Any question answered...

Condor?

I'm pondering a trip to Amsterdam, where should I stay that's convenient for the touristy stuff?

Also, what touristy stuff is there?

I've agreed to help a friend move from Berlin to the UK. Has anyone done anything similar and can suggest the easiest/cheapest way of doing it? He has an obscenely large/valuable record collection so doesn't want to have to ship his things which means using a van. In the past I've had to rent a van from Slovenia to get back to the UK, the rental company quoted over £2000 to collect the van from the UK at the end of the rental so it worked out way cheaper to just drive it back and fly home. I'd ideally not drive from Leeds to Berlin and back to save money so alternative suggestions would be appreciated!

Overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam would cut a good chunk off your drive. It's probably not the quickest as they do laps of the North Sea, but you arrive after a kip and breakfast.

Bla bla car?

Two vans meeting half way? No one-way rentals required but they will have to fly to UK from Berlin after taking their van back.

I'm going to Majorca via Ryanair with a bike in a bag, if some pillock baggage handler smashes it at the airport do they refund me or what? What about if I don't have a receipt for its full value because the bike is made of spare/second hand parts?

A hardcase bike box is your insurance in this instance.

A hardcase bike box is your insurance in this instance.

Unfortunately too late for that. I bought one of these a year ago

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/141129/?offset=2400#comment14073426

you pays your money and you takes your choice

They might give you compensation if they fuck up your bike but I've heard too many horror stories to rely on that.

Hmmm tell us how it goes I'm sure it will be fine.

Or what, usually.

I really like de Pijp for mixing with locals (has many of the best bars/restaurants etc), really pretty, lovely vibe and is just far enough out that you're not seeing tourists everywhere and being sold to. But, you can walk/ride/tram into the center in minutes. Van Gogh museum is definitely worth a visit. Personally I found Anne Frank's house a bit disappointing - don't get me wrong, I think the book's amazing - but visiting the house you queue for ages, during which they hand out an info brochure. Then, when you get in, the few exhibits that are there have the exact same info as the brochure. Not really sure what I was hoping for. Maybe some animatronic nazis.

My favourite thing in amsterdam is just walking around, finding different charming streets, having tiny beers in nice little bars, little puff if that's your thing, just leave yourself open to the charm of the city and you'll be hard-pressed not to have a lovely time... if you want any recommendations re restaurants etc let me know!

I guess what I am asking is

a) is airport bike-smashing covered by travel insurance? (obviously I need to look at my specific policy to find out)

b) should I supplement travel insurance with some sort of bike insurance? Will bike insurance even cover flights? I used to have bike insurance but again as 80% of my bikes are composed of second hand bits I never figured out what would happen in the event of a claim as I have no proper proof of the value of the bike. Insurer never gave me a satisfactory answer about that so I cancelled it.

Just wondering what the standard sort of procedure is for going on holiday with a bike really as I've never done it before

You could, perhaps, ask a local bike shop to do you a valuation. Photograph your bike before you bag it then if something gets broken you have a value. Get some travel insurance that will cover you and your bike.

Take a proper bike box?

Too late for that as well, flying tomorrow! I've been busy and only just managed to get the bike built a couple of days ago then ridden about 20km on it. Packed it last night and having second thoughts about the whole thing...

I have the PayPal invoice for the frameset so I guess that'll have to do.

@dancing james come on now, you know that's not how I operate by now

I've been busy and only just managed to get the bike built a couple of days ago then ridden about 20km on it.

Nothing untoward could happen to it under these circumstances

Hire a bike when you get there. Much easier.

Inexpensive bluetooth sport headphones. Any recommendations?

Need to handle getting wet (i.e. long runs/rides in the rain).

I know right. My life has just consisted of flying by the seat of my pants for the last couple of months. Oh well.

@andyp in hindsight yes. I've already paid for the bike to be taken on the plane though and knowing Ryanair that'll be non-refundable.

I just paid for Bikmo insurance so hopefully between Ryanair and Bikmo someone will pay for any breakage

Fingers crossed it makes it OK.

There are few things I hate more than flying with a bike.

Inexpensive bluetooth sport headphones. Any recommendations?

Get thee to the headphone thread.

Consensus seemed to be when recently asked is that the sweat always kills them so just buy the best cheapo ones on Amazon and be prepared to replace.

Magic. Ta.