@dasgeh 94325 wrote:
So you left your bike locked at DCA’s rack for 6 days and it was all good? Do tell – which rack? any tips?
DCA actually has 6 bike rack locations, and I used the one shown as #6 (most direct from the MVT) on their map: http://www.metwashairports.com/reagan/1187.htm
To get to the racks I used, you turn off of the MVT at the first junction south of the Crystal City connector, follow the trail (painted on part of a parking lot), go through a tunnel underneath the airport road (S Smith Blvd), and follow the sidewalk north until it takes you to the bike racks at parking garage C. (Note: these racks are not directly sheltered overhead from the rain, but the parking garage does block some precipitation)
Once you lock your bike, there is a set of stairs next to the racks that you will take into the garage, find the stairs (stick to the left/north side), and you’ll be able to make your way to both the DCA metro entrance and airport.
I removed my speedometer, front/tail lights, and camera but left my bell, seat, spoke lights, and rear rack on when I locked (cable through rear wheel, U-lock through front wheel, cable, frame, and to the rack itself) my bike. When I returned, nothing was missing or had signs of tampering.
Of course, I had removed my head/tail lights at home assuming there would be no issue with my return flight scheduled to arrive in the daylight of the afternoon, but that didn’t happen (long story short: at the Anchorage airport at 11 p.m., I learned they had rescheduled my 1 a.m. red-eye flight for a full 24 hours after my original booking, so I had them give me a sooner flight leaving at 6 a.m., leaving me to spend 7 hours Monday night in the Anchorage airport near my gate trying to sleep on either the floor or chairs with gaps in the arm rests, and I ended up arriving at DCA Tuesday night). Luckily I had my reflectors, reflective rims, spoke lights, and backpack lights (for visibility when I go on walks on the trails in the evenings/night; green NiteIze SpotLit on the back and white NiteIze ZipLit on the front connecting strap) so I could be seen even if I couldn’t see very well (it was a slow ride, especially since I was tired after the flying ordeal).
I was able to carry everything in one backpack and tote bag so I didn’t have to check anything, and it worked out pretty well. I recommend it if you have the ability to do so as you will not need to pay or rely on anyone else to get home (parking in the parking lot, getting picked up by someone, taking a taxi, using public transportation).
This was my first time locking my bike at the airport, but I regularly use my bike/CaBi to go to/from Union Station for bus trips and King Street Station for train trips. The option to bike is a nice one if you can do it.
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