Bike on roof of car- insects

[NickXX]

Hi all,

I’m driving to France next week with a couple of bikes on the roof. Last year when I did the same trip they ended up covered in flies, which I’d like to avoid.

Has anyone tried wrapping handlebars/seats in clingfilm (or similar) to protect them? Or would the heat of the sun possibly melt it on?

Thanks,
Nick

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

Hi there, I've done this before driving with 3 bikes on the roof from near Edinburgh down to Valloire.

It definitely works to catch the insects, and the clingfilm didn't melt.

Although it sounds easy in theory, wrapping cling film around the handlebars wasn't easy at all, and some of it was shredded and frayed by the time we got to France. If'd recommend sellotaping over the cling film just to keep it tight and in place, but it was definitely worthwhile. Bascially, the better wrapped it was, the better it lasted.

Other times we've taken bikes in a bike bag in the car, which was a much better option for keeping the bikes clean, but you need a big car (had a 5 series touring for this). If I recall correctly the main reason the bikes were on the roof was so we could fill the car with cheap wine on the way back - not so much of a problem post Brexit!

Hope this helps.

[mrtomsv]

Would it not just be easier to pack a sponge? Flies only take a few seconds of soaking with a wet sponge and they wipe off.