To starting point by bus?
 

I'm sure this has been covered, but I can;t seem to get the search to work on one specific forum.
I am contemplating a x-state 1-week tour. The bus seems the way to get to the starting point - the bus company states

"Packaging only exceptions to the following items: bicycles, skis and ski poles must be packed in wood, canvas or other substantial container, and securely fastened; towing equipment must be enclosed in rigid containers or wrapped in a strong material such as canvas and securely strapped or tied. Towing equipment is limited to 100 lbs. pounds actual weight; these items are not exempt from oversize charges."

How do you deal with a non-carboard shipping container when you need to dispose of it upon getting to your destination? Wish they had bike racks - but these busses do not. Maybe a 2x4 frame, some firring and cardboard is the way to go.

Any thoughts appreciated. I am thinking that if 3 or more of us go on tour, perhaps a rental car is cost effective, but then how to hauling 3 bikes and gear may not be that easy either. (Bus rate with bike will be ~$70).

Appreciate any thoughts / comments.

JR

A bike box is an 'other substantial container.' That's what I've used on a couple of bus trips. If three or more are in your group, look into splitting the cost of a Uhaul. More convenient and probably more cost efficient than the bus. Some will have to ride in the back.

Use a soft sided canvas bike bag like the Groundeffect Tardis and simply post it back to your home, it folds down to the size of a phone book and only weights 3 lbs.

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product/bag/tar/

personally .. I never have used anything but a cardboard Box .. on return I have either bought a box
from the Airline in this case , [KLM, AMS] or taped the stretch of 2 boxes to leave the front wheel on,
or knocked the bike down and repacked it in a box , like it came half way around the world, from Taipei,
in the first place..

In the LBS, the end of the tour cyclists hire the pack and ship service dozens of times a summer , here.

also many arrive on a very nice Bus from Portland , using the PDX airport connections to the pickup point,
which is the Amtrak Train & Greyhound bus stations [a block apart] though the bus is not run by either ..

If you have a hard case , it can get shipped onward.. LBS is about 2 Blocks from the Bus transit center .

Call the bus company. Tell them you are arriving with a bike in a cardboard box and see what they say. I use the Groundeffect Body Bag (Nylon) to fly. If they will accept that (and I think they will since they state "...canvas or other substantial.....") that will work too. Good luck with the ride.

+1 --check all you options with the bus company.

Check first, and ask what size box they will take. If you have an Amtrak station nearby, purchase one of their boxes. They are large and require a minimum of disassembly. Just remove pedals, loosen bars and turn them parallel to top tube, and roll into box. Most buses take these boxes easily. While we have loaded our bike on buses several times without boxing them, they are better protected in a box. Sometimes it just depends on how crowded the bus is whether the driver will require boxing or not. However it is better to be prepared.

Waiting for the Amtrak connector bus from Seattle, WA to Vancouver, BC
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...mtrak2-1-4.jpg

You can see the bikes stowed in the cargo bin during the custom's check at the border.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...0c3263f7aa.jpg

Thanks for the replies people! I flew years ago (1984) with my bike, after riding cross country and they had a large bike box that all I needed was to turn the handlebars. I out in 2 panniers as well. I just did not think such a big box would even fit on a bus, but after seeing the pictures, it looks like no problem, so yeah I am going to call the bus company.

Thanks Nun on the "Tardis" bag - great idea for shipping it home - never thought of that at all!

Once when I was in New Zealand , I was able to fly from the South island to the north island with no box at all. I had to wrap the chain in a plastic bag, I think I had to remove pedals and turn the bars sideways. There when I caught a bus once, since they held cargo in the back of them, they simply took the bike, with panniers and all.