alaskadude

I am going to bike tour in Asia, Nepal, maybe India. I traveled a lot there. I always carried my passport, Traveler checks, cards etc. in a pouch that goes in the front of my pants. This is a sensitive place, and I am always quite aware of its presence (or absence) But on a bike this is too uncomfortable. The obvious is the bar bag. One guy said he packs it in his computer case and puts it in the right rear pannier. This makes sense, except every time you are off the bike you need to take the whole pannier with you, instead of just the front bar bag.
Im just wondering what other bike tourers do with their money/travel documents when traveling outside the US, and their reason for putting it where they put it.

Doug64

Everything you mentioned, including camera, go in Ortlieb bar bag. It is waterproof and easy to put on or take off the bike.

Camera goes in orange padded case. Tan neck wallet with passport is kept in back of camera case.

Machka 

Some more info about travel paperwork ...
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/16...g-country.html

spinnaker

In one of those around the neck passport bags inside my handlebar bar bag. Bags are hooked to one another.

The handlebar bag goes with me everywhere including in the shower at hostels. In hostel dorms, I try to select a bed next to a wall , it goes between me and the wall, otherwise behind my head.

My buddy wears his in a bag around his neck, even to bed.

Tourist in MSN

Another vote for handlebar bag.

For off bike sighteeing, I have some older Ex Officio pants that have a passport sized zippered pocket at ankle height. To the casual observer, that pocket is invisible and virtually impossible for a pickpocket to access. My passport, large denomination cash and most of my plastic goes in that pocket, I carry a fake wallet in my pocket with enough cash to last for a few hours. Thus, if a pickpocket gets my wallet, they only got the fake one with a few hours of cash. I might carry one piece of plastic in bottom of pants pocket where it is handy.

SparkyGA

I carry a wallet for day to day purchases, with cash and an ATM card inside. For my passport I have it in a waterproof case (along with my credit cards and HDD), placed inside of waterproof bag, which stay in my rear panniers. I am far more likely to lose my passport than my pannier being stole i.e. I am extremely forgetful.

You can't waterproof you passport enough. Bad experience....

fietsbob

After an airport pickpocket complicated my return once,
I wear them on me .. esp traveling overseas.. Ortlieb money belt is dry inside ..

I got a wicking-Mesh singlet sewn with a tunnel tube pocket across the lower-back .. its my base layer.

and so it stays there around my waist, behind, without the belt being snugged around my waist..

Caretaker

A bar bag is like a woman's handbag, too obvious a target for thieves.

I use an Ortlieb money belt that's waterproof to carry my passport etc. Wallet sits nicely in the small of my back and only taken off to shower (hanging in view) and while sleeping (under pillow or in sleeping bag).

ORTLIEB Produkt-Details

fietsbob

+1, a woman who had to replace everything , came into the Shop this Summer, after hers was nicked , now with electronic toys
& passport & ATM cards it was an expensive moment of lapsed attention.

raybo

I use a camelback and keep all important cards, papers and cellphone in the rear pocket. I often put ice in the water bag and that gives me a cold place for things like chocolate and other heat sensitive items.

I wear the bag at all times when I am biking or off the bike, until I am ensconced in my room/tent for the night.

fietsbob

NB. it was from a back pack back pocket where the documents were taken, from me,

while I was wearing it.

MichaelW

My neck-wallet lives in my bar bag except in higher risk areas, when I wear it.

alaskadude

Yea, I use a neck wallet too. This might be best for me. Put it in my bar bag. Im used to paying close attention. I never let it out of my sight/feel. The bar bag is an obvious target however.
Anyway, thanks for the answers, Ill figure it out as I go. Traveling in third world is nothing new to me but bike touring will be.

spinnaker

It is a really good habit to get into by keeping the bag with you. Even when you are in a fairly safe situation like a motel room, it is still a good habit to take the bag into the bathroom with you. That way in a less private lodging, you don't forget.

imi

I have scanned my passport, visas, tickets, vaccination card, insurance papers etc and emailed them to myself. Good to have a back-up

Machka 

+1

I've also emailed them or left them with my parents. If something happened, they could always send copies.

Reynolds 

I prefer to carry ID and some cash always on me, not on the bike.

tourbiker

Like Spinnaker: In one of those around the neck passport bags inside my handlebar bar bag. Bags are hooked to one another.

I have a Topeak handlebar bag so it also carries my DSLR and it has a fairly good strap for carrying over my shoulder. I've added a thinner waist strap in higher risk areas. The bag goes everywhere with me.
Can also wear the neck passport bag if concerned about leaving it in the handlebar bag.

Like others have suggested, I've taken photos of my passport and important ID, and a low limit credit card which I use for travel (including their toll-free number) and emailed it to myself.

Carbonfiberboy 

In a waterproof neck bag that has a wire insert in the strap. On the bike, I flip it around to lie on my back. I wear ordinary bike shorts, so a pants thing wouldn't work at all! I have copies of all my travel documents stored on my Kindle. I never leave valuables on the bike.