bicycle touring

So I got a few vacation days that I need to use up when bicycle touring suddenly came to my mind.
Now I've ridden a bit around cities, and I've backpacked, but I've never done bicycle touring. Not hardcore camping all the way type, just a combo of staying at people's homes, hostels etc.

So I started doing some google searching, and found some sites like bicycletouring101 and crazyguyonabike.

However, I want to hear from those of you've done it: which sources did you find to be your favorite? 
Did you do a test ride somewhere nearby with all your gear before heading out? If so, where? 

Also, destinations...I'm looking for somewhere very different from Chicago scenery :-) Usually I tend to go for the off-the-beaten path places when traveling, though as this will be my first trip and I'm not a bike mechanic expert, I'm thinking of going somewhere that are used to seeing cyclists and with shops in case my bike falters along the way. Oh, and I plan to do this trip sometime in May/June, so temperature will definitely be a factor in choosing my destination

Of course, I'd love to hear your stories in person too.



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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 30, 2010 at 9:23am
I'm sorry, you are correct. A quick check of United's policy reveals their charge for bicycles to be:

Cost
For tickets purchased on or after October 2, 2008 for travel on or after November 10, 2008:

$175

The whole article must be outdated. I'll delete my original post.

But while I'm on the topic, a great domestic touring destination is Marin, Napa, Sonoma counties. Drink wine, watch whales, go kayaking, hike primordial forests. It's bike friendly, close to civilization, and not extraordinarily hilly (though there are some extraordinary hills).

jamimaria said:
Oh, I edited my reply while you wrote yours.
What's the date on this article? It mentions a program being ended in 2006...is it still current? Kevin Conway said:
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jamimaria said:
I don't know of a specific chart for all of the airlines. When I was looking to fly last, I just looked at the airline was a planning on using. They list prices for oversized baggage. I believe most airlines do the same.

Amy Y said:
hey Jamie can you tell me how you find out the shipping rates?
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 30, 2010 at 10:48am
Within the U.S., Amtrak is much more reasonable than any airline for taking your bike along. This isn't an option for every line or station, but in many places you end up in a much more favorable location for riding than you would from an airport.

Michael A said:
You can look on each airline's website, it is not just the rate of shipping you have to consider getting that full sized bike box to and from the airport (A bike box does not fit in a lot of cabs, especially in other countries) You also have to partially disassemble, pack, (pray it makes it damage free) unpack, reassemble and then repeat this process for each destination. I have found it possible to ship a bike to a bike shop in that area who will receive the package via ups, and have your bike ready for you when you get there. Also look into travel by bike packages, they can arrange the shipping of your bike.

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