mrjim59

Planning on touring soon but getting nervous about theft of things other then my bike. I have a good bike lock but what about every thing else. From 300 dollar tent 200 dollar sleeping bag etc. I will be by myself so no one to watch stuff if I go inside anywhere. Anyone out there have trouble or ideas. Can someone buy insurance for that? Do stores and restaurants ever let you bring your stuff inside

MNBikeguy

With few exceptions in odd places, theft of gear is not really an issue. Use common sense where you stay. Use a removable handlebar bag for items such as wallet, camera, cell phone, etc.
You already have insurance for everything you take if you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy. Coverage for belongings is not limited to your residence.

skijor

Good question! I'd say take a small knapsack for critical items and just plain utility purposes. As long as you're camping in respectable places the tent etc should be ok. It's been my experience that state and county parks have slightly more upstanding clientele than the privately-owned. I am curious to hear others tip though.

Nigeyy

I agree with the other posters -I take my camera, wallet, air mat, small expensive stuff in my front handlebar bag that goes around my shoulder.

If I'm not comfortable with the place, I put my stove, sleeping bag and tent in one pannier and carry it around with me and leave all the other "cheap" or easily replaceable stuff in the other pannier on the bike.

Bacciagalupe

+1, keep the small valuables in a bag that's easy to carry with you. I prefer using a slightly larger tent and small bags, so I can keep the panniers inside the tent at night. I'm a little more concerned about theft in big cities than in rural areas.

Otherwise, I'm not too worried that someone is going to steal my dirty clothes.

prathmann

Even when using my little one-man tent I still take the panniers inside. Partly for security but mainly so I can find anything I may want to have later. Fortunately theft seems to be pretty rare in campgrounds even though it would be hard to prevent.

I do use my quick-release handlebar bag for valuables when stopping at stores and restaurants in addition to locking up the bike in a spot where I can keep an eye on it.

antokelly

how about two long cable lock's one for rear other for front.thread them through your wheel's and over your panniers .

mijome07

Better yet, how about some 'locking skewers' and a cable lock?

mijome07

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=losing+items

BigBlueToe

Where are you touring? I've only toured in the U. S. and Canada. I lock my bike up with a good, thick cable. I remove my wallet and camera and take them in the store or restauarant, etc. with me. In the campground I keep my wallet with me when I leave my campsite.

I've never had anything stolen.

staehpj1

Personally I don't worry too much. I take money, bank card, ID and electronics with me. I don't have a lot of high dollar gear. There is something to be said for touring with a well worn $80 tent and $70 sleeping bag and I have found them quite adequate even on multi month tours.

I use a $12 cable lock in places where I bother to lock up at all. I believe in having gear that is inexpensive enough that I could replace it bike and all without too much pain. I do worry more and take extra care in bigger towns, especially bike friendly ones, but I don't spend much of my touring time in them.

Losligato

Different people tour in different ways so the answers will vary accordingly. Some carry few valuables and others rarely leave their gear unattended or have a partner to keep watch.

At the other end of the spectrum are those like us who carry a lot of gear and often leave it unattended. When we go sightseeing we don't always want to lug around the computer. When we go running, which we do most days, we don't even want to carry our money belts if we can avoid it. So we lock our gear with a pacsafe.

This past weekend we went to the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna (not by bike) and stayed in a cheap hotel. The next morning we went for a run and locked our valuables in a PacSafe in the room.

I noticed that they have a new model that I believe will fit inside a pannier....