Home› Group Discussion-Ironman Cozumel 2010

Bike Shipping?

eliwashereeliwashere
in Group Discussion-Ironman Cozumel 2010

Does anyone know of a company that does bike shipping for this event? Since I am thinking of staying and traveling for a few days after the race I don't want to lug my bike around.

 

Thanks,

Eli

Comments

  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Took me a little bit to figure out which event you were talking about. This is for IM Cozomel, right? You posted in the right place, but when I pulled it from "not read" I couldn't figure that out at first.

    I don't know the answer to your Q- but I know we have some folks in the hause that have done IM Coz before. Hopefully they will chime in.
  • eliwashereeliwashere

     Yes, Sorry, I mean for IM Coz.

    I am new to EN and didn't put full details in my post.

    Sorry!

    Thanks for the input. I hope others will chime in.

  • kurshingkurshing
    I am booking my travel through Endurance Sports Travel (Ken Glah) so, they are taking care of mine for me. Not sure what to recommend on shipping the bike individually...

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    I have heard to NOT use FedEx, UPS, etc, as they cannot guarantee shipping times when you're dealing with US Customs.
  • jwpicciottojwpicciotto
    If you aren't going as part of an organized group like Endurance Sports, it is probably best to take the bike on the plane with you. Normal shipping companies are astronomical and you have no gaurantee that the bike will get there on tme. As an example UPS is about $250 each way minimum 13 days in transit each way. This doesn't even include the hassle of getting it through customs. I checked with some friends that did this event last year and they used a bike case and took the bike on the plane. For Continental it is about $80 each way.

    Also the other nice thing with taking the bike on the plane with you is that you can look out the window and watch to make sure that the bike gets loaded on the plane. Last year we went to Puerta Vallarta for spring break and my luggage went to Cancun. Also you might look at borrowing.buying a hard sided bike case for the journey. Some airlines have started treating the softsided Bike Pro USA cases as accepted "As Is" and have disputed damage to the bike after the fact because they say the case does not provide as much protection. The cases are jsut as good as the hardsided cases, it just gives the airlines an out.

    The only challenge with the bike case is hauling it through the airport and getting a cab in Mexico that can carry the case. The guy driving the Ford Fiesta taxi will try and convince you it will fit, but you don't want your pride and joy bike strapped to the roof of a Ford POS hauling 90 miles an hour down the main drag in Cozumel.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    How are the bikes going for those using Endurance Sports Travel? I'm considering IMCOZ in 2011 and would like to know the options.
  • Rich AmayaRich Amaya
    For IM Cozumel last year, I purchased a hard shell case (the local bike shop sold me a used case at a significant discount) and paid the generous airline fee to take the bike with me. I didn't have any problems at all... most people at the race did the same. The downside is there are loads of bike cases at the small airport in Cozumel so keep an eye out for your case... put a lot of unique stickers on it so that no one else will grab it, maybe Patrick or Rich will send you some EN stickers image

    As far as transportation, they will have a lot of vans at the airport to shuttle you to your hotel. The same goes for after the race... there will be a line of vans near the finish line (that is if you're not staying close to the finish line). Getting your bike to transition is a bit trickier... they have large buses to shuttle people but the drivers expect you to throw your bike under the bus and lay on it's side (not a good idea). I stayed at a hotel closer to the swim start and just biked over... I think a lot of folks did the same, even people who stayed downtown.

    Word of advice is to get there a few days early to ensure you have enough time to get to your hotel, assemble your ride, and do a test ride to make sure everything is working ok. They have bike mechanics at the packet pick up site but be prepared to stand in a line. Like anything else, allow plenty of time to get your bike in order especially since you'll spend a majority of race day on the bike.

    Hope that helps. Feel free to ping me if you have any questions about Cozumel (I'm in Cozumel at least once a year since it's a rather short flight for me).
  • UnknownUnknown
    Everything the other guys said...plus here is my few tips.

    Fly straight to Cozumel. The flights to Cancun are cheaper but from the Cancun airport you have to take a van to the ferry, load it on the ferry, ferry to coz, unload from ferry, find a cab, then get to hotel. Just not worth it. Saw a ferry load of people last year and they just looked miserable.

    The coz community is totally helpful so dont worry too much about transportation, tons of taxis and A LOT of them are big enough for your bikes. Especially the ones at the airport.
Sign In or Register to comment.