locked up

[simonhill]

When I said having your bike as part of your house insurance, it was as a specified item (or items if more than one) at additional premium. Not just included in the general bundle, which is usually pretty useless. You the specify value.

Mine gives me full coverage away from home, including 60 days worldwide.

[L+1]

Some people book their accommodation based predominantly on whether they advertise a ‘secure bicycle store’!

Do note that a B&B definition of "secure bike store" may not be the same as yours!

Very true, but the inclusion of ‘secure bicycle store’ in the description of B + B facilities is orders of magnitude more useful than an establishment which has given no thought to the requirement. Having acknowledged there is a requirement for bicycle storage, exactly what and where it consists of is then up for discussion.
All the photos hosts and guests love to post online are the best clue….. would somewhere in the garden do, at a pinch? I suppose it’s all down to experience and a critical eye, if you don’t know the area you’re travelling in.
The TSB ‘pick and protect’ insurance policy is mentioned elsewhere. Having checked, they accepted a tree as a ‘solid object’ for locking a bike to. Lockwise, my choice would always be a chain, to cater for such non standard ‘solid objects’.

[mjr]

Good shout on Premier Inn - those places (as well as Holiday Inn, Travelodge etc) are often excellent at allowing (clean!) bikes into rooms. B&Bs can be much more variable.

While I've never heard of a full (purple) Premier Inn refuse a clean bike, note that "hub by Premier Inn" do not allow unbagged bikes in (and the rooms are very white and very small anyway, mostly in city centres). "Cyclists Welcome" and similar labels are probably the best first choice, then PI, Travelodge, Best Western and other chains.

Personally, even though my insurance only requires the bike be locked to a fixed or heavy object, I still carry a hefty D lock and an alarmed cable because I really don't want to finish a tour without my bike.

[Thehairs1970]

We use a Kryptonite lock and cable when touring plus a quick, probably useless, cable lock for quick stops. I’d rather lock than not even if it means carrying the weight.

I, stupidly, once said on another post that surely no one would take kit off the bike. I then had my Brooks saddle and seatpost stolen in Holland.

So now I am taking a small hiplok lock to ‘lock’ the saddle to the frame too.

Ultimately, you can only put people off not stop everything being nicked.

[MrsHJ]

I have a thin wire lock that attaches the panniers to the bike. Again it’s a deterrent and really says that the bags are worth more than my grubby cycle shorts and socks inside. Obviously take valuables with you when you go shopping etc.

[brianleach]

I have a thin wire lock that attaches the panniers to the bike

I have those but I don't use them anymore and certainly not whilst moving.

A word of warning. When I hit the bollard in Spain in 2011 instead of the front pannier shearing off leaving me to carry on but a pannier short, because it was locked to the rack it forced the handlebars to swivelled round and propelled the bike and me into the air!!!

So my advice is only lock them when the bike is stationary.

A testimony to Ortlieb though all four panniers are still in use today with some new clips ect.

[Freeweel]

So: new bike arrived today. (Fairlight Strael, very excited). Been pondering since starting this thread and I really want to make sure she stays secure at various places where I won't be sleeping with her! I won't really have room for any kind of d lock once fully laden, and am considering the hiplok gold as a possible option. Just wondering if anyone has experience of these locks: is it madness to consider wearing something like this for longer rides, or has anyone managed it successfully? Thanks in advance for any thoughts...
https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/hiplo ... e=93148101

[ANTONISH]

I have a thin wire lock that attaches the panniers to the bike

I have those but I don't use them anymore and certainly not whilst moving.

A word of warning. When I hit the bollard in Spain in 2011 instead of the front pannier shearing off leaving me to carry on but a pannier short, because it was locked to the rack it forced the handlebars to swivelled round and propelled the bike and me into the air!!!

So my advice is only lock them when the bike is stationary.

A testimony to Ortlieb though all four panniers are still in use today with some new clips ect.

I had a similar event passing through Bagneres - de - Bigorre in 2014 - front pannier brushed against a concrete planter, turned the handle bars and I was precipitated onto the ground - ruined my ride.
I no longer use front panniers. It's a risk one should consider.

