Hi MO, strangely unable to email you from the bike packing article in the SMH today so here are some added remarks. Great to see you publishing on this subject as I also think it is amazing what opens up to us if we can work out effective ways of flying with our bikes... 

Pick your airline carefully

In the US and in some other areas the weight is not enough. It’s also a volume issue. But it is still not simple. For example, if you have gone to the US on a Qantas ticket and for example have connections on local airlines (eg Alaskan or American) when you check in for your return on the local domestic flight to wherever you are connecting to Qantas (NYC, Dallas, LAX or SFO) you won’t be charged for your bike in a box as you are on a QF flight number.

Bag choices

The big disadvantage with the dedicated bike suitcase is that you have to deal with it at the other end.  So riding out of the airport is not an option. This may be ok if you are doing a loop and returning to this city. But it can be  a significant limitation. Meanwhile the problem with  soft bags is that you need to cart them around plus they are not as good as cartons for protecting your bike. This in turn varies as in some countries it is not a problem.  eg Japan where  handlers take great care of bikes in soft bags as it isa a requirement on trains and they are all used to it.

A few other subtopics are…

• Storing or stashing cartons so you can find them when you return to the airport
• Packing a bike without a carton
• How to protect disc rotors, carbon tubing etc when packing (and it is not about foam)

You might have a look at some of my stuff on the vivente site about this general subject

http://www.viventebikes.com/main/page_travelling_travel_information_carton_free_packing.html

Hi Michael,

I scribe for a cycling group in Turramurra called Kranks, around 50 very mixed members.  We frequently pass Cottage Point and were all moved by the recent tragedy.

Allan thought I should share my comments with you, second batch below and prompted by your blog.  I was a bit tardy in forwarding to you, I just thought that the aggressive tendencies should be addressed appropriately.

If you are every in Turramurra looking for a ride (80 Km) or coffee, we are always keen to share our thoughts and stories.

Kind regards John

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From: Allan Moss

Hi John

Great words.  You should send to Mike O’Reilly the Cycling Journalist at the Herald

Cheers Allan

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From: John Watt 

Hi Phil,

Good thought, send me details if it is not already all over.  Does anyone have his name?

What is happening on our roads is unacceptable and our authorities are managing these dangerous and aggressive behaviours with a soft hand.  They are causing unnecessary polarisation, especially with younger drivers.  We need action from our legal system all the way from our Ministers down to our Police on patrols to demonstrate that Southern Cross Drive, threats to kill cyclists in Karrayong, throwing containers and incidents like this one are unacceptable.  If you hang out your window, throw things at pedestrians or cyclists and shout abuse you should be charged, no new law required, it is already in place.

The 17 year old P-Plater and his associates were hurling verbal abuse at cyclists before the accident.  In my books these abusive verbal actions demonstrated a level of intent to cause injury and as such, he should be charged with Manslaughter as an adult.  He is being charged as a child for dangerous driving!  He will not serve time and will be free to continue his ill directed aggressive behaviour. 

There is a tipping point, a point where the number of cyclists using our roads will demand that we be given fair rights and will be properly protected by the law.  Not sure when the perturbation will occur, we must just keep chipping in a positive way!

A closer alignment with Bicycle NSW might add value.

Kind regards,

John 

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G'day Bob,

Thanks for forwarding this. Deeply saddened to hear more terrible cycling-related news. Hopefully the accident will be properly investigated and that many cyclists turn out for the funeral. How wretched for the rider's wife and family.

Cheers,

Phil.

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From: Robert Elsworth 

More info on the cycling accident on McCarrs Creek Rd on Sat morn FYI....