The LuxMob Info Tags

It?s been an amazing summertime thus far. We went on an amazing mountain bike mtn bike ride through the Sequoia Park. Everything about the trip was sensational except for the drive up there. My gear was packed with my bike ready the night before. I left work early Thursday and started the drive alone. I was on a race against time as I was supposed to meet my buddies at the top of the mountain road, marked by a picnic table, at 8pm. I had to make the timing just right otherwise I would not meet them. After that time, they were to expect that I got held up and would try again at the same spot at 10am the next day. The only logical outcome of there is that I would be taking a long nap in my car alone that night if I didnt make it in time

Well I didnt have to sleep in the car alone that night. I made it in time to crack a beer and pedal around on the bike a bit and enjoy the fresh mountain air The air was crisp and I was excited to be away from the city. The bike was in perfect shape and ready to hit some trails. Friends arrived beers in hand and ready to show me where the campsite was.

Our ride started early and we were ready with big packs stuffed with plenty of food and water. The first crank up the big hill was ridiculously long. The crew cranked slowly up for about 2hrs. Making it to the summit was sensational. We took a break and sipped some water from our stainless steel water bottles.

The next 8hrs was spent jamming up and down hills, over fallen logs, off huge hits and hucking over big rocks. We half a few good breaks in between stopping to eat lunch and have a smoke at the three sisters, what an spectacular spot. The terrain was magnificent and just right for some summertime riding. It was nice to see just a bit of snow left on the ground in certain spots.

We all assume a certain level of risk when we ride our motorcycles. Our main concern is usually the 4000 pound SUV crossing in-front of us at an intersection. The driver oblivious to our existence as they chat on their cell phone. That being said, another risk motorcyclists encounter is the Road Hazard. By road hazard I mean, obstacles such as, speed bumps, potholes, debris. Debris such as gravel, solid objects that have fallen off the construction truck in front of you. If that was not enough, consider road kill, now add in a freaked out deer or a kamakazi squirrel or rabbit. It makes you wonder why we ride at all. But that is another topic I will address relating to the start of it all, the book “Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. But I digress.

Alright, having given you all the obstacle hazards you WILL encounter on your ride, how do you effectively prepare and react to such hazards. Let me take you back to school for a second and refresh you on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s SEE method. What is see again? Search, Evaluate, Execute. If you use the searching and evaluating effectively this can help you avoid the obstacles mentioned above. Ok, class is over. Now for some real world tips.

* Practice your quick-reaction counter steering. How? Well you can go to a vacant parking lot and place some coke cans out and as you get close, practice your quick obstacle avoidence countersteer to swerve around the object without braking. The idea being that the bike is agile and can avoid an object. The alternative is to apply full-braking power and hope physics is on your side. I also will you man-hole covers for this practice. Of course in very light traffic. Keeps you fresh.

* Do not tail gate the cager in front of you. I just learned this last week. There was a 2 by 4 in the road, I was too up the guys butt in front of me for me to effectively see the board in time and hit it. All turned out ok for me, but if it were something larger or roadkill, it might have resulted in an accident. Not good. If you don’t have to run over it don’t. Once I hit a small piece of tin, like a flattened soda can, well all this did was kick up and scratch up my fender. Still not good. The zen of riding was kicked in so much, I forgot to look for obstacles.

* Now if you have time to react and you are unable to avoid the object, be sure to:

* slow as much as time and traffic will permit.

* approach the obstacle at a 90 degree angle. Most commonly when you encounter railroad tracks that are offset or uneven pavement.

* rise slightly off the seat and shift your weight rearward, ease off of the throttle. Why? you do not want power applied to the rear wheel when it encounters the object. Once you have the bike stable and free of the obstacle, resume seated, If it was a hard impact you should pull over and check for damage.

* For handling live critter avoidence. If you see the critter and have time to slow down, do so. Be mindful of traffic behind you. With dogs, it is best to slow, then if the dog is making a b-line for you, increase throttle and wave bye bye to bruno. For deer, this is the worse case, they are skittish giant rats with antlers — most of them. It is best to slow as much as possible until you are past. There are several aftermarket deer warning devices you could install. I have one, it makes a high-tone like a dog whistle. Does it work? dunno, all I do know is that it is annoying. Thank God for the optional on/off switch. Funny thing is, I installed this on my cruiser instead of the ZZR1200.

