velocycling

It is called predatory pricing . They do it for a reason.

Bekologist

procedure:

Carry cable and U-lock, find suitable hitching post, hitch up iron horse, remove valuables bag from bike, shop.

i am not often on roads that go by walmarts but i have read walmarts sourcing is helping to save the small farmers of this country with their 'economies of regionalism' organic produce program with local produced produce when available.

rhm

On my last tour, I had to go to a Walmart. No, not my first choice; but when on tour, one doesn't have time to go on a shopping expedition; I wanted to get a few things and hit the road.

The greeter was very nice, though, uh, a bit limited. Anyway, she said put the bike inside the doors, and showed me where she meant, and said I didn't even have to lock it. I locked it anyway.

Neil G.

I use a light cable lock, lock the bike to something usually fairly close to the doors, often near the employee break area (not for security, but because that's a nice place to repack my bags). Then I take my handlebar bag containing all my valuables into the store with me.

Until this post, I had never considered taking my bike inside with me, or considered that someone could object to me taking in my handlebar bag. I've surely been over 100 different establishments carrying my handlebar bag, and no one has ever said anything to me about it.

Scrockern8r

Please wait on the line while I make a retort in the same vein and make a stereotypical comment that covers with a really large brush and doesn't have anything constructive to add.


OP:
I usually lock up as near to the front door as I can and try to make the bike look unappealing. (I like the fake dirty diaper trick!)

Ruffinit

I usually will wheel the bike into the store unless it's small enough to have windows where I can see it. IF I have to go into a larger store, they usually have the garage door type entrances where they bring the carts into the store. I wheel the bike in there if the front doors are too busy. I've never had a problem, but like one of the others said, I generally don't get harassed. Make like you know what you are doing and it's rare that someone will stop or even question you.

Camping out I have a tent that will accomodate my bike laid down. It takes up half my tent. I never leave it outside. I keep a chain and lock with me, but rarely use it.

drmweaver2

I gues sthere are major differences around the country in "biker accessibility" based on the responses here. Where I live, no bike racks at any groceries or Walmarts within 5 miles - none. The only places to lock up are outside on the "Return Shopping Carts here"/shopping cart gathering things in the parking lots. Ok/Good for the bike itself, not so great for the panniers/handlebags security-wise - hence the reason for the original post/thread.

I HAVE lived around the country and this seemed pretty consistent with my experience - whether I was in Maine, Louisiana, Alaska or Missouri - at least at Walmarts. Grocery stores, shrug, I would never have thought of or considered wheeling a bike inside.

Interesting responses. I may have to increase my expectations of places.

SBRDude

Too funny. You can say the exact same thing about any business that is more successful than another in the same competitive market. That's how free market economies function.

SBRDude

How long are you usually on tour? The cost savings you are getting at a big box might not be worth all the anxiety.

drmweaver2

I'm not sure that's a relevant question as stated. I benefit from both cost savings and generally MUCH GREATER product/food selection. Convenience store crud, while edible, is generally the same thing over and over in addition to being more expensive per both calorie and ounce. I like variety. YMMV

John Nelson

I generally don't even lock my loaded touring bike outside small-town grocery stores. I just lean it against the front of the store and go in. Not a problem so far.

SBRDude

I'm not suggesting that you shop at convenience stores - I wouldn't want to do that either. I thought you were focusing on large discount grocery stores, so I was thinking that other grocery stores might be a suitable option that would provide good variety and better security, but at a higher cost.

I guess it depends on the town and the particular store, but I have never been anywhere where the only option for groceries in an area is a Walmart or other big box place.

nycphotography

Also: If you find that you are not the master of witty banter and impromptu negotiation, you could have a page printed up that details your position on wheeling your bike through the store with you while you shop.

And simply state this: I usually don't have any problem pushing my bike through Walmart, but sometimes I am stopped, but once they read this (handing the page) and they have never failed to keep me as a customer.

Another suggestion: If you are touring a lot, then you can reasonably foresee a LOT of shopping at walmart... I'd call HQ and them to "bless" your technique and your page, and then when you show it to the greeter, it has a Walmart HQ signature on it.

