Taking a cycle to the UK
Aug 23rd 2007, 5:38 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,540
Taking a cycle to the UK
My son will be travelling one-way to the UK in a couple of weeks. He's going to grad school at the University of Durham. He'll be travelling from our little airport via treehopper to Boston, then from Logan, Aer Lingus to Dublin and Aer Lingus to Manchester, then train to Durham. I know the airlines will take a bicycle with no problem if it correctly boxed up ... but I'm worried about him crossing Logan Airport with this plus a huge backpack, and the same at the Manchester end; airport to train etc. Anybody done a trip like this with a bicycle?
Alternatively, has anyone sent a bicycle independly via FedEx or DHL or similar. I'm wondering if that would be easier, how much it would cost etc.
This is a good touring bike, weighing about 25lbs. Any insights appreciated!!
Robin
Alternatively, has anyone sent a bicycle independly via FedEx or DHL or similar. I'm wondering if that would be easier, how much it would cost etc.
This is a good touring bike, weighing about 25lbs. Any insights appreciated!!
Robin
Aug 23rd 2007, 5:50 pm
#2
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: Taking a cycle to the UK
My son will be travelling one-way to the UK in a couple of weeks. He's going to grad school at the University of Durham. He'll be travelling from our little airport via treehopper to Boston, then from Logan, Aer Lingus to Dublin and Aer Lingus to Manchester, then train to Durham. I know the airlines will take a bicycle with no problem if it correctly boxed up ... but I'm worried about him crossing Logan Airport with this plus a huge backpack, and the same at the Manchester end; airport to train etc. Anybody done a trip like this with a bicycle?
Alternatively, has anyone sent a bicycle independly via FedEx or DHL or similar. I'm wondering if that would be easier, how much it would cost etc.
This is a good touring bike, weighing about 25lbs. Any insights appreciated!!
Robin
Alternatively, has anyone sent a bicycle independly via FedEx or DHL or similar. I'm wondering if that would be easier, how much it would cost etc.
This is a good touring bike, weighing about 25lbs. Any insights appreciated!!
Robin
It's probably cheaper to ship it (though watch out for Customs trying to levy excise duty - he shouldn't be due to pay, but that's not to say they won't try). Also a lot easier.
If he is going by a stack of different airlines, they may each try to charge him for each segment of his trip (plus more chance of it going missing).
Check eBay for a bike case as this might prevent damage. For example: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...0Travel%20Case
Aug 23rd 2007, 5:55 pm
#3
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: Taking a cycle to the UK
It's probably cheaper to ship it (though watch out for Customs trying to levy excise duty - he shouldn't be due to pay, but that's not to say they won't try). Also a lot easier.
If he is going by a stack of different airlines, they may each try to charge him for each segment of his trip (plus more chance of it going missing).
Check eBay for a bike case as this might prevent damage. For example: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...0Travel%20Case
If he is going by a stack of different airlines, they may each try to charge him for each segment of his trip (plus more chance of it going missing).
Check eBay for a bike case as this might prevent damage. For example: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...0Travel%20Case
http://cgi.ebay.com/TUFFBOX-CASE-for...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/THULE-ROUND-TRIP...QQcmdZViewItem
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bicycle-Case-Tri...QQcmdZViewItem
Aug 23rd 2007, 7:37 pm
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Posts: 826
Re: Taking a cycle to the UK
Hi Robin
'Fraid I can't help with the cycle info...but I just wanted to say my big sister went to Durham and absolutely loved it! Those student bars - wow - I think she's still paying off her student debt now - and she graduated about 15 years ago!
'Fraid I can't help with the cycle info...but I just wanted to say my big sister went to Durham and absolutely loved it! Those student bars - wow - I think she's still paying off her student debt now - and she graduated about 15 years ago!
Aug 23rd 2007, 10:39 pm
#5
And YOU'RE paying for it!
Joined: May 2007
Location: kipper tie?
