There are so many great tips in the comments, I thought I'd start a pinned comment to summarize them in case you don't have time to read through (though it's definitely worth a read!): - Some folks have started using bike/motion alarms should a thief mess with their bike while shopping or camping. Also, airtags to help retrieve the bike should it be stolen. - Many people have mentioned grocery stores rarely taking issue with them rolling their bike right into the store, locking it up inside the foyer, or even leaving it with a kind security guard. - Even if you'll be in sight of the bike, don't leave it without a lock - it only takes a second for a thief to roll away on it and that has happened to some folks. - Be aware of local theft practices. One person mentioned that in Brazil, for instance, bags, bolts, and entire locked up bikes can be taken quickly. - U-locks are not a guarantee. Even the strongest u-lock can be cut through with an angle grinder. I bring a u-lock because my feeling is that someone is less likely to pull out an angle grinder for my mid-level bike, than they are to snap a cable lock with some small bolt cutters. But bikes with u-locks can get stolen too! Thank you to everyone who left such helpful comments!
I am a bike touring newb and on my first rail trail trip going through Custer, SD I had a local teen walk up to my bike and grab the bars and tested if it was secured just I sat down in the cafe. It was wheel locked with a light cable and the levers were pulled with small straps (Click Stand). The boy vanished. Those simple cable locks and making snatch and rolls tougher do make a difference. I do own a better quality disc grinder and they are scary at their effectiveness against even the best locks.
To cut a top quality lock you need to go through at least 2 disks, more probably 3, they are made of a compound that will jam the disk, and that will put off most thieves if the bike stands on a public area.
Great video on a topic that's so important! I have taken my bike, fully loaded, inside a grocery store. I do this in large urban areas, I bring it into the foyer area and lock it to itself, making sure not to block any access points. I have also once taken the bike into Walmart, found a security guard, and asked him to watch my bike. Before he could say "no" to my odd request, I was off into the store telling him I'll be right back. Thanking people profusely also helps. 😉
That sounds like a really good solution! Especially in urban areas. I think I’ll need to try it next time. From the stories I’ve heard so far it doesn’t sound like most grocery stores take issue with it which is encouraging :)
My wife left a new Schwinn Cruiser outside a cafe where she sat right on the other side of the window so she could keep an eye on it. She watched a kid walk up, hop on and ride off before she could finish saying "oh crap". Got it back almost 2 years later from the police, but only because it has been used in a drive-by shooting! Good old Stockton California!
Oh my goodness! It’s an important reminder of how fast it can happen. Thank you for sharing that! I’m glad you got the bike back, though I’m sorry for the circumstances 😔
I have a frame lock with a chain to tie to a post. I also have a cheap alarm and a smarttag2 hidden away on the bike. Hopefully enough to deter any thief. My worry are the panniers which can be easily unhooked from the rack or rifled through whilst I am in a shop.
I have a kryptonite courier ? D shackle (about 10" long) because like you I think I'm probably more paranoid about what could happen than what actually happens...however, on two occasions I have threatened the use of it for force and on both occasions it worked a treat. Once in Holland I stopped at a Turkish restaurant and a man came in and asked if the unlocked (nothing to lock to) bike outside belonged to anyone, I said yes, it belonged to me and he became immediately aggressive, I hit the lock on the table as I stood up sharply and he ran a mile. A few years later I was on a German train out of Hamburg and a gang of Bicycle thieves targeted my bike, they even started to dismantle my luggage right in front of me so I unlocked my kryptonite and hit a steady post on the carriage with it inches away from the biggest guys face, he shat himself and with some added perfect Anglo Saxon expletives they got off the train at the next stop. Yay Kryptonite ! - stay safe travellers.
Communities and cities focus too much on bicycle lanes thinking that will draw people to embrace the bicycle. BUT if they want people to truly embrace the bicycle for local transportation they need to think of ways to keep bicycles safer from theft. It seems to me it's a very low priority and gets very little attention from law enforcement, law makers and businesses that won't or can't provide safe bicycle parking for their patrons. Thank you for making this video.
