Originally Posted by
staehpj1
Maybe even think about removing it. I usually take out the single bolt that attaches it to the drop out. I leave the chain and shift cable attached, slip a plastic bag over it, and use cable ties to attach it between the rear dropouts. I personally consider that even more important than the spacer between the fork dropouts.
This is exactly what I do too.
I do use drop-out spacers as well. Most any bike shop will give you a pair. New bikes come with drop-out spacers and even round plastic things that fit into the hub ends preventing them pushing through your cardboard box. Bike shops just throw these things away.
If you have a¨closed-cell sleeping pad, you can wrap that around your bike as well - another layer of protection.