Originally Posted by
rccardr
Several suggestions:
1) Pee quickly
2) Wrap the strap of your helmet around the rim and fork so the wheel can't move very far without removing the helmet
3) Use a small luggage lock that and put it around on spoke pair so the wheel won't move farther than one rotation
4) Shift into big/small (hardest combo) so it is very hard to get on a pedal at any speed
Other than that, just keep the bike with you wherever you go. I seldom go into stores when riding but when I do, the bike comes too. Never been asked to leave it outside.
My constitution is more camel-like, so I can't remember having to stop for that reason in years, regardless of the mileage. The only advantage to having had dysentery, perhaps, but it is what it is.
My area is more rural, so a bike is considered someone's property and it would be discourteous to steal it. I avoid convenience stores with active parking lots in favor of mom/pop country stores where I can either bring it in while I look for the RC / Moon Pie combo, or leave it just outside the clerk's window. They miss nothing.
Try to ride with people. There is more deterrence when your bike is one of four up against the wall of the store, and one of the riders can be milling around.
Helmet/gloves/etc hanging on the bike makes it more personal, and they get in the way of a quick theft, like Doc says. Making it inconvenient is often enough of a deterrent.