mugwump said:

Andy,

I've used the Gavilan BFF twice.  Like it--while it takes more work to set up, it is quite a bit smaller, which comes in handy not only for beating the airline fees, but also for moving it in vehicles.  No longer do I need to take up the entire trunk of a Town Car or a minivan to get the bike in motorized transport.

http://www.gavilanbff.com/

Seems like if you're going to go through that much disassembly headache you might as well go "Full Garrigan" and just use a hockey bag... also doesn't that add to the number/weight of the tools you need to bring?

I pay for my bikes.  I want padding so it looks the same after the flight as it did before.  If I was given them, I might feel differently.  

So it seems like a Pika, but smaller and with more extensive de/reconstruction needed?

Jules said:

So it seems like a Pika, but smaller and with more extensive de/reconstruction needed?

Seems like it.

JP, what about diagonal measurement?  Isn't that what most airlines use to determine if it is oversized?

Joaquin said:

JP, what about diagonal measurement?  Isn't that what most airlines use to determine if it is oversized?

Not in my experience.  They total the length, width, and depth.  Of course, it's up to the discretion of the person taking the bag.  The total with the BFF is  bit over (by about 7") what most airlines allow for a "normal" bag (airlines have websites with their specific regulations).  I believe 62" or 64" is considered max for a regular checked bag.  But they don't seem to charge any extra for the BFF.  

Yeah. I havent played hockey in over ten years now, but did play near ten years. Unless the bags have really changed, I remember them having no padding.

luckly taking a track bike apart is just about no work at all. Just seat post, stem and bars, and then a crank puller removes in the cranks in seconds. Also, there is gonna be no getting around brining a 10 lb track sack with my rings, cogs, and tools(chain whip, spanner, etc.) 

From what Kieran has been telling me the racing scene on the track at least is a bit different. They have racing "leages". So, there is a weekly Wednesday night race at Herne Hill, but he isnt sure if he can arrange it so I can do that race. I'm guessing it is because my presence in the races would disturb a overall serious standing. Also... you can only train at the track at specific designated times. Wierd for an outdoor track. Even t-town during the day is just open.  

On my most recent trip to Toronto the outbound lady asked if it was a massage table and I said, "yes, why yes it is...." the return leg lady asked if it was a baby crib... "yup, sure is" I replied.

Just bought a new "bike bag" (goalie bag with 3 wheels or Junior goalie with 2 wheels if you wanna go Uber minimal-I use both) I have had bike PRO's massive bags, an Iron case, and a Serfas hard case. unless I could make my own bag Ill be sticking with the goalie bag for now.

@joaquin - one of my buddies was traveling with the new Yakama bag/ bike stand/ slick piece of matching luggage.

Gwynna Smith said:

Has anyone traveled with a trainer before? My trainer is beastly heavy and the most awkward shape imaginable, and I'm looking for ideas on how to pack it. It needs to be protected and totable.

Thanks!

Check with the event.  I wouldn't be surprised if they had supplied trainers through a sponsor.  Such arrangements are common at national championships in the US.

mugwump said:

Gwynna Smith said:

Has anyone traveled with a trainer before? My trainer is beastly heavy and the most awkward shape imaginable, and I'm looking for ideas on how to pack it. It needs to be protected and totable.

Thanks!

Check with the event.  I wouldn't be surprised if they had supplied trainers through a sponsor.  Such arrangements are common at national championships in the US.

Agree with JP. (CycleOps had a warm-up/warm-down trainer tent at all ToAD races. #anotherreasonToADrocks)

Since it came up on today's ride...

I'm going to Memphis at the end of the month. My bike will travel in a Gavilan BFF.
Gavilan=Gavi Epstein. BFF=Bikes Fly Free.

I've done it three times with the bag. The second best thing about it is the smaller shape is much easier to fit in cars.  You need to take off your front brake and fork, but with modern stems and headsets, the operation is pretty easy and fast.  

Here's the site: http://www.gavilanbff.com/

He's been renting it to me at $50 per trip.  No idea if he's still doing that.  I go to his shop in Englewood to pick it up. He figured he could get the pads and bags inside my large riding backpack and strap the rolled bag to the outside.  It's not the easiest to climb back up to the bridge, but it's a short climb.

Gavi shot the pic below to demonstrate how it can be done. 

Not sure where else I would post this, so I figured here.  I'm in Colorado for the week and did a training race in Golden, CO, about 10 miles west of Denver.(https://www.coloradocycling.org/sites/default/files/Site_Files/Race_Flyers/2016/2016CSPM 2016-1549.pdf)

I entered the 4/5 race, about 50 or so riders were in the field.  12 laps, ~1.5 miles per lap.  The tarmac was the best I've every seen and I mentioned that to one of the riders.  He objected, and said "oh, there's some gravel on turn 'x'".  Obviously, they haven't seen the moonscape of Floyd.

Every third lap was a sprint lap.  Halfway into the 9th lap, I sprinted to the front and lead the group.  A couple chased me down but I was able to to get some distance from them.  Then the course turned into the wind and I had nothing left in the tank.  I slowed a bit figuring I'd hop back on and enjoy the final 3 laps and last sprint. 

