Flying with a bike inside Colombia

bufalo says on Dec 19, 2006, 19:51:

I could be completely wrong about this, so check it out. When I lived in Leticia, I knew a girl who just moved there and she had a bike, I asked her why she brought it from Bogotá instead of just buying one there. She said that bikes are flown for free, something about encouraging non-polluting transportation or something. Now, it could only be to/from Leticia, where the only in and out is by plane or boat or it could be all over. Either case she told me that you have to ask for this, the carriers will charge you if you don't.
Good luck and tell me what happens.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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Miguel_Clavo says on Dec 19, 2006, 20:45:

Based on the Title alone, i would say you better peddle fast!!! Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo.....Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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goin_south says on Dec 19, 2006, 23:48:

brings back images of ... E.T. eh, M_C? what do you think, DG?

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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el flaco says on Dec 20, 2006, 02:53:

I've never done it in Colombia but I have flown lots of times with my bicycle in small aircraft. There has never been a problem and the bicycle has flown free of charge but as part of my weight allowance. My bicycle club's advice is to tell them you are travelling with a bicycle when you buy the ticket and make sure that they enter it on the comments. However there has never been any problem at check in anywhere, also the bicycle has never been weighed. Make sure that you have the tools for assembling the bike in your hold luggage, not hand luggage. Often the bicycle box has been opened by security, don't put anything else in the box except a label on the bike with your name.

My problem has always been finding a taxi willing to take the bicycle from the airport, perhaps you are being picked up.

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arfgoblue says on Dec 20, 2006, 17:35:

don gringo proof of purchase? are you serious?

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arfgoblue says on Dec 20, 2006, 17:39:

el flaco i am not being picked up...but i usually just take those vans to/from the airport, and people carry some crazy stuff onto them! if it is a normal taxi, i may have to tie it on the roof. i was really hoping to get a bigger taxi, through.

could i put the bike shoes, helmet, etc in the box or would that be a faux pas?

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el flaco says on Dec 21, 2006, 01:39:

i once read about a cyclist who wore his helmet while boarding the flight as he did not know what to do with it.

Surely bike shoes are far too precious to put in the box? Helmet up to you.

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arfgoblue says on Dec 21, 2006, 13:27:

well... they are about $100, but i just don't want to be carry too many bag...the more i have the harder it will be to bike from the airport :P

seriously through, i think they will be room in the box, and i won't have room in my bags. i may have to call aerorepublica/avianca to see if i will have to pay anything to take the bike box from bogota to medellin. hopefully not.

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arfgoblue says on Dec 21, 2006, 14:36:

just checked with avianca... and on a itinerary with international components, the check-in weight allowed is 2 pieces of luggage 50 lbs each, with a total linear dimensions of 62 inches. however, the agent made it sound as long as i took the handlebars off my bike, it would be cool to enter, regardless of the 62 inches.

for domestic only itineraries avianca allows TOTAL check-in weight of 20 kilos, which is just shy of 50 lbs.

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David Pristupa says on Jan 4, 2007, 15:28:

Folding bikes Get a used folding bike...it isn't as nice as a regular bike but it
easy to care and store.

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