Somewhat to my surprise and with little warning, I'm leaving on Feb. 15 to ride the Southern Tier bike route from San Diego to St. Augustine, with the goal of finishing by mid-April. My friend Phil, who'd been planning the trip for a long time, asked me last spring if I wanted to go, and I declined with the excuse having too much to do at that time of year.

But when he asked me again a few days ago--not having found anyone else--I realized there was no compelling reason why I couldn't go. So I am.

I've done a lot of multi-week canoe trips and mountaineering trips, but have never gone on a bike tour of longer than two or three nights. Not sure whether to ride the Raleigh Gran Sport or the Miyata 1000.

What's the best way to travel with a 63-cm frame, does anyone know? I'm considering the counterintuitive put-the-bike-in-a-plastic-bag-and-hand-it-over-to-the-airline-baggage-handlers approach (How to fly with a bike: The cheap and easy method -), but I'd be interested to hear what others have done.

Returning from LA to Houston only had a small box for a large touring bike.

Here's a good article. This guy was pretty slick.

Flying with a Bike: a way around excessive fees | Bike Law

Hi. In June Im flying from Europe to Japan with my bike and am facing the same problem. I've done a lot of research on that matter and decided to pack my bicycle (an European Koga-Miyata, very similar to yours 1000 if not identical) in a huge carton box. This way you can pack it up with extra rugs or carton pieces to protect the frame and components and I have a feeling this will work better then just putting the bike into a bag. When you land you can easily dispose the box, and when you fly back just check local bike stores for a box.

Hope this helps.

PS. There are also dedicated hard-shell bike boxes, but those are quiet expensive and there's really nothing to do with it once you land and unpack your bike.

You might also check into the bicycle shipping services (like bikeflights.com). If you're staying at a hotel in San Diego before your ride you can probably arrange for them to accept the package. Otherwise check with local bike shops there to see if they can hold the bike until you arrive.

+ 1 on bike flights. And take the Miyata 1000.

Great piece of information and definitely one I would try. Thanks for sharing it.

How exciting! I envy you.

I haven't used Bike Flights myself, but I gather it is the answer to your question. Amtrak will ship a bike too, almost intact (pedals off, handlebar turned sideways). I've done this and it was easy; I rode to the station, walked away without the bike. If you don't have a convenient Amtrak station with baggage handling facility, never mind. Bus systems like Greyhound offer a similar service, I used it many years ago, but again it may or not be convenient to where you are.

Either way, all best wishes on your tour! i hope you'll update this thread with a "wish you were here" post now and then.

I have no shipping advice for you--simply, way to not let a great opportunity pass you by, and take the Miyata (assuming it fits you perfectly).

Jon, use Bike Flights and do not check it as airline baggage. I believe John E is in San Diego and I'm guessing he can assist. It is worth asking. Certainly there are other C&Vers in that area.

Sounds like a fantastic adventure. Can't wait to here reports and see pictures.

Following. This sounds amazing. I'm close to st. Augustine. I'll be keeping an eye out for riders making the trip.

My LBS charges $35 to breakdown and pack a bike. No charge for materials.
I print out a bikeflights label and take it to local Fedex. Montpelier to SD is about $68, about a week.
Done!

I'd vote for the Miyata.

Bon Voyage!

I shipped from Palm Beach to Detroit via bikeflights for under $40.

Wow. You do realize, I hope, absotively posilutely must post pics as you go! I'm envious. Do be careful and do have a great time. In the meantime you have a month or so to prep and tell us about it.

I know you asked specifically about how to get the bike to the start, but I'm a bit surprised that that seems to have generated more response than the trip itself.

We shall all travel vicariously with you.

I second the Miyata, and fourth on Bikeflights. You can ship it directly to a Fedex to hold for pickup. There's one right at the airport in San Diego. I'd put a pedal wrench and whatever other tools that would help to put it back together in the box, then ship the tools back home. You could put the bike together in the parking lot and ride off from there! Pack your tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear, helmet, whatever else will fit. Check the weight against bikeflights calculator to balance what you're willing to carry on versus the additional cost to ship. Bikeflights ships through Fedex, and I trust Fedex vs the airlines to get it there on time and in one piece.

Envious!

Have you thought about posting a blog? Crazyguyonabike.com is easy to use, or just update us here. You'll probbaly get several to get out and ride with you for a day when passing through.

And, of course, pics or it didn't happen!

You'll have an opportunity to be on the receiving end soon...

Hey, Jon knows what he's doing on the road, nothing we can add there, but it seems that's the only thing unanswered!

Jon, it's only 3053 miles per Adventure Cycling. That's a mere 50 miles/day including rest days if you plan on a mid-April finish. You could fly up to Portland to start, it's only another 1200 miles...you've got relations up here if I remember correctly...It only rains in February most of the time around here...

Another vote for Bikeflights, and another vote for the Miyata 1000. That is going to be great fun. I am jealous.

Jon, you have my envy and my best wishes for you on this trip. Wow, what an adventure awaits. Have a blast in this planning stage!

Gee Gugie, Talk about enabling!

That should be a great trip, Jon.

As far as the two key questions here are concerned, I think I'm just adding to the emerging consensus in suggesting that you A) NOT check the bike as baggage with the airline, but rather aim to have shipped via bikeflights (generally well-priced), and B) take the Miyata 1000, assuming it's a good fit (let a true touring bike fulfill its purpose!)

The number of times I've seen evidence of egregious abuse when picking up items checked in with various airlines (including 'special handling' items such as guitars) compares unfavourably with my experience in having bikes/frames and other large items shipped by courier. I'm distrustful of commercial airlines' baggage handling practices as a result.

A large bike box, lots of foam pipe insulation, extra cardboard, great care and attention to detail in packing, and a little faith in the shipper should get you your best chance at trouble-free cross-continental transport. Ship to your hotel in SD...or others haven mentioned BF'ers who might facilitate?

Echoing others' demands for pics here on the Forum, when possible.

Edit: Shipping to Fedex location, as suggested by gugie also a good option!

Oh, I know. I've had the pleasure of riding with him. Still, that's such a royal adventure. By comparison shipping a bike is just stuff.

Cool!

Actually, my reply was not entirely correct. Some months ago I facilitated for another forum member who then arranged for BikeFlights to collect a box from my front porch. All I had to do was print the label, pack the frame, and leave it on the porch.
Easy. But I didn't deal with BikeFlights at all, so I can't claim any experience with them.

That sort of ride is one of my life list adventures. Best of luck with it. I'd choose the Miyata and ship the bike to a friend or reputable store via Bike Flights (as a few have already suggested) - or take the train and bring it aboard.

No advice on shipping, but good luck and enjoy. Long way off, but if you need a floor to crash on and a hot shower when you get to the Tallahassee area, drop me a line.