NoGaBiker

+1. The option the OP is presenting seems to be you either have a Walmart or a QT gas station as the two food options. I doubt that binary trap exists anywhere in the world. Anywhere a Walmart exists there is a relatively enormous infrastructure around it, and that will include proper small and medium sized grocery stores as well as gas stations.

More likely is that you are choosing between a small local grocer and a QT-type gas station quickie mart, in markets that won't support a small Kroger or Winn Dixie or Piggly Wiggly, much less a Walmart Super Center.

drmweaver2

Okay... I'll try to clear this up again. I don't consider Winn Dixie a big box place. Nor Albertson's, Piggly Wiggly, or a bunch of others. It's definitely a communication/perspective thing here. 99% of the time, I'll go out of my way to avoid convenience store food if possible. So, since Walmart's are, to me, ubiquitous, I mentioned them as an example (heck, if I can find one 10 miles from nowhere in Maine, that's "ubiquitous"! Blew me away when I ran across it. That was 10 years ago and I don't remember the exact location but it WAS out in the middle of nowhere.)

I also have to say that I'd never considered rolling my bike through a store's aisles! That's freaking hutzpah!

rogerstg

I think it's simple common sense, not hutzpah in any degree. Bikes take up less room than those big shopping carts so I see no harm or inconvenience to anyone. If you tour, it helps to keep an open mind and be flexible.

FWIW, I've always taken my bike into grocery stores, Target, Job lot, etc. and have never had any trouble. On tour with my wife, we both bring our bikes into grocery stores so we can shop together. We've even been welcome to bring our bikes into restaurants when touring!

SBRDude

Whatever the case, it doesn't sound like your concerns are jibing with the experiences of others. You make it sound like rural America is littered with Walmarts and a subservient population shopping at them and nowhere else.

I think the suggestion to contact Walmart's HQ and get their blessing is a great idea. My guess is that they would go for it and possibly even support it much in the way that they allow/encourage RVs to park in their parking lots overnight.

staehpj1

They certainly are ubiquitous in many places. That said, I guess it depends on where you are, what roads you choose, and what you consider ubiquitous. I will say that I have ridden in the western US for multiple weeks without passing a Wal Mart on more than one occasion. I have also gone for over a week without seeing any grocery other than a Mom and Pop one. East of the Mississippi that probably would not happen.

Bekologist

i've toured in the west coast states the last few years and don't think i've ever even seen a walmart.. if i have i've just blocked it out.

neil

While I'm sure the pig doesn't care, your metaphor falls apart because I don't get dirty. A better metaphor would be walking past the pig, thinking "that smells awful," and then moving on with your life.

fietsbob

I read somone suggesting the Greeter at Wally World may act as the bike valet and watch it for you if you tip them ..
pay them a little money.. $5. they earn so little in salary after all..

Northwestrider

If some one asks you to not bring your bike inside the store, consider asking to see the manager. I has worked for me. I'm usually allowed to lock my bike inside the store. Sometimes finding something to lock it to is a challenge however, but I feel more relaxed with it inside rather than outside. Cameras are likely more reliable inside for instance.

whatsmyname

I lock my bike up right outside the main door or opposite a big window of an adjacent coffee shop etc (if there is one), take handlebar bags and move anything too shiny/electronicy, and then just walk in. I try not to waste my time but I don't worry too much either. Plus if you're doing it early in the morning, it's not prime time for naughty people and teenagers anyway. But I have to confess I'm slightly surprised by the Wal*Mart preference for food too, if only for the fact that their produce etc selection has always been terrible wherever I've been - certainly nothing on a "regular" supermarket.
You would certainly have to be mentally unstable to dislike Wal*Mart. Giving a "piece of your mind" to a clerk in a bigbox store because you can't wheel your bicycle around with you is, on the other hand, the action of a perfectly reasonable person.

BestSportEver

I usually shop at Wal_Mart once a week and I lock my bike to the big black fence outside the lawn and garden area. It's in plain view of the entrance and has 2 of their security cameras pointing at that spot.

gamecock

I lock my bike to a sign post in front of an entrance, put all my bags in cart, and if they want to search them, I say, "go for it."

They generally can's get them open, and say, "thanks for shopping Walmart."