Hi all,
We're from the UK and planning to bring our nice Co-Motion tandem to cycle camp the Southern Tier starting early March. In Europe we always end up taking a good D lock and cable - these weigh a ton and it always pains us to carry them but gives us peace of mind and I'm sure we will again.....
But as this Forum is full of wise and experienced tourers... we're interested in what do you do for bike security on cycle camping tours in the USA? And Is this route more or less average in terms of risk (compared to say Europe, or other parts of the USA?).
Thanks,
Ian
Here what I use. A coated steel dog-tieout cable. I forget how long it is, 12 ft maybe? I split the clips off that came attached to it originaly... Bought it for maybe $5.00!
I used to have a more robust key-lock on it, but that froze up on me.
Here what you see in the photo. I pass one end loop, through the frame and around the seat-post then through the loop at the other end. I secure the trunk bag to the rack with it by passing the end through the rack, over the top of the trunk, around the rear light mount then back over the top and back through the rack.
When riding, I store it coiled up inside the loop of the trunk bag's handle, and around the rear light mount and the D-Ring that a shoulder strap would clip to, the end loop locked to the D-Ring in a way that prevents it from uncoiling as I ride.
When I deploy it, I snake the loose end first through the rear wheel, then around a tree or sign post, through the frame, through the front wheel, back through the frame, put a loop through the slot in my tire pump pass the end through that loop on the other side then wrap the cable around and around (see photo) and finally loop through the seat.
Why all this trouble? Because yes, people might steal ONLY your seat (I've seen it), people will steal your wheels (had it happen) and leave your bare frame hanging from a tree. I assume they'd steal an air pump if they'd steal a seat.
Moreover, my goal is to make it as much of a pain in the butt as possible. If they've got the tools to cut a cable this size, then that same tool will probably also cut the bigger cable... So why carry the weight and not be able to secure your bike completely when you're an entire continent (or further) from home?

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