If you are making your way to Cape Town for the 2018 Cape Town Cycle Tour on Sunday 11th March, there are a few things you will need to consider. You are no doubt already second guessing your fitness levels, how many extra supplements you will need to stuff into your pockets, keeping your nerves in check, making sure your Lycra cycle shorts fit just right, and packing all the bits and bobs such as helmet, shoes, pumps and the bike! Your biggest concern right now is possibly how you are going to transport your most essential piece of equipment from home to the start line!
First prize of course, is to have your bicycle on the same flight as you and the good news is that it is possible! If you’re one of the first few cyclists to book and pay for your cheap flight to Cape Town, along with the bike handling fee, your bike will travel with you!
It’s Cape Town Cycle Mania in March
With more than 35 000 expected participants, a UCI World Cup and the Cape Epic all being held in Cape Town, March is a busy time of year for cyclists. If you haven’t booked your cheap flights to Cape Town yet we suggest that you get online right now, and make your booking. Keep in mind that you will be competing for “bums in seats” with not just other out of town participants, but also their family of supporters and other spectators, which puts a huge demand on both low cost SA-Airlines and full service airlines alike.
What’s The Catch?
While there’s no real catch, cyclists are advised that each airline has a limited number of bicycles that can be transported on each flight, so it’s best to book your cheap domestic flights and pay your bike handling fee as soon as possible.
The following airlines are offering bicycle transport for the upcoming Cape Town Cycle Tour:
- Kulula – when flying with Kulula, you can book your bike on the same flight as you. Only bikes booked and paid for through the Kulula contact centre on 0861 KULULA (585852) will be accepted on the day of travel and only the first 20 bikes booked can travel on the same flight as the cyclist. Bicycles will be dropped-off and collected from a demarcated bike handling area, which will be pointed out to you by the check-in agents. On collection, passengers must present their booking reference, bike handling fee receipt, and proof of ID.
- SAA – when flying with SAA you can also book your bike on the same flight as you. Only a certain number of bikes can be accepted per flight, so it’s important that you pre-book if you want to be on the same aircraft as your bike: B738 (15), A346 (30), A343 (30), A332 (30), A319 (8), A320 (8). The bike handling fee of R350 is available from 6 to 11 March 2018 to Cape Town, and from 11 to 18 March 2018 from Cape Town. Bike reservations can be booked via the SAA share call number: 086 160 6606. Payments can be made at the airport or at Pick ‘n Pay.
Packing your Bike Before You Catch Your Domestic Flight
Securing cheap domestic flights in South Africa is only part of the process of transporting your equipment to the 2018 Cape Town Cycle Tour. Regardless of which of the leading SA-Airlines you have booked to fly with, you will also need to insure that your bicycle is correctly packed:
- The bicycle must be bubble wrapped or packed inside a bag or box for the flight
- Only seal/lock the bike bag or box after it has been security checked
- Ensure the seat is fully lowered
- Turn pedals inwards or remove them
- Handlebars must be parallel to the bike frame
- Tyres must be deflated
- No nitrogen inflated tyres will be accepted
- Front wheel must remain attached
- For your own peace of mind, it is advised that you personally insure the bike for the trip. Even though our trusted low cost carriers will do their utmost to protect the condition and safety of your bicycle, it’s always best to be personally covered.
While speedometers and other electronic equipment taken off your bike can be carried in your hand luggage, there are a few items you will need to take as checked baggage for the trip. In accordance with all SA Airlines baggage policy, fees will apply for additional baggage and you can save on these costs by booking and paying for additional baggage online.
- Division 2.2 Carbon Dioxide (non-flammable) bicycle inflation pumps (only up to 16g cartridges accepted)
- Wheel bags (standard luggage weight limits will apply)
- Spare wheels (please make sure these are correctly packaged).
Bike transport procedures for cyclists booking cheap flights to Cape Town from Johannesburg, Durban, or Lanseria, can be readily obtained online, while those flying from smaller departure airports such as East London or George are requested to contact the relevant airline to make arrangements.
Book Cheap Domestic Flights to Cape Town & Fly Your Bike with you
Flying a bicycle to Cape Town is not always as difficult as it might seem even if you are not fortunate enough to be one of the first 20 (Kulula) or limited bookings (SAA) to book your flight to Cape Town. With cargo and special excess baggage arrangements, transporting sports equipment is made far easier.
All bike transport arrangements from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, George, East London and anywhere else in SA, can be made via the Kulula contact centre on 0861 KULULA (585852), or SAA share call line on 086 160 6606.