I've been riding around the US and Canada for the last eight months with only a little Hiplock Z-Loc. I use it to lock the wheel to the frame so that it is not easily rolled away, but otherwise, I try to keep the bike in eyesight. I have had to leave it ouside a grocery store, but have also brought it in the store sometimes, but like you, I normally try to go to my motel first and leave the bike there and do a big shop. Also, I have only had two places give me guff about bringing my bike in my room, both in Canada, but I talked both of them into it in the end by promising to put down a garbage bag on the floor under the bike. I find the cheaper the motel, the less they care, and often if it is a one level place with outside doors, I don't even ask them. I always have my helmet on, so they must know I am biking though!
For anyone considering buying a U lock, just remember the vast majority of them are easily cut with an angle grinder. Consider buying a British made LiteLok, they are exceptionally strong..
I'm not familiar with LiteLok, but yes definitely any u-lock is not a guarantee. My hope is that based on the quality of my bike, someone wouldn't be as likely to go through the trouble of bringing by an angle grinder as they would to snap a cable lock with a pair of bolt cutters. But you truly never know! Thank you for mentioning that.
In Vancouver, all the bike parkings were full. Upon asking the rexall store guys, they said I could just walk in with it. And I did. That was my nicest experience I've had. People in Vancouver were some of the kindest, nicest people I've come across.
The only place I was ever denied the ability to bring a bicycle either into the room, or into a secure indoor area, was at the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone... If there was any resistance I informed them that I had a "blue tarp" that I could put down to catch any grease. I have no idea why people think bicycles drop globs of grease... I have however heard that comment quite a number of times in the past 38 years of touring! I myself would be more concerned about the dirt and sand drying out and falling off the bike and bags, and from under the fenders. 😉
That's a good way to do it! Agreed, I think if you stay pleasant and show that you really care about taking care of their space, folks are usually happy to help find a solution :)
Here in Brazil you have to take off every accessory and bags (saddlebags too, even if it's empty). Thieves will take even the bolts 🔩 if the bicycle is locked 😆. I've already tied my bike to the post with thick chains and a padlock, just to drink water from the drinking fountain inside a market, about 5 minutes. When I came back there was no bike, no chain, no padlock, nothing.
No way!! So sorry for the stolen bike. It's a great point to be aware of local theft practices and to plan accordingly. Thank you for sharing that experience.
I find it really irritating that where I live in NE Ohio that NONE of the stores in my area have any bike racks. I ride pretty expensive CF racing bikes and so if I am going to stop at a grocery store like other folks who have commented here, I leave the bike in the foyer area of the store (Aldi or Giant Eagle). I would NEVER leave the bike outside a Walmart.
Thanks for this video Sheelagh! With respect to the U-lock, you can further enhance it’s effectiveness by using a “plumbers T” to enforce the area where the unit locks.
If you have an expensive bike, I recommend attaching one of these GPS transmitters or an Apple Airtag under the seat. If you have an old bike, it's always good if it's too much sticking out for someone to simplie use it, and also a really strong lock where the effort isn't worth the value of the bike
Interesting video! Locking the bike to a firm object seems safest for me, and I always try to do that, no matter what kind of accomodation! I normally use an ABUS Bordo which is not as safe as a U-Lock but so far feels safe enough for me and has once avoided theft of my partner's bike, who uses the same lock...
From my knowledge the Abus Bordo is actually quite a good lock! And I love that it folds up neatly. Happy to hear it helped keep your partner's bike safe :)
I have 4 U locks couple heavy cables and a couple other locks . I have had 3 bikes stolen in my 50 years of riding . I take some sort of lock with on every ride . I have Topeak quick release bags . Computers lights etc all come off if I’m going into a business or away from bike any length of time . AirTag s on all of my bikes . I’m probably a little anal about it but bikes aren’t cheap to replace . Little sense of security goes a long way. But if they really want the your bike they are gonna get it .