I was wrong.  The course at ~6,000 ft, certainly had an effect on my stamina.  I ... couldn't ... recover ... at all.  The pack moved along, leaving this flatlander gasping for air and ultimately dropped.  Definitely worth the evening though.  I shared a beer with a couple of guys post-race ... at least I'm increasing my red blood cell count!!

(FWIW, I found this blog from Joe Friel regarding effects of altitude on performance http://www.joefrielsblog.com/2010/09/altitude-and-aerobic-performance.html)  

300+ days of sunshine and snow that melts on its own accord means CO has very good roads.

Good job on the race, even if the altitude kicks your ass and destroys your ability to recover, it definitely forces you to think about your efforts and meter them more than you would normally. All important lessons for racing.

Scott Kuhlke said:

I was wrong.  The course at ~6,000 ft, certainly had an effect on my stamina.  I ... couldn't ... recover ... at all.  The pack moved along, leaving this flatlander gasping for air and ultimately dropped.  Definitely worth the evening though.  I shared a beer with a couple of guys post-race ... at least I'm increasing my red blood cell count!!

(FWIW, I found this blog from Joe Friel regarding effects of altitude on performance http://www.joefrielsblog.com/2010/09/altitude-and-aerobic-performance.html)  

The altitude is kicking your ass, so you went for a post-race beer. Hope someone else drove you home.  Even a shared beer in that state could be rough.  Cheap date, for sure.

Both in my experience and research on the topic, you go to altitude, are ok initially, then get worse for a week to ten days, then get better.  Sadly, you probably won't be there long enough to acclimate.  Hopefully, long enough to get a boost.

Always fun to race in a different place.

I've been places with much better roads than ours where riders complain.  I've heard it in Florida, where frost heaves never go and riders don't believe happen.

I was riding in SoCal last year, in a regular group ride, and a rider warned me that there were several potholes to watch out for. There was one place where the DOT had milled a dotted away for about 100 feet, and everybody was pointing it out like it was going to swallow a wheel whole.

I miss roads like that.

mugwump said:

The altitude is kicking your ass, so you went for a post-race beer. Hope someone else drove you home.  Even a shared beer in that state could be rough.  Cheap date, for sure.

Yeah, I had the lowest ABV beer possible, I think it was 4%, and certainly felt the buzz. And I'd say right now, I'm not fully recovered.  Pretty sluggish today, drinking as much water as possible.

I'm continuing the high altitude pursuits again this weekend, doing what is called the Triple Bypass on Saturday.  Starts at ~7,000 ft, three mountain passes (highest at 11,990 ft), total of 10,000 ft of climbing and 120 miles (Evergreen to Avon).  Depending on fitness, I'll be doing the reverse route on Sunday.  Definitely gonna rock.

Trusting that with 12 days in Colorado,  PPark Hill and Harlem Hill the following weekend races (7/16 and 7/17) will be crushable 

I stayed in Avon the last time I was in colorado, and did much of the Triple Bypass ride solo on my first full day there.  I went from Avon to Leadville to Copper to Vail to Avon.  It was my best ride in Colorado that trip.  Great riding.

That should be fun.

anyone interested in checking this out?  I'd want to do the 100km

https://www.bikereg.com/tour-de-long-valley

Traveling from May/11/18 to May/17/18 and looking to please borrow or rent a bike case.

Would probably need it a couple of days before and after so from May 9th to May 19ish.

Hoping for something Airport Ninja, to avoid fees, ala Gavilan BFF, but any case would ultimately do. 

Please let me know if you can help. Thanks.

Eloy, I have a Trico iron case that you are welcome to. It’s pretty massive
though... I’m in the East Village. Are you racing?

eloy said:

Traveling from May/11/18 to May/17/18 and looking to please borrow or rent a bike case.

I don't own a BFF (yet), but I do have a Pika soft case.  Not quite airport Ninja in terms of fees, but it's pretty light and I think very protective.  

You're welcome to use it.

mugwump said:

eloy said:

Traveling from May/11/18 to May/17/18 and looking to please borrow or rent a bike case.

I don't own a BFF (yet), but I do have a Pika soft case.  Not quite airport Ninja in terms of fees, but it's pretty light and I think very protective.  

You're welcome to use it.

Thanks, JP, I'll reach out directly to coordinate. Appreciate it very much.

@RichardKaufmann

Sorry to report that few of my remaining friends in Boston ride much, so I can't share a name who could point you in the right direction.

While it might be hopelessly ancient, what I still try to do when I visit a new place is reach out to local race clubs and/or bike shops.  I find them a better resource, when they answer, than just using Strava/MapMyRide/RideWithGPS and hoping for the best.

@RichardKaufmann - You may also want to check out strava's local routes. While a lot of times they're on crowded bike paths or maybe just a lackluster ride, it sometimes gives me good beta to build out my own route from there 

https://www.strava.com/local#us

Mark Taylor and I are planning on seeing the Ronde… in person this year.