I just returned from a 1500 mile trip with my 25" 1984 Miyata Six Ten mounted like a rajah on a sedan chair astride a Thule 990xlt 'Doubletrack' platform hitch rack plugged into an '04 Honda Accord. Don't laugh--we cruised at 80 mph with but a 10% loss in mpg! The Thule platform rack exceeded expectations--stable, easy to work with, quick on and off.

It was great having a bike along. All those times in the past, when the thought that 'it would be great to have a bike'. Well, on this trip, it WAS great to have had the bike along.

So last night my wife asked if you could ship the bike by air, so we wouldn't be limited to car trips.

'Sure' I said. 'They make hard shell cases. But I'm not so sure they fit these C&V bikes. Maybe only modern bikes'.

At my height (6'3"), it's about impossible to rent a comfortable road bike with bars level with the seat, so bringing along one of the fleet is the best way.

Was I talking through my hat? Are there hard cases? Anyone got 411?