Great video. I once had a Kryptonite lock freeze on my bike on a tour. Luckily I was outside my hotel. The owner came out with a bunch of tools and, after 20 minutes, broke the lock. Any lock mechanism can freeze, usually because of rust. Squirting some WD 40 into the mechanism helps. In camp, I try to lock my bike opposite the opening in my tent so I can shine a light on it if I hear something in the night. (Don’t blame me if it’s a skunk. Like you I try to find something to lock the bike to. This helps keep the bike from falling over and damaging things.
It is always a bit more difficult when you are alone to put your bike somewhere safe. For example, when you need to go to the toilet while waiting for your train in a station. So once, in a train station somewhere in France I gave the toilet attendant an extra tip and asked if she could take care of my bike during my toilet visit.
This is what has worked for me so far but I would love to hear from you! What measures do you put in place to keep your bike safe in different scenarios? And if you have had the unfortunate experience of bike theft, is there anything you've started doing differently because of it? Let's share our learnings in the comments and hopefully help keep all our bikes as safe as possible!
Bikes in grocery stores... yeah, with a basket I don't see why it's any worse than a grocery cart or one of those folding carts with wheels. Or for that matter one of those obnoxiously large jogger baby carriages... and some grocery store don't kick out little dogs in the child seat, so bikes, heck yeah. As with anything, just try not to be rude about it.
Some of those who reported getting their bikes stolen made the gross assumption that they were only going to be in a store within a few minutes, thus justified them for not securing their bikes. I tell the store manager/lodging that I have a very expensive bike, and would like to bring it with me. Ninety-nine percent of the time I get the green light. It's cumbersome to have to remove the gps, lights, panniers to lock one's bike outside a store.
I have always kept my bike inside the hotel when possible. There was one time when I had to lock my bike outside the hotel in Stuttgart. I used a wheel lock and a cable; I was somewhat concerned but it turned out okay. I own a U lock, but I have never traveled with it. I follow the same grocery store procedure as you do, one time along the Rhine route, someone got a bit curious, but I think he saw me watching him and left the bike alone. I try to do my shopping early in the day, so I have lunch on the route. Or I will get to my camp or hotel and pick up supplies on foot with the bike locked up in the hotel bike locker or at the campsite. I take some additional comfort in the fact that my loaded bike is unwieldy, and if a novice got through the wheel lock and the cable, they would have trouble riding the bike with the load. I am sure you understand how challenging it is to ride a loaded bike without practice.
Haha yes I also hope a thief would have trouble manoeuvring my weighty setup 😂 And totally agree, big fan of doing grocery shops when I have my bike safety stowed at an accommodation!
Thanks for your insight. I'm planning on doing some solo touring which will involve camping and obviously shopping moments where securing the bike is a big concern and worry. I've recently purchased an alarm for the bike, which is in addition to a cheap cable lock. I am hoping together they will act at least as a deterrent and an advisor while I sleep should someone attempt to remove or tamper with the bike at night or while I am shopping. There is no way to prevent any determined thief from taking anything if they are determined. I work on the hope that if there is enough noise, someone may be able to help identify the criminal later in the hope of recovering what might be taken.
"There is no way to prevent any determined thief from taking anything if they are determined." - very true. Sounds like you're putting in place some really helpful deterrents. I've found keeping a bike safe when solo touring takes some added creativity and adaptability but it can certainly be done :) Happy adventuring!
I work on the idea that most regular bikes are stolen and sold to a local '2nd hand' bike shop, to pay feed a habit, or by someone who is to lazy to walk home. Expensive bikes are stolen by pro thieves, who come equipped, sometimes with a van. I also accept that any bike lock can be beaten. With this in mind, I made my bikes unattractive to thieves. Importantly I always lock them. I have also hand painted them, badly, I just daubed stripes of household paint with any old brush. With the bad paint, no '2nd hand' bike shop would touch them, and thieves will know this. Yes my bikes look like crap, but I am not an not fussy. I have heard of people doing similar with Duck tape, which would also work because no one want to spend hours cleaning off tape and glue. Except perhaps the owner if they want to sell the bike.
