Borrowing or renting a tandem in Bellingham, WA
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Borrowing or renting a tandem in Bellingham, WA
Hello!
Wife and I want to do the tandem rally up in Bellingham, WA this July. Unfortunately our tandem doesn't have couplers so we can't take it with us on the plane.
Is anyone aware of a place that might rent a nicer tandem (with gears, maybe drop bars, etc) to us up there? Or maybe a couple who'd let us borrow one with a suitable security deposit, etc? We tried contacting the tandem club up there, but no luck quite yet.
Thanks!
Wife and I want to do the tandem rally up in Bellingham, WA this July. Unfortunately our tandem doesn't have couplers so we can't take it with us on the plane.
Is anyone aware of a place that might rent a nicer tandem (with gears, maybe drop bars, etc) to us up there? Or maybe a couple who'd let us borrow one with a suitable security deposit, etc? We tried contacting the tandem club up there, but no luck quite yet.
Thanks!
#2
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You do NOT need couples to have your tandem fly with you on a plane . . .
Put it in a tandem size box (or 2 single bike boxes spliced together) and pay the fee.
Been there, done that.
Put it in a tandem size box (or 2 single bike boxes spliced together) and pay the fee.
Been there, done that.
#3
Clipless in Coeur d'Alene
tegnamo,
Unless your only choice is to fly on a small regional prop plane, most every other jet will accommodate an uncoupled tandem.
For example, here is the United Airlines policy: Traveling with Sports Equipment | United Airlines
As I recall, UAL's bike box limits are the size of the smallest BikePro tandem case, or in the order of 72" x 34" x 10". UAL also limits bike box weight to under 100lbs. Other carriers will have their own limits and fee schedules. Zona's point... anything from a cardboard box and up (in cost) should do fine.
Unless your only choice is to fly on a small regional prop plane, most every other jet will accommodate an uncoupled tandem.
For example, here is the United Airlines policy: Traveling with Sports Equipment | United Airlines
As I recall, UAL's bike box limits are the size of the smallest BikePro tandem case, or in the order of 72" x 34" x 10". UAL also limits bike box weight to under 100lbs. Other carriers will have their own limits and fee schedules. Zona's point... anything from a cardboard box and up (in cost) should do fine.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
That's great to hear. In the future we might do that. Unfortunately the other caveat is that we are flying to the east coast after Bellingham. And from the east coast we fly straight home to California.
We only need the tandem in Bellingham ultimately. As such, just being able to temporarily have access to one would seemingly be ideal unless there's something we haven't considered yet. I mean, we could technically ship it back to California after the rally, before we go to the east coast, but that might be pricey.
We only need the tandem in Bellingham ultimately. As such, just being able to temporarily have access to one would seemingly be ideal unless there's something we haven't considered yet. I mean, we could technically ship it back to California after the rally, before we go to the east coast, but that might be pricey.
#5
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The NWTR web site list Tandem Diversity as a source for rentals. The other option could be to fly your bike up and then ship it home to your local LBS and they would more than likely store it until you get home from the east coast. There are shipping vendors listed on the NWTR web site. You can also find some good general information about flying with tandems on the Santana web site.
BTW, We'll see you up there!
BTW, We'll see you up there!
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I spoke with Mark at Tandem Diversity today, actually. Nice guy and tried very hard to see if his remaining bikes might fit us, but no dice
#7
I'd rather be riding
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Check the pricing at Bikeflights.com. We are planning to ship our coupled tandem from NC to the rally instead of taking on the flight. It's a little more than the bag check fees and a lot less hassle.
#8
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Thread Starter
Wow. Surprised to see it's only $68 each way. Definitely on par with renting for a few days. So...it's not UPS or FedEx, but rather some sort of courier or whatever? Does the package get handled a lot? I'd like to pack it myself if possible...
#9
I'd rather be riding
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I've used Bikeflights.com twice and both times it was Fedex ground. I packed it myself and took it to local Fedex store.
#10
Junior Member
Another option is Spinlister.com. It's kind of like airbnb if you are familiar with it. If you are flying into Seattle there are a couple of tandems listed there that you can rent. I haven't used the site and we're not renting our bikes but figured someone maybe interested in trying it out.
#11
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What size do you need? We have a spare tandem we're not using.
