Seattle Forrest

I'm convinced that the back seat is the safest place for the bike to travel, and the minor hassle is worth the lack of anxiety for me.

Lately I've been riding in scenic places, away from home, and the bike has been in the car a lot. All of these have been day trips this year. Sometimes it amounts to a lot of driving. I've been taking a day off from cycling every weekend to go hiking, too, and a few times I've found myself driving 100+ miles for a ride, going home, and then going pretty close to the same place the next day to hike. Camping makes more sense than a hotel, because I enjoy the fire and the night sky, and also because there aren't hotels in some of these places.

How comfortable would you be leaving the bike locked in the car (obviously w/ the windows up and sunroof closed) while you sleep? And how about while you hike? It's pretty common for a trailhead to be at the end of a dirt road, with as many as a dozen other cars around. And is the heat inside the car going to be a problem?

Sometimes I'll do this solo, sometimes with a girl, and sometimes with a few friends.

merlinextraligh

Heat inside the car is not a significant consideration.

Theft is a minor consideration. Your car can be broken into anywhere. Odds your locked car is going to be broken into at night in a populated camground, with you sleeping there, are likely not much different than it being stolen from your home.

If you're concerned, cover it with a blanket, so it doesn't sit there looking tempting.

FWIW, I went mountain biking at Tsali a couple of weeks ago, and didn't bother to even lock the MTB at the campsite at night.

pallen

In my experience, people out camping are generally not the type to steal from others. Of course, it only takes one to ruin your trip, but I would say having your bike in a car at a campsite is pretty safe.

Seattle Forrest

Thanks, Merlin and Pallen.

I agree about campgrounds. Seems like (1) most of the people there just want to drink around the fire, and (2) unless you're the only one there, and I'm talking about car camping so I won't be, the chances of someone else seeing should be enough to keep most thieves away. I'm a little more concerned about leaving the bike in the car at the trailhead. I'll throw a sheet over it. Good to know the heat in the car won't be a problem! (I'm going to sunny places.)

When I took the bike camping last year, with the girlfriend, it "slept" just outside our tent, under a tarp, and it wasn't a problem. But she wanted to get back to the city Sunday morning, so I didn't have time for a hike.

I have a 'rain bike' and would be less devastated if it got stolen ... but the nice bike is more fun to ride.

Right Said Fred

Safer than a dog, a baby, or an ice cream cone.

valygrl

blanket to hide, it, cable & u-lock it to your car if you are really worried.

SlimRider

I'd have to have it nearby while I slept. However, I wouldn't mind locking it up inside the car, during the hike.

Of course, in addition to locking up my car, I'd also have to remove my front wheel, and lock my bike to my steering column, as well...

island rider

When I was in the army I was taught that when in the field, sensitive items (important or valuable stuff that you need or want to deprive the enemy of) should be, for all intents and purposes, attached to you at all times. You would be surprised at how cuddly an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon can be when it wants to be.

Put your bike in your sleeping bag with you.

pallen

vermilionx

I did it on my recent santa barbara trip.

Bike was not in plain site though since.i covered it with a blanket and other stuff on top of it.

Looigi

Parking at an untended isolated trail-head lot where people hike in some distance and camp is notoriously risky. I know people who would take everything out of their vehicles of any value and leave it unlocked so thieves wouldn't have to break a window to check out what was inside.

Seattle Forrest

Yeah, it's true that some trailhead parking can be pretty risky. There tends to be a warning in the front of most hiking guide books (like the Ira Spring series, "100 Trails in ..."), and the crag trail at Exit 38 has a sign about 1/2 mile in, maybe 200 feet up a tree, warning about car thieves. People know they can find unsupervised cars.

And that's why I'm asking. It sounds like most of us haven't had a problem (but it only takes one time), and I think if I stick to trails that more than a few other people do, I should be ok.

sbxx1985 

A crime ring from Denver was hitting Boulder trailheads for several months in 2008. They were eventually indicted, but not after they broke into hundreds of cars in the area.

