Bicycle Dissasembly & Packing

The Packing 

                        A 3 minute video

Tools required for dissasembly.

So the packing begins.......

First the bikes.  Our bikes are fitted with S&S couplers so our full sized bikes can be disassembled. The advantage is they fit into a bag that is the largest size the airlines will allow without charging extra for oversized luggage, 26" X 26" X 10".  It's also much easier to transport them to and from the airport by car or taxi. 

The disadvantage is the bike has to be totally taken apart. So for those who don't know their bikes well, it could be an issue. You also need to have a place to store the cases once you get to your destination. Our last trip we shipped them from the Zurich airport to a friend in Budapest. It worked out well. Thank you Peter! This time we are doing a round trip and our hotel will store them for us. Thank you Valentina! For us, much easier then finding a bike shop with boxes and easier to have a friend drive you to the airport.  Thank you Carol and Brenda!

Our video shows the process of disassembling and packing the bikes.  It took 8 minutes for the two of us to totally take the bike apart after preloosening all the nuts and bolts and another 10 min to pack into the bag. However it took another hour to do the final pack because we added some loose odds and ends to get to the 50 lb weight limit. The first time took almost 3 hours, as it's a little like a jig saw puzzle. Taking pictures of the process helps for the next time. Reassembly takes about 1 1/2 hrs, but more on that later. 

Next, our clothes and other necessities.  The good thing about biking is you can't take much. The bad thing about biking is you can't take much.  Get used to seeing yourself in the same clothes in every picture! But when you think about it, how many times have you traveled with way too much luggage and arrived home with clothes you never wore?

Clothes that can be easily washed at night in a sink and be able to dry by morning is a must. Thank goodness for all the high tech fabrics that also crunch up small and don't wrinkle. The hardest to plan for is weather, so you layer. Our last trip started out in 70 degree weather and ended in the high 40's. This trip is the opposite, cooler to start then warming up. We hope!  Good rain gear is also a must.  Riding all day in the rain isn't all that bad if you stay dry. 

Here's a list of what have packed, including the clothes on our back

Jim: 

* 2 pair long pants (casual)

* 2 pair jogging pants for riding

* 1 pair shorts

* 3 short sleeve shirts

* 2 long sleeve shirts

*  2 travel shirts with a collar

*  1 Marino wool biking sweater

*  5 pair each underwear and socks

*  1 water resistant wind breaker

*  rain pants, jacket and water proof socks

Devon:

*  1 pair long pants

*  1 pair each riding pants, capris, shorts

*  1 skort

*  1 dress

*  1 pair leggings 

*  3 short sleeve shirts, 1 sleeveless

*  2 long sleeve shirts

*  1 bathing suit

*  1 Marino wool sweater

*  5 pair each underwear and socks

*  1 water resistant wind breaker

*  rain pants, jacket and waterproof socks

Jim's Wardrobe

Devon's Wardrobe

We've laid out all our clothes in the picture which will be divided between two Ortleib waterproof panniers once we start riding. But first we need to stuff almost everything, including our helmut and rear bike rack into one pannier and that will be our carry on bag. The other will fit into the bike bag, empty with a few other odds and ends.

Well the bikes are NOW ASSEMBLED and we are headed out on a test ride. We've made it to ITALY!! More to follow.