POLICIES
AND PROCEDURES
Airlines
Bicycle
Transportation • Baggage
Restrictions
Transportation
Between the Airports and Downtown Chicago
Chicago
is served by two major international airports - O'Hare
(ORD) and Midway (MDW). A unique
feature of our events is being
able to easily fly into and out of Chicago in order to participate!
Chicago is the only town which we will support flying to
or from.
Bicycle
Transportation
Make sure to check with the airline about any additional
fees
for
you
to transport your bike aboard. It is extremely important to plan ahead before
arriving at the airport to avoid any problems by checking the fees,
rules, and regulations of each individual airline regarding
transporting your bicycle aboard, particularly the weight,
size, and allowable types of materials for bicycle shipping
containers.
When you arrive at the airport you will need to check your
bicycle as baggage and after you arrive at your destination
you will need to wait for your bicycle to arrive and
claim it at the baggage claim area.
Baggage
Restrictions
It is extremely important to check the policies
and procedures of each individual airline regarding baggage,
including any
fees, size and weight limitations, identification, and any
regulated or restricted hazardous items.
Hazardous Items
Two of the most common hazardous cycling items that are mistakenly
assumed as non-hazardous are CO2 cartridges and all types
of lithium batteries.
- Click
Here for more information about hazardous
items.
CO2
CARTRIDGES CANNOT BE TRANSPORTED IN ANY AIRCRAFT.
Make sure to leave any CO2 cartridges at home, otherwise
you will have to discard them at the airport.
Transportation
Between the Airports and Downtown Chicago
We will not offer any type of airport
shuttle service ourselves so you will need to transport
yourself, your baggage, and your bicycle between O'Hare
and Midway
airports
and downtown Chicago the Chicago hotel, transportation staging
point(s), or the event starting or ending location yourself.
- Click
Here for more information about in town transportation.
Taxicabs
Taxicabs regularly serve both airports at all times and
specific contact information is not necessary. We think
taking a minivan (or possibly an SUV) taxicab between the airport
and downtown Chicago is the best airport transportation
option.
Airport Express
Airport Express
(888) 284-3826
Airport Express is a shuttle van that transports passengers
and their baggage between either airport and any location
you specify in downtown Chicago.
You will need to make a reservation to use their service
before your trip. Click on the link above to make a reservation
and for more
information about airport pick up/drop off locations, service
hours, and prices.
Airport Express can only carry
boxed bicycles - they cannot carry any unboxed, fully
assembled bicycles.
CTA L Trains
Chicago
Transit Authority
(888) YOUR-CTA (968-7282)
- The Blue Line serves
O'Hare airport and operates 24 hours a day, every day. Click
Here for more information about the O'Hare
airport station schedule.
- The Orange
Line serves Midway airport. Click
Here for more information about the
Midway airport station schedule.
The train is an efficient travel option if you are only
carrying bags and/or an unboxed, fully assembled bicycle
but can be difficult if you also have a boxed bicycle,
as you must climb up and down stairs and go through turnstiles.
You will also need to transport your bicycle between the
baggage claim area and the airport CTA L station as
well as between the specific location in downtown Chicago
and
the specific CTA L station serving that location.
The CTA L train stations are easily accessible
at both airports. Locate the signs within the airport directing
you to the CTA Rapid Transit Train. Trains leave
every few minutes.
- Click Here for more information about transportation
between the airports and downtown Chicago on CTA L trains.
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