Camping and exploring
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: cherry hill, nj
Posts: 6,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Camping and exploring
Hello all.
One thing I cannot wrap my head around is if its safe or even typical to to set up camp and then go explore the town. The reason I ask is that some friends and I are going on a few day tour and one of the days is a low mileage day and we will camp in a campground and there is a cool little town down the road.
So I wanted to know if you all would recommend setting up camp and then going into the town to explore.
Thank you all.
One thing I cannot wrap my head around is if its safe or even typical to to set up camp and then go explore the town. The reason I ask is that some friends and I are going on a few day tour and one of the days is a low mileage day and we will camp in a campground and there is a cool little town down the road.
So I wanted to know if you all would recommend setting up camp and then going into the town to explore.
Thank you all.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Posts: 1,301
Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 459 Times
in
240 Posts
Guys here would be able to tell you I'm sure.
__________________
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
#3
I put all my stuff inside my tent, zip it up, and leave my campsite all the time. It's only on very rare occasions I've felt "a vibe" that leaving my campsite unattended would be a bad idea. Chatting with your neighbors is a good idea to let them know your circumstance. It's not to have them be responsible, but just to keep a "neighborly eye". I've never lost anything to theft at a campsite or touring for that matter.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NE Tx
Posts: 2,766
Bikes: Tour Easy, Linear USS, Lightening Thunderbolt, custom DF, Raleigh hybrid, Felt time trial
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
People who camp in formal campgrounds are not prone to stealing. The unwritten rule being to not enter someone's campsite unless invited.
Never had any problem myself. In fact, in one campground, when I returned, I found a bag of sandwiches and a bottle of chocolate milk beside my tent for "the homeless man." (Above rule violated.) Would you eat food left by a stranger? I didn't.
I second BigAura's post.
Never had any problem myself. In fact, in one campground, when I returned, I found a bag of sandwiches and a bottle of chocolate milk beside my tent for "the homeless man." (Above rule violated.) Would you eat food left by a stranger? I didn't.
I second BigAura's post.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,497
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1185 Post(s)
Liked 842 Times
in
438 Posts
Cyclebum
I second BigAura's post.
I second BigAura's post.
I would not want to get to the point where I was so paranoid about leaving my bike or campsite unattended that I would not go out and enjoy some of the attractions in an area. That is what bike touring is all about for me.
Early one morning while camping in a Swiss campground my wife and I zipped up our tent, locked our bikes (including my wife's custom built Co-Motion) to a rickety wooden fence, and walked the 3 miles to the train station. I was a little bit more leery about leaving them at the train station. We then took 3 different trains to get to Grindelwald. We spent 3-4 hours there and eventually got back to the campground at dusk. We locked our netbook and some other things in a small locker available at the campground. I was a little anxious, but it would have taken us 2 more weeks of riding to get to a place I really wanted to see. We wanted to get out of Switzerland because 3 more weeks there would have had a major impact on our finances!
Would I do this in Southern California? Heck no! It depends on the location and how I feel about a place.
The "rickety" fence.
On the other hand, we were riding through Cleveland, Ohio when we stopped at a diner for lunch. The waitress told us to bring our bikes inside, because they "will not be there when you come out". I didn't leave my bike out of my sight until we were well clear of the city
Bottom line is that it depends on the situation.
Last edited by Doug64; 04-21-13 at 11:02 PM.
#6
aka Timi
Camping and exploring
I have a tiny padlock on my tent zipper.
Minimal protection of course, but makes me feel better.
Minimal protection of course, but makes me feel better.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 80
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Depends on what type of camping you're doing? Campgrounds or stealth camping?
Stealth camping as it implies relies on stealth so you're camp should be somewhat hidden from prying eyes and the biggest hurdle you'll probably have is trying to find your stuff again depending on how well you hid them.
If you're that nervous about it, you can just take all your stuff with you and just leave the things you set up (tent, tarp, etc.) or just hide it away from your main camp with some leaves.
Stealth camping as it implies relies on stealth so you're camp should be somewhat hidden from prying eyes and the biggest hurdle you'll probably have is trying to find your stuff again depending on how well you hid them.
If you're that nervous about it, you can just take all your stuff with you and just leave the things you set up (tent, tarp, etc.) or just hide it away from your main camp with some leaves.
#9
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 598 Times
in
330 Posts
I don't feel 100% comfortable in any campground of any sort anymore.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#10
totally louche
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023
Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
I have faith in the goodness of the human race, but also recognize there are meth-heads all over america looking for things to sell for drugs. I will always lock my bike up at night and short trips into a store, etc. There will be a Ring lock on the next heavy touring bike i build up.
Always lock your bike up at night. You don't want to end up like Machka.
As to leaving stuff in a tent at an organized campsite, i try not to worry about it. There's not much market for dirty cycling clothes or a tent. I have heard anecdotes of entire campsites disappearing on people, but that's bound to be quite rare.
