Conference noted::bicycle

    You can definitely insure your bicycle through UPS and also have
    the option of a number of ETA's from next day, two day and normal,
    which is pretty quick anyway. You're doing the right thing choosing
    the hard shell if you're going with UPS! You can also request a
    proof of delivery/notification from them as well.
    
    Sorry, can't help with where to locate a hard shell.
    
    Chip

    You can also rent a hard shell case from Burlington Cycle Loft in
    Burlington, MA. Tel # is (617)272-0870.  To get there: it's exit 33A
    off of Route 128.  After exiting, it's about 1/4 mile on your left.
    
    I have no idea how much $$$ it costs to rent.  I envy your going to
    Colorado..........enjoy!!
    
    Bob
    

    About 5 years ago, when I shipped my bike via UPS, there was a size
    limit of length + girth =< 108 inches.

    To make it this size, I shipped the bike in two parts: one box
    had the wheels and the other had the frame.  As it was, the
    frame barely fit.  I had to remove the fork, the seat, and the cranks.
    (This was a 24.5 inch frame.)

    You don't really need the hardshell case unless you plan to use it
    a lot.  To prevent damage, remove the rear derailleur and bolt an old
    axle between the rear dropouts.  Other than that, I wouldn't worry.
    Any force that can damage the bike will have wrecked the other
    boxes in the truck.

    Of course, it would be good to get insurance; it's so cheap.  It should
    also protect against the bike being misdelivered.

    -Jeff Bell

    Are you  flying  out?  If  so, why not bring the bike on the plane
    with  you?  There are several notes in this conference with advice
    on  that.  I've had good luck the several times I've flown with my
    bike.

--David

    It may be a little more expensive to fly it out and certain airlines
    require advanced notice or don't allow bicycles. However, some even
    provide the shipping containers. It's a good point that Dave makes.
    If you're close to your machine like I am, I don't want it far away!
    
    I do have all the info on airlines/prices/restrictions, etc... if
    you want it.
    
    Chip

    Check the last(?) issue of Velonews.  There were some real good
    tips for packing a bike.  Also, if you are going to Colorado Springs,
    tell the people at the airline that you are on the national team
    and they usually don't charge you.   By the way, the national
    collegiate championships are being held the weekend of May 20th
    in Col. Sp.  at the Academy.
    
    

    Thanks for the advice.  I think I've got the bike case problem solved,
    Ed Fisher solved that problem.  I'm not too keen on using cardboard,
    I've seen some mangled bikes in cardboard come off planes.  The 
    remaining question is how to get it there.  The logistical problem 
    with getting it to and from the airport is the only reason I am
    thinking about shipping it separately.  I will have rental cars on
    both ends and getting bikes in rental cars isn't so easy.  There are
    also silly things like the Avis bus to worry about (though that can
    potentially be avoided).  As someone said, there is a size problem
    when shipping by UPS (ditto for Federal Express).  I could ship in
    two parts but I'd rather not.  Bus seems to be a decent mechanism but
    I will *definitely* insure it!
    
    I didn't realize that the collegiate championships were going to be
    in Colorado Springs.  I'll definitely check them out.  The Academy
    is very close by and is reputed to have some great riding roads. 
    
    Hopefully I'll come home semi-altitude trained and trained for hills!
    
    Russ
     

    Well, on Saturday morning I drove up to Manchester to send the bike in
    Ed Fisher's Bike Travelier (thanks Ed).  Initially they said they
    wouldn't send it at all "because its plastic".  After I convinced them
    that it was solid I was told that they'd send it but wouldn't insure it
    because "it looks too good, they'll steal it in Boston or New York
    or...".  Basically, they just didn't want to send it.  I gave up.

    So, I resigned myself to carrying it with me (along with 2 reasonably
    large suitcases and my briefcase).  I got it down to Boston on the
    Hudson limo and played leapfrog with my bags to get into the United
    Airlines check-in line.  Well, UA made me pay $30 (no suprise there)
    and then made me take it downstairs to the office.  The guy down there
    told me I had to sign a waiver removing UA's responsibility for damage
    "because bikes are fragile".  I don't remember this happening when I
    carried a bike via United before but I could be wrong.  They don't
    care how you ship it either.  If you encase it in a concrete block its
    the same deal.  I made him show me the policy even, on his termimal
    screen.  What could I do though?  I sent it and it got here in one
    piece.  The next trick was getting to the Avis Express office.  That
    wasn't that bad fortunately.  I got all my stuff out to the waiting
    area and got in on and off the bus.  I had made reservations for a
    full-size car (because they only do one-way on their mini-vans).  It
    just barely fits into a New Yorker's back-seat.  I even got it so I
    could see out the rear window!   Anyway, its here and in one piece.

    Now if I can just get it home in one piece...
    
    Russ (who would be riding if it wasn't for the big thunderheads)

	I'm moving to Ohio and either need to ship my bike or get a rack...
	It seems shipping is alot cheaper, so I'll try that... I'm thinking
	of getting a cardboard bike box from a shop, and squeezing my bike
	in there... Has anyone ever shipped UPS using one of these boxes?
	I figure they're probably not too big for UPS, since the bike shops
	had to get them somehow.

	thanks!
	/ken

    
    
      When I went down to Atlanta for the month of april I shipped my
    bike down using the method your considering and it worked just great.
    It cost me $15.00 to ship the bike from Worcester to Atlanta.  I
    sent the bike out on a Thursday and it arrived at my hotel the
    following wednesday.  All I did was go to my local shop and ask
    for a box that would ship UPS.  He gave one I took off the Handlebars,
    front wheel and rear deraileur.  Packed in my shoes, helmet and
    a few other accesory's and sent it on its way.  I did the same thing
    for the return trip.  This is a good cost effective way of getting
    a bike from one place to another.
    
    John C.
    

    I have re-used old bike boxes on comercial airline also.  Cost is $30
    on way but you have the bike at the airport.
    
    Pack it well!!  My Fisher got a really gnarly scratch on the aluminum
    downtube by rubbing the front wheel QR.
    
    bob