Travelling light

(download)

Although most people will tell you otherwise, it's not only possible to fly internationally with a bike in a canvas bag, but with some careful packing it can actually arrive intact.  What's more it's not a small pleasure to sling your bike over your shoulder and speed through the crowds as everyone else struggles with boxes and heavy plastic containers.

This is my secret method.  I'm not claiming it's fail-proof - the British Airways handlers who bent my large chain ring to 90 degrees once hold testimony to that.   But it's tried and tested, with numerous flight throughout Europe, the US, Australasia.  

Ever considered it possible to ride to the airport (or train), pack in a quiet corner in 5 minutes, rejig when you arrive, and ride to your destination?  Probably not.

Here's how.

The trick is to focus on protecting all the precious bits.  Think cricket boxes.

You've also got some great padding on you already in the form of your cycling clothes.  Padding in shorts, shirts, socks - all can be used around the frame.  Keep your bike clean and your clothes will stay that way.

Follow the images (they're in reverse/unpacking order).

Padded wheel bags protect the sides well.  It's important to stagger the wheels so one is across the rear, and one over the middle of the frame, and your handle bars are hooked round the frame so everything is snug.  Remember to take out the skewers to save width.

When the frame is upside down, the weight of a dropped frame impacts over the seat hole, and round the handlebar stem.  Protect them with a couple of pairs of shorts, chamois positioned to take the impact, and legs/bibs tied round the frame to hold.

Pedals off.  Chain in a plastic bag.  Remove the rear mech, put a sock round it (plastic bag first if it's dirty), and tie with the shorts between the seat stays.

A helmet over the rear dropouts avoids damage from a large sideways impact.  There are proper spacers available that do the job if you're concerned about your helmet, but they can be hard to find (and easy to lose).  Shoes over the front forks avoid similar damage on the front.

As many clothes as you can spare around the chain rings and frame, and you're nearly there.

Three good straps to hold everything together tightly. Job done.

Let me know how it goes, and don't blame me if ...