Posts: 2,328
Re: Taking a cycle to the UK
I've done this a few times. It's a hassle (frankly) but nothing a teenage boy/young man of normal health can't handle.
Pack with lots of padding, handlers will throw it around. Buying a hard case will make it easier - but then you have the challenge of what to do with the box at the other end! If you pack properly with lots of foam, pipe lagging etc, there's nothing wrong with a cardboard box (get one from your LBS).
AA charged me $100 from airport of origin to airport of destination (i.e. regardless of sectors) last time. I doubt FedEx is cheaper, though.
The other thing he's going to need once he gets to Durham is the biggest, baddest lock he can handle - Kryptonite Fuhggedaboutit or Abus Steel-O-Flex are among the best imho. Even then (unfortunately) it's hard to keep your stuff. He might want to consider a cheap toon commuter that's ugly and wouldn't be so upsetting if it got nicked - good touring bikes don't come cheap, as I am sure already knows...
You could get him to go onto the touring/travel forum at bikeforums.net for more advice.
THT
L-W
Pack with lots of padding, handlers will throw it around. Buying a hard case will make it easier - but then you have the challenge of what to do with the box at the other end! If you pack properly with lots of foam, pipe lagging etc, there's nothing wrong with a cardboard box (get one from your LBS).
AA charged me $100 from airport of origin to airport of destination (i.e. regardless of sectors) last time. I doubt FedEx is cheaper, though.
The other thing he's going to need once he gets to Durham is the biggest, baddest lock he can handle - Kryptonite Fuhggedaboutit or Abus Steel-O-Flex are among the best imho. Even then (unfortunately) it's hard to keep your stuff. He might want to consider a cheap toon commuter that's ugly and wouldn't be so upsetting if it got nicked - good touring bikes don't come cheap, as I am sure already knows...
You could get him to go onto the touring/travel forum at bikeforums.net for more advice.
THT
L-W
Aug 23rd 2007, 11:33 pm
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: Taking a cycle to the UK
If your son cant manage to get a 25Ibs bike across an airport he shouldn't bother with university and maybe retake the 5th grade.
Aug 24th 2007, 12:59 pm
#8
Heading for Poppyland
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,540
Re: Taking a cycle to the UK
L-W & dunroving,
Thanks for the good tips -- actually I'm encouraging him to buy a new bike over there, and leave me his; it's a nicer cycle than mine, as well as being 20 years newer (and, cleaned more recently
)
Yeah, I think he already has his eye on those student bars ..
Robin
Thanks for the good tips -- actually I'm encouraging him to buy a new bike over there, and leave me his; it's a nicer cycle than mine, as well as being 20 years newer (and, cleaned more recently
)Yeah, I think he already has his eye on those student bars ..
Robin
Aug 25th 2007, 9:07 am
#10
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,966
Re: Taking a cycle to the UK
Noone said he couldn't, they were just asking if there is an easier way.
Aug 25th 2007, 11:45 am
#11
Heading for Poppyland
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,540
Re: Taking a cycle to the UK
Noone said he couldn't, they were just asking if there is an easier way.
Robin
Aug 27th 2007, 2:32 pm
#12
And YOU'RE paying for it!
Joined: May 2007
Location: kipper tie?
Posts: 2,328
Aug 27th 2007, 3:03 pm
#13
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Taking a cycle to the UK
I am significantly older and so far I have taken a bike to Sri Lanka and back, plus two to the US.
First one I brought over on a visit and left, the other when I moved over. Along with two large bags, used ever pound of my allowance. Interesting getting everything across London on the Tube.
My wife has also taken her bike to the UK and back.
She has a hard case, I have a soft one, my Bikes are larger!
25lbs is very light for a touring bike.
First one I brought over on a visit and left, the other when I moved over. Along with two large bags, used ever pound of my allowance. Interesting getting everything across London on the Tube.
My wife has also taken her bike to the UK and back.
She has a hard case, I have a soft one, my Bikes are larger!
25lbs is very light for a touring bike.