My bike is almost always in my car. Car has an alarm system and I always throw a towel over the rear wheel which sits right next to the rear driver's side window. Maybe it helps, maybe it doesn't, but at least I feel like I'm doing something to prevent theft.

sdvictor

I tinted my rear windows on my subaru to limo tint. be it snowboards, skis or bikes, i don't ever have to worry.




...and apperantly you can't do that in washington. Lame.
https://www.tintcenter.com/laws/

Black wallnut 

It really depends on where you are going. Theft at trailheads can be a problem in some places. That said most places that i know of have few problems with theft in campsites. I'll even go so far as to say in some places hunters leave camps set up for weeks at a time and never have problems with theft; maybe it is the part about there maybe a gun toting camper showing up at any time that keeps it this way. I could give you more specific advice off line if you want more.

prathmann

Why not put it in the trunk? Seems easier so you don't have to worry about the chain leaving a mark on the upholstery and it's out of sight and therefore unlikely to encourage anyone to try to break in. My 60cm road bike fits easily inside the trunk of a Corolla sedan (no fold-down seat) so this should be an option for all but the smallest cars.

pdxtex

^^^ plus 100!!!!! if the tent were next to the car, yay, tent down the trail some distance away from the car, nay! leaving junk in a car at a trail head is as bad as leaving a laptap on the front seat of a best buy parking lot. smashhh.

RollCNY

West Coast trail heads sound much more dangerous theft wise than Adirondack ones. In scores of trips, I have never had an issue leaving car at a trail head, with ample goodies inside. Last time I camped, I left the bike cable locked to a tree, and had no issues over 4 days, half of them with me off hiking and the bike left behind. I did pee near it to keep bears from riding it, because they get fur in the chain.

iconicflux

I got a 15' cable so i can lock the bike through the frame of the SUV while it's still on the bike rack. That seems to work pretty good thus far. No problems at all while camping although I know for a fact some asshat messed with it once.. (I think they unhooked the bike after noticing they couldn't take it in hopes that I'd drive off and drop it.)

roby

My bike lives in my car. I must drive part of my commute when I bring my son to school and bike the difference. I've made sure that I'm covered in case of theft and it was included in my house premium, regardless of value of the bike. My car/bike are left in the driveway, side of road and even downtown public parking lots without an issue yet.

And I have a differing opinion. Heat IS an issue... for your tubes. Relieve some pressure in your tires and keep a pump with you. I've wasted a few tubes by forgetting to relieve pressure on warm days since I usually run ~120PSI. I also have a black on black car and no tint, which may not help.

Cheers,
Roby!

Mike F

I lock everything up camping. We usually bring our "beater bikes" and I lock those to the kayak rack in the truck or put them in the pop-up. Ive been "burgled" too many time camping. Thank God its usually firewood or beer but last year somebody stole a bunch of the kids toys from our group. Freaking savages....

pdxtex

yeah, i dont know why this is. maybe since alot of these trails are near towns where the logging industry dried up, you just have a greater sense of desperation. small town mountain west is definitely different then small town midwest/east.

billyymc

When we camp we take 4 bikes, 4 kayaks. We lock the bikes up if we'll be away from the campsite (Adirondacks, Green Mts, Maine are our usual destinations). We often just leave the kayaks near the water unlocked. Been doing it for years and haven't had a problem yet. Location might make a difference.

Seattle Forrest

How apart do you have to take the bike? Is it just the wheels, or do you pull the handlebars off, too? My frame is a 58, but I can't imagine it fitting in my trunk. (Subaru Legacy) If I'm wrong, it'll be a happy day.

prathmann

I just take off the wheels (easy since they're quick-release - and without 'lawyer lips'). I turn the handlebars/fork 90 degrees, set the frame in the trunk and then place the wheels on top.