Leaving bikes in rack at hotel
 

Do any of you feel comfortable leaving your bikes in a rack on top of your car when staying at a hotel? It's a moot issue for me right now because I called ahead and the clerk at the Hampton Inn said that they'll give us a 1st-floor room and don't mind if we bring the bikes in, but I was wondering what my general policy should be.

I have a Thule rack that mounts directly on the roof of my car, with locking bike mounts on it. If I add my U-lock around the bike and mounting bracket, it would be really difficult to get the bikes off without a hacksaw or something. But then I would worry about general vandalism and if I should remove the seats and other quick-removable stuff.

Taking the bikes on a trip like this is new for us, so I was just wondering what others do about it.

Everyone has to cope with their own choices. For me. I would have a very difficult time falling asleep.. I find hotels that allow for easy bike entry through doors located adjacent to parking lots. One short trip I once had three bikes to carry. That was a real hassle. If not theft, I'd fear for vandalism, as unpopular as cycling is to some elements.

Depends on the area and the value of the bike.

With my good bike, I'd take it into my room every night. It's less hassle to do that then try to lock it up sufficiently.

I take mine in. Several times I've talked the desk clerk into letting me keep it in their office. More often I'll roll it into my room.

I used to do a lot of business travel. I've come to consider motel parking lots to be free fire zones for thieves. I don't leave anything with easy resale value visable in or on my car.

I take mine into the room with me. Wheel it right in the front door, past the reception desk, through the lobby, into the elevator, down the hall, etc.. Never, ever, even once had any hotel staff so much as bat an eye, even in some very high-end hotels. I would not leave it on the car rack for any significant amount of time (hotel or any other location).

I work for Marriott, and you can bring a bike into any room. Just don't make a mess. This isn't to say there are a few a-hole franchisees out there that won't allow you to out the bike in the room.

Sombody already said it, "depends on the area and value of the bike" I would leave my bike here at my hotel with no problems since we have like 30 cameras outside and security right next door that keeps an eye on the place, I also take a walk around the lot every so often to strech out my legs. (I am night manager for a wingate hotel)

I see people with there bikes on there cars all the time.

But if I didnt know the area well or they didnt have on site security I would probably bring my bike inside depending on just how hard that would be to do and the circumstances.

This drove me crazy especially when parked and taking a quick hike. I finally bought a SUV just to be able to lock bikes inside. Now the gas milage issue is getting to me and I need another solution. Is someone working on a cloaking device for bicycles?

I've always brought my bike inside my room. I don't see the difference between rolling a bike inside, and rolling a baby stroller. Rubber tires, no real harm.

We take our mountain bikes on vacation to the beach. I use the roof rack to drive the 10+ hours, so that, with a cable lock keeps them secure. At the hotel they have a rack you can lock up, but I don't like leaving my bikes with a bunch of beaters. When at the beach I use a hitch rack and lock the bikes to that. We park in a garage so I just back in and the bikes are more or less out of sight. Our hotel doesn't allow bikes inside, and the garage doesn't make leaving them on the roof possible, however the hitch rack works fine. Some hotels have basement cages and we have left our bike in the cages before, I think that is the best option. I worry a little, but not that much, it's vacation after all.

John

My litespeed comes into the hotel room with me. My singlespeed beater, is locked to the bike rack.

They are working on it, about 18 months away ^^

How much would a GPS unit cost to locate a stolen bike?

Do you mean along with the stolen GPS unit?

I wonder what else they don't allow in the rooms. Red hats? Kids between 9 and 13? Rubber sole shoes?
WTF. Time for a new hotel.