Cycling UK Forum

Hi All

I'm trying to plan a long ride in Australia. I am intending to go from Fremantle to Sydney in April May next year 2015. Does anyone have any idea's on how to get it there. I think it may be too big to take on the plane with me. I am thinking of getting it shipped or planed over beforehand and then pick it up when I get there need less luggage that way. Any ideas at all.

Thanks
Ian

Shipping containers are seriously expensive. Might even be cheaper to buy a greenspeed over there...

But the basic premise is to post it...

I shouldn't think posting would be too much of a problem. If you strip the trike right down to its frame it could be packed quite flat and perhaps taken on the plane as extra baggage.
Buying a trike out there might be ok if you work out a deal with a bike shop in advance for them to sell it on again afterwards. You could then just fly with your kit and maybe just a few useful components from your own trike, i.e. dyno wheel.

Upright or recumbent trike?

LWaB wrote:Upright or recumbent trike?

Recumbent

ICE Sprint RS

A trike will be too big to "posted". Australia Post will not accept a parcel of trike dimensions. You will have use an international shipper, and that's likely to be a painful and expensive experience. Also it's not a good idea to buy a bike here - anything bike is very expensive in Australia, and recumbent bikes are rarities, so unless you order in advance you probably won't be able to walk into a bike shop in Perth and buy one. And then you will have difficulty reselling it under pressure to depart, and stand to loose value big time.

Your best option is to carry it as baggage. If you can't pack it yourself, go back to the bike shop and have them pack it for you. For the rest of your baggage pack minimal gear to keep the weight down - non-bike stuff will be readily available in Perth.

Research flight and baggage information carefully, and be mindful that it may be false economy to buy a budget fare, as these often attract exhorbitant rates for excess baggage. Local feedback suggests that Emirates offer the most bicycle friendly service, and have regular flights into Perth.

Most importantly, an Indian-Pacific crossing requires careful planning to be safe and successful. April-May is a good time temperature-wise, but getting food and water supplies can be problematic. Many roadhouses will not give you water, and it's double the price of petrol to buy. Food supplies are also quite limited.

I suggest you make the effort to read carefully through the threads on this forum first. Go to the Touring Australia sub-forum and search for "Nullabor". You will find much discussion about food and water supplies, weather, wind direction, hazards etc. Then perhaps join and start your own thread for clarifications and specific questions. If you ask nicely you may find a member in Perth who is willing to assist or even host you. Warm Showers is also a good place to find hosts.

Oh - and Aussies are well aware that "Poms" are paranoid about spiders and snakes and anything that makes noises in the dark, so be prepared to cop plenty of tongue-in-cheek leg-pulling.

Another excellent source of information is the crazyguyonabike forums and journals. I've linked to journals but it's also worthwhile searching for tips on packing trikes.

[quote="RonK" Many roadhouses will not give you water, and it's double the price of petrol to buy.[/quote]

Blooming eck.

With fairly extensive dismantling, the ICE Sprint RS would fit into a normal bike box, so would travel as part of your normal luggage allowance, or am I missing something?

MarkyD recently did that trip. See here: http://rvvelonaut.blogspot.com.au/

He may be prepared to answer questions.

Also look at http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/

OldBloke wrote:MarkyD recently did that trip. See here: http://rvvelonaut.blogspot.com.au/

He may be prepared to answer questions.

Also look at http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/

Maybe he'll lend me Thelma and Louise

oh and I saw the packing crate he shipped his velomobile in

Get in touch with ICE trike and ask them how they do it.

It was on the cards for me to head to the sun this winter but life took over.

I was planning to ship one of my recumbents out and found that the best option was stripping right down and flying out with Virgin Airlines.

For more choice of destinations Emirates, Singapore and BA are also worth considering.

The thing to do is concentrate on baggage allowance and volume, then look at the most economical ticket. So called ''full fare'' airlines normally work out cheaper and less hassle that ''budget'' airlines when you tot up all the ''extras''.

Sort out the bike and then you will have peace of mind. The last thing you want is to have a heap of junk waitng for collection at the baggage carousel.