Bikes inside van

[jaffasdad]

Having just experienced an attack of sciatica whilst on holiday in France, I am thinking that lifting two adult bikes on and off the roof rack is probably not a good idea.

I don't want to put them on the back of the car and think the only real alternative is to put them in the van.

If anybody has any advise or tips about doing this - especially for avoiding damage to the inside of the van - I would be very grateful to have it.

Thanks in advance.

Ron.

 

[AlexC]

Hi Ron,

We carry the kids bikes in the van. We simply lay them against the cushions on one side of the front dinette. The wheels will sometimes slide / move to rest against the bed box on the opposite side, but we use those lengths of pipe insulation from B&Q, to prevent marks. We also use them on the pedals and anything else that can potentially rub, fall, hit against anything, in transit.

Having done this for a while now, the bikes rarely move.

I'm not sure if any of this helps with adult bikes or the layout of your van, but hope it's helped.

Cheers,

Alex.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

We have also carried adult bikes in the van. Just common sense regarding padding to prevent damage to furniture and also placed so as not to affect the balance. Never experienced any problem. Worst part was getting them through doorway and negotiating them around fridge.

 

[Mel]

Have a look at carrabike. Basically a bike stand that can go inside the van. However like Colin says getting a bike through the door and turning it may be no better for your back than the straight up and down lift to the roof.

mel

 

[cara89]

I put the kids bikes inside king size duvet covers (old ones) in the van and J straps them together.Dont know if this is much use.Sciatica is terrible.Hope you are better soon.

 

[oldievanner]

Is it not hard to get your legover the crossbar with Sciatica? Problem solved, don't take the bike.

 

[Chris_374413356]

Hi Ron, I remove the front wheel and pedals of our 2 mountain bikes and pack them well in the van, works for us.

 

[jaffasdad]

Thank you all for your comments and advice.

Cara, you're right - I wouldn't wish sciatica on my worst enemy! Fortunately we found a French doctor with perfect English and he was able to diagnose and start treatment straight away.

Strangely enough cycling is something I am still able to do with no discomfort so avoiding lifting above my head is the main issue here. Also my wife would be able to help getting the bikes into the van whereas getting them onto the roofrack is a one-person job because two people just get in each other's way.

We're currently collecting up foam and bubble-wrap to see how best to pack them.

Thanks again.

 

[Zafiral]

I personally don't like the idea of the weight of bikes in a caravan and the 90 degree turn would be real fun too.

One option is a side lift cycle carrier

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4.php?query=AR2212&vptype=&emulate=accgen&qty=1
I know it is expensive, but it will be less stress than getting bikes through a caravan door!!!

 

[Zafiral]

Sorry the link did not work (not sure how to do it), it needs to be cut and pasted.

PS I do not work for the above company, it was just the first side lift cycle carrier I found in google.

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

Hi Ron, Is it possible to ask one of your neighbours on the site for some assistance. Most people are very willing to help out when you have a problem.

Are you going to be all right driving for long stretches?

 

[jaffasdad]

Hi Ron, Is it possible to ask one of your neighbours on the site for some assistance. Most people are very willing to help out when you have a problem.

Are you going to be all right driving for long stretches?

It's not something I would like to rely on; it could be that there would be nobody around when I needed them so I would be stuck.

Regarding the driving, I'm hoping that in the long term I will make a full recovery and have no further problems but if I do my wife will have to step in and do a bit more driving. I normally do any 'town' driving and she will do some motorway stretches but of course it's the clutch-changing in towns that is painful for me at the moment.

We're determined to get round any difficulties but of course who knows how long a full recovery might take and whether it will come back?

Thanks for your concern.