I did the same for my bike, on top of that, my BB7 saddle is covered in yellow "fragile" packing tape, it looks really ugly but it is also waterproof and I don't need to cover it when it rains.
I use a kryptonite frame lock with a chain that attaches to the lock fed through my wheel and bike frame when I need to leave it for a quick stop. I put 4 locks on it when I’m traveling with it on the back of my car. I use the frame lock and it’s chain plus a u lock and a stout cable lock. I have heard of people having their bikes stolen off their bike carriers at stop lights while they’re sitting in their cars. It happens so fast they can’t do anything about it. I’m of the opinion that making it as hard as possible is really the only real preventative and any bike can be stolen if they really want it. My buddy always locked his bike inside his SUV at night when he traveled with it and one morning he came out to his car and thieves had bashed in the back window of his car and stolen his bike. He was staying in a hotel and if he had taken it inside that would not have happened. Live and learn.
@@shawnlocke207 Frame locks are a great solution. I have them on both my bikes. You can't leave them behind, as they are attached to the bike, and the good ones will stop you leaving your keys at home too. If you have your house key on the same key ring, you can't forget to lock your bike at night either.
Hei great video as always :) Some people use plastic strips to secure the panniers to the bike, making it more difficult to remove and take them. I usually never lock my bike, neither for camping or shopping, unless I'm in a big city. I've never had any problem so far..My telefon and documents come always with me whenever I'm inside a shop or a cafe You have a good point about the accesories :)
A determined thief can get your bike. Even beefy u-locks are being cut by thieves using cordless angle grinders. I just use a cheap cable when touring. It certainly won't stop a determined thief but it helps keep the honest people honest. They can't just ride off on my bike in a crime of opportunity. But most often I'm touring with my wife and one of us just stays with the bikes while the other shops or orders food, etc. We also look for places with outdoor seating where we can get food or drinks while sitting close to our bikes.
Hi Sheelagha, no I've never had a bicycle stolen, and I hope that I never do, especially if I'm halfway through a tour. But , there's a first time for everything. Are you planning on doing anymore touring on the beautiful vintage bike ? Regards, Neil
I hope you never do either! I’m still riding my vintage Raleigh nearly every day to get around town. In terms of taking it on another tour - I can certainly see myself doing that! I have a couple trip ideas that I think my Surly might be the better tool for the job, but I’d love to head out on my Raleigh again. I had so much fun on my last trip on it :)
ive lost dozen bikes in life. but past decade have given a dozen , only 2 without permission. i have 4 left and 3 behind our local radio station to loan. few use past months there. i wait if get left hip fixed so retour start dielayed. Marfa, Tx.
There are so many great tips in the comments, I thought I'd start a pinned comment to summarize them in case you don't have time to read through (though it's definitely worth a read!):
- Some folks have started using bike/motion alarms should a thief mess with their bike while shopping or camping. Also, airtags to help retrieve the bike should it be stolen.
- Many people have mentioned grocery stores rarely taking issue with them rolling their bike right into the store, locking it up inside the foyer, or even leaving it with a kind security guard.
- Even if you'll be in sight of the bike, don't leave it without a lock - it only takes a second for a thief to roll away on it and that has happened to some folks.
- Be aware of local theft practices. One person mentioned that in Brazil, for instance, bags, bolts, and entire locked up bikes can be taken quickly.
- U-locks are not a guarantee. Even the strongest u-lock can be cut through with an angle grinder. I bring a u-lock because my feeling is that someone is less likely to pull out an angle grinder for my mid-level bike, than they are to snap a cable lock with some small bolt cutters. But bikes with u-locks can get stolen too!
Thank you to everyone who left such helpful comments!
I am a bike touring newb and on my first rail trail trip going through Custer, SD I had a local teen walk up to my bike and grab the bars and tested if it was secured just I sat down in the cafe. It was wheel locked with a light cable and the levers were pulled with small straps (Click Stand). The boy vanished. Those simple cable locks and making snatch and rolls tougher do make a difference. I do own a better quality disc grinder and they are scary at their effectiveness against even the best locks.
