I had a bike stolen by an airline at the beginning of a tour. It was boxed, and in the box were also my handlebar bag and a sleeping bag. I learned later that my bike was probably stolen at the arrival airport, Frankfurt. Several other passengers on my flight had checked luggage stolen, too. Obviously no lock could have prevented the theft of my bike. I had planned on biking from the airport to my friend's home, a 4 or 5 day ride. Instead, I took a train. After my bike hadn't turned up within a few days, we took off on our planned tour, which was mostly in France. I correctly concluded early on that I would never see my bike again. I borrowed an old bike that my German friend had. The frame was far too big for me but I survived. We didn't camp, however, since I had no sleeping bag. It actually turned out to be one of my favorite tours. I eventually got some reimbursement from the airline and from homeowner's insurance.

I had a warmshowers guest whose bike was stolen during his tour while he was visiting a friend in Chicago. I don't know the circumstances, but his panniers and other gear were not on the bike when it was stolen. He got another bike and continued his tour.