And your "feeling" about a place, reinforced by the positive comments of locals, may be quite deceptive. Case in point is the theft of Machka's favourite bicycle from three foot away from the door of our tent, in a very pleasant country campground. "Nothing like that ever happens here", was the response from the campground managers.

Fortunately, the bike was recovered three years later, but the lesson was learned and we are both far more attentive to making our stuff as secure as reasonably possible, irrespective of how reassuring camp hosts or locals might be. Locks, and keeping our bikes and stuff in sight are vital. We also try to cultivate a passing but positive relationship with campers around us, and if a campground feels even remotely sketchy, we move on.

In a way, the experience also has moved our cycle touring interests from linear (A to B) to hub-and-spoke, where we can stay in a cabin or our van and do various rides out of the location.

On our RTW trip, it was very rare when we didn't have our bikes in at least one of our sight all the time, and we left our tent, but with valuables secured at campground offices when we felt confident enough.