Securing Your Bike in a Van
There are instances when you want to transport your racing bike somewhere. Rather than ride it to the site, it is sometimes better to transport it in the back of a van.
There are several advantages in using a van to carry your bike. First, the bike will be protected from hail, rain, snow, and other harsh elements. Second, you can prevent theft by simply locking the van's doors. Lastly, you are able to reduce the wear and tear of your bike since it is not used for the duration of the van ride.
Here is the proper way of securing the bike in the van.
First, do not carry the bike inside if you do not have the strength to do it. Instead, use a ramp to push your bike. For safety, have a friend grab the handlebars to pull the bike inside while you push. Position the bike so it is in the middle of the van. Its front tyre should be in a wheel chock; the chock will keep the bike upright. To make sure the bike is secured, fasten the handlebars to the van's floor hooks using ratchet straps. Each handlebar should have its own strap. The straps should be tight, but not too tight that it pulls the bike over.
The rear of the bike should also be secured using additional ratchet straps. Thread the straps around the bike's luggage frame and hook them to the van's floor hooks. Make sure the bike is secure by grabbing the handlebars and the seat and moving the bike side to side. If they move, readjust the straps. You can also add more straps between the wheels to make it more secure.