Wow! I am so glad you had it secured and your bike remained safely with you. Thank you for sharing that experience!
To cut a top quality lock you need to go through at least 2 disks, more probably 3, they are made of a compound that will jam the disk, and that will put off most thieves if the bike stands on a public area.
Great video on a topic that's so important!
I have taken my bike, fully loaded, inside a grocery store. I do this in large urban areas, I bring it into the foyer area and lock it to itself, making sure not to block any access points. I have also once taken the bike into Walmart, found a security guard, and asked him to watch my bike. Before he could say "no" to my odd request, I was off into the store telling him I'll be right back. Thanking people profusely also helps. 😉
That sounds like a really good solution! Especially in urban areas. I think I’ll need to try it next time. From the stories I’ve heard so far it doesn’t sound like most grocery stores take issue with it which is encouraging :)
One good tip I've heard elsewhere: Whenever possible, park your bike next to a bike nicer than yours and/or a bike with a weaker lock than yours.
Such great tips! Thanks Sheelagh!
My wife left a new Schwinn Cruiser outside a cafe where she sat right on the other side of the window so she could keep an eye on it. She watched a kid walk up, hop on and ride off before she could finish saying "oh crap". Got it back almost 2 years later from the police, but only because it has been used in a drive-by shooting! Good old Stockton California!
Oh my goodness! It’s an important reminder of how fast it can happen. Thank you for sharing that! I’m glad you got the bike back, though I’m sorry for the circumstances 😔
I have a frame lock with a chain to tie to a post. I also have a cheap alarm and a smarttag2 hidden away on the bike. Hopefully enough to deter any thief. My worry are the panniers which can be easily unhooked from the rack or rifled through whilst I am in a shop.
I have a kryptonite courier ? D shackle (about 10" long) because like you I think I'm probably more paranoid about what could happen than what actually happens...however, on two occasions I have threatened the use of it for force and on both occasions it worked a treat. Once in Holland I stopped at a Turkish restaurant and a man came in and asked if the unlocked (nothing to lock to) bike outside belonged to anyone, I said yes, it belonged to me and he became immediately aggressive, I hit the lock on the table as I stood up sharply and he ran a mile. A few years later I was on a German train out of Hamburg and a gang of Bicycle thieves targeted my bike, they even started to dismantle my luggage right in front of me so I unlocked my kryptonite and hit a steady post on the carriage with it inches away from the biggest guys face, he shat himself and with some added perfect Anglo Saxon expletives they got off the train at the next stop. Yay Kryptonite ! - stay safe travellers.
Communities and cities focus too much on bicycle lanes thinking that will draw people to embrace the bicycle. BUT if they want people to truly embrace the bicycle for local transportation they need to think of ways to keep bicycles safer from theft. It seems to me it's a very low priority and gets very little attention from law enforcement, law makers and businesses that won't or can't provide safe bicycle parking for their patrons. Thank you for making this video.
I've been riding around the US and Canada for the last eight months with only a little Hiplock Z-Loc. I use it to lock the wheel to the frame so that it is not easily rolled away, but otherwise, I try to keep the bike in eyesight. I have had to leave it ouside a grocery store, but have also brought it in the store sometimes, but like you, I normally try to go to my motel first and leave the bike there and do a big shop. Also, I have only had two places give me guff about bringing my bike in my room, both in Canada, but I talked both of them into it in the end by promising to put down a garbage bag on the floor under the bike. I find the cheaper the motel, the less they care, and often if it is a one level place with outside doors, I don't even ask them. I always have my helmet on, so they must know I am biking though!
8 months on the road, that's awesome! Sounds like you have some really good strategies in place :)
A $15-$30 motion alarm lock from Amazon works amazing! It saved my bike one night
Oooh that is interesting! I hadn't heard of that. Very happy to hear it saved your bike!
For anyone considering buying a U lock, just remember the vast majority of them are easily cut with an angle grinder. Consider buying a British made LiteLok, they are exceptionally strong..
