Good points there but as far as help, I can carry my own weight. When I travel Int'l these days, it's usually for surf or snow; Never travel with anything less than 3 snowboards or 4 surfboards piled in a board bag. A 15lb tri-bike will be a pleasure to haul around compared to a coffin full of surfboards. However, I do agree with most people that it might be somewhat of a burden on the rest of the crew. I just wanted to bring my bike not only to train but to absorb the country side of Belgium, Netherlands, etc... A 150 mile bike around Belgium can easily be done well within the layover time (last bike that long took me around 8hrs with a couple of stops). Anyway, I might just have to buy a bike in the country I go to the most and leave it at a friends place or the local bike shop. Thanks for the info guys! Much appreciated!

 

At brand X we have a bike club that you can join and there are bikes scattered across the system in our layover hotels. They aren't your 15lb titanium Dura-Ace sleds but they are adequate.

Also, jumpseating with a bike is not allowed but you can bring a girl-friday case along and no one cares EXCEPT when you max out the transpo's trunk space. I know a couple of guys who go on trips with their bike cases and it's no big deal but they tend to travel light, ie. bike case and small roller.

I've seen guys travel with bike cases, travel type golf cases, the BIG golf case, keyboards, guitars, surfboards, metal detectors, etc... but it can be a b!tch being a pack animal on a 10 day trip when your only surfing was 6 days ago for one day at Waikiki. You look pretty stoopid in Almaty with surfboard (would probably get a pee test just on principle).

 

I train for marathons while flying internationally. It can be done, but like Jetjok says, after awhile it takes alot more time in the rack than you might think. You have to listen to your body. It takes a day for every 2 hours time change.

As for bikes, you can rent them in most big cities in the states. LAX and ANC are particularly good. I've never tried overseas.

 

What kind of hours/experience do you have? Are you putting the cart way before the horse here?

 

I don't know what you do for a living currently, but working as a crewmember has it's own set of unwritten rules and protocols. The first of which is to work and play well together. Your other crewmembers will just not like the fact that you're taking up extra space in the ground transport (which is usually sort of limited anyway) and some of their time, while you make multiple trips into and out of the jet, to get all your stuff.

As for buying a bike in the country that you might happen to find yourself, well, that could get expensive and might even be kind of hard to do anyway. At least at some FedEx (and I assume other airlines as well) locations, we stay out at the airport and are not that close to a normal "downtown." So just going out and buying a bike might be time consuming in and of itself. As well, at some locations you should be prepared to spend half a months salary for the bike. The value of the dollar against most other currencies is not that great anymore, but good luck anyway.

 

I am also a serious cyclist and have been having a hard time keeping fit. But running really helps and if you are a triathlete then you need to run anyway. I carry a duffel bag with all my running stuff on my trips and it works OK. Lots better than nothing.

I have seriously thought about getting a Bike Friday, but they are just way to ghey to reallly think about, even if they do ride nicely (from what I hear they are surprisingly good). But the fact is that logistically it is tough.

Best bet would be to live in domicile and bid trips where you can ride before you start and after you finish.

When I lived in Europe flying and riding was easier because the job consumed less of your life than it does in the US. But even there there were compromises.

Running is your best bet. Riding would not be impossible, but don't imagine it will be easy. Unfortunately.

 

That must be a HUGE duffel to carry a pair of running shoes, a polyester T-shirt and polyester shorts!

 

When you lay over in Erie, PA or BTV or PWM you need more than just running shoes and a jock strap!

Or at least to go running!

 

Never heard of those places!

 

Yes, I agree that the relevance of his question is useless on this topic. Even if I was a zero time guy, there's no harm in getting some good information for the future. Let's just say it will be a few years before I get into a 747 if I decide I still want to do it. I would be hammering my dad with most of my questions but he doesn't fly long haul freight.



Get the bike! Get it!!! I was just checking out Cervelo's and Quintana Roos the other day in Pasadena. Outrageously priced but dam, is it worth it! The cervelo weighed in at exactly 15lbs, fit me like a glove. The tri-bikes are certainly different from road bikes in the fact that the seat is directly over the pedals. smaller frames too. Anyway, I wouldn't consider bringing my bike with me on every trip, maybe once or twice a month to Belgium or wherever. It was just a thought to make my training fun and see the country side. Thanks a bunch for the support and the info guys!!