We weren't too sure what RyanAir wanted in terms of packing and had heard various scenarios from people, ranging from 'put it in a box', 'put it in a bag', through to 'nothing!'.

When we arrived at Stansted, we did indeed see people who'd taken the 'nothing!' option, and their bikes were being accepted.  What they looked like at the other end I'm not sure, but I wouldn't fancy trying it.  We'd decided we'd use our 'tried and tested' formula of pipe-lagging again this year.  As usual, we did the following...

• Pedals off
• Handlebars turned and strapped to the top tube – note, not loosen the headset or anything like that, merely turn the handlebars
• Front-wheel out and strapped to the main triangle

Note: We didn't let any air out of the tyres, and RyanAir staff didn't bother either.

We were careful this year that all our bike tools, pedals, and anything else we could think of that could vaguely be described as a 'potential weapon' was placed in the panniers to go on as hold luggage.  Sharp instruments like screwdrivers, scissors etc were being confiscated.

We wrapped the tubes using pipe lagging, secured with lots of electricians tape, and covered the transmission with a sheet of Karrimat (bent over the chain ) and taped securely. As well as protecting the rear mech., it protects other peoples luggage. We fastened one of the cranks to the chainstay to keep it from moving, and put our 'home-made' dummy front hubs (made from dowel and old skewers) in the front forks to stop them from being crushed.

And that was it.

We kept the pipe lagging etc for use on the return journey, stuffing it in a carrier bag, wrapping tape around it, and sticking it on the back rack.  It certainly looked impressive (and of course it's light ;-))

RyanAir didn't ask for payment for the bikes on the way out either (normally £15) - so that was £15 each to go into the wine kitty :-)