I'm not familiar with LiteLok, but yes definitely any u-lock is not a guarantee. My hope is that based on the quality of my bike, someone wouldn't be as likely to go through the trouble of bringing by an angle grinder as they would to snap a cable lock with a pair of bolt cutters. But you truly never know! Thank you for mentioning that.
In Vancouver, all the bike parkings were full. Upon asking the rexall store guys, they said I could just walk in with it. And I did. That was my nicest experience I've had. People in Vancouver were some of the kindest, nicest people I've come across.
That is so lovely to hear! What a nice experience :)
The only place I was ever denied the ability to bring a bicycle either into the room, or into a secure indoor area, was at the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone... If there was any resistance I informed them that I had a "blue tarp" that I could put down to catch any grease. I have no idea why people think bicycles drop globs of grease... I have however heard that comment quite a number of times in the past 38 years of touring! I myself would be more concerned about the dirt and sand drying out and falling off the bike and bags, and from under the fenders. 😉
That's a good way to do it! Agreed, I think if you stay pleasant and show that you really care about taking care of their space, folks are usually happy to help find a solution :)
Here in Brazil you have to take off every accessory and bags (saddlebags too, even if it's empty). Thieves will take even the bolts 🔩 if the bicycle is locked 😆. I've already tied my bike to the post with thick chains and a padlock, just to drink water from the drinking fountain inside a market, about 5 minutes. When I came back there was no bike, no chain, no padlock, nothing.
No way!! So sorry for the stolen bike. It's a great point to be aware of local theft practices and to plan accordingly. Thank you for sharing that experience.
I feel for those riding ebikes. Seen a story not long ago about a huge spike in thefts happening.
Perfect.
I find it really irritating that where I live in NE Ohio that NONE of the stores in my area have any bike racks. I ride pretty expensive CF racing bikes and so if I am going to stop at a grocery store like other folks who have commented here, I leave the bike in the foyer area of the store (Aldi or Giant Eagle). I would NEVER leave the bike outside a Walmart.
That’s so frustrating there are no bike racks! Definitely makes sense to bring it in. Glad you’ve found a solution :)
Hi I’m new to your channel. I was wondering how people that bike tour all over the world get time off from work ?
The bird was a Blue Jay
Was it!!?? Thanks for saying that! I never would have guessed!
@@SheelaghDaly luv the duct tape on the seat
@@samuelmjlfjell Ahaha duct tape to the rescue as always! 😂
Thanks for this video Sheelagh!
With respect to the U-lock, you can further enhance it’s effectiveness by using a “plumbers T” to enforce the area where the unit locks.
How interesting! What is a plumbers T? I tried googling it but didn't find anything!
great advice thanks
@@SheelaghDaly I think it means pipe tee which seems a good idea.
@@davidmuscat8221 Oh I see! Thanks very much :)
If you have an expensive bike, I recommend attaching one of these GPS transmitters or an Apple Airtag under the seat.
If you have an old bike, it's always good if it's too much sticking out for someone to simplie use it, and also a really strong lock where the effort isn't worth the value of the bike
I haven’t used AirTags yet but they seem like a really helpful option! Thanks for mentioning that.
Interesting video! Locking the bike to a firm object seems safest for me, and I always try to do that, no matter what kind of accomodation! I normally use an ABUS Bordo which is not as safe as a U-Lock but so far feels safe enough for me and has once avoided theft of my partner's bike, who uses the same lock...
From my knowledge the Abus Bordo is actually quite a good lock! And I love that it folds up neatly. Happy to hear it helped keep your partner's bike safe :)
I have 4 U locks couple heavy cables and a couple other locks . I have had 3 bikes stolen in my 50 years of riding . I take some sort of lock with on every ride . I have Topeak quick release bags . Computers lights etc all come off if I’m going into a business or away from bike any length of time . AirTag s on all of my bikes . I’m probably a little anal about it but bikes aren’t cheap to replace . Little sense of security goes a long way. But if they really want the your bike they are gonna get it .
Great video. I once had a Kryptonite lock freeze on my bike on a tour. Luckily I was outside my hotel. The owner came out with a bunch of tools and, after 20 minutes, broke the lock.