Don't leave electronics, money, or valuables in the tent, and ride into town to enjoy it.
Riding into a cool town for an afternoon of lounging about, drinking coffee under a shade tree, chatting up the locals, visiting used bookstores, consuming entire pies to the astonishment of waitresses....... some of the joys of bike touring. I caught "Grindhouse" the movie in an old Grindhouse in Portland on a swing thru there a few years ago. Catching a movie in an air-conditioned theatre on a hot summer day is a pleasant respite on a bike tour.
Don't let the fear of your gear being stolen get in the way of experiences like these.
ditto.
Always lock your bike up at night. You don't want to end up like Machka.
As to leaving stuff in a tent at an organized campsite, i try not to worry about it. There's not much market for dirty cycling clothes or a tent. I have heard anecdotes of entire campsites disappearing on people, but that's bound to be quite rare.
Don't leave electronics, money, or valuables in the tent, and ride into town to enjoy it.
Riding into a cool town for an afternoon of lounging about, drinking coffee under a shade tree, chatting up the locals, visiting used bookstores, consuming entire pies to the astonishment of waitresses....... some of the joys of bike touring. I caught "Grindhouse" the movie in an old Grindhouse in Portland on a swing thru there a few years ago. Catching a movie in an air-conditioned theatre on a hot summer day is a pleasant respite on a bike tour.
Don't let the fear of your gear being stolen get in the way of experiences like these.
Originally Posted by doug64
I would not want to get to the point where I was so paranoid about leaving my bike or campsite unattended that I would not go out and enjoy some of the attractions in an area.
Last edited by Bekologist; 04-22-13 at 04:05 AM.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 689
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I've been camping since the '60's and the only thing I've ever had stolen was some firewood. You'll never be completely safe from thieves, but generally people in campgrounds don't steal things. Having said that, I always lock my bike when not riding it!
#14
Senior Member
what??? leave your campsite unattended?? are you crazy???
first thing i do after i set up the tent is switch into my cammies. then dig a couple foxholes
and set up a perimeter. you know, set some flares and some man-traps, clear the brush
for about 100 yards in all directions. well, except for one strategically placed shrub to use
as a latrine.
paranoid? maybe. but you never know when another camper is gonna start plinking away
on his banjo, and then you'll be glad you're prepared!
first thing i do after i set up the tent is switch into my cammies. then dig a couple foxholes
and set up a perimeter. you know, set some flares and some man-traps, clear the brush
for about 100 yards in all directions. well, except for one strategically placed shrub to use
as a latrine.
paranoid? maybe. but you never know when another camper is gonna start plinking away
on his banjo, and then you'll be glad you're prepared!
#15
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 598 Times
in
330 Posts
I don't camp much anymore ... and when I do, I don't sleep much. And of course, lots of locks. One place in Germany, we locked the bicycles up, and then tied them to the tent.
So yeah ... once you've had a bicycle stolen, you get a bit paranoid.
Van camping is OK because everything can be locked into the van.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Last edited by Machka; 04-22-13 at 05:43 AM.
#16
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,247
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1355 Post(s)
Liked 1,251 Times
in
627 Posts
We camped in a busy city park and twice left during the day with no problems.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 576
Bikes: MGX MTB, Fuji Supreme, Miyata 90 and a Trek 700 in the works
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I have camped only once in last 30+ years of stay in the US and it was in a private campground in Lancaster Cty, PA. My towel hanging outside the shower stall was stolen while I took a shower. So, I guess nothing is guaranteed.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Sequim, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula
Posts: 438
Bikes: Co-Motion Mocha, Fuji touring, Trex hybrid, Bike Friday Tandem Traveler
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I put all my stuff inside my tent, zip it up, and leave my campsite all the time. It's only on very rare occasions I've felt "a vibe" that leaving my campsite unattended would be a bad idea. Chatting with your neighbors is a good idea to let them know your circumstance. It's not to have them be responsible, but just to keep a "neighborly eye". I've never lost anything to theft at a campsite or touring for that matter.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,247
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 138 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
16 Posts
Since I normally 'stealth' camp I can't speak much for what I do around a campground. I would have to generally agree with most though that I probably would trust everything enough to set up camp and then venture into town. If I had anything of any true value with me I would end up taking it with me and carry it in a daypack or something like that. Having said that since I normally 'stealth' camp I generally am not setting up camp until after sunset anyways. Pretty much anymore I head off for the business district and camp out behind businesses or in town parks more so than anywhere else. I use Google Earth to find the wide open spots around town where there aren't much in the way of homes close by the access point. If no one sees you go in, no one can call the cops on you and in the case of the question you are asking...for future reference, if no one sees you go in, more than likely no one will know you are there and no on will bother your stuff. You just have to have the right location where you won't be spotted coming and going.
