Good grief, that's why I said CAN BE!  If you know you will use them,
bring them. Many people bring them and wish they hadn't. With 2 or more
people traveling, which is what I wrote about, there is less room for
things that size and the gear that goes along with them. Weight is not
the issue. Security concerns and avoiding damage to the bikes or Vanagon
are larger issues. I carry a spare alternator in any case so an hour or
so and I would be back on the road, no need to pedal.

Mark

Tim Demarest wrote:

>
> I respectfully disagree... reliable secondary transportation can be
> vital on a long trip. I bicycled many a mile through Buffalo, Wyoming
> while my van was laid up with a dead alternator. It's a small town,
> but the two auto parts stores are on opposite ends.
>
> The key (for me) was to get a fold-down hitch-mounted rack, so the
> bike can be easily folded down out of the way when I want to open the
> rear hatch. The rack I have lets me do this while the bike is still
> locked onto the rack.
>
> Sure, I probably reduced my gas mileage a bit, but it was nice to be
> able to pedal around a town or campground while the westie was parked.
> I didn't use it every day (by any means), but the
> times I used it made it worth the weight to bring along.
>
> My $.02 (US)
>
> Tim
>
> At 09:09 AM 5/26/2005 -0700, mark drillock wrote:
>
>> Bikes can be one of the worst
>> things to bring along. If you are not a hardcore and disciplined rider
>> don't bring them traveling.
>
>
>
>
>