Kind of dumb question about rain, camping and the bike.

[rollinstok]

Sadly, almost any lock is useless against an expert thief
A cable lock will not be any sort of problem to them. I have a NewYork Fahgedaboudit lock which is one of the best you can get but at 2kg I never take it camping with me. I take a cable lock and so far have been lucky.
There are things you can do to help keep your bike safe... try to always keep it in view when you are in cafe's and shops. Many shops will allow you to wheel the bike in if you ask them nicely. I have often wheeled my bike into a small supermarket and by the time they realise there is a bike inside I am on my way out with the food, decide exactly what you need and do not browse- get in and out ASAP.
If your suspicions are aroused by anyone at the campsite, pull as much of the bike as is feasable under the awning of your tent and as another poster said, