Getting my Bike to IMKY

This really depends on where you live, how far away the race is, and how you are getting to the race.

I just flew my bike to San Francisco (from FL) for a race.  I normally try to drive unless the drive cannot be done in 2-3 days.  Airlines are getting utterly RIDICULOUS in what they are charging for a bike.  DO NOT fly Delta...they are charging $175 EACH WAY.  Cheapest I found of the major carriers was American Airlines...$100 each way.  One other airline was also $100 but I can't remember which one.  DEFINITELY look at the airline baggage policies before purchasing a ticket.  You can look them up online.  Some of the discount carriers like Southwest I believe only charge about $50 each way.

Shipping isn't a BAD idea...but remember that if you use ground shipping (because it's cheaper than air) you will be without your bike for 7-10 days before the race...a bit of a PITA.

There is always something like Tri Bike Transport but you are pretty much SOL if you don't live in a large city.  TBT tends to only transport from metroplexes.

So, my order of preference is:
1. Drive to the race and take my bike.
2. Fly with the bike choosing my airline with CARE.
3. Ship the bike.

Book through TriBike Transport. It's about as much as you'll pay bringing it on the plane, except all you have to remove from your bike is your pedals.

I paid $225 or $250 last year to take my bike from Dallas to Kentucky and back via TriBike Transport. Worth every penny.

Then you pick it up close to transition and return it there right after the race. Very easy stuff.


Edited by KSH 2009-06-24 2:58 PM

Tribike Transport is the best!  Used them for IMKY last year, wonderful service and no problems.

I shipped my bike via UPS back in April to New Orleans....they played soccer with my bike!!  My bike shop (they shipped the bike for me) is STILL dealing with UPS's insurance company!  I has been a mage-nightmare!  Never again will I ship with UPS.

Seconded on the UPS thing.  Shipped mine back in April back to KY from Florida, and they lost it for 2 1/2 weeks.....if it weren't for my persistance, it wouldn't have been found

See, I don't understand this.  I shipped my bike from Rapid City, SD to Fairbanks, AK then to Tampa, FL.  Never got lost or delayed ONCE.  Did you guys insure your bikes?  Because a possibly little known factoid about UPS/Fed Ex is that if you have enough insurance on the package it tends to get handled with kid gloves.  I'm not sure where the tipping point is (I suspect it's at about $1k) but I insured mine for about $2k on every trip and had ZERO problems.  The only beef was how long it took to get everywhere.  Shipping is slow.

And I will reiterate...y'all love Tri Bike Transport...but IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN A METROPLEX YOU CANNOT USE IT!

Use Tri Bike Transport if you can.  I just used them for IMCDA and used them last year for Oceanside 70.3.  It is usually cheaper than flying the bike and for an extra $25, you can have them ship up to a 25lb bag (CO2, Wetsuit, tubes, etc...).  They also will put the pedals back on for you when you pick it up and take them off for you when you drop it off after the race.  It was super easy.

P.S.  Remember you can't bring CO2 on a plane with you.  You'll need to ship that or buy it when you get there. 

Edited by mattb1 2009-06-25 3:12 PM

Mine was insured for almost $5k.....when I got to New Orleans and saw my bike I cried.

$50 each way if you fly Southwest. We pick Southwest when I fly to race so bringing my bike is cheaper. Going to MN for family vacation in 2 weeks bringing my bike to train as it is height of IM training and to fly to IM Canada we are using Southwest again going to Seattle and driving to Penticton.

Tribike transport is good but doesn't always go to all races. They don't go from MA to Canada this year.

Did you ship it in a hard-sided case?