Any lock mechanism can freeze, usually because of rust. Squirting some WD 40 into the mechanism helps.
In camp, I try to lock my bike opposite the opening in my tent so I can shine a light on it if I hear something in the night. (Don’t blame me if it’s a skunk.
Like you I try to find something to lock the bike to. This helps keep the bike from falling over and damaging things.
Correction: Krytonite recommends using FInish Line lube with Teflon
It is always a bit more difficult when you are alone to put your bike somewhere safe. For example, when you need to go to the toilet while waiting for your train in a station.
So once, in a train station somewhere in France I gave the toilet attendant an extra tip and asked if she could take care of my bike during my toilet visit.
Yes it definitely takes an extra layer of creativity when you're solo. Glad you found a good solution!
This is what has worked for me so far but I would love to hear from you! What measures do you put in place to keep your bike safe in different scenarios? And if you have had the unfortunate experience of bike theft, is there anything you've started doing differently because of it? Let's share our learnings in the comments and hopefully help keep all our bikes as safe as possible!
Bikes in grocery stores... yeah, with a basket I don't see why it's any worse than a grocery cart or one of those folding carts with wheels. Or for that matter one of those obnoxiously large jogger baby carriages... and some grocery store don't kick out little dogs in the child seat, so bikes, heck yeah. As with anything, just try not to be rude about it.
Yeah from what I’ve heard so far it sounds like if you’re respectful about it most groceries stores don’t seem to take issue with it :) great to hear!
I just walk the bike into stores with me. I have gotten sht for it once or twice, but the vast majority of the time, nobody cares.
How about an alarm? Ever used those? An audible alarm when the bike is moved. Maybe useful for those camping scenarios.
I haven't! But a couple folks in the comments have!
You can move all the panniers and bags into a shopping trolley, and take them in the store with you.
Hi there!! We have Bromptons but we still carry a lock "just in case" xxx Stay Safe xx
Some of those who reported getting their bikes stolen made the gross assumption that they were only going to be in a store within a few minutes, thus justified them for not securing their bikes.
I tell the store manager/lodging that I have a very expensive bike, and would like to bring it with me. Ninety-nine percent of the time I get the green light.
It's cumbersome to have to remove the gps, lights, panniers to lock one's bike outside a store.
I have always kept my bike inside the hotel when possible. There was one time when I had to lock my bike outside the hotel in Stuttgart. I used a wheel lock and a cable; I was somewhat concerned but it turned out okay. I own a U lock, but I have never traveled with it. I follow the same grocery store procedure as you do, one time along the Rhine route, someone got a bit curious, but I think he saw me watching him and left the bike alone. I try to do my shopping early in the day, so I have lunch on the route. Or I will get to my camp or hotel and pick up supplies on foot with the bike locked up in the hotel bike locker or at the campsite. I take some additional comfort in the fact that my loaded bike is unwieldy, and if a novice got through the wheel lock and the cable, they would have trouble riding the bike with the load. I am sure you understand how challenging it is to ride a loaded bike without practice.
Haha yes I also hope a thief would have trouble manoeuvring my weighty setup 😂 And totally agree, big fan of doing grocery shops when I have my bike safety stowed at an accommodation!
Nice trip! 🙌
I tie a string from my bike that runs inside my tent and tie it to something in the tent.
Thanks for your insight. I'm planning on doing some solo touring which will involve camping and obviously shopping moments where securing the bike is a big concern and worry. I've recently purchased an alarm for the bike, which is in addition to a cheap cable lock. I am hoping together they will act at least as a deterrent and an advisor while I sleep should someone attempt to remove or tamper with the bike at night or while I am shopping. There is no way to prevent any determined thief from taking anything if they are determined. I work on the hope that if there is enough noise, someone may be able to help identify the criminal later in the hope of recovering what might be taken.
"There is no way to prevent any determined thief from taking anything if they are determined." - very true. Sounds like you're putting in place some really helpful deterrents. I've found keeping a bike safe when solo touring takes some added creativity and adaptability but it can certainly be done :) Happy adventuring!
