Well I checked out USAir, and it looks like I can do the trip on frequent flyer miles, so getting there would cost me exactly $0. Awesome. However, what are people's experiences with sending your bike on the plane? It seems like I'd probably have to cough up some money for that ****, not to mention roll around on the T and then mass transit in Chitown with this big ass box. Maybe I can pester someone (*cough* jrowe *cough*...oh crap, do you even have a car?) into doing a marathon f-ing road trip. It's only 1000 miles...

I wouldn't mind staying with someone if they have space. I'm a grad student, and like a true junkie, I spend all my extra $ on my bike(s), so I ain't got a whole lot of money to burn. Rest assured, I'm very clean, well-mannered, and even get along with pets (so long as they aren't cats, to which I'm allergic...and well, cats suck anyway). But if it's an issue, I have no problem doing the hostel/motel thing.

Oh, and I'd probably come (if flying) during the day on Friday, as I have Veteran's Day off. Would leave on Sunday for sure.

[edit: So taking the bike on the plane would cost $80 each way...I think it'd be better to just ship my bike out to one of yall by FedEx or something beforehand. Which one of you could I actually trust though?]