Hotels and bikes
 

So many people here must have travelled without prior bookings at hotels. How many of you have had to leave your bikes outside overnight?
My friend and I are touring in the Black Forest soon, and though there are many, many bike friendly establishments there, some of the towms we'll hit aren't in the Bett und Bike guide, so I guess we'll be in less bike freindly hotels.
Anyone have any tips, or just experiences or leaving the bikes outside, or somehow getting them in the hotel?

Not sure about Europe, but in Canada, US, and Australia I have had no problem just rolling my bicycle right into the rooms.

Without exception, certainly to include Europe, my bicycle has always been welcomed in hotels. B&B's are different, as is to be expected, but the bike was at least always in a safe place. Favorite experiences include a bar/inn in Dover where I was told to park the bike right in the bar, in full view of the patrons, and arriving exhausted, late at night at a very fine hotel in Edinborough where I was firstly given a 50% discount , without my having hinted at such a thing, and then told to take my bike with me to the room, as a bellman showed me the way. Ah, such people there are!

Addendum: Giving it some thought, I do think appearances make some difference. If one is touring, including camping, in civilized places, then bicycling is a very clean activity. One may have disposable latex gloves in case of a flat. So I have always dressed in fairly new cotton clothes and tennies and kept the stuff and myself washed and tidy looking. Of course that doesn't work if it's been raining all day but that's ok. Anyway, I believe if one walks into an establishment looking like a normal, self-respecting human being, one will be treated accordingly.

I've never had problems either. And, this is sure to start a firestorm but..., make sure your drivetrain is clean. That's one of the reasons I use wax chain lube. My drivetrain is clean so I won't leave any black marks if the bike happens to touch a bed on the way in to the room. Also DO NOT use the towels to clean your bike...you are a guest, act like one!

I've had mixed luck. A hotel in Whitehorse wouldn't let me bring my bike anywhere inside the hotel, not even a storage room. Other hotels and motels wouldn't let me keep it in my room but did provide secure storage in the hotel, or showed me where I could lock it outside where it was out of sight.

Other, generally cheaper, motels let me bring the bike inside my room with no problem. Maybe it varies by region (I've done all of my cycling on the west coast of North America) but I wouldn't count on being able to bring your bike in with you.

In France the FFC lists hotels and B and B's which are bike friendly. Guess, that means you have a safe space to secure your bike.

I agree. When I take my bicycle into a hotel, I try to make sure it looks all clean and shiny. If I do any sort of repairs or maintenance or anything, I try to do them outside ... or if I do them in the hotel, I'll lay down garbage bags or newspapers, and I'll use my own rags not the hotel towels etc.

I've found being friendly and courteous to the hotel staff helps too. And I rarely frequent really expensive hotels. The less expensive ones tend to be a bit more laid back about things.

I haven't had any problems with hotels and bikes. But I do have kind of a funny story. On the last night of my ride down the pacific coast. We were to fly out from San Diego airport. We had not made any bookings untill just a few nights before. Unforunately the lowest priced hotel would could find was the Wyndham. That was quite a contrast from just a couple of nights before sharing the hiker/biker site with some homeless people.

At anyrate we just rode right up to the valet parking attendant and with a serious face I handed him my bike lock key and asked him if he wanted the helmet.

Gotte, I can pretty much guarentee you will NOT be allowed to take your bike to your room. Bikes don't belong in bedrooms. I am, however, pretty sure that there will be someplace you can safely lock your bike. Like their garage, or a storage room in the basement, or something along those lines.

German B&B's won't even let you walk in with your shoes on if their muddy! :D And rightly so!

I got something called a Bike Jacket, I think that's what it's called, so I can hopefully take my bike in hotel rooms. It's a cover that your bike is completely zipped up in. It zips at the top, so no matter how dirty the bike, the mess will stay inside the "jacket". It looks like it's made of vinal. Haven't had a chance to use it for taking my bike in a hotel yet, but I don't see how they can say no. They might not even notice it is a bike in there, with it completely zipped up.

EDIT: I found it, here it is...

http://bikejacket.com/features.htm

What are you saying?!?!?!? :eek: You can't call yourself a cyclist till you've had your bicycle in your bedroom!!

Mine was in my bedroom all winter ... that's where my trainer is.

On my ride through Illinois, Missouri, and Nebraska I found myself in an area of St. Louis I didn't care for. It was night and I did find a hotel. Of course, it was 3rd floor. Off came the panniers and gear. Throw the bike over the shoulder and up the stairs I went. In East St. Louis, I really didn't want to leave my bike outside. I did ask permission and the clerk 'recommended' I didn't leave it outside all night.

I was really careful not to get anything dirty.

BTW, a hot shower after several days on the road was nice. :D

Sorry Machka, I should have been more specific. Bikes which are being toured upon and are therefore dirty do not belong in any bedroom other than one's own. :D