January 25th, 2016

Today's guest post is written by Erick Clifford.

Traveling can be challenging at times, especially if you’re preparing to bring your most prized possession… your mountain bike. Lugging around your carry-on, pack/suitcase and ensuring your bike makes it to your final destination can be a stressful process. Before any trip, think about the necessities for your trip, and research different airlines and transportation companies that are prepared to offer you the service you require. Depending on the length of your mountain bike trip, the location and difficulty of the adventure you have planned - you may also consider renting a mountain bike once you arrive at your destination. Check out Renting a Bike vs. Bringing Your Own for tips on making the difficult decision.

Have you decided to bring your own bike?

Read on for useful tips for traveling with your bike.

The weight and size of a bike can make carrying and packing it a difficult task, but with the proper planning – you can make the process a breeze!

Learn to pack your bike for air travel with this entertaining instructional video!

Pack Your Bike in a Hard Case

Protect your bike by packing it in a hard case. It's worth the investment - bike cases will cost anywhere from $50 - $500, if you don't plan on traveling a lot with your bike, get a basic case. It will go a long way in protecting your bike and preventing small scratches, dents and broken parts. Don't want to spend the money on a hard bike case ? You can also pack your bike in a soft case or cardboard box, which you can usually get from your local bike shop. Be warned - if you decide to go with the cardboard box option, make sure you carry extra packing tape and/or duct tape to patch up the box, it will get battered around quite a bit!

Arrive early to the airport

Make a schedule and plan your departure and arrival accordingly. Checking a bike, or any oversized luggage, can add time to the check-in process. Be prepared with loose change to rent a cart – you don’t want to break a sweat from lugging your bike through the airport before even getting on the plane! You may have to take your bike to be scanned at the oversized luggage area, which will add a few minutes to your timeline. Chances are slim, but be prepared to open your bike box, security may want to take a closer look at your packing job! If you opted for packing your bike in a large cardboard box (you can usually get one at your local bike store), carry packing tape or duct tape with you!

Research transportation services

Getting to and from the airport can be an adventure in itself! If you have a large bike box, it may be helpful to book a private transportation service. Book ahead of time and tell them you will be traveling with oversize luggage, they will be able to provide the right vehicle for your needs. Also be conscious of your arrival time - arriving at 2am vs. 11am, can effect your transportation options.

Check baggage requirements and airline conditions

Each airline has different baggage conditions including weight allowance, dimensions, number of bags, charges and extra fees. Call the airline directly or visit their website to seek clarification on requirements before making your reservation. Compare and contrast the best airline options, then factor in the cost of the flight, departure date and time before committing.

Here is a short list of airlines, and their fees for bringing a bike...Click the airline for more details.

American Airlines - $150

Air Canada - $50 –

United Airlines - $150

Virgin America - $50

Delta - $150

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Research your Travel Insurance Options… and Get Insured!

Let’s face it, mountain bikes are expensive and when you love riding as much as we do, you want to protect your investment. Most airlines will provide insurance (at a cost) to protect your baggage, but when traveling with excess baggage and expensive items, you may want to look into more substantial travel insurance options that will cover items being stolen, damaged, lost or delayed. There are many travel insurance agencies where you can purchase the right travel plan for your trip. Check out "How to Buy Travel Insurance"

For more information you can consult our Ultimate Guide to Mountain Bike Travel .

When traveling with your bike, make sure you’re prepared. Plan ahead of time, research your options and compare costs. Take time to pack your bike properly and you will be hitting those trails with a smile on your face!

About the Author: Erick Clifford is a freelance writer, blogger & designer. He has a Bachelor degree in Interior Design from the Design Institute of San Diego. Currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and has been writing for blogs since 2013.