@SheelaghDaly I feel even just being aware of the possibility that it can be stolen at any time, can help.
I work on the idea that most regular bikes are stolen and sold to a local '2nd hand' bike shop, to pay feed a habit, or by someone who is to lazy to walk home. Expensive bikes are stolen by pro thieves, who come equipped, sometimes with a van. I also accept that any bike lock can be beaten.
With this in mind, I made my bikes unattractive to thieves. Importantly I always lock them. I have also hand painted them, badly, I just daubed stripes of household paint with any old brush. With the bad paint, no '2nd hand' bike shop would touch them, and thieves will know this. Yes my bikes look like crap, but I am not an not fussy. I have heard of people doing similar with Duck tape, which would also work because no one want to spend hours cleaning off tape and glue. Except perhaps the owner if they want to sell the bike.
That makes a lot of sense. It's true that any bike lock can be beaten. Making it less attractive to thieves is a smart tactic!
I did the same for my bike, on top of that, my BB7 saddle is covered in yellow "fragile" packing tape, it looks really ugly but it is also waterproof and I don't need to cover it when it rains.
@@ferruccio4531 Did you mean you have a B17 saddle, and BB7 brakes?🙂
I use a kryptonite frame lock with a chain that attaches to the lock fed through my wheel and bike frame when I need to leave it for a quick stop. I put 4 locks on it when I’m traveling with it on the back of my car. I use the frame lock and it’s chain plus a u lock and a stout cable lock. I have heard of people having their bikes stolen off their bike carriers at stop lights while they’re sitting in their cars. It happens so fast they can’t do anything about it. I’m of the opinion that making it as hard as possible is really the only real preventative and any bike can be stolen if they really want it. My buddy always locked his bike inside his SUV at night when he traveled with it and one morning he came out to his car and thieves had bashed in the back window of his car and stolen his bike. He was staying in a hotel and if he had taken it inside that would not have happened. Live and learn.
@@shawnlocke207 Frame locks are a great solution. I have them on both my bikes. You can't leave them behind, as they are attached to the bike, and the good ones will stop you leaving your keys at home too. If you have your house key on the same key ring, you can't forget to lock your bike at night either.
Bike thieves blatantly broke into my house, and stole my bike. I was home at the time. S.O.B.'s are crazy!
Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. That is terrible!! I'm glad you're okay, but that is so upsetting.
Hei great video as always :)
Some people use plastic strips to secure the panniers to the bike, making it more difficult to remove and take them.
I usually never lock my bike, neither for camping or shopping, unless I'm in a big city. I've never had any problem so far..My telefon and documents come always with me whenever I'm inside a shop or a cafe
You have a good point about the accesories :)
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
A determined thief can get your bike. Even beefy u-locks are being cut by thieves using cordless angle grinders. I just use a cheap cable when touring. It certainly won't stop a determined thief but it helps keep the honest people honest. They can't just ride off on my bike in a crime of opportunity. But most often I'm touring with my wife and one of us just stays with the bikes while the other shops or orders food, etc. We also look for places with outdoor seating where we can get food or drinks while sitting close to our bikes.
Hi Sheelagha, no I've never had a bicycle stolen, and I hope that I never do, especially if I'm halfway through a tour. But , there's a first time for everything. Are you planning on doing anymore touring on the beautiful vintage bike ?
Regards, Neil
I hope you never do either! I’m still riding my vintage Raleigh nearly every day to get around town. In terms of taking it on another tour - I can certainly see myself doing that! I have a couple trip ideas that I think my Surly might be the better tool for the job, but I’d love to head out on my Raleigh again. I had so much fun on my last trip on it :)
ive lost dozen bikes in life. but past decade have given a dozen , only 2 without permission. i have 4 left and 3 behind our local radio station to loan. few use past months there. i wait if get left hip fixed so retour start dielayed. Marfa, Tx.
Everyone that's been on my bike has gone over the bars
what did you do?
@ferruccio4531 short frame, long cranks haha
I wornder how many miles you ride