembly, complete with Park repair stand and I think even a floor pump, if I recall correctly. Way cool!

[don-s]

Thanx for your reply! Have to say that I usually don't assemble my bike at airports, since I mostly start riding at home, and only use a plane to get back (but since I live in Europe that wouldn't get me to the USA....). The 'finding a private place outside' option crossed my mind, but maybe I'm a bit overly paranoid about a big, international airport such as New York's... Well, we'll see, I'll improvise when I get there!

[indyfabz]

You might want to check with the domestic airline to see if they will accept a bike in a bag.

[don-s]

thanks for the advice! Figured all that out allready (regulations in the US aren't so much different from Europe). Was mainly worried about security-issues at the airport... But we'll see.. Looking forward to my trip to the USA!

[Tourista829]

Like the above, if you check your bag, security should not be an issue. There may be a few other concerns:
1. Each airline has their own additional baggage charges. (except South West) If it is a normal looking hard suitcase, you may pay
$15-20 dollars U.S. each way.* If it is a soft bag(s), and they know it is a bike, they may charge you as high as
$175.00 U.S.  for each bag, each way. Check with your airline carrier to obtain the correct charges.
2. Any bicycle accessories, that you value, I would take on the airplane, in your carry on bag. (minus any tools)
I would check with your airline or the TSA, online, for a list of prohibited items.
3. In lieu of the Christmas Day incident, people are nervous around airports. If I were you, set your bike up outside of the airport.
4. Riding from JFK to Manhattan can be a challenge. I believe you can ride over the Brooklyn Bridge but I would research, very carefully, a safe route, into the city. I hope this helps and you have a wonderful trip:)
*If you go online, to the airline's website, you could save a few dollars, by pre-checking in your bag(s)

[mikedirectory2]

You might want to check with the domestic airline to see if they will accept a bike in a bag.

Definately, and you may have to check more than once so you have up to date info.  The security practices are changing so quickly and without warning. 

[don-s]

again; thanks! I know all about checking and re-checking, since flying with a bike always is an adventure :-) Pre-checking the bags sounds good!

[indyfabz]

You can ride over the Brooklyn Bridge from B' Heights to Manhattan.  I do it every year in the opposite direction as part of a NJ to Brooklyn ride.  (Take a short side triip to the Promenade in B' Heights.  Great view of lower Manhattan, especially at night).  You can even see the Statue of Liberty.)  The walkway, which has a narrow bike lane, is above the car deck so you have great views of the bridge architecture.  The trip across is a very popular tourist attraction so it can get very crowded at times.  Be careful because people often walk out into the bike lane without warning.

NYC has a very active bike advocacy scene.  Look into it.  One of the organizations may have a bike map showing potential routes from the airport.

[don-s]

....The trip across is a very popular tourist attraction so it can get very crowded at times....

Well, I AM a tourist :-)

Was planning on riding the Brooklyn Bridge, I think the part near the airport is going to be more of a challenge... But I'll start researching that via the local bike-scene (still have some time, leaving late april...).


And I think I haven't mentioned what a great forum this is!

[indyfabz]

Check these out:

http://www.ridethecity.org/

http://www.bikenewyork.org/resources/local/routes.html

If you look at the NYC bike map (hard copy is free) you will see that, at worst, there is a train you can probably take for part of the distance.


P.S.  Good and affordable Polish/Russian food at Teresa's at 80 Montague St. in Brooklyn Heights.

[don-s]

ridethecity.org looks very helpful! I did find a few options via google maps (mainly the part close to the airport concerned me), with that ánd the help of ridethecity looks like it's going to be okay!

And I'll check out the Russian food!