Bike shipping by air

[wexford]

So I've entered the BC Bike Race (http://www.bcbikerace.com) in June. Getting through 50-70km of MTB daily for a week is going to be a challenge as it is, but now I'm looking for means of shipping my MTB over to Vancouver.

Has anyone done this before, and are there any services/shops in Perth that people have used which sell or hire boxes/crates and pack them up? I also need to learn whatever I can about getting the bike onto a plane if there's some experience out there which may yield useful tips

[Aushiker]

I have flown a few times with my bikes. Depending on where I am going and my plans I use either my Scicon AeroComfort Plus bicycle bag which has worked reasonably well or bike boxes. Your LBS should be able to help out with bike boxes and I would be surprised if they charged you for one.

My Surly Long Haul Trucker is packed up in a bike box in this photo ...



and my Look 555 in the Scicon AeroComfort Plus bag here ...



You should also make sure you review your airlines polices on flying with bicycles.

Andrew

[wexford]

A, very nice Aushiker I'll check these out - ta!

[uglybob]

BC bike race - nice!

presuming you'll need to be doing some solid rides out at kalamunda most weekends in prep?

[mitzikatzi]

Should be a fun ride. The route brings back memories of visiting years ago. A bike race will be a great way to see that part of the world.

Your bike box will most likely be charged by the kg. So packing is a tradeoff between protection and weight of packaging.
Aus Twin Plastic Board Bicycle Box

[wexford]

I hit the Kalamunda Circuit whenever I can, it's always a blast. I've been joining the volunteer trail builders, there's some sweet stuff coming this year . Hopefully I'll build up some endurance because those distances for seven days straight is making me a bit anxious. But looking at the videos...wow, magic. I have to go!

Most of my distance is done on the roadie, it's easier just to hop on and do 50-80km circuits around the river than pile the MTB into the back of the car and drive 45 minutes each way

[uglybob]

if you want to push it a bit longer (your training rides that is), i'm starting to move my start / finish point out along the Munda Biddi, ride to Kala, do a loop, then ride back.

i did a ride 2 weeks ago, started from the MW Hotel, along the Munda Biddi to the Dell, a loop around most of the KC + Little Ovens etc, then back again. Pretty solid 45kms loop. Next step is to move back to Mundaring & ride down from there - its a 30km round trip just to the Dell & back, so it will be a solid hitout!

i don't like doing the same sections multiple times on the one ride if i can avoid it, hence moving out where i start / finish.

[Releng]

I brought a bike back from Vancouver in August last year. Flying air canada they charged me $50CD and it was counted as one of my two allowable bits of luggage. They were not too fussed about the weight, but it is best to keep it under 20KG. I got a bikeshop to put the bike in a box for me.
The only drama was the box was too big to go through the scanner so I had to open it for inspection, and then reseal it.

I was charged another $50 by qantas for an extra bit of baggage for my connecting flight from Sydney to Launnie. But again they just treated the bike like one item of luggage.

[mitzikatzi]

What air line are you flying?
I would have a good read of the luggage rules.
A lot of the airlines have changed how they view/treat bikes and sporting goods.

Have a look on Rotorburn. I suspect a few of them travel to mecca (Whistler) every year with there bike