Touring - Not exactly touring, but is this practical?

On May 31 I'm leaving on a hostelling trip to the UK where I'll be travelling around until June 17. Arriving and departing from London, my first destination (at the day of arrival) is Scotland, then I plan on working my way down back to London for my departing flight.

I don't have a touring bike, as my main purpose in biking is to train and race on my road bike (2003 Trek 2300). I've gone hostelling (backpacking) once before, in Denmark, two years ago, and it was great. The best part about the trip was roaming the countryside on a rented MTB, so naturally I'd like to bring that aspect of my last trip to this one. Only this time I want to bring my own bike, simply because I like riding it and don't want to ride on a crappy, old MTB that are often used as rentals, as well as to save me the hassle of having to rent/return it and that whole ordeal (save some money too).

From what I know, in this particular case, my only real option is to get this bag from Nashbar:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?...reid=&pagename=

I want this bag so I can take my bike where I want it without having to roll it around everywhere and chain it up outside during my hostel stays. I plan on getting to a destination, getting settled (4 days per destination I'm thinking), and taking out my bike to go for some rides around the surrounding areas, then packing it up again for when I travel to my next destination.

So my question is, how practical is this? The bag weighs (so the site says) 5lbs, and my 2300 weighs in at around 17lbs, so put that weight on top of my backpack which will weigh in at around 25-30lbs, I've got a possible 50lbs+ to be carrying around with me during travel time.

The problems I see with this are:
1) Taking it on the plane - would a bag like that be safe to put a bike in? I'm guessing I'd have to take some safety measures into consideration and pack it with some packing material to hopefully prevent some damage.
2) Too much weight to be carrying around?

That's all I can think of, but if there are any other things that seem questionable, then please, chime in at any time !

Thanks,

-Matt

Is it practical? In a word: NO. Why carry a bike when you can roll it. If you used panniers, you could attach them and not carry anything.

The plane: Check with your airline. Mine takes a bike in a plastic bag as baggage. Be prepared to reverse handlbars, take off pedals and reduce pressure in tires. I always check out their web sites and print out the info. Very useful when you are at the check-in and they are saying something else.

Putting your expensive bike in an expensive bag will not discourage theft, you will be simply gift wrapping it.

As someone who has toured Britain and stayed at my share of hostels, I would like to give you my 2p worth (some advise).

Most hostels will let you put your bike somewhere safe, even if it is not inside. Use a good U-bolt such as Kryptonite and lock the bike to an immovable object.

Bikes are always welcome on British trains, but sometimes you have to pay. Ask the employees on the platform where you should stand as often the bikes are stored in the baggage compartment. Avoid taking the bike into London unless it's boxed as the tube (subway) often won't accept them).

I'd consider biking around and save the train tickets. Euro trains are really expensive.
http://www.dracos.co.uk/railway/timetable/

Keep your eye on the weather
http://www.met-office.gov.uk/weather/europe/uk/uk.html


Sustrans is a great source of maps, plus they have bike routes. I use these all the time, they are awesome
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/webcode/home.asp