Pedal Dancer

I haven't gone on a long solo ride yet but my training partner is out of commission for a little while and I'm curious about what to do when I need to buy some more water for my bottles? I currently ride with two but on a longer 50-60 mile ride that clearly won't be enough fluids. Usually, when we stop one person waits with the bikes while the other buys provisions at a convenience store. Now by myself what would I do with my bike if I need to go in and buy drinks?

Would hate to leave it there only to come out with my drink but have nothing but that and my spandex.

crispy010

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Just leave it outside, leaned against a window in plain view. How long do you normally take to buy fluids? 30 minutes?

BoodBianchi

Take it inside, if they say you can't tell them to piss off.

SprinterT

You could get one of those water bottle cages that clamps to your seat post and carry 2 more water bottles. I got one a while ago and haven't run out of water yet.

RudeSiggy

Most of the convenience stores I stop at have pretty big windows, so just keep an eye on your bike as you're walking through the store and checking out. It may seem like paranoia but it's better than getting your bike stolen.

If you really wanna be a weenie, I've heard of people shifting their gears all the way to one side (cross-chained) when their bike is stopped (no pedalling), and moving their brake pads against their wheel, maybe even clipping their helmet strap around the wheel and down tube or something. It's bad for the cables but then if someone messes with your bike, they think it's F'd up and unrideable.

Quite often I stop at a Chipotle after rides or something like that. I just bring the bike in, set it next to the door, and get in line. Nobody's ever said much.

bhchdh 

I clip my helmet straps through the front wheel and frame and lean the bike against a window, I hope it would slow down any walk up thief.

rydaddy

Leave your bike in the 53x11 (or your highest) and set it in sight. Keep and eye on it while getting your things. Be prepared to chase a thief that can't turn the pedals.

10 Wheels

It works:



You can also get a small cable lock and use it.

Jim from Boston

I like flavored carbonated water and on a particulary long ride (> 60 miles) on a hot day I bring three one-liter bottles; two in cages and one in rear trunk bag, so I don't stop for water, or food. They don't fit well in the cages, but a rubber band looped around the bottle neck and the cage holds them in place.

More problematic is bathroom stops (Massachusetts includes outdoor pit stops in their sex offender laws ). On my long rides, I usually need to go when out in sub- / exurbia. I feel OK about stopping at fast food joints since most of the patrons come in cars, as well as seem to be upstanding citizens. I've never been hassled about bringing the bike inside. I may start employing some of the ideas to temporarily stymie a thief as described above.

citizenerased

friend showed me this trice, picked up a luggage lock and seat cable (5mm or narrower gauge, about $5 for a 2 foot one) and lock the top tube to something immobile. I keep it all in my bag, light and secure enough for short stops where you don't feel you can leave your bike unsecured. Still doesn't solve the QR skewer problem though.

BMWdoc

I simply walk in with it. Never had anyone complain.

superdex

never worried about it...

logdrum

If you have a Wipperman connex you can easily take the chain off and use it as a lock. I had to do that when I had to take a crap down SE Albuquerque near Central Avenue.

I do not know where you are but I do not consume more than 1 bottle in 30 mile rides even in the middle of the day. I certainly have gone past 60 on 2 bottles alone. I live in the high desert. Maybe I just got used to it.

You can also get one of those small water bottles and use the middle jersey for it.

prathmann

A small cable lock fits in a jersey pocket or seat bag and only weighs a few ounces. No, it won't stop someone with bolt cutters or similar tools, but it will stop someone who just happens to be walking by and sees your bike leaning against the window. Odds are pretty small that a bike thief with his tools will happen along at just the wrong time while you're in a little remote convenience store or gas station - and even if they do the lock will give you a few extra seconds to run out the door and grab your bike. Much better than just depending on keeping an eye on it and then seeing someone running off with it before you can get out of the store (and most cycling shoes aren't the best for an effective foot chase).

JMT114

I usually just ride through a park that has a drinking fountain. It's free, and I never worry about my bike getting stolen.

Pedal Dancer

Thanks for the tips...I'll try walking in with it and see if I get any guff.

I would just leave it and run in and out but with my luck some s***bird would roll up in a van toss it and be gone with my goods!

I live in MA and did not know this. Are you serious? What if I'm out west riding and step off the side of the road for a nature break? Statie will haul me in?

eippo1

I usually route all of my longer rides through Concord for water b/c of their water fountain. I've also never had a problem with leaning it up against the window and heading into the store.

brian416

I usually stop at gas stations and leave my bike out front in the window. This all depends on what crime in your area is like though.

Val23708

I just carry extra bottles in my pockets. I don't see whats so hard. Save one pocket for cell phone/keys/shot bloks and the other two for water.

mike868y

I leave it outside, but I live in the middle of no where and the chances of someone taking my bike are slim to none.

khatfull

On 75+ mile solo efforts I carry two 24 oz. insulated bottles on the bike, and two uninsulated in right and left jersey pockets. It's a bit heavy at the start but I use the jersey bottles first and alternate drinks from them. Having one full and one empty makes the jersey feel weird. I've done 100mi. + that way.

That said I was just looking on eBay for one of those Profile Design Aquaracks to go on the seat post or saddle rails. They can be had fairly inexpensively. Thought that would leave pockets open for more food.

Bah Humbug

Same here. Want my money, allow my bike.

icyclist 

I would never leave my bike alone. Leaning it up against a window is like saying, "Here, take me." Even if you spotted someone jumping on your bike on the other side of the glass, you'd have little or no chance of catching them on foot as they pedaled off.

If you have to, yes, great idea, put the bike high gear. You might even loosen the quick releases, and you should be able to bring one wheel inside with you without a problem. Those things will at least slow down a potential thief.

If you spot someone going into a convenience store, you might say, "Excuse me, I don't want to leave my bike alone. Would you mind buying a couple of bottles of water with your purchase?" And have your money out - maybe offer a tip if the person does this for you.

Or: gas station water won't kill you. Water from the hose for radiators, restroom water.

powerhouse

I would suggest carrying a hydration pack with water bladder, tools, etc. In the bladder, put a mixture of ice cubes and cold water to both go the distance and keep your back cold. If anyone gives you any guff about wearing it, ignore them

bobthib

1+. Also leaving it in 53/11 is belt and suspenders. If for some reason I don't have my lock, I just bring it in. Do it all the time at the bagel shop. Never had a problem.

If thieves can take a car in 60 seconds, how long will it take to steal a bike?