Getting my bike to Whistler

Wait so you're flying from SEA to YVR, then renting a car to drive 2hrs to Whistler? Unless the flight and car are included in his prize...that's weird. Anyways, it will be far easier and cheaper to just rent one there. I hear Whistler has a decent demo fleet too. Int'l shipping can be costly, assembly/disassembly at both ends is a hassle, and you never know when there will be customs delays. Taking it on the plane is even more hassle, and can also be pretty costly, depending on how the airline treats oversized baggage & sports equipment. With either of those 2 options, if you don't already have a padded plastic bike case, those run $300-500. I've shipped a couple bikes using a cardboard bike box and lots of bubble wrap, but it was a huge pain.

Gregg's rents travel cases.

REnting is a bad idea. How long does it take you to dial your DH bike? I'm guessing longer than your trip. I rented one of their bikes once (tore my derailleur off while I was there. The bike was nearly unrideable.

I was interested for myself, so I just checked with both Gregg's locations and a Performance. None of them rent cases. Any other shop/s that do?

bikegrrl said:

Good news: My friend won a trip to Whistler and is taking me! Slightly bad news: We are flying, so I have to figure out whether bringing my bike on the plane and/or shipping it to the hotel would be cost-effective, or whether I'll just have to get a rental. Has anyone flown Horizon from SEA to YVR with their downhill bike in tow? How much did Horizon charge, and how much of a hassle was packing/unpacking it for shipping? Conversely, has anyone sent their DH bike to Whistler via UPS? Just wondering.

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Do you have to fly for the free trip to work out? It would take an equal amount of time and be less hassle to drive. Both times I have gone to Whistler I flew in to SEA then drove up, it's not a bad drive at all. Last year I brought my bike on the plane (Airtran), it cost $80 each way. I used a cardboard bike box, wrapped the bike and parts with bubble wrap. I spent probably 1-2 hours packing it up, then an hour to reassemble, then do it all again for the trip home. Definitely a hassle, but worth it to have your own bike to ride.

Triple8Sol said:

Wait so you're flying from SEA to YVR, then renting a car to drive 2hrs to Whistler? Unless the flight and car are included in his prize... assembly/disassembly at both ends is a hassle... I've shipped a couple bikes using a cardboard bike box and lots of bubble wrap, but it was a huge pain.

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I agree with all of this.

MMike said:

REnting is a bad idea. How long does it take you to dial your DH bike? I'm guessing longer than your trip.

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The first time I went to Whistler I rented a bike. While it worked fine, I just didn't feel comfortable on it until the last day. When I went again last year I brought my own bike and was dialed from day 1. Much more fun that way.

Triple8Sol said:

I was interested for myself, so I just checked with both Gregg's locations and a Performance. None of them rent cases. Any other shop/s that do?

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Really? i guess things have changed. I rented from Gregg's twice...but that was in 2002 and 2003. Pretty sure it was gregg's....

How long is the trip for? It really doesn't make sense to fly from Seattle to Vancouver to get to Whistler if you are starting anywhere in the state of Washington. I'd just skip the flight and park your car at the Vancouver airport if have to. It would waste less time than dealing with shipping your bike and be cheaper and you'll have your bike up there. Unless you have a XC bike and want to rent a DH bike I just can't see boxing it up for that trip or leaving it at home.

bikegrrl said:

Maybe you have a point. And maybe we could get a credit for the airfare they wouldn't have to buy for us!
The only reason I was talking about flying is that it was part of the package, but my suspicions seem to have been right about how shipping would be more expensive than gas.

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Fanatic Bikes in Bellingham can hook you up in Whistler or Steed / or Dunbar Cycles in Vancouver are great at getting you set up with a bike; Kim Steed is really helpful; Dunbar Cycles are equally efficient. Give them a call if you decide not to drive. You might want to check in with Zeb and Jerry at Big Tree Bikes, they are likely to know someone heading up to Whistler at the same time Have fun.

Have someone drive it up for the weekend and drive it back.

When are you planning on going? I know they're a ton of locals on this board that would be more then happy to run your bike up for a 6 pack and who I would trust bringing my bike up for me.

Just a thought. Good luck!

MMike said:

Really? i guess things have changed. I rented from Gregg's twice...but that was in 2002 and 2003. Pretty sure it was gregg's....

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Gregg's doesn't rent anything anymore.

I think I was working when you called, bikegrrl. I remember a coworker telling me about how someone just called about renting bike cases.

Best of luck to ya getting your junk up there!