Conference noted::bicycle

    
    Hi Danielle,
    
    Piedmont used to charge $20 each way.  USAir now charges $30 each
    way.  That is what you should expect to pay.  :-(
    
    The fiberglass bike box should be excellent protection.  For years
    I used the airline's cardboard bike boxes with good luck.  A couple
    of times Piedmont didn't have any in stock, took the bike as was
    (after I'd wrapped some tape around the tubing), walked it out to
    the ramp, and handled it very nicely.  Now I continue to have good
    luck with my cordura/foam bike suitcase.
    
    Airlines insure up to a good sum (replacement cost for yours) against
    loss; not against damage, though.  I've never had great luck finding
    insurance.  (I did purchase some once for my bike on American to Paris.)
    
    There's a risk of damage/mishandling, but not a great one, I don't
    think (crossed fingers!).
    
    Does that help?
    -john

    Some of us infrequent fliers got in and out of Charlotte without paying
    the $20.
    
    :-)
    
    ed

RE:1411.1

	Thanks John!  The bike is now safely packed in the box.  Geez that 
box is huge!  My hope is to pack clothes around the bike to take up the extra
space and prevent me from needed any other luggage.  I think I can manage
$20-30 each way... the tough part will be getting it into rental cars at 
either end as I'm travelling with 3 other folks.

	I learned last night there are zillions of bike trails in the area where 
I'm going. They do however go through alligator (or is it crocodiles..) 
territory.  That oughta be interesting.

	My plan at this point is to locate a nearby bike shop when I get there.
My hope is to find a local bike club so that I might find company for some
longer rides (over 60 miles) and perhaps a century.  My impression has been 
that there aren't nay bike riding DECies in the Sanibel area.

RE:1411.2

	Yeah Ed... but I'm not nuts enough to do all that driving! I can see
doing it for a horse show as the $$$ to ship a horse would be phenominal, but
I'd rather stick the bike on a plane, pay the $$$ and enjoy the ride.

    (I have also flown to Charlotte and didn't pay the $$$.)  When I went
    nobody mentioned it and when I returned the fellow who took the case
    said "I think you have to pay for this."  The the woman at the ticket
    counter said "What did he say about charging you?"  I said, "He said
    he THINKS I have to pay for it."  I got the distinct impression that
    she did not want to make the decision and so overlooked it.
    
    Yes, when I drove, I didn't pay for it either.  Heck it only took 17
    hours.
    
    ed

    >>> They do however go through alligator (or is it crocodiles..) 
    
    Riddle 
    	part 1: What rhymes with Nile?
    
    	part 2: What rhymes with "See ya later"?
    
    - RW

    As for insurance, if you have homeowners insurance it may cover your
    bike away from home.  I called my agent recently with this very
    question and he assured me that my bikes are fully covered at what it
    would cost for a new replacement bike.
    
    Mark

	Just a thought about riding in Florida.  I've noticed some intersting 
things about riding there....

1.  Bike lanes are rare (probably not too different from New England, but much 
different from California)

2.  There are at least a few :*) of the drivers who are over the age of 65 or 
so, and under the height of most steering wheels.  They tend to drive in very 
straight lines, regardless of whether or not there are bicyclists in the way.  
In other words, be careful.

3.  I would search for the good bike shops for recommendations.

4.  Even I can ride a straight block in Florida.  There aren't too many hills.


	And a final comment on packing your bike, be really careful with your 
wheels and toss a spoke wrench in your bag.  It doesn't hurt to say a few hail 
marys on the flight down too!  

	Have a great time,

    My experiences in Florida were mostly scary.  Those over 65 individuals
    drive motorhomes or cars with big trailors.  The 18 wheelers often
    think they own the road.  But heck, I survived.
    
    ed

Thanks for the safety tips!  I gather the alligators are the least of the 
worries.

My first mission is to locate a bike shop to try and find riding companions.
I'm hoping it pans out.  My mother of all people is intersted in doing some
cycling with me.  She really gun-ho to cycle through the reptiles.  However,
her style is 10mph or less mine it closer 17mph and with flat terrain - my 
forte - it has potential to be higher.

Thanks again for the help!

    The other cycling hazard to watch out for is slow moving tricycles.
    
    :-)
    
    ed

    Unless things have changed the traffic on narrow or crowded roads in
    southwest Florida is hazardous.  Sand spurs flatten tires easily. They
    are more prevalent on beachs and sandy road-sides.  Causeways like the
    one to Sanibel withoug sidewalks prohibit pedestrians and bicycles so you
    can't enjoy riding over water.  Even if you have the nerve to ride off
    the island to the mainland where the toll booth is you get hauled back
    to the island in a pick-up truck and if the toll gate personnel are
    really upset (expletive substitute) at you you get a ticket.
    
    There was a path that twisted around trees on the lower half of
    Sanibel about 5 years ago when I last visited the island.  It was
    not one that could be ridden fast due to curves and
    sand that accumulated on it.  Traffic on the narrow road discouraged
    using it too.  Also you are in the winter tourist season when it
    is expensive and crowded, at least as crowded as it gets.
    
    --Former Fort Myers resident's recollections

I know it's taken me a month to get back to this notes file and thank everyone 
for their helpful words of wisdom and to say just how much fun Sanibel was.

First of all the bike did *not* make it to Sanibel when I did. It wouldn't
fit on the little plane that went from Miami to Fort Meyers.  That was good
for a $75 coupon off my next plane ticket and it did get there 1:00AM the next
morning (note: I had packet 90% of my clothes in the bike box... thank goodness
for carry ons!)

THe weather was fantastic!  THat place is flatter than I ever though any place
could be!  I gave up quickly on the bike paths... too many duffers and I was
definitely a hazzard travelling on he ar 17mph.  When I moved to the road I
tended to go about 22-24 average speed and despite the fact there was no 
shoulder I had almost no problems with the traffic.  I was not travelling all
that much slower than the traffic and got enough motorist reaction to a 
female in lycra (which the duffers don;t where lycra and I saw maybe on other
fast touring, lycra clad cyclist) that I know I was seen.  

Didn't go off the island at all.  I took one whloe day off by myself to see the 
whole island by bicycle.  I ended up with 40 miles on the, a whole bunch of
great walks on the beaches and was positive I'd ridden all the "interesting"
roads on both Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

I;d reccomend it to anyone. However if you don;t have the means or want to
travel to the main land it's not easy to do a lot of miles.  Fast miles and
beach walks yes as well as finding lovely shells and visiting all the 
natural wildlife areas.

Danielle

THe ... THat ... though ... he ar ... don;t ... on ...
    
    Still typing with one hand, Dani?
    
    Just Jealous,
    
    ed