#12
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Thank you for offering. We basically need a small or medium, depending on actual manufacturer sizing. I'm 5'7" and wife is 5'. Ideally <30" standover for the captain (me). Reach is usually my biggest issue, since I think I have short arms/torso/etc. What make, model and size is your spare tandem?
#13
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Thank you for offering. We basically need a small or medium, depending on actual manufacturer sizing. I'm 5'7" and wife is 5'. Ideally <30" standover for the captain (me). Reach is usually my biggest issue, since I think I have short arms/torso/etc. What make, model and size is your spare tandem?
#14
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Thread Starter
Ah, the distance thing is an issue. We weren't intending to rent a car at all, and even if we did it would have to be a minivan or something to fit your tandem. We do appreciate the offer nonetheless!
#15
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Hello!
Wife and I want to do the tandem rally up in Bellingham, WA this July. Unfortunately our tandem doesn't have couplers so we can't take it with us on the plane.
Is anyone aware of a place that might rent a nicer tandem (with gears, maybe drop bars, etc) to us up there? Or maybe a couple who'd let us borrow one with a suitable security deposit, etc? We tried contacting the tandem club up there, but no luck quite yet.
Thanks!
Wife and I want to do the tandem rally up in Bellingham, WA this July. Unfortunately our tandem doesn't have couplers so we can't take it with us on the plane.
Is anyone aware of a place that might rent a nicer tandem (with gears, maybe drop bars, etc) to us up there? Or maybe a couple who'd let us borrow one with a suitable security deposit, etc? We tried contacting the tandem club up there, but no luck quite yet.
Thanks!
Where are you located?
Maybe your bike could hitch a ride...
#16
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Thread Starter
We're pretty far away, down in San Diego, California! Flying up to Seattle and then hopping a small plane over to Bellingham it looks like. So even if we got the tandem on the big plane, I fear the small plane wouldn't take it...
#17
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Here is what I was thinking: I am in the Sacramento area and am thinking of driving up and making a bit bigger vacation of it. And once driving... well the truck really does not care how many bikes are on it.
Dunno if there is anybody else down your way crazy enough to drive who might haul an extra bike or not?
<edit:>
Shoot once you fly to Seattle you are only a short drive away... if it was merely the small plane factor I would just grab a car and drive the rest of the way. I prefer to be on my own gear that much But you had said you were heading a different direction after instead of back home so...
Last edited by vrooom3440; 05-27-15 at 07:10 PM. Reason: Added info...
#18
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Thread Starter
<edit:>
Shoot once you fly to Seattle you are only a short drive away... if it was merely the small plane factor I would just grab a car and drive the rest of the way. I prefer to be on my own gear that much But you had said you were heading a different direction after instead of back home so...
Shoot once you fly to Seattle you are only a short drive away... if it was merely the small plane factor I would just grab a car and drive the rest of the way. I prefer to be on my own gear that much But you had said you were heading a different direction after instead of back home so...
#19
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I think we may be able to help you. *We are attending the rally & we have a Bike Friday tandem that we could bring along. *We are 5'8" & 5'4" & the Bike Friday is very adjustable so if you do not mind riding a 20" wheel it should work for you. *At first it feels a little odd but after riding a few blocks it feels close to normal. *If you are interested, send us a private message. *We will be gone from June 8 to June 11. *
#20
Full Member
The NWTR web site list Tandem Diversity as a source for rentals. The other option could be to fly your bike up and then ship it home to your local LBS and they would more than likely store it until you get home from the east coast. There are shipping vendors listed on the NWTR web site. You can also find some good general information about flying with tandems on the Santana web site.
BTW, We'll see you up there!
BTW, We'll see you up there!
Look for the Burley Duet with safety-yellow panniers.
Bob
#21
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Sorry Tegnamo, I do not have enough posts to send you a private message. *I'm afraid that your plans & ours are in conflict. *We will not be able to provide you with our Bike Friday tandem.
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
#23
Junior Member
Thread Starter
We wound up shipping our tandem via bikeflights.com. About $70 each way, which included $1200 of insurance (our tandem didn't cost much to begin with). Packed it all into a Co-Motion box. Tight fit, considering Co-Motion ships its wheels in a separate box. But our frame is a small, so I think that's part of the reason we got away with it. Fingers cross it arrives in good condition!