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Cliftonite Autumn/winter 2011-well done

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:26 pm
by trevorj
Thanks to Cath and everyone else who helped make this edition particularly interesting. Cover photo brings back fond memories of last winter.
Well done Amanda for doing the Camino de Santiago trip and for your hints on travel to Europe.
When I last did the journey, five years ago, Ryanair would not entertain the idea of a bike on a plane and only British Airways did not insist on a solid bike box.
I used a large plastic bag with bubble wrap around the chain. I finally gave up when Turin airport officials absolutely insisted that they would not take the bike on the plane home. Fortunately I spotted an English speaking BA official who charmed the check-in lady and showed her my incoming flight details and discussed the problem with words such as 'it's very unlikely he came to Turin without this bike and panniers'
I've hired bikes since;so much easier.

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:19 am
by Jon G
Yes excellent issue again, thanks to Cath and all the contributors :)

Re: Cliftonite Autumn/winter 2011-well done

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:31 pm
by Dr Dave
trevorj wrote:Thanks to Cath and everyone else who helped make this edition particularly interesting. Cover photo brings back fond memories of last winter.
Well done Amanda for doing the Camino de Santiago trip and for your hints on travel to Europe.
When I last did the journey, five years ago, Ryanair would not entertain the idea of a bike on a plane and only British Airways did not insist on a solid bike box.
I used a large plastic bag with bubble wrap around the chain. I finally gave up when Turin airport officials absolutely insisted that they would not take the bike on the plane home. Fortunately I spotted an English speaking BA official who charmed the check-in lady and showed her my incoming flight details and discussed the problem with words such as 'it's very unlikely he came to Turin without this bike and panniers'
I've hired bikes since;so much easier.
Have travelled on a number of flights with 'proper' bike bags in past few years without difficulty. Expense is the main problem with the low cost carriers as they mostly charge in the region of £40 each way. Over a week it still works out sl cheaper than hiring (and you get to use your own bike) but you then have to build/unbuild each way.

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:27 pm
by tomf
Another great issue - everyone who's seen it is most impressed by the cover photo!