The opposite day I acquired an e mail from BicycleTouringPro.com reader Josh Wildman. Josh is at the moment within the technique of planning his first lengthy distance bicycle tour, so here’s what he needed to say:
Hey Darren,
I used to be simply questioning the way you belief your bike is safe once you go inside locations for hours at a time; resembling the flicks or a on line casino. If attainable, might you clarify your methodology with sufficient element so I might do the identical? Additionally, do you allow all of your panniers hooked up to your bike or do you carry them inside with you?
Thanks for all the nice recommendation, Josh
In response to Josh’s query, right here is my suggestion on securing your bicycle and belongings once you need to go within a constructing:
More often than not it’s high-quality to easily depart your bike locked up exterior a retailer with the panniers nonetheless on it. You may do that when working right into a fast-food restaurant to make use of the restroom or refill your water bottles. You may even do that when working right into a grocery store to seize some meals. However this shouldn’t be executed if you find yourself going right into a enterprise for an prolonged time frame.
Earlier than going inside a enterprise by which your bicycle might be out of sight, I like to recommend you discover a place to lock it up! If attainable, lock the bike up in a public place! If there are lots of people round, it is vitally unlikely that the bike might be stolen.
In case you can, lock the bike in an space seen from contained in the constructing. This fashion you may see if somebody is tampering together with your bike and simply run out to cease them.
In case you learn my article on packing your handlebar bag you understand that after I do go inside a constructing, I all the time deliver my handlebar bag with me. Inside my handlebar bag I carry my pockets, digicam, cellular phone, bike lock key, and all of my different beneficial possessions. This fashion, if my bike or panniers do get stolen, I not less than have my cellphone to name for assist. I even have my identification and bank cards to assist get me on my method.
In some instances although, you might need to go within a constructing for an prolonged time frame. Josh prompt going right into a film theatre or on line casino. One other instance of this could be once you need to go to a museum or massive chain retailer.
To start with, I’d not counsel leaving your bicycle exterior for an prolonged time frame. In case you suppose you can be contained in the constructing for greater than 10 minutes, you’ll normally need to discover a higher method of securing your belongs than simply leaving them exterior, hanging in your bike.
In case you’re going inside a theatre, for instance, and also you need to be certain your bike and panniers don’t get stolen if you are inside, the very first thing I’d do is ask the theatre supervisor or somebody working on the theatre if I might deliver my bicycle into the constructing. After they see that your whole belongings are in your bike, they may normally assist you to discover a place contained in the constructing to retailer your belongings (sometimes in a closet, basement, or low site visitors space). They sometimes need your online business, so they’re normally comfortable that will help you out.
In the event that they don’t need your bike inside their constructing or they merely can’t consider an excellent place to retailer your bike, then you need to lock your bike exterior and carry your panniers in with you. Then ask the supervisor or one of many employees if there’s a place which you can retailer your panniers. That is normally rather a lot simpler than asking them to retailer your totally loaded bicycle.
If this doesn’t work, depart your rear panniers in your bike and carry in your handlebar bag and the entrance two panniers. Guarantee that the objects left inside your rear panniers are of little obvious worth (i.e. Your sleeping bag, tent, range, sleeping mat, and so on.). This fashion, in the event that they do get stolen or tampered with, it received’t be the tip of the world
When securing your bike, wrap the lock by way of the panniers as greatest you may. Most panniers are made of fabric, to allow them to simply be lower and faraway from the lock, however merely wrapping the lock by way of the panniers will deter would-be thieves generally. Do no matter you may to make it as tough as attainable for somebody to rapidly steal your belongings.
In some instances, merely leaving your bike exterior is just not an choice. If the supervisor of the enterprise you are attempting to solicit won’t assist you to out, you might simply need to neglect about going inside in any respect and transfer on to a enterprise that’s extra prepared to accommodate you.