khearn

Do you all carry locks with you on long rides/brevets? I've seen a few "packing lists" and never seen a lock mentioned, but I can't imagine much worse than coming out of a 7-11 and finding that my bike isn't where I left it (OK, getting hit by a bus would be worse). So what do people do? Do you always leave someone outside to guard the bikes? What if you're alone when you come to a store that is a checkpoint?

I've got a small cable lock that I carry with me on long rides. It's not enough to even slow down anyone who is serious about stealing my bikes, but it will keep some joker from hoping on and riding off while I'm in the bathroom. What do other people do?

mattm

i've gotten in the habit of leaving my bike unlocked on long rides. it's best to leave it where you can see at least part of it, so you'll know if it's gone, and be ready to run/yell if that happens. at least that's my approach.

on brevets there are usually a pack of 5-10 of us at a control at once, and it seems like someone from the ride is always outside doing something with the bikes.

i think i'm so relaxed about this since the long rides i do end up someone outside of the "city" - so there's less people to see it anyway. but on city rides i just try to make it quick, or bring it inside. i don't really use a lock at all these days, since i can bring my bike in at work.

a cable might buy you a few minutes if it really comes down to it, but so far i haven't seen anyone use a lock on a brevet.

i have, however, seen a picture of a rider on PBP sleeping while holding their wheel!! how's that for some rando-security?!

sringlee

While I almost always leave the bike unlocked at controls when I am either nearby or in a group, I do carry a low-grade, lightweight cable lock for use in the event I am suspicious of a locale and don't want somebody to hop on my bike and depart. That has happened on a couple of instances and I am happy to pay the weight penalty for the peace of mind. It takes a little space in my saddlebag.

Randochap

Sometimes carry a very light cable lock like this:



but generally leave my bike unlocked while in controls/restaurants. As mattm says, there's usually other riders at controls, so everyone keeps an eye on things. In the end though, if the unthinkable should occur, that's what insurance is for.

chewybrian 

I've been carrying a huge cable lock as thick as your thumb, about 3 pounds, and I lock up everywhere but controls. I think the small cable lock is a good call; I will pick one up today and shave off a couple pounds for tomorrow's 300k.

But for everyday rides/tours, when the clock is not running, the big, fat lock stays in the trunk.

supcom

In Texas we don't carry locks on brevets or permanents. Never done it. Never seen it done.