* Here is a somewhat related obstacle avoidance tip, water on the painted road symbols spells disaster. I avoid these things at all cost. I also am mindful of intersections. When it rains this hits all of the dropped oil from the cars and makes for a real slick surface. So be mindful of where you put your foot down and place your tires. It is best to stay in the tire tracks to avoid the Valdez like spills. Most motorcyclists will drop there bikes in these situations. For me I went to put my foot down to park, and I encountered some cherry seeds from the nearby tree, well out went my foot, and down goes the 500 pound bike and my ego.

In conclusion, I hoped to have provided some useful tips on basic obstacle avoidence. I strongly believe it is not the number of years that you have ridden a motorcycle, it is your experience and skillful use of the machine that really matter.

Contributing author to Cycle Solutions.
http://www.cyclesolutions.net

Protection and prevention, these are two of the most important reasons why motorcycle apparel is worn by riders.

Motorcycle gloves protect the rider from the shivering coldness of the winter season. It is also worn to avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) which can lead to more serious conditions. Aside from that, these gloves preclude heat from damaging the skin and lessen the possibility of pricks, injuries and other unsafe elements.

There are different types of gloves. Most of them are worn depending on the weather. Summer gloves uses thin lining and are not water-resistant. They come in vibrant colors with and without fingers.

Rain gloves, obviously, are for rainy seasons. They are usually made of plastic. They can get slippery and bulky. However, they are often cheap and are easy to carry along.

Winter gloves are thick and will really keep your hands warm during cold weather. These gloves are oftentimes lined. They can be stylish and comfy.

In choosing motorcycle gloves, you also have to consider the size, material and other essential features. To preclude gloves from wrapping around the bar, you have to choose the size that fits you well - not too tight or loose, just the right size.

Motorcycle gloves are leather or nylon made. Between the two, leather gives the best protection. Another quality of a good pair of gloves is having extra padding on the knuckles and palms. Carbon shells and tiny metal studs can also be used for added hand protection.

Gloves with fingers are better than fingerless. The latter can give you nasty sunburns when you are exposed under the blazing sun.

Having washable linings can also be a good feature of motorcycle gloves. Aside from that, extensions can also protect you from the harsh and cold puffing air. It can extend up to the sleeve thus, protection is also extensive.

Rain can be rider’s uninvited company. However, how can riders manage to enjoy the ride if their hands are soaking wet and numb? To avoid this situation, water-resistant gloves must be worn to keep water away from the hands.

Another feature is the wrist strap. These straps are usually made from a simple button clip system or Velcro. The main function of having the same is to improve comfort by holding the gloves tightly and ensuring that safety padding is in the right place.

If you are a rider, you must be accustomed to the idea of having bigger fingers. A word of caution though, must be applied. Do not purchase a pair of gloves that obstructs your feel of the controls.

With these specifications, your ride will surely be comfortable and numb-free!

Please visit Motorcycle Parts Trade site at www.motorcyclepartstrade.com/ for comments and inquiries regarding this article.

Chris Boardman is probably Britain’s most succesful cyclist of all time with 3 World Hour Records, an Olympic Gold and holder of the prestiguous yellow jersey in the Tour De France. During his peak Chris was virtually unbeatable in time trials (racing against the clock)

Chris initially rode for one of the UK’s top amateur clubs - The Manchester Wheelers. On the domestic time trial scene he won over 30 national titles including National 10, 25, 50, and National Hill Climb Championships. Only Scotland’s Graham Obree was able to challenge Chris in domestic time trials.

ALthough Chris specialised in time trials he also turned his attention to road racing and also competed in track disciplines, In the 1992 Olympics Chris was a gold medallist in the 4,000 metres pursuit. It was this Gold medal performance that launched Chris into the public light.

