Originally Posted by
axolotl
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.
Chicago must be a tough place. We were riding (loaded) around the downtown area a few weeks ago not far from the train station, and stopped at a sandwich shop for lunch. I cabled my wife's and my bike together, lacing the cable through our wheel so the bikes could not be rolled away. A woman taking a break in front of her office building told me that that was not a safe way to do it, and to find a post to lock the bike to. Two guys standing nearby who overheard our conversation came over and said "listen to the lady". My wife was inside waiting for me. The woman told me to ahead and get my order in, and she would stay by the bikes until I returned. I told my wife what to order for me, and went outside, which led to a great conversation with the woman until my wife returned with the goodies. I thanked the good Samaritan, and we moved the bikes to an outdoor seating area where we could watch them. She had me convinced