[brianleach]

I had a similar event passing through Bagneres - de - Bigorre in 2014 - front pannier brushed against a concrete planter, turned the handle bars and I was precipitated onto the ground - ruined my ride.

Sorry to hear that. Yes it ruined my ride as well (and the bike as being an alu frame it was written off!)

I no longer use front panniers either but really due to my age as I try and carry less stuff these days (not always successfully)

[Bmblbzzz]

There are various ways to secure saddle etc on the bike, such as security bolts (Pinhead, Pit Lock, Hexlock, etc), cables through saddle rails and chainstays, and of course the worn out chain (without quick link!) in a plastic covering.

[Psamathe]

...
Bike insurance seems to depend on sold secure (gold) locks, which mostly add a lot of weight. ...

Not all bike insurance does. My cycle insurance is added to my house insurance (for a small extra premium) and their requirement is only that it is either locked or inside a locked building.

Ian

[Cowsham]

So: new bike arrived today. (Fairlight Strael, very excited). Been pondering since starting this thread and I really want to make sure she stays secure at various places where I won't be sleeping with her! I won't really have room for any kind of d lock once fully laden, and am considering the hiplok gold as a possible option. Just wondering if anyone has experience of these locks: is it madness to consider wearing something like this for longer rides, or has anyone managed it successfully? Thanks in advance for any thoughts...
https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/hiplo ... e=93148101

Yes it's madness you'd be better off with something like this
Master Lock Bike Chain Lock [Combination Lock] [90 cm Chain] 8392EURDPRO - Ideal for Bike, Electric Bike, Mountain Bike, Road Bike, Folding Bike https://amzn.eu/d/ahvWieE

It's 1.2kg so over twice as heavy as my heavy cable lock but would probably deter most thieves.

Because you're on a long trip you're going to be presented with a range of objects to lock to ie from a lamp post to a gate so you'll need a flexible fairly long lock chain or cable. I wouldn't even consider a D lock cos you could end up not being able to to lock to anything.

[simonhill]

You are aware that none of these locks will last more than a few (tens of) seconds with a portable disc cutter.

[cycle tramp]

Clearing out a corner of the shed, I found my old nylon black bike cover.... I just to use it when I toured and wasn't sure of what the parking would be like.

When I parked and locked my bike, it looked like a bike with a cover on it, but it meant that no one knew the value of my bike, and anyone paying too much attention looks really suspicious.

..however the magic used to happen if I could park my bike behind something. I once parked it, locked behind a bench, put the cover on it and in the shadow of a bush and it kinda disappeared... unless you knew it was there, you wouldn't have known. Another time I parked my bike between two big biffa wheeled bins, popped the cover on it, and it looked liked a big sack of waste...

..its yours and completely free if you want to try it. Pm me with a safe address if you want to give it a try..

[Freeweel]

Ok, so I've read through the various responses and I'm enormously grateful for your thoughts. Based on views further up the chain, this is where I've got to.

I've secured insurance via house policy, which just requires the bike to be locked when away.

My accommodation will have places to leave the bike but it won't often be in-room.

I don't intend to leave it wholly unsupervised whilst on the road.

So you might think: minimal risk, and I've certainly got cover, but I'd be gutted if the bike went walkabout without me, so aiming for something around sold secure gold standard seems sensible. I know this won't cover power tools and determination, but it should at least defeat most other attempts.

The challenge is - as always - limited space, and wanting to keep the weight down. D lock not possible, so wearable seemed like the best solution. I'd be unsure about downgrading (eg to the amazon suggestion ) simply to save a couple of pounds' weight if the lock then isn't robustly tested and theft-proof. Could be persuaded of course, if there's a good case!

I'm also definitely looking at secure bolts to protect saddle/wheels etc, so good shout.

I think my question is: are wearable locks actually workable for longer tours? And if not, are there better answers that magically solve the weight/space/security conundrum? Appreciate this might be like asking for a solution to the middle east, but if anyone knows, they're probably on here...

Lastly: thanks so much for the suggestion re bike bag. Probably won't work because I'm limited with luggage space (which I know is ironic when looking at 2kg locks). All ideas gratefully received though ...