Going to America. What would you do, take bike or hire one?

[EltonFrog]

We are going to New York in May, to cycle a bit and sight see a bit. We could take our own bikes, buy a couple of bike bags, bung on the plane, at the other end set up and oorft we go.

Or

Go to New York Bike shop and hire a couple of budget road bikes.

What d'ya reckon?

 

[Gravity Aided]

Not trying to drum up business over here, but wouldn't it cost quite a bit to ship bikes over and back? Still and all, it seems better to have a bike you know, and that you know is well maintained . Where do you plan to ride? If New York City, bring a good strong lock.New York is beautiful in May, but it may also be a busy time for cycle rentals. Check with the airline about baggage rules and charges, and whether you need a box instead of a bag . I think Virgin Atlantic has some more liberal rules about cycle carriage as baggage . Don't actually know this, just heard it from a fellow at church.

 

[MrB1obby]

Depends on price. I'd much prefer to have my own bike over there so I can get some cool snaps

I thought that it only cost about £50-80 to take a bike over on the plane, and I'm sure it would cost nearly as much to hire a bike. So actually yes I'd prefer to take the bike, especially as cycling will be a fair portion of your holiday.

 

[mickle]

Buy a couple of old British 531 classics that fit you well enough that you can ride them to a few bike shops. Sell them to whichever shop offers you the best trade in and buy a couple of new bikes with rhe proceeds. Ride the new bikes until you get them home and sell them.

 

[EltonFrog]

As far as I can tell, it's not going to cost any extra to ship the bikes over, but it will cost about £80 each for a couple of bike bags, plus the hassle of taking them and collecting them, plus I'm concerned they might get damaged.

It will cost about $55 dollars a day each to hire a couple of decentish road bikes.

 

[mickle]

How many days?

 

[EltonFrog]

How many days?

7 days, we are doing the five boro' bike ride on the 4th May. http://www.bikenewyork.org/ride/five-boro-bike-tour/

 

[ianrauk]

Manhattan has a great cycle path called the Greenway which circles Manhattan. You can also cycle all the way down to Rockaway Beach in Brooklyn. Cycling over Brooklyn Bridge is a great experience, but watch out for wayward peds.

If you haven't seen it already, HERE is a link to NYC's cycling maps.

 

[EltonFrog]

Manhattan has a great cycle path called the Greenway which circles Manhattan. You can also cycle all the way down to Rockaway Beach in Brooklyn. Cycling over Brooklyn Bridge is a great experience, but watch out for wayward peds.

If you haven't seen it already, HERE is a link to NYC's cycling maps.

Thanks for the link, I haven't seen that.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Hire Them

If your only doing a few days, for ease and peace of mind I'd just hire bikes. Saves having to look after your rides before you start cycling?

 

[Dayvo]

I'd be tempted to buy a bike.

No problems on the way out, get a much cheaper n+1, have a good ride, bring it back to the UK for a reasonable price on the plane, and without having to pay import/duty tax on arrival.

 

[Demonclimber]

Buy, ride, bring back, sell (for hopefully as much if not more than you paid)

 

[jay clock]

I cycled a bit in NYC a few years back, and it is not that different from London in terms of safety. But as mentioned above, if left outdoors you need mega locks.

I did this ride in New Jersey and it was excellent http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike/pdf/allamuchy.pdf and the NJ website has other such rides too http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike/

 

[MarkF]

Would rather not have the hassle of packing & worrying for such short holiday. Plus, a decent wheeled bike bag will cost £70 (ish) and be worth tuppence when you come back.

 

[DTD]

7 days, we are doing the five boro' bike ride on the 4th May. http://www.bikenewyork.org/ride/five-boro-bike-tour/

I'd love to do that.