Since I live in a crime-infested city with some bad drivers and mosty tour in less populated areas with less dangerous people and less traffic, I probably face less risk while touring. Indeed, the only place I have ever had a bike stolen is from my house when I was home.

Only once did someone try to steal anyhing from me on tour. In Dubois, WY I left my stove out near my tent, which was pitched in an area of a campground that bordered a dirt road leading to a trailer park so something like that. Two kids driving a beater stationwagon saw the stove, stopped and were eyeing it up. I was sitting outside the laundy room reading about 50 yards away. The passenger opened his door, got out and started walking to the low fence that bordered the campground. I sprung up and started jogging towards my site. The kid jumped back in the car and the two sped off.

Still, I refuse to live my life with the irrational fear that everyone is out to steal something of mine or harm me.