General Cycling Discussion - do you lock your bike on those breaks during a century?

so I'm planning on doing a century this year, probably the Team in Training one if my schedule permits, but I was wondering: what about security? I mean, say I'm on one of those stops to answer the old call of nature. would you worry about securing the bike? how do you all handle this? seems to me that carrying a U-lock would be a heck of a weight penalty, but I will be wanting to do a solo century, sometime, which means no support or company of other riders.

-alex.

I think it would be highly unlikely that a thief would be brazen enough to steal a bike with hundreds of people standing around. Considering most would either be dressed in lycra or at least dressed in riding clothes with a helmet a thief would stand out like dogs b***. As far as another cyclist pinching your ride, I can't imagine it happening considering they would have to leave their own bike behind to make off with the goods. Most cyclists are very attached to their bikes so the chances of getting a bike nicked should be very low.

CHEERS.

Mark

I go under the premise most thefts are easily foiled because most thefts are done by amateurs. A u bolt is too heavy, but I always carry a cable that easily attaches to the saddle rails and is out of the way.. If I am not directly adjacent to my bike, it is locked to something..

It depends where I am. If I'm out in the middle of nowhere, answering the call of nature behind a big spanky gum tree, I generally don't bother.

I was worried about the same kind of thing, but everyone assured me my bike would be fine.

I have done several this year and have had no problems. (That does not mean I never will.)

My theory is that there are many bikes (even though mine is not the bottom of the bucket) that are higher value than mine.

Matt

If you're in the middle of nowhere, take your bike with you and lean it against a tree close to you.
If you're at a rest stop ask a friend or riding partner to watch your bike. Then you watch his/hers while s/he uses the facilities.
If it's the first stop and you don't know anyone then it's time to make some new friends. If this is the Team in Training ride you should already know most of the riders.

I've never heard of anyone stealing a bike at an organized ride so you should be safe.

Depends where you are. In a country setting I'd be less concerned but in an urban setting I'd take my lock with me. It push comes to shove you could remove your seat and 'dip your wick' in the seat tube. Then, when you get home you offload your pee down the drain.:D

One of the best security locks for this type of ride is when you stop lean your bike into a friends bike...side by side , handlebar to seat. Kinda like the ol' west soldiers did.

After you have figured out how to do this (it takes two people) it is virually impossibile for one person to take one of the bikes with a very large comotion.

Ok, I'm making the assumption your talking about an
organized ride, lots of bikes etc.
The last Ride I did (HHH) there were enough
multi thousand dollar Colnago C40's, Trek 5200 and 5900s.
Serottas, Litespeeds etc. laying on their sides all over
the place I figured my 10 year old Serotta was pretty
safe.
I wouldn't worry about theft so much as worrying about
the bike getting trampled in the confusion.

Marty

I'd just get one of those small combo cable locks. Light weight and keeps honest people honest. More than likely you aren't going to be riding a century in any high crime areas.

Nah. But I don't leave the keys in it with the motor running. That's just asking for trouble...

Seriously, perhaps my perspective is skewed by where we ride but it has been my experience that we have no need to worry about bicycle security at organized SAG stops. I just find something to lean the bike up against or in most cases just lay the bike down on its left side in the grass. That which is laying down can't fall down.

If you should stop at a convenience store, restaurant or attraction on an organized ride on while riding on your own, that's another issue all together. In these situations there is a definite benefit to hooking up with a riding partner and/or group since there is an inherent degree of security in numbers. The most important thing to keep in mind is putting your bike where it's highly visible to you and/or in a very public place. It takes a pretty bold SOB to up and walk off with a bicycle when there is a strong likelihood of being seen by the owners. The latter is a key point -- don't assume that just having people around will deter a theft... it's you or your friends presence that will deter the target of opportunity theft.

There was another thread a while back that addressed bicycle locks on tours, etc... that you might want to look at. Search on "locks".

Organized century (38 so far): Nope, never brought a lock, nor do I recall seeing any.

lotek sez:
I wouldn't worry about theft so much as worrying about the bike getting trampled in the confusion.
Agreed!


Solo century: Like hillyman suggested, I think a small, light, combo cable lock would be fine. Often I just use my helmet straps around the downtube and front wheel, but, of course, that depends on the neighborhood.

kinda like the ol' west soldiers did.

I think I picture what you mean. what exactly did those guys do?


I wouldn't worry about theft so much as worrying about
the bike getting trampled in the confusion.


oh, GREAT! that hadn't even occurred to me. ;)

thanks for all the feedback, you guys. I guess I might take a little something with me when I do it by myself, but probably not otherwise.

-alex.

They have some really small, lightweight U locks made by Kryptonite you can get, and it won't weigh you down. I read somewhere that most theives that are carrying bolt cutters don't have one for a U lock that small. It wouldn't hurt to get one and U lock your bike to someone else's when you're in a more populated area.

But I agree, when you're in the middle of nowhere, I wouldn't worry.

Koffee

Stolen bike = insurance money = new bike! Great deal.

Put fenders and a Brook B17 leather saddle on your bike. You won't get the road spray when it rains, and you'll discover that a B17 real is comfortable. Also, the thieves will overlook your bike and go after the brightly painted and decal'd Wal-Mart bikes.:D

Ted

Originally posted by easyrider
Stolen bike = insurance money = new bike! Great deal.

Plus, maybe a 40+ mile walk if timed correctly. . .

i haven't bought a lock yet .. and i have only left my bike alone when i was doing Bricks(run and bike)..i will say tho leaving my bike unattended for just a mile and on a straight stretch of road was harrowing. i am sure it made me run faster:)

i usually don't go inside a store unless i can take my bike in with me.

I've ridden lots of organized charity rides. Never seen anyone lock their bike at a rest stop. I've never carried a lock on one of these either. Never heard of anyone getting a bike stolen.

A lot of times when many riders are out together there's not enough places to give your bike it's own special place to rest. A lot of cyclists will stack bikes three or four deep against a tree or pole. Just make sure your bike is one of the first ones against the tree. No one will move two or three bikes to steal yours.

Ah yes, restaurant breaks on long rides. Another mention of Nimbin (sorry), when I stopped at that little cafe for lunch, I didn't even bother asking permission to bring my bike inside. I just did it. Well, with all those drug dealers hanging around outside, wouldn't you?