Notices
Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling Do you enjoy centuries, double centuries, brevets, randonnees, and 24-hour time trials? Share ride reports, and exchange training, equipment, and nutrition information specific to long distance cycling. This isn't for tours, this is for endurance events cycling
View Poll Results: Do you bring a lock on your LD rides?
Yes
16
30.77%
No
36
69.23%
Voters: 52. You may not vote on this poll

Do you bring a lock on your LD rides?

Old 08-22-09, 10:49 AM
  #1  
Have bike, will travel
Thread Starter
 
Barrettscv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,392

Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times in 158 Posts
Do you bring a lock on your LD rides?

Do you bring a lock on your LD rides? I have been bringing a light cable lock that uses a key. It allows me to go into a convenience store without worry.

I notice that I seem to be the only person on a group ride using a lock.

Michael
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Barrettscv is offline  
Old 08-22-09, 11:09 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,009

Bikes: SOMA Grand Randonneur, Gunnar Sport converted to 650B, Rivendell Rambouillet, '82 Trek 728, '84 Trek 610, '85 Trek 500, C'Dale F600, Burley Duet, Lotus Legend

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
You need a "sometimes" choice in your poll. I don't bother with a lock on brevets, since the number of fellow cyclists who are typically coming into or leaving a control minimizes (somewhat) the chances for mischief. But on a solo ride, I'll sometimes take a tiny cable lock, that is so flimsy it could possibly be broken by someone with strong hands, but that should make just enough of a "scene" that it gives an edge of protection and minimizes the chances of someone deciding that the quickest way home from the convenience store is to "borrow" my bike.
thebulls is offline  
Old 08-22-09, 12:26 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,117

Bikes: ANT Club Racer, 2004 Trek 520

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I don't bring a bike lock on distance rides, but I'm also the sort of person who rides their $3,000 custom brevet bike as a year-round commuter and leaves it locked up outside of bars and pubs in the middle of the city. I have had bikes stolen before, but it's usually because of stupid stuff like leaving it locked up at the same street corner, day-in and day-out for six months.

most people are not potential bike thieves, and most bike thieves don't stake out rural convenience stores waiting for careless distance riders to let their guard down.

but, with that said, one should do what is important to maintain their peace of mind and enjoyment of the ride.
spokenword is offline  
Old 08-22-09, 12:30 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Steve in MA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 300

Bikes: 2010 Specialized Roubaix comp (SRAM Rival), 2009 Trek 7.3FX, Early 80's steel frame Suteki road bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm pretty much the same as TheBulls. I don't bother to bring a lock on an organized ride (enough other cyclists/volunteers at the checkpoints to keep an eye on things). But when I'm on a solo ride I have a lightweight combination cable lock that I can stow easily between my saddle and saddle bag. Bring it with me in case I make a stop somewhere.
Steve in MA is offline  
Old 08-22-09, 01:25 PM
  #5  
"Florida Man"
 
chewybrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: East Florida
Posts: 1,673

Bikes: '16 Bob Jackson rando, '66 Raleigh Superbe, 80 Nishiki Maxima, 07 Gary Fisher Utopia, 09 Surly LHT

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1564 Post(s)
Liked 1,691 Times in 847 Posts
Wow, I'm the only yes so far. I bought a very small, light, cheap cable lock just for that purpose. It will at least prevent the grab and go crime of opportunity.
__________________
Campione Del Mondo Immaginario
chewybrian is offline  
Old 08-22-09, 02:33 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
The Octopus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: FL
Posts: 1,100

Bikes: Dolan Forza; IRO Jamie Roy; Giant TCR Comp 1; Specialized Tri-Cross Sport; '91 Cannondale tandem; Fuji Tahoe MTB

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Never bothered; never seen the need to on any of the rides that I've done. But then I've never locked a pair of skis, either, in many hundreds of days on the snow.... I suppose my attitude toward such things might change when I have my gear swiped someday....

