Viewing le Tour - Questions re: Security
 

With a bit of luck (and the fact that I'm online so much :) ) I was able to secure a booking with Graham Watson Sporting Tours for their Alps-to-Paris Tour de France tour in July. I'll be taking my bike and riding some of each day's stage (L'Alpe d'Huez, here I come!).

But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about protecting my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets, and I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike wandering off during the excitement of the moment.

Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

Seeing as you'll likely be riding with a group from your tour, a few locks amongst you should be able to create a critical mass of secured bikes that would be daunting to even the most motivated thief. Wouldn't hurt to bring along some sort of cable lock of your own for when you want to duck into a brasserie for a couple of pints!

That being said, I think people in France, especially while the Tour is on, seem to respect bikes a lot more than North Americans; we left our bikes unattended and unlocked a number of times while in cafes or wandering along the side of the road waiting for the Tour, and they were never disturbed once.

Have fun!