IMO, there a world of difference in the risks and "rules" for theft between "deep woods" campgrounds, and those near population centers. I'm sure that there are opportunists who see campers as easy pickins, and work nearby campgrounds. OTOH- out in the woods, you're surrounded by fellow campers, and while nothing is absolutely safe, odds favor you there.

When I travel, especially camping, I try to get to know my temporary neighbors. Neighbors who share a drink or meal tend to watch out for each other, and the watchful eye (or appearance of a watchful eye) can make a big difference.

BTW- one thing all travelers should do, is photograph key documents, especially their passport, and attach to an email they send themselves. Leave it archived in some obscure file on your email server or the cloud (not downloaded to the laptop), so in the event of loss, you can reconstruct the documents from any internet connection anywhere in the world.

And your "feeling" about a place, reinforced by the positive comments of locals, may be quite deceptive. Case in point is the theft of Machka's favourite bicycle from three foot away from the door of our tent, in a very pleasant country campground. "Nothing like that ever happens here", was the response from the campground managers.

Fortunately, the bike was recovered three years later, but the lesson was learned and we are both far more attentive to making our stuff as secure as reasonably possible, irrespective of how reassuring camp hosts or locals might be. Locks, and keeping our bikes and stuff in sight are vital. We also try to cultivate a passing but positive relationship with campers around us, and if a campground feels even remotely sketchy, we move on.

In a way, the experience also has moved our cycle touring interests from linear (A to B) to hub-and-spoke, where we can stay in a cabin or our van and do various rides out of the location.

On our RTW trip, it was very rare when we didn't have our bikes in at least one of our sight all the time, and we left our tent, but with valuables secured at campground offices when we felt confident enough.

And if anyone sees you... you know what to do.

I may at some point lose my bike and gear to a thief, but I figure that to me the risks I take are acceptable. I understand that the risk is there and choose my bike and gear with the notion that it could be stolen in mind. I trust that my instincts will help to minimize the risk, but accept that risk is there. The fact that I don't have a very expensive bike or very many expensive gear items makes it easier to be caviler about bike and gear loss. When/if I lose my bike or gear I'll try to take it in stride and remember that I have received a lot more kindness and hospitality on tour than negative treatment or theft.

(Except for the spelling of "cavalier,") I couldn't have said this any better.

I try to think and live like this in the home environment, too. Sometimes I wonder at the households advertising the expensive stuff they own, even leaving the TV and computer boxes out at the curb on trash day. That nice, expensive stuff can grow legs!

Yowch. That hurts.

This subject. One of the reasons I credit card camp.

I asked my grandfather why he always locked everything up. His reply was to keep the honest people honest. I asked him what about the dishonest people he said if they are really bad folks then no amount of locks will keep them out.

I place all the valuables that I carry into my handlebar bag, which I can remove from the bicycle and easily carry with me.

And putting "all your eggs in the same basket" as noted in my earlier Post, can result. All gone in one instant theft.

My wife and I use reasonable precaution, but not to the point where the bike becomes an anchor. We lock our bikes while shopping or eating, but leave our netbook in its spot in a rear pannier. It would take a lot of work to get to it. The thief would have to take the rack pack off and know how to release the Ortlieb panniers. In real sketchy areas we have lightweight cables, Ortlieb option, to lock the panniers to the bikes. In the 5 years we have had them we only used the cable once, and it was in a California campground.


At a campground in Switzerland we left our bikes cabled to that wooden fence and most of our gear stowed in the tent for a day. We walked the 3 miles to town, hopped a train and took it 300 km to a place I have wanted to see since I was a kid. Riding there and back would have taken us an extra week. I thought the risk was low and worth taking. The campground manager did hold our computer for us, and all the important papers and cameras were with us.

Switzerland might have changed in 40 years but when I was there in 1973-4 it was a place where mothers left their babies in their carriages lined up outside a Migros market and a jewelry store break in would rate a banner headline in the Geneva Tribune.

Fanny...excuse me, HIP pack is what I use. Works well on the bike, I carry my phone, wallet, keys, digi camera and knife in it. I can hop off and grab a bite to eat, no worries and the camera is there for quick picks on the side of the road. It's has all my vital stuff in it, if my bike + gear got stolen, I'd still be able to get home.