Security questions, bike racks etc.
 

I have a Thule Speedway 3 and it mounts via straps and hooks. No hitch on my Vue. I will be going out for the first time to do a day ride and leaving my vehicle at a trail head. Do you guys leave the racks on or take them off and shove them inside the vehicle? I never gave it much though, and where I will be going is a safe area but you just never know.

And as far as bikes, how do you guys deal with the Anxiety of leaving a 2k+ awesome bike somewhere out of your site. Even with a cable on it. And is there a way to insure your bikes in case of theft?

I don't think I will be paranoid about my cheapo ride, and if it got stolen it would be a quick excuse to go move up with my wife feeling sorry for me. But when I finally do I think I would be fairly paranoid to leave it anywhere.

Thanks

One trick to slow deter theft of bikes off the rack is to back your car up to a wall or shrubbery, leaving little room for someone to get behind the car and possibly shielding the bikes from view.

As for preventing the rack for getting swiped, just lock it in the car as you mentioned.

I no longer have to use a trunk-mounted rack, but when I did I always put it in the trunk when I was away from the vehicle.

Many Homeowner's or Renter's insurance policies will cover bikes. If your bikes are expensive, however, you may need to pay for additional coverage. Best to ask your insurance agent about these things, not the Internet... As far as the anxiety, it doesn't go away. And don't kid yourself: cables only protect the frame and maybe the wheels. Expensive components are usually held to the bike by a single screw or hex bolt and can be removed very quickly if a thief were so inclined.

I don't worry about getting trunk mounted racks stolen. I leave it on the trunk and never had one disappear.

I am VERY paranoid about having someone swap the bike. I pull the garmin as soon as i stop and it goes in the car or in my pocket. I also try to back the car against some shrubbery or a wall or something, just makes it that much harder even though i use a cable from the bike to a loop under the bumper of my car.