long rides with viola

(Jonathan Fretheim) said:

Soon I'll start to ride about 65 miles to a fellow musician's house with my viola on the bike. Any
advice on the safest way to transport said cargo over that distance would be appreciated.

Sadly, I don't have a suspension case (which, I think, would solve the problem of jarring the thing
around); but I have heard of cellists who wrap their instruments in bubble wrap inside their hard
cases when flying. Advice from experienced bicycling violists/violinists would be great.

Even with a suspension case, I think the bubble wrap is a great idea, especially for the vulnerable
headstock.

"Jonathan Fretheim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Soon I'll start to ride about 65 miles to a fellow musician's house with my viola on the bike. Any
advice on the safest way to transport said cargo over that distance would be appreciated.

Sadly, I don't have a suspension case (which, I think, would solve the problem of jarring the
thing around); but I have heard of cellists who wrap their instruments in bubble wrap inside their
hard cases when flying. Advice from experienced bicycling violists/violinists would be great.

Get a large backpack with a rigid frame (internal or external). Doesn't have to be fancy or
expensive, as long as it fits you and holds the viola case securely. Lashing the case to the
backpack frame with bungies might be a good idea. Any sporting goods shop or even department
stores probably have something that would work, without dropping big cash on a "serious"
mountaineering pack.

I wouldn't carry the viola attached to the bike if you can avoid it.

-Barry

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Soon I'll start to ride about 65 miles to a fellow musician's house with my viola on the bike. Any
advice on the safest way to transport said cargo over that distance would be appreciated.

Sadly, I don't have a suspension case (which, I think, would solve the problem of jarring the
thing around); but I have heard of cellists who wrap their instruments in bubble wrap inside their
hard cases when flying. Advice from experienced bicycling violists/violinists would be great.

I'm not a string player, but I would think putting it on your back would go a long way toward
absorbing any damaging shocks or vibration. However, 65 miles might be a long way to wear a back
pack on a bike.

--
David Kerber An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good Lord,
it's morning".

Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by David Kerber
In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Soon I'll start to ride about 65 miles to a fellow musician's house with my viola on the bike. Any
advice on the safest way to transport said cargo over that distance would be appreciated.

Sadly, I don't have a suspension case (which, I think, would solve the problem of jarring the
thing around); but I have heard of cellists who wrap their instruments in bubble wrap inside their
hard cases when flying. Advice from experienced bicycling violists/violinists would be great.

I'm not a string player, but I would think putting it on your back would go a long way toward
absorbing any damaging shocks or vibration. However, 65 miles might be a long way to wear a back
pack on a bike.

--
David Kerber An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good Lord,
it's morning".

Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

If this is going to be a regular thing, I'd consider getting a second instrument and leaving it at your friend's house.

B. Sanders said:

Get a large backpack with a rigid frame (internal or external). Doesn't have to be fancy or
expensive, as long as it fits you and holds the viola case securely. Lashing the case to the
backpack frame with bungies might be a good idea. Any sporting goods shop or even department
stores probably have something that would work, without dropping big cash on a "serious"
mountaineering pack.

I wouldn't carry the viola attached to the bike if you can avoid it.

I'd guess heat would kill the thing in any case. The sun will heat anything up to unreasonable
temperatures that isn't in the shade with free air wafting past it.

The humidity change and temperature would probably crack the thing in short order as the wood
changes size.
--
Ron Hardin [email hidden]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

On 15 Aug 2003 11:35:06 -0700, [email hidden] (Jonathan Fretheim) from

url='http://groups.google.com/'http://groups.google.com//url said:

Soon I'll start to ride about 65 miles to a fellow musician's house with my viola on the bike. Any
advice on the safest way to transport said cargo over that distance would be appreciated.

Put it in its case, put the case in a backpack, wear the backpack.

--
home.sport.rr.comcuthuluOpen ↗ human rights = peace Frivolity is a stern taskmaster.
3:22:41 PM 15 August 2003

(Jonathan Fretheim) said:

Soon I'll start to ride about 65 miles to a fellow musician's house with my viola on the bike. Any
advice on the safest way to transport said cargo over that distance would be appreciated.

I would suggest using a padded nylon case on your back. I've seen some that have quite a large but
lightweight block of foam with a fiddle cutout, and they have backpack straps. Check with your
local lutenist.

Forget the bike and hop on the Grey Dog. But, don't let them stow the viola in the luggage
compartment.

Steve McDonald