I carry traveler's checks in the handle bars, put them rolled in a plastic tube with a string glued to the tube and the bar end cap. If I need money, I pull of the bar end cap, take a check out of the tube and get cash for the day. Keep the receipt for the checks somewhere safe to replace them if something happens.
We didn't have the ATM network when I started doing this. Still comes in handy if no ATM, or the card doesn't work.