Bikers: How do you get to trails

Illusion · 7 May 2009 at 18:32

What do you all use to get your bike to / from trails?

Obviously a lot of people will live within riding distance (there are a few places I can get to near by without needing the car).

I haven't had my bike long so I have only had to go in the car once and I used a dodgy bike rack that must be 10 - 15 years old.

I'm tempted to get a bigger car so I can just throw it in the back but I'm not sure how big I'd have to go (don't want an estate)

Does anyone on here get around with their bike in the car or do you use a rack / trailer etc?

Thanks

SDK^ · 7 May 2009 at 18:58

I just remove the front & rear wheels and stick it in my boot (with rear seats down)

ichabod crane · 7 May 2009 at 19:04

saris bones bike rack, always take the wheels off though.

weescott · 7 May 2009 at 19:32

Back of a transit van.

Illusion · 7 May 2009 at 19:33

SDK^ said:
I just remove the front & rear wheels and stick it in my boot (with rear seats down)

What car do you have? I was going to try and get mine in the back of my Fiesta but it didn't look like it was going to fit, didn't take off the rear wheel though...

Cheers

touch · 7 May 2009 at 19:35

I'v never found it that hard to get my bike in a car. Usually only need to take the front wheel off.
I'v had 2 downhill bikes in the back of a 3door golf before with relatively little effort. Front wheels off, seats down, handlebars in first. Sorted.

SDK^ · 7 May 2009 at 19:40

Illusion said:
What car do you have? I was going to try and get mine in the back of my Fiesta but it didn't look like it was going to fit, didn't take off the rear wheel though...

Ford Puma, which is identical to the Fiesta dimensions.

andi · 7 May 2009 at 20:41

Take the front wheel off and mine fits in the boot of my subaru saloon, which came to the surprise of a bloke at Lee Quarry the other week

I fancy a hatchback next though, its a bit too much effort wiggling the bike through the boot opening.

Deanje · 7 May 2009 at 20:44

I'll be looking for a new car soon, lugging a bike around with an MX5 is doable but not something I'd like to try.

Kamerad · 7 May 2009 at 21:04

Take the wheels off and it will fit in most cars. My mate used to put his in the back of a clio so you shouldnt have any problems with a fiesta.

6thElement · 7 May 2009 at 21:21

The train

#Chri5# · 7 May 2009 at 21:50

Tow bar mounted rack.

Can fit a bike in the boot if a pop one of the rear seats and take the wheels off but it's a pain when you've got a very muddy MTB.

Illusion · 7 May 2009 at 22:53

I'm inspired, maybe I should have just tried harder to get it in then. I'll give it a try over the weekend.

Good point about a muddy bike though, I guess a large plastic sheet would be handy to put on the floor of the car.

Thanks for all the replies.

Andelusion · 7 May 2009 at 23:13

6thElement said:
The train

Same here. Train then a ride to the trail.

roadie · 8 May 2009 at 13:23

When I was in Bristol it was just a short ride to the trails. Now in Central London, the only decent riding I have done required a train to the New Forest!

monkeyspank · 8 May 2009 at 13:35

Can get 2 adult bikes in the back of my focus without putting both seats down, but I take the front wheels off.

aztechnology · 8 May 2009 at 14:23

Hatchback really make the who transport thing a lot easier.

Over the years I've used Rear mounted bike racks, chucked them in the back, put them on roof bars.

Now I have a 406 coupe which has a stupid opening to the boot, but I can still get the bike in there if I take the wheels off. I currently most often ride to trails that are a few miles away (fortunately I live close enough), or get the Mrs to drive me out and abandon me and I ride back.

For a more than 1 bike solution, (or a clean car) some form of rack is the best. I really liked the rear mounted Thule Carrier I had on my Bravo, it could fit 3 adult bikes on it. but I haven't got a car it fits anymore.