AIRLINE POLICIES ON THE CARRIAGE OF BIKES

The policy regarding carriage of bikes varies between airlines.

The vast majority of our customers travel using EasyJet. They charge £15 per flight (i.e. £30 return) for the carriage of all large sports equipment which includes bikes. Although their web site carriage conditions may still say that they are excluding bikes with hydraulic brake or suspension systems this has now been clarified with Easy Jet and no bike should be refused travel on the basis of its brake system. Click this link for more information.

British Airways ask that you inform then at the time of booking if you will be travelling with a bike. They have a luggage allowance of 23kg regardless of the type and excess baggage will be charged.

Other airlines may also charge you for your bike so check when you book.

On busy Saturdays there will be lots of people checking bikes onto their flights. Our advice if you want your bike to travel with you is to check-in early.

WHAT TO CARRY YOUR BIKE IN?

There are a number of bags and boxes on the market for the purpose of packing and taking your bike with you. They all have various claims from sturdy, to lightweight, to easy to carry etc. etc.

We find however that by far the best way to pack your bike is to use one of the cardboard boxes that manufacturers use to pack their bikes. These should be readily available from your local bike shop and are generally free of charge. They stack well on luggage trolleys and are reasonably easy to manoeuvre but not so much that the baggage handlers can throw them about!

PACKING YOUR BIKE FOR TRAVEL BY AIR

Packing your bike for travel by air is relatively easy. Begin by taking out both the wheels and letting some air out of your tyres. Remove the skewers from the wheels. Most bikes now arrive from the manufacturer with spacers between the fork and rear dropouts, ask your bike shop for a couple of these when you ask for a box. They should prevent any unwanted flexing of your fork and frame. If you have air shocks let some air out of them - just remember to note the pressures that you normally run at.

If you have disc brakes place a spacer (plastic/ cardboard) between the pads to prevent fluid leakage if the brake lever is pressed.

Remove the pedals and saddle/seat pin. Remove the rear mech from the frame and tape it to the chain stays to protect it. Turn the bars to the frame and see if your bike will now fit in the box. If not you will need to remove the bars from the bike. Don't loose any spacers from your steerer tube or forget to pack the aheadset cap.

With the bike in the box arrange the other bits of your bike around it. Check that nothing will rub against the frame/forks and damage them. You can also use pipe insulation tubing to protect your frame.

DRIVING TO MORZINE

From Calais take the A26 towards Reims/Paris. After Reims head for Troyes, still on the A26. From here it’s on to Dijon by the A5, A31.

Then take the A39 via Dole and Lons towards Geneva. Pick up the A40, which should be sign posted to Chamonix. The exit you want comes just after the ‘Gare de péage du Nangy’ (toll booth) and is sign posted ‘La Vallée Verte’ or ‘Portes du Soleil’.

Then all you need to do is follow the signs for Samoens then Morzine/Les Gets. The only place that you might go wrong here is in the town of Taninges. After going over the river carry straight on past the Casino supermarket then follow the road as it bends to the left and up the hill. Don’t go straight on along the valley floor.

As you drive down into the centre of Morzine you’ll pass a garage on your right. Take the next turn on the left just after the Hotel Igloo. Our three chalets are on the left at the top of this road. For chalet Berger take the first left (small road) behind the Igloo, it's the new chalet set back along this road. Chalet George is the large chalet next down the main road -look out for the endlessride banner. Chalet le Grand Sapin can be found by taking the small driveway to the other side of the hedge along the side of chalet George. It is the new chalet on the right.

JOURNEY TIMES AND MOTORWAY INFORMATION

Depending on how fast you like to drive and how many stops you need to take the journey from the channel (Calais) to Morzine takes between 8-10 hours.

The motorways in France are all toll roads and expect to pay approx. 60-70 Euros for the journey.

The motorway speed limits are 130km/h in the dry or 110km/h if it’s raining.

Don't forget to bring your driving licence, vehicle documents (MOT/ registration) and insurance green card. You'll also need to carry a warning triangle and a spare set of light bulbs.