Thus far, with maybe one exception last year...trying to remember if I ever did lock my bike up on the trip I was on last year or not, I haven't locked my bike up at all while travelling. I watch where I stop and normally I'm always stopping at locations away from cities in more rural communties or flat out convience stores at highway intersections aka basically in the middle of nowhere. When I stop to hop online at a McDonalds or someplace like that I'm pretty much able to look right at my bike/backpack and I can see if anyone is messing with it...again just watch where you stop. If I'm stopping at a Wal-Mart/grocery store...thus far, I haven't thought much about it. The traffic flow is so high plus with all the hidden cameras facing the parking lot generally most people wouldn't think of stealing the bike. I park it right beside the front door anyways to make it more visible and more noticable if anyone does decide they want to run off with it.
I carried a lock with me last year on my trip and I may have used it once. I don't ever carry a lock with me around home and I'm stopping at stores, libraries all the time. I do live in a smaller community area, for clarification. The only trouble I've ever had was some stupid punky kids that like to knock my bike over when they were taking their bike out of the bike rack Naturally they were too lazy to set the bike back up. They did that twice in about a week or so period at one of the local libraries...short thereafter since they couldn't keep their mouth shut in the library they got kicked out of the library and haven't been a problem anymore.
Thus far, with maybe one exception last year...trying to remember if I ever did lock my bike up on the trip I was on last year or not, I haven't locked my bike up at all while travelling. I watch where I stop and normally I'm always stopping at locations away from cities in more rural communties or flat out convience stores at highway intersections aka basically in the middle of nowhere. When I stop to hop online at a McDonalds or someplace like that I'm pretty much able to look right at my bike/backpack and I can see if anyone is messing with it...again just watch where you stop. If I'm stopping at a Wal-Mart/grocery store...thus far, I haven't thought much about it. The traffic flow is so high plus with all the hidden cameras facing the parking lot generally most people wouldn't think of stealing the bike. I park it right beside the front door anyways to make it more visible and more noticable if anyone does decide they want to run off with it.
I carried a lock with me last year on my trip and I may have used it once. I don't ever carry a lock with me around home and I'm stopping at stores, libraries all the time. I do live in a smaller community area, for clarification. The only trouble I've ever had was some stupid punky kids that like to knock my bike over when they were taking their bike out of the bike rack Naturally they were too lazy to set the bike back up. They did that twice in about a week or so period at one of the local libraries...short thereafter since they couldn't keep their mouth shut in the library they got kicked out of the library and haven't been a problem anymore.
#21
Senior Member
If I'm stopping at a Wal-Mart/grocery store...thus far, I haven't thought much about it. The traffic flow is so high plus with all the hidden cameras facing the parking lot generally most people wouldn't think of stealing the bike. I park it right beside the front door anyways to make it more visible and more noticable if anyone does decide they want to run off with it.
If I'm touring, I'll slip some zipties to bind the handles of the panniers to the racks to discourage someone from snatching a pannier off the bike as they walk by. None of this is strong security, but it discourages the opportunistic thief; i.e. someone who is not necessarily looking for something to steal, but may be tempted by a soft target.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,497
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1185 Post(s)
Liked 842 Times
in
438 Posts
I leave my bike unattended a lot, but NOT unlocked. Sometime you just have to be resourceful. We were staying at a hotel with a low security parking garage and bikes not allowed in rooms.
I fabricated these 3/32" security cables for my Classic Ortlieb Roller panniers. It is similar to the ones they sell for the Packer Plus series. They will not stop a professional thief, but they will discourage the opportunistic thief. Sometimes if we are going to leave camp for a long time we will cable all the panniers together, which make for a pretty unwieldy load. My wife and I both have these on our panniers, but we hardly ever use them.
I fabricated these 3/32" security cables for my Classic Ortlieb Roller panniers. It is similar to the ones they sell for the Packer Plus series. They will not stop a professional thief, but they will discourage the opportunistic thief. Sometimes if we are going to leave camp for a long time we will cable all the panniers together, which make for a pretty unwieldy load. My wife and I both have these on our panniers, but we hardly ever use them.
#23
Banned
I made Up a 10 foot long double loop cable out of hardware store parts ,
to extend the size of things I could lock-up to, at Night.
to extend the size of things I could lock-up to, at Night.
#24
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 598 Times
in
330 Posts
One thing I did before, and do more dilligently now, is to take anything of real value with me when I leave the campsite.
Our tent, sleeping bags, and well-used clothing can be replaced relatively easily (although it would be a pain and something of an expense), but there are other things like my camera and all my photos that cannot be replaced that easily. So that comes with me.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#25
Certified Bike Brat
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 4,251
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
Talk to police and park officials and you'll find that its not even always safe to leave stuff in a locked car and go off exploring for the day! Disappointing - but apparently part of life.
I either take everything with me, leave it with park officials, or have friends in the area I'm visiting and use their address as a base camp. No bad experiences but lots of good ones!
I either take everything with me, leave it with park officials, or have friends in the area I'm visiting and use their address as a base camp. No bad experiences but lots of good ones!