In 1993 Chris Boardman broke the World Hour Record. Initially he had been planning to break F. Moser’s mark of 51.1 KM. However Graham Obree managed to beat this record just before Chris’s attempt. However unduanted Chris broke both Moser’s and Obree’s new record setting a mark of 52.2 KM. This led to an unprecendented increase in the World Hour Record. Both Tony Rominger and Miguel Indurain set new records taking the record to 55 KM. Then in Manchester 1996 Chris set a new World Hour adding over 1 KM to the mark set by Tony Rominger. The New World Hour record now stands at 56.375KM - a mark that has not been broken
Chris Boardman’s World Hour Record of 56.375 KM

In this photo Chris is riding a position known as the “Superman ” Position this is because his arms are outstretched. This position is particularly aerodynamic but this shouldn’t detract from the spectacular athletic performance of this record.
Chris Boardman - Tour De France

Chris devoted the last 5 years of his professional career to try and suceed in the Tour De France. Chris experienced mixed fortunes. 3 times he won the opening prologue time trial, enabling him to wear the coverted yellow jersey. However in 1995 Chris crashed in the opening prologue, breaking his ankle and missing most of the rest of the season. He also crashed badly in the 1998 Tour (after winning the prologue. (1998 the year of the Festina crisis)

After he set this remarkable record the UCI decided to change the rules about technology that could be used for setting an hour record. Basically they reverted back to 1970s technology when E.Merckx set the record. Rules included no tribars no disc wheels e.t.c. Chris decided to try and break this record as a final swansong to his professional career.Riding at the Manchester Velodrome (at Sea Level) Chris just managed to break E.Merckx record setting a mark of 49.441

In 1998 Chris Boardman was diagnosed with a form of osteoperosis, making it difficult to train for long periods at high intensity. This needed treatment with drugs prohibited by the UCI therefore Chris decided to retire.

Chris Boardman says he always rode without the use of performance enhancing drugs because he didn’t want to damage his health. Some commentators have suggested this is why he struggled relatively in the Tour when it went into the mountains. Of course this effect is impossible to quantify but Chris always maintained a degree of honesty and integrity when many other professionals resorted to the use of drugs (e.g. Festina team 1998).

Richard Pettinger

For pictures of Chris Boardman cycling see
http://www.richardpettinger.com/cycling/chris_boardman

Motorcycle seat height is one of the concerns of riders. Thus, it must be chosen with important considerations. This is because of the fact that saddles greatly affect the rider’s driving and maneuvering skills.

Seat height is measured in inches. Together with the seat height, the manufacturing date and the bike model is also given in the specifications. They can be accessed by visiting the motorcycle store near you or through surfing the Net. In the Internet, you can search by writing your motorcycle brand, then click on the manufacturer’s web site to access their motorcycle models which have clickable links that can direct a probable purchaser to different motorcycle manufacturer’s specifications.

Ahead of purchasing, riders see to it that they acquire their desired motorcycle seat height. They want to sit on their saddles with ease and comfort. Though, some riders want to get their feet flat on the ground and others want a different style, the fact remains that they have to maintain full balance and control in order to drive accurately.

Each motorcycle manufacturer has its own list of available motorcycle seat height for each of their models in their specifications. Say Yamaha, it does not only specify the available Yamaha motorcycle parts but its accessories as well. This includes the saddles and its height. Motorcycle manufacturers are also giving its updated yearly specifications so as to guide purchasers, retailers and riders of what is hot and new!

Motorcycle specs and seats are also announced at Motorcycles blog and Motorcycles Newsletter. The manufacturers included are Harley-Davidson, Buell, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Victory, and the Star line of Yamaha. Seat heights included are precise and reliable. You can rely on these specifications and use them as a guide in your purchase of a fulfilling saddle or motorcycle seat.

With the right seat height, you can be comfortable with your rider’s skin. Riding will never be a burden because you can ride comfortably even during long and bumpy rides. State-of-the-art saddles will help you turn smoothly and accurately.

Saddles enable you to stop with grace and ride with power and dominance!

Please visit Yamaha Motorcycle Parts Online site at www.yamahamotorcyclepartsonlinecom/ for comments and inquiries regarding this article.

If you know the answer to this, you are far more the historian than am I. I am betting alot of people today would simply say that Harley-Davidson invented the motorcycle. Although they did not invent the motorcycle, they sure had a big part in mass producing bikes for the everyday commuting population.

The truth, as history states it, all depends on one’s definition of what exactly is a motorcycle. By todays common definition, a motorcycle is a two-wheeled motorized vehicle. But what is the motor? is it gas, electric, or steam driven?

Here is the Wikipedia definition for Motorcycle:

A - motorcycle - is a two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine. The wheels are in-line, and at higher speed the motorcycle remains upright and stable by virtue of gyroscopic forces; at lower speeds continual readjustment of the steering by the rider gives stability. The rider sits astride the vehicle on a seat, with hands on a set of handlebars which are used to steer the motorcycle, in conjunction with the rider shifting his weight through his feet, which are supported on a set of footpegs which stick out from the frame.

Yes, I said steam. The steam-engine motorcycle was invented in 1967. This coal-powered steam engine was invented by Sylvester Howard Roper, an American inventor. The steam-engine motorcycle ran on two cylinders.

Now a few years later the first petroleum gas-powered engine motorcycle was invented in 1885 by Gottlieb Daimler. This motorcycle used a Four-Stroke Internal-Combustion Engine which was invented in 1876. This is a bookmark in history since was the first real practical application of combining a practical gas engine with a bicycle. The Four-Stroke Internal-Combustion Engine that Gottleib Daimler used was invented by Nicolaus August Otto.

Now this all leads us up to 1903 and the creation of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. A motorcycle company formed by William Harley with Arthur and Walter Davidson. At the turn of the century the demand for mass produced automobiles was increasing. Along with this, was a demand for motorcycles. The pedal-powered bicycles were everywhere in everyday 1903 life. The public wanted more. As with the auto industry, the race track was the place where technology flourished. Harley-Davidson built their first bike with a high-performance engine. They used this bike to win races. The race wins brought them brand name recognition. The next step was for Harley-Davidson to start mass producing motorcycles for the public.

Now fast forward 100 years later and we now see motorcycles everywhere. Motorcycle build and enthusiast shows are everywhere on cable television. Everyone wants to own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This is mainly because of their incredible brand name recognition vice the actual quality of their product. Motorcycling is gowing more popular every year. There are Motorcycle Safety courses to teach new riders. Of which, the majority are women. I think women have finally decided they want to ride their own bike and no longer want to be the passenger. It is all good and the motorcycling industry is gearing their products towards this new market base.

With all this information, when you appear on Jeopardy and are asked, “who invented the motorcycle?” Hopefully you will have enough information to correctly answer Alex’s question.

Ride safe.

Contributing author to Cycle Solutions dot Net

http://www.CycleSolutions.net

Wow, Victory motorcycles pulled out an “end-run” attack on us this year. First the much awaited Victory Hammer motorcycle was released. These Victory Hammers were quickly sold. That fat rear tire and dragster cool looks made the Victory Hammer irresistable to the V-Twin cruiser shopper. Ok, while we are still in the afterglow of the Victory Hammer and trying to figure how we are going to go about asking the wife to let us buy one to add to the stable, Victory motorcycle perform the end-run sneak attack on us by announcing the Victory Vegas Jackpot for 2006.

STRAIGHT FROM THE AMERICAN HEARTLAND. THE HEART OF VICTORY.

Victory’s a heart that will speak to your soul. Born and bred in Osceola, Wisconsin, Victory’s Freedom™ 100/6 V-Twin engine with 100 cubic inches, six-speed overdrive transmission, extraordinary quality and remarkable reliability delivers power and torque in spades - and vows to do so for years to come. This fuel-injected, four-valves-per-cylinder, overhead-cam V-Twin is built to move. Fast. And Victory is the only major V-Twin manufacturer to offer a six-speed transmission, standard on most models. So you can cruise comfortably at highway speeds at lower RPMs - all without sacrificing the torque so essential to passing.

Enhancing the freedom engine for 2006 has been a labor of love. And lust. The frame-mounted, counterbalanced, 50 degree V-Twin allows you to feel the horsepower without experiencing unwanted engine vibration. It’s air and oil cooled and features a silent chain-driven oil pump to reduce engine noise. Our engineers have also designed a helical-cut primary drive to reduce engine and gear whine. And that’s just the beginning of this engine to end all engines. Ride one and feel for yourself.

I mean seriosusly, this is too good to be true. in a time when all you see is Harley Davidson motorcycles on the road. Which is boring, everyone owns the same bike. Motorcycling is all about being unique and to be noticed. Hard to do when everyone and their mother owns a Harley. Yawn. This is where Victory comes in. Their Victory Vegas Jackpot slogan says it all.

“IF YOU DONT GET NOTICED ON IT, YOU AINT ON IT!”

The research and marketing team at Victory are showing us that they are serious contenders for the popular V-twin cruiser market. Also with the Victory Hammer and vegas motorcycles being 85% American made, that is something to be proud of. Harley Davidson is approxiamtely 65% American made.

Forget everything you’ve ever thought about factory-produced bikes. The Victory Vegas Jackpot™ is here – the bolder, in-your-face, devil-may-care cousin of the Vegas®. Behold its wicked-fat 250 mm rear tire – custom-designed for maximum handling specifically for Victory by Dunlop®. Its fuel-injected, counterbalanced, torque-laden 100/6 Freedom V-Twin. Its outrageous graphics, super-low 25.7” seat height and color-matched frame shimmering under six layers of clear coat. Behold the Jackpot. Proof positive the New American Motorcycle has arrived and is here to stay. With all the features and beauty of a custom, backed by the quality, performance and unrivaled reliability of Victory – a major new force in American motorcycle manufacturing.

The photo of the 2006 Victory Vegas Jackpot shows how serious you can make this bike. With the custom-order program, you can make this bike totally unique. No more cookie-cutter motorcycles. As the saying goes, “Shared passion, individual style.” Just look at the sweet paint job on the Victory Jackpot. Very nice and unique looking. The headlight bucket design is a break from the norm of the other Victory models like the Kingpin and stock Vegas motorcycle. If you can get past the incredible look of this bike, you now get blown away by the 100 cubic inch 6-speed Freedom V-twin powerhouse.

With the Victory Hammer and Victory Vegas Jackpot models flying off the showroom floors, we are experiencing a new revolution in American-made motorcycles. In speaking with several Victory motorcycle dealers, the majority of Vicotry Vegas and Hammer buyers are current Harley Davidson riders. Harley Davidson had flooded the market and overproduced their anniversary model. This has decreased the resale value of these bikes and pretty much makes them a big snooze. since everyone owns one. Having said this, get down to your local Victory delaer, and get on the list to get the Victory Vegas Jackpot. You will not be disappointed.

Contributing author to Cycle Solutions =>http://www.cyclesolutions.net

When looking to buy a pocket bike (miniature motorcycle) be sure to do your research. You need to find reliable sales professionals, dealers, or Internet connections to make this purchase. There are many ‘knock-offs’ or imitations out there and to purchase them would be a waste of your money and time. The parts for these imitations are not typically found and in the rare event that you can find them they will be extremely costly and are typically not guaranteed.

To assist you in making the best buy, talk to others that have already have a pocket bike such as a trusted friend or co-worker, your local pocket bike league, local dealers, etc. You can use the Internet to assist in you in your research as well. This will allow you a more time efficient method of comparing prices as well as obtaining information for various bikes. You will be able to compare the price of the actual bike as well as any amenities offered, allowing you to see which has the best offer.

Also note that when you buy a pocket bike, the laws vary from state to state and country to country. Speak with your local law enforcement agencies and local pocket bike league so that you understand all local rules, regulations, and laws. You are making an investment and it would be a waste of money as well as your time to lose such an extraordinary machine because you failed to get all the correct information.

Once you have done your research and have decided to make your purchase, make sure of any safety equipment and/or gear you made need. You are making this purchase to have fun and fulfill some dreams, so your safety should be a priority so that you may continue to do so.

And now that you have done everything you need to make your purchase wisely and ensure your laws and safety, go out there and have fun. This is why you why you want to buy your pocket bike to begin with.

You can now buy Pocket Bikes online. To view our complete
and comprehensive selection of Pocket Bikes, visit:
buy-pocket-bikes.partnersinsuccess.net/

…And everyone is a racer. If you doubt that, you’ve obviously never driven in New York City during rush hour. Look closely at the driver of that Japanese luxury car. He’s just as miffed as you the racer is at having to drive fifty-five miles per hour when the speedometer on the car clearly reads one hundred and fifty. Why can’t we drive it at that speed if the car can come close to it. Man, just look at him fiddling with the knobs pretending to be tuning the radio into a station. We racers know what he is really doing is setting the frequency of his imaginary laser beam roadblock remover system. You know the ones; they make little bomb sounds as we pretend we are obliterating our foes on the drive home.

If you really want to annoy him, honk your horn, tailgate him for a few seconds then cut in front of him. When he reaches his boiling point, slam on your brakes and drive slower than you were both going previously. then apply your brakes and drive slower than you were driving before you cut him off. His typical response will be one of anger, an anger borne of the pent-up frustrations of living in a high tech world and being legislated into a low-tech existence. Our driver will invariably stab the gas pedal and swerve out of the lane in an attempt to pass you back. You, in turn, speed up, knowing that his intent is to block pass you at the first opportunity, then brake check you just so you get the message.

And so this high-speed game of “chicken” unfolds on any highway others will graciously move over to let the two road-warriors carry on with the spectacle. I’ve participated in a more than a few such duels myself though lately I choose to be a bystander to other people’s road rage. This emotionally charged ego-tripping could be very dangerous to anyone near the scene.

Society says we should be punished for breaking their law of a maximum velocity of fifty-five miles per hour (in New York at least). Most racers will try to get away with as much as we can, just like on the track and usually have the skills to pull it off. The typical driver lacks all of the needed skills and courage to indulge themselves and so after one or more two hundred dollar speeding tickets, the potential racer’s lust for life is usually squashed flatter than Spongebob in the Arizona desert. They usually go home more frustrated, angrier, and two bills poorer. I’m glad I race motorcycles; I’m glad I have a family of people who know and think and feel exactly as I do… we are fortunate to be real racers.

Drivers aren’t the only ones who are acting crazy either. Anyone who has walked or driven in Manhattan can attest to the fact that the craziest of all humans is not “Checkered Cabbus-Weavus”; that honor belongs to “Pedestrius Al-sue-yerbutt”, the dreaded New York City pedestrian.

No other form of life on the planet is capable of staring into the eyes of the errant tractor-trailer driver and then stepping nonchalantly into the path of his serpentine behemoth. If you’ve never seen eighteen thousand pounds of truck with all the wheels locked up you don’t know what you’re missing. The puff of blue smoke in the distance alerts one to the presence of “Pedestrius Al-su-yerbutt.”

While the truck driver shakes uncontrollably, trying to bring his heartbeat back below the three hundred mark, “Pedestrius Al-su-yerbutt” flashes an ear to ear grin. And why shouldn’t they, they’ve just looked fear and death in the face and walked away unscathed. Others can only look on in amazement; children will point in their direction with wonder and awe. They are momentarily idolized as they relish fifteen seconds worth of their fifteen minutes of fame. They will be on the tongues of everyone who saw their gutsy moves,

“Holy cripes, did you see that?”

I’m glad I race motorcycles; I’m glad I have a family of people who know and think and feel exactly as I do… we are fortunate to be real racers and have our outlet.

Before we forget that this is a moto-cross story, let me get to the heart of the matter. The point is simply how much we as off road riders and racers have to be grateful for. Unlike the road-rager and “Pedestrius Al-sue-yerbutt,” we don’t have to drive our cars at one hundred and twenty miles per hour, nor do we have to tempt fate by stepping in front of speeding trucks just to feel that surge of adrenaline. Thank God we are real racers… I do. We aren’t as unlucky as the folks who live out the two examples of non-racers.

We are the normal; we can take out our frustrations on machines that were designed to be the healers of our pressures and frustrations. We have moto-cross and the woods to keep us sane. How lucky we are indeed. I’m glad I race motorcycles; I’m glad I have a family of people who know and think and feel exactly as I do… I am fortunate to be among real racers. So when next you are privy to witness any of the afore mentioned dramas, you’ll know… people are crazy, and everyone is a racer.

Michael James

*7 years covering professional motocross racing for Cycle News, mxlarge.com, motocross.com, and mxwired.com
*amateur motocross racer
*screenwriter - seeking representation-
*8 year columnist for several motocross papers and magazines

My friend Ann takes her bike wherever she goes, even if
the trip isn’t about biking - like her Christmas trip to
Arizona to visit her parents. We discussed the advantages
and compared some expenses.

In the end, I went to do a little research to find out what
would be the best way to go when traveling by airplane -
ship your bike in the cargo hold of the plane, ship it
ahead of time by UPS, or rent a bike when you arrive at
your destination.

Renting was the clear loser among the three options. For
one thing, it’s not your bike, so it is likely to be
inferior along with not fitting you perfectly like your own
bike does. Also, it’s expensive. You can rent a clunker
for $45 USD a day if you’re in an area where bike rental is
even possible.

If you want a decent bike, though, you’re going to pay at
least $65. So, if you rent and ride once or twice while
you’re there, you’ll have almost broken even with the cost
of shipping your bike. If you ride more than a couple
times, you’re money ahead, once you’ve invested in some kind of
shipping carton.

Shipping your bike in the airplane’s cargo hold is a good
option, and might be the best choice depending on the
circumstances. The advantages of carrying it with you on
the plane include the fact that you will have it with you
at all times. You won’t be without your bike for the 2 to
6 days it takes when shipping by UPS. Also, you can use a
soft bag, which is not recommended for shipping by a
delivery service.

Depending on what kind of packaging you use for the
shipment, disassembly of your bike is minimal. You can get
by with as little as taking off the handlebar and pedals.
The cost is around $40 each way.

The option I like best is shipping via delivery service.
Depending on the from-to locations, the cost is usually
less than carrying the bike on the plane. For example, you
can ship a bike from Miami to Chicago for around $30. The
biggest benefit here is the minimized hassle factor. There
is no waiting in long lines in the airport baggage claim
area, no packing it into the rental car. The bike is
delivered to your door.

You have a tracking number, so you can keep informed about
the when and where of your bike’s current position while
it’s en route. A good shipping carton is necessary, of
course, but for people who travel often it’s worth the
investment.

Here is the run down of options for shipping cartons. You
can get a hard-sided bike suitcase for around $350 USD, and
it will last forever. For these, you have to take off both
of the wheels as well as handlebars, seat, and pedals to
fit the bike into the case.

For around $200, you can get a waterproof bike box that is
very durable and has the advantage of being collapsible
when not in use. I don’t recommend the plain cardboard
rectangular boxes because they are expensive, around $150,
and only last for a handful of trips. Both the waterproof
and cardboard rectangular box come with tie-downs, straps,
and foam chocks. You do have to do some disassembly of the
bike, removing the pedals and handlebar.

There’s one more shipping set-up that is a little less
expensive. For about $80, you can get a triangular
cardboard shipping carton. You don’t have to do any
disassembly, not even the bars because of the triangular
shape. Just use the quick release for the front wheel and
seat, and hold them in place with the tie downs that are
provided.

For details about carrying cases and shipping, go on-line
and enter the term ‘bike shipping’ in any search engine.
You’ll be pleased to find that traveling with your own bike
is affordable and fairly hassle-free. If you haven’t taken
your bike with you on trips already, I assure you that it’s
worth it.

Daniel Lebarge, journalist and cyclist, is a contributing
writer for First Bicycle
, offering valuable free information about cycling and
bicycles. Articles by Daniel are also found at All Boots and Snowboard Max.