Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Bicycles > Overland Bicycle Travel
Overland Bicycle Travel Overlanding questions for two wheels, no motor!
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Sep 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sydney
Posts: 13
Shipping Bicycle

Hi all
Can anyone advıse of a cheap/reputable company for shıppıng my tourıng bicycle from Istanbul, Turkey to Australıa? Apprecıate any advıce on companıes to use, costs, your experınce, etc.
Look forward to any help!
Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Sep 2009
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
Can't you just check a bike in as luggage ??

I'm sure I've seen bikes, as well as bloody great big golf bags and even surfboards sitting around airports.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Sep 2009
Alexlebrit's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
Posts: 920
Standard parcel companies will transport bikes, people like DHL and UPS. Thing to do is to try and get yourself to a bicycle shop and ask for a shipping box that one of their bikes come in. I've used UPS to send a bike to Australia before and it got there no problem and I could track it on-line, but they did want it well packed.
__________________
Happiness has 125 cc
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 7 Sep 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor View Post
Can't you just check a bike in as luggage ??

.
You certainly can; just get one of those bike boxes mentioned in another post, take off the pedals and turn them inwards (or just pack them in other luggage), turn the (flat) handlebars through 90 degrees (or pack them separately as well) and pack the bike securely in the box - check it in with your flight as hold luggage; there might be excess baggage charges if you are carrying a lot of kit.
At the destination, there are no carnet requirements, re-filling of fuel tanks or heavy lifting! - ideal.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Sep 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
not any more you can't, at least in the UK. many/most airlines are now imposing restrictions (least of which is a 'proper' bike bag, which you'd have to dump at the other end). it's become a right pain in the ****.

best check with your airline before turning up at the airport. seeing a few reports of cyclo-tourists being rejected at airports here. BA, SleezyJet and RyanScare are ones to be wary of.

still, not as bad as trying to take a surf board on a plane trip....
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Sep 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
You almost certainly would have to pay, but nothing like as much as to transport a bike that has an engine.

CTC - the UK's national cyclists organisation

I agree that the cheapie airlines can't be bothered with anything that gets in the way of making a few £.
A half decent airline that is used to providing good service would certainly carry a bike.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11 Sep 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
British Airways are at it as well, with new rules:

British Airways - New baggage policy

the rest will no doubt follow.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 27 Sep 2009
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Comox, B.C. Canada
Posts: 40
Bike Bag

Hi Chris,

Not sure how helpful this well be as see your inquiry was three weeks ago.

I have had a bit of experience shipping my mountain bike to a flew places from Canada, and although I see on the post there may be more restrictions then when I last did it. But the way I have shipped my bike is using a product that holds the bike and allows you to fly with it as check-in luggage.

I am not at home right now or could check the bag, I am actually in Europe right now on a five week motobike trip, but will check when I get back to Canada and let you know the product name for future reference.


Velo-bag seems to ring a bell?

Anyhow, as per the other post, the disasembly required is very minimul:

Handlebars off, turned sideways and taped,
Pedals off ( I wrap them in bubble wrap and zap strap them to the frame.
Seat and seat post off ( I tape it to the seat tube inverted)
Front tire off (It goes in its own little pouch in the bag)

That about it. Places I have taken it as checked in luggage are Eire, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, Philipennes, Cuba, Mexico to name a few.

Had a quick peek on the internet. Here is a page showing some products, but I do not see the one we used, but they are very similar.


Mountain Bike Bags


Ours was a soft shell bag with extra padding at the hubs for protection.

One thing we found that often charter airlines we a little more accomadating with bikes as they also take skiis, surfboards etc.

With the larger airlines, we always tried to check in advance to be sure.

Hope that helps a bit!

Kind regards,

Ian
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 31 Oct 2009
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,801
The BA link is a 404 but I thought they did a 'sporting goods' allowance?
I took mine to India on Emirates in a bike box and just brought it back in a tarp wrapped in string. Cant see the prob as long as it's under the weight limit (30kg with Emirates).

One mistake I made: deflating the tyres completely; the rim cut the tube at some point in transit. A rotor got bent too but it bent back OK. I packed it better on the way back.

Took a bulky IK back with Ryanair once and had to sign some damage disclaimer which I think is all they are worried about.

Ch
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bicycle Travel Grant Johnson Overland Bicycle Travel 17 9 Jul 2015 14:28
TSH by bicycle TravelsWithEsmeralda North Africa 2 14 Aug 2008 20:11
TSH by bicycle... davor North Africa 3 27 Nov 2005 16:59
Tunisia by bicycle Rafke North Africa 0 13 May 2005 19:01
How to Carry a bicycle? Jerome Equipment Reviews 8 13 Jun 2004 07:11

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:28.