Has anyone ever had -- or ever heard of -- a bike being swiped mid-ride on a long-distance ride, while the owner is in a convenience store or restaurant?
The Octopus is offline  
Old 08-22-09, 02:45 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Waynesboro,PA
Posts: 301

Bikes: 08 LHT and 13 giant defy 2 composite

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I bring a lock,just for peace of mind if nothing else.I really don't think anyone in around where I ride would steal a bicycle from a convenience store but I can't afford to get my bike stolen so I lock it up just in case.
jdom is offline  
Old 08-22-09, 04:45 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
CHAS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Silverthorne, Colorado
Posts: 636

Bikes: Rawlings Drakkar, Specialized Roubaix, Pivot, Challenge Trike, Tandem

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Have spent too much time and money on my bike to leave it unlocked. Use a small light combination lock I found in a bikestore.
CHAS is offline  
Old 08-22-09, 05:41 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
CbadRider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the bridge with Picard
Posts: 5,935

Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I don't bring a lock. On organized rides there is always someone to watch the bikes, and on solo rides I put the bike right next to the front window of the convenience store if I need to go in, so I can keep an eye on it.
__________________
Originally Posted by Xerum 525
Now get on your cheap bike and give me a double century. You walking can of Crisco!!

Forum Guidelines *click here*
CbadRider is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 08:02 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
the spin guru's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 100

Bikes: Soma Extra Smooth

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Has anyone ever heard of somebody having there bike stolen during a brevet before?
the spin guru is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 01:24 PM
  #11  
Parttime Member
 
yeamac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Central IL
Posts: 1,104

Bikes: 2021 Cannondale Topstone Neo SL, 2021 Tesoro Neo SL EQ, 2012 Marin Bridgeway City; 1996 Cannondale MT1000 tandem

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Liked 17 Times in 9 Posts
I have a small combo cable lock I picked up at Lowe's for under $4 I use specifically to take on solo LD rides. I usually take it. On solo rides where I do not bring a lock I feel uncomfortable leaving my bike outside while I go in to use restroom etc., I guess because I live in a big city (Houston) and although I ride away from it, I'm don't think I could ever ride far enough away to get away from all crime. If riding with friends at least one of us stays out with the bikes so a lock is not needed. Like has been said, I have spent too much time and money to let some opportunistic thief walk off with it.
yeamac is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 02:46 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Bay Area, Calif.
Posts: 7,239
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by CbadRider
on solo rides I put the bike right next to the front window of the convenience store if I need to go in, so I can keep an eye on it.
Unfortunately I've heard of a couple cases now where people I knew watched their bikes being stolen while they were inside a restaurant. It takes a few moments to get back outside and by then the thief is disappearing down the street. At least in one of the cases the thief did drop one of the bikes when he realized the owners were running after him.
Attaching a little cable lock doesn't take long and seems like a good idea even if you plan to keep the bike in sight while in the store or cafe.
prathmann is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 05:34 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,009

Bikes: SOMA Grand Randonneur, Gunnar Sport converted to 650B, Rivendell Rambouillet, '82 Trek 728, '84 Trek 610, '85 Trek 500, C'Dale F600, Burley Duet, Lotus Legend

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by spokenword
... most bike thieves don't stake out rural convenience stores waiting for careless distance riders to let their guard down ...
It's not the "professional" bike thief I'm worrying about, because they're looking somewhere else. It's the person who comes out of the convenience store, dreading their walk home, notices a bike sitting there, and then rides away on it.
thebulls is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 05:38 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,009

Bikes: SOMA Grand Randonneur, Gunnar Sport converted to 650B, Rivendell Rambouillet, '82 Trek 728, '84 Trek 610, '85 Trek 500, C'Dale F600, Burley Duet, Lotus Legend

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by The Octopus
Never bothered; never seen the need to on any of the rides that I've done. But then I've never locked a pair of skis, either, in many hundreds of days on the snow.... I suppose my attitude toward such things might change when I have my gear swiped someday....

Has anyone ever had -- or ever heard of -- a bike being swiped mid-ride on a long-distance ride, while the owner is in a convenience store or restaurant?
I've read ride reports where people have had a bike stolen. In at least one case, they saw it being stolen but couldn't catch up with the thief who was, after all, riding away on a bicycle :-)
thebulls is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 06:17 PM
  #15  
RFC
Senior Member
 
RFC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 4,466

Bikes: many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 13 Posts
Most bike theft is opportunistic. I once had a bike stolen from my garage when I had moved to the side yard for a few minutes.

I carry one of the small key locks that come with firearms. It doesn't weigh much and is sufficient to stop the grab and run thief.
RFC is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 07:31 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Homeyba's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Coast, California
Posts: 3,370

Bikes: Colnago C-50, Calfee Dragonfly Tandem, Specialized Allez Pro, Peugeot Competition Light

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I never bring one but I've often worried/wondered about the moron opportunist who may see my bike and run off with it then sell a $7000 bike for $50 at the local pawn shop. That's just wrong...
Homeyba is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 08:22 PM
  #17  
Dead Men Assume...
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Singapore
Posts: 852

Bikes: Bike Friday NWT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Wasn't there some sort of organized race in NYC just in the past month where a couple of bikes were stolen?
IronMac is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 08:56 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,570
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by CbadRider
I don't bring a lock. On organized rides there is always someone to watch the bikes, and on solo rides I put the bike right next to the front window of the convenience store if I need to go in, so I can keep an eye on it.
I've heard of people (without a lock) loosen their front skewer and brake. And/or down shift a few gears, then up shift the same amount once parked. I guess this only applies to someone who is thinking about riding off with your bike. I use a 5/8" x 2' cable lock. I'm thinking about getter a lighter cable lock though.
mijome07 is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 09:06 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
bobbycorno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,543
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
In three years of rando'ing, I have yet to hear of anyone on OR or WA brevets having a problem because of an unlocked bike. It's not like controls are in downtown Portland or something. AFAIK, bike theft is just not an issue on PNW rides.

SP
Bend, OR
bobbycorno is offline  
Old 08-23-09, 09:34 PM
  #20  
Señor Member
 
USAZorro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,929

Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs

Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1488 Post(s)
Liked 1,057 Times in 629 Posts
Originally Posted by yeamac
...I guess because I live in a big city (Houston) and although I ride away from it, I'm don't think I could ever ride far enough away to get away from all crime...
If I lived where you did, I'd go with the lock also. I learned this in the 70's in Rochester, NY, but I don't live where I need to be terribly concerned.

Besides, if I'm out with a group, only someone who prefers older bikes would steal one of mine.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
USAZorro is offline  
Old 08-24-09, 08:03 PM
  #21  
Bicyclerider4life
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Florida and Idaho
Posts: 1,077

Bikes: Huffy Beach Cruisers, Miami Sun Trike, Vertical PK7, KHS Montana Summit, Giant Cypress DX, Schwinn OCC Stingray

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts
Nope. I bring two cable locks and two or three U locks on all rides.
__________________
"Whenever I see an adult riding a bicycle, I know there is hope for mankind." (H. G. Wells)
bicyclridr4life is offline  
Old 08-24-09, 11:31 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Oscuro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Victoria, B.C. Canada
Posts: 323

Bikes: LHT, International, 310

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
I currently have a beefy Krypto U lock and slightly lighter cable lock. Thinking of grabbing some hardware store cable, getting the ends looped, and a cheap pad lock for long rides.Light weight, easy to stow, provides enough resistance against grab'n'go theft.
Oscuro is offline  
Old 08-25-09, 01:32 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
CliftonGK1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375

Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by bobbycorno
In three years of rando'ing, I have yet to hear of anyone on OR or WA brevets having a problem because of an unlocked bike. It's not like controls are in downtown Portland or something. AFAIK, bike theft is just not an issue on PNW rides.

SP
Bend, OR
On last weekend's 400k, my ride partner and I took turns inside at the Granite Falls control because we weren't about to leave our bikes and all our gear out in the parking lot with
a) the meth-head luking behind the propane tank cage, trying to simultaneously not be seen and spange money from people.
b) the 5 drunk teenagers in a Chevette hatchback, exiting the store with 3 more 18-packs of beer and telling us how they were going to go into the woods and shoot a bear.
c) the silent drunk guy who stared my ride partner up and down for 30 seconds like he was from Mars.

We didn't trust any of them not to either go through our bags and steal phones/wallets/etc. or just drag the bike next to their car to destroy it for fun. Granite Falls is OK during the day, but on a Saturday night after the bar (yes, I'm pretty sure there's only 1) closes, it's somewhere between Deliverance and The Hills Have Eyes kinda creepy.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
CliftonGK1 is offline  
Old 08-27-09, 01:50 PM
  #24  
Banned.
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Posts: 4,761

Bikes: 84 Trek 660 Suntour Superbe; 87 Giant Rincon Shimano XT; 07 Mercian Vincitore Campy Veloce

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Never do and I stop at convenience stores and fast food joints. I just keep the bike parked where I can see it.
froze is offline  
Old 08-27-09, 04:10 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,570
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Just ride in the store (clipped in) and tell the sales clerk that your shoes are stuck to the pedals or else you'd leave it outside.
mijome07 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.