Bike Flights
 

Those who use BikeFlights, when you are sending it to a tour start point, assuming its not to a friends place or something, who do you ship it too?

First, I look for a warmshowers(.org) host. Then, I look for a couchsurfing(.org) host. Last, I find a hotel in the area, book in for a night (or two) and send it to them.

I have used them twice. Once I shipped to the Missoula REI. The other time to a LBS in Rapid City, SD. I will be using them again next month to ship to the Missoula REI. I pay REI $40 to assemble and tune the bike so it's ready to roll when I arrive. They also hold my bike box and duffel bag during the trip.

Second this. The LBS is a good idea too, and you can pay them to assemble and check it out before you get there. You might find a mechanically inclined warmshowers host to do that for you, but don't expect it.

Fed Ex Drops them off at my LBS. mark the box do not or please assemble..

$50 for assembly, $10 for handling & storing it un opened,

& loaning a stand in a back corner of the shop for DIY , when you get off the Bus ...

That's nice of the shop. The note in my box asked REI to not put on my racks, which I ship in the box along with my stove and empty fuel bottle. When I went to pick up the bike, the mechanic offered to let me use one of their repair stands to attach the racks.