My family and I spent this past weekend driving from Austin to Davenport, Florida.  It was a great trip and I was able to venture through some of the Southern States that I’ve never seen before.  The states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama seem to be full of “Bayou” This and “Bayou” That…. below is a video explaining the “dreaming” I was doing while cruising along the Bayous.

Once we arrived in Davenport, I learned what happens to a bike after traveling 1100 miles sitting on top of a vehicle.  Check it out.

If you haven’t already read about my  other experiences with my new Thule roof top bike carrier, you can read about the drama right here.

What kinds of stories or tips do you have for people considering the roof top carrier option?

Last week I was lucky enough to knock a couple items off my #cyclingwishlist (like, literally). As I’m sure is the case for many of you, my list is pretty long….and it’s always so exciting when I’m able to make them a reality.

Ever since I got rid of my hitch mount bike rack, I’ve wanted to get hooked up with a car top mount. I just love the way it looks when I see a bike being carried on top of a vehicle.  Not that I carry mine all that much….but for those times that I do, I really have wanted to do it like this.  So my good friends at Lake Travis Cyclery ordered in a Thule for me, and then…get this…they even came over and installed it as well.  Yeah, that’s right.  How many bike shops deliver and install for no extra cost?  Amazing.

Along with the roof rack, they set me up with a shiny new Rocky Mountain Commuter bike.  I’m not too keen on using my road bike to commute around town so I’ve really been itching to have a bike that I can do that on.  They knew what I was looking for and got me exactly what I needed.

So how can this information help you save your bike’s life.  Well, have you ever had a roof mount bike rack?  This was my first….and let me tell you about the horrific experience I just went through.

On Saturday I decided I would take my kids over to a nearby park to do some riding.  I loaded my brand new Rocky Mountain onto my brand new Thule, and then put the kids bikes in the back of the SUV.  Yeah, looks nice doesn’t it?

Well this picture was taken about 5 minutes before I took off, drove about 100 feet away from my house, and then somehow managed to knock it all off with a tree branch.  Yeah, I still can’t believe it.  We were moving like 10 MPH and the next thing I knew the bike was laying on the ground behind me and the roof rack brace was totally bent up.  I was almost sick.

I’ve taken a look at that tree a few times this week and I can’t seem to figure out how it managed to do that damage.  It’s not hanging all that low, and it’s not even a very solid looking branch.  But the fact is….that’s all it took.  So I’m here to tell you this:  If you purchase a roof top bike mount, use all the care and caution that you possible can.  And when you think you’re exercising caution, become even more cautious.  It could just save your bike’s life.

Here’s a tip: Try putting a sticky note in front of you on the windshield saying “Don’t forget – There is a bike on the roof”.

The coolest thing about this whole mishap is how I was treated by Lake Travis Cyclery.  Not like I wasn’t already impressed with them beyond belief, but they did even more.  On Sunday morning they stopped by my house and replaced the bent brace on the mount, and then took the bike back to the shop for some much needed fixing.  Their kindness and incredible service will never be matched. And I’m not the only one around here that has experienced what these guys have to offer.  My friend, Torsten over at Giant On My Bike posted his experience as well.