Wednesday, 8 October 2014

To take your bike or to rent a bike in Mallorca?

The cycling holiday or training camp in Mallorca may be months away, but it really is time to start making plans. Once dates, flights and accommodations are sorted, the only big thing left is the bike. I have been doing research about flying with my bike and also checking bike rental in Mallorca, but still can decide.


How do you feel about travelling with your bike? I for one am worried about it, although many of my friends seem to be quite happy to pack it in a bag and put it on the plane. But can you really hand your pride and joy to strangers? Can you leave it on the mercy of baggage handlers who can't care less if your bag contains socks and shirts or a carbon wonder of engineering?


And what about the price? It seems that it makes no sense to pay the same amount to travel with your bike as you would pay if you just rent a similar bike on the island. Ok, may be renting is slightly more expensive when you include insurance and all that, but I'll probably have to purchase insurance for my bike if I'm to travel with it any way.

I wish I could pack my bike like that...



And there is the time it takes to pack and unpack it. I'm not mechanically challenged by no means, but it all takes time. Lots of it.


Oh, and lets not forget the actual bike travel bike. The hand case ones cost an arm and a leg, while the others offer close to no protection. Yeah, you may argue that it is worth investing in a good bike travel bag as you will use it in the future, but honestly, how often do you really travel with your bike? I'll be like if I can get away once a year.


If something doesn't change drastically in the next few weeks, I'll definitely be booking a bike from one of the bike hire shops in Mallorca.