Touring - touring - alternative to bike hire?

Any ideas on the practicality of purchasing a road bike (with quick release wheels) at the start of a 2 month overseas tour of the UK & carry it around in the back of a medium size car - only 2 travelling. The idea is to avoid the difficulties of hiring a bike when you want it, in particular a road bike. At the end, just sell it or bring it home.

For putting it in the back of a car you might want to look into folding bikes. There is a folding bike section on this forum, check it out.

Have you considered ditching the car and just take the bike? Rental cars in Britain are expensive, the roads are narrow and crowded and worse of all; they drive on the wrong side of the road!

The last time I drove in England youths stole my hub caps, I had to pay for parking (and that is really expensive too) everywhere, the gasoline was $8.00 a gallon and the drivers were crazy fast.

Oh, did I mention: I love Britain, they have national cycle routes and lots of rail trails and canal tow paths to follow so you can keep away from cars.

Have you considered ditching the car and just take the bike? Rental cars in Britain are expensive, the roads are narrow and crowded and worse of all; they drive on the wrong side of the road!


Sounds like a good reason to give Britian a miss, I'd prefer to spend my money in France.

I've been looking for a soft padded bike bag that I can carry my road bike on trains and in rental cars in Europe. One that folds up a bit when the bike isn't in it and not too big either with the bike in it (wheels off), maybe 45" x 36" x 12"

I would also suggest you to have a look at folding bikes. Bike Friday has a good reputation but there are many other brands out there.

Sounds like a good reason to give Britian a miss, I'd prefer to spend my money in France.



Do you think the drivers are slower, better, the gas is cheaper, the car rentals are more economical and the roads are less crowded in France? They do drive on the other side of the road, but they don't speak the Queen's English.

Any ideas on the practicality of purchasing a road bike (with quick release wheels) at the start of a 2 month overseas tour of the UK & carry it around in the back of a medium size car - only 2 travelling. The idea is to avoid the difficulties of hiring a bike when you want it, in particular a road bike. At the end, just sell it or bring it home.

A bike rack would make it easier to carry two bicycles. Unless a bike rack is anchored properly, the bicycles or the racks can damage the car's finish. (I have become a bit paranoid about using a bike rack. I don't think I would risk it on a rental car.)

If you remove front and back wheels of the bikes and loosen the handlebars, you may be able to squeeze them in the back of a car, especially if the rear seat can be folded down.

I've put my roadbike in the backseat of a camaro before.