Training camps

jettshawn

I have never attended a training camp, and im looking at IMTX. Do we do a 100 miles bike ride on thursday and then it says up to 100 mile ride on friday. Would we really do back to back long rides like that or just pick one of the days? Also im coming form utah. What would be the best way to ship my bike, safest, cheapest??

Kevin Walter

Haven't done the TX camp, but did the one in Placid a few years back. Yes on the back to back long rides, but "up to" is the key on day #2 so if you need (I did!) to go shorter on day 2 you can.

Coach Rich

Not a problem to do back to back 100mi days. Typically the first one is done as a race rehearsal, as you're more rested, and the second is a sorta race rehearsal, practicing the lessons you learned from Day 1.

Shipping your bike is a whole 'nother topic. Most people chose to fly with their bike, especially for an in-season camp like this, as you'll have minimal to zero time away from your bike that way.

jettshawn

Thanks guys, im looking at airfair now.. should i buy a bike specific shipping box. Any good links to pricing.

Coach Rich

Unless you plan to travel frequently with a bike, or ship it, I recommend you borrow/rent from a friend who has one vs buying one. Do the math on renting vs buying x how often you'll use it.

jettshawn

Thanks rich,, see ya there.

GMAN 19030

Posted By shawn beckstrom on 04 Dec 2011 10:59 AM

Thanks guys, im looking at airfair now.. should i buy a bike specific shipping box. Any good links to pricing.

Be careful which airlines you choose when flying with a bike.  Some are free (Frontier if everything is under 50 lbs) and some are pretty cheap ($50 each way with Southwest, Jet Blue, and most other "discount" airlines).  The major airlines can be brutally expensive.  Delta is $200 each way.  Continental is $150 each way.

GMAN 19030

I bought one of those TriAll3 bike coffins that requires minimal disassembly. Basically, all you need to do is remove the wheels and drop the aerobars to the side. It's a big and heavy case but you don't really need to worry about the the baggage handlers destroying your $$$$ bike.

http://www.trisports.com/triall3sporv.html

Coach Rich

I flew Frontier to WI camp. Clamshell case + bike + no extra stuff weighed 48lb and flew free.

Coach Rich

Posted By Bob McCallum on 04 Dec 2011 12:45 PM

I bought one of those TriAll3 bike coffins that requires minimal disassembly. Basically, all you need to do is remove the wheels and drop the aerobars to the side. It's a big and heavy case but you don't really need to worry about the the baggage handlers destroying your $$$$ bike.



http://www.trisports.com/triall3sporv.html

 

Except that if you ever need to ship it, it's $$$$$$ due to the size/linear inches of the case. And the Delta baggage monkeys broke my TA3 case flying back from Kona'03

Coach Rich

It's also a bitch getting it into a rented care. My Performance clamshell case (very similar to the TriCo Ironcase) fits in the rear of any car, sliding into the truck with the seats folded down, or can go across the backseat (usually)

Paul Hough

I've flown with my Pika Packworks EEP heavy duty/soft side (sound like an oxymoron) 3 times including twice to Europe with no problems. It already paid for itself with no fees charged on both outbound journeys to Europe. Fits in the car easy. I remove the seat and mast, pedals, handlebar (laid to the side) and wheels. All are in the case with a combined weight of typically around 32 lbs. The company is ONE guy who makes these cases, but he's made the EEP for several tour teams including US Postal Service, Team Saturn, BMC and Colavita.

Dave Tallo

I have done ... dunno ... maybe 30 - 40 different flights on my Biospeed soft side bike case. It's been great. As I've said in the past, having bike luggage really does open up some interesting training and racing possibilities.

scott dinhofer

i flew with a bike for the first time this year, united out, frontier back. thule clamshell case rented from LBS, came in at 52 lbs with my cervelo P2, guess i can pull the hydrotail, spare tube, etc next time, aside from that, not sure how i get under 50lbs. it cost me $125 on united and $75 on Frontier. will always choose frontier if i have to do this again.