Check out our recently revised "Shipping and Bike Cases" article in our How-To Department. Now you will find links to some of the major airlines' online shipping information, as well as links to Amtrak, and other ground shipping options. Plus the article includes info about a few different bike cases that you may want to consider.We'd love to hear about your successes and failures (we can all learn something) with shipping your bicycle. What's your favorite way to ship?
photo by Sarah Raz
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NEWS, NETWORKING, AND NEW MEDIA is written by Winona Sorensen, Adventure Cycling's media director, and appears weekly, highlighting cool media (articles, videos, photos, etc.) related to Adventure Cycling and bicycle travel. Get media updates from Adventure Cycling.
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I had surprising success with Greyhound bus service. Though they subcontract in some places, they are the largest bus company serving the U.S. In 2006, I planned to box my bike and return by bus. Though I had never boxed my bike, I had read extensively about theory (read: always try this at home first).
ReplyDeleteWhen I arrived at the bus station, I struggled to box the bike, and after an hour the box would not fully close. Dragging it along with me in line to board, I continued to try to close it.
To Grayhound's credit, they recognized the problem. Instead of yelling at me, they simply put my bike on its side on top of the other luggage. When I transferred buses, the new driver was made aware of the problem and he put my bike in first- standing upright and packed around it on the sides to keep it upright.
Amazing. Really.
Second experience: while looking for an inexpensive way to ship a bike to someone on the other coast of the U.S., I was able to ship it from one bus station to another. The person on the far end picked it up, assembled it and wheeled it home. Pickup from the station must be done within a few days. Cost: $58