The guide enduro globetrotter – Part 1

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Part

Ne are mid-February, the days grow longer and the appeal of mountain biking trips is becoming stronger. While they are still far, the greatest adventures should be planned. For the collection of tips and tricks, We sought advice from someone who collects air miles, like other people collect figurines. Tobias Woggon, German professional enduro rider, spends half of his life barouder and has gained much experience in the art to save money, but also in the art of losing. Hopefully the following will help you avoid making the same mistakes. We recommend this product to anyone who wants to organize a bike trip. This article may seem a bit long at first sight, but each section contains helpful advice for novices…

Text : Tobias Woggon # Photos : Manfred Stromberg

Baggage weight

La better thing to do is put all heavy items in cardboard bike. I have always put my headphones, shoes but tripods and other heavy objects. With a standard suitcase overweight airlines have no mercy, but mostly cardboard-bike does not draw attention. The best thing to have is still a carrying case with wheels. I personally use the bag Evoc Bike Travel, its weight does not matter so often it is easy to roll ! The cardboard bike is another simple solution that you can put on a trolley. The problem is that architects have not designed the doors wide enough to pass… It's a hassle at all costs. The counter is often bulky luggage at the other end of the airport, which means that first you must save the airline, then leave your heavy luggage to their spells.

It is important to keep the bicycle bag out of reach of the person at check-in, but close enough so he could still see. Keep in mind they have to face 300-500 people every day for registration and they prefer to save time rather than getting up, take your baggage and weight control. If you are a man, choose a female person for registration, as a woman, choose a man. Attention to a big mistake not to commit : choose the prettiest girl. This is often the most strict and will charge you the difference in weight. On my last trip to Reunion, we chose the most beautiful woman at the counter. As a group of five men and without mastering the French language in Paris airport, the bill has become very salty.

If someone asks you if there is a bicycle inside the suitcase, you must still answer “yes” because officially you are not allowed to put other things, unless your bike. Nobody ever looked inside. If someone asks about the weight, you must answer “about 28-29 kg”. If everything went well, you can go on the counter with bulky luggage. Your advantage: people who welcome you are airport employees, not the airline. which means they do not care a bit about the weight of your luggage. Just try to behave normally and there will be no problem.

Prohibited Products

Lare aerosol sprays or CO2 cartridges are strictly forbidden inside your cardboard. The hide would be useless because they will still detect them. The search for an aerosol, plus the discovery of a helmet, shoes and backpacks falling baggage, could start a little patience for the employee and eighty passengers waiting behind…

Keep that in mind and leave prohibited items at home.

Excess baggage

Le-cabin baggage is a good way to travel “loaded” and a little incognito precisely because “heavy” does not always mean “grand” ! If your bag-in-hand is not enough, after all, in most airports there is a post office from which you can send what you want and is often cheaper than the excess baggage fee.

Protection of the bike

Po matter if it's a box or a bag, what matters is to put his knee around the frame to protect it during the flight. Safety first !In most airport employees have no idea of ​​what might be inside and do not spare the goods.

The hanger must be removed from the gallows. Then I attach the bracket with the pedal via a strap so nothing moves. Even if the pedals can be left mounted inside of a few bags, I recommend you remove them anyway. If the bike moves, the pins or cages pedals can easily hurt your frame. Finally, you must remove the rear derailleur and it's good ! Wrap the wheels and I recommend to put the disks in or remove them completely to avoid deformation.

If using a cardboard, I advise you to take four old inner tubes with you and put them and tape them in the corners so that it can not be opened en route. Once, make sure your bike is not damaged because once you exit the terminal, there is no chance of obtaining damages.

The essential parts

Dyears most destinations, there is a bike shop in the neighborhood but some things should always be taken with you : Dropout, rays, brake pads. Even in Whistler, the ultimate and “Mecca” mountain biking, I struggled to find parts as a hanger for a Bergamont. Plan B : always take a few clamps with you or an old credit card surrounded by three layers of tape American, you can help with almost everything that. I fixed my bike with a cable tie and a piece of wood and it lasted two days.Not to be neglected for small repairs : the local !

Do not overlook

Uno trick to remember : always sit side aisle ! Because if the plane is about to crash, at least you'll have a chance to cross the trolley mini bar . Remember to take a clean shirt in the baggage-car ! Imagine the girl of your dreams sitting right next to you while you are completely drenched in sweat because of all the stress of recording… It would bundle ! Last but not least if you are traveling with a low-cost airline, you should know that most of the time they are away from major airports. Ryanair is great, as long as you can be independent. Flights are really cheap and that is why they try to make money other ways. On my last trip, I learned to my cost that the airports of Düsseldorf (SO) and Dusseldorf-Weeze were almost an hour's drive, too late ! The plane left without me.

End of the first part of the guide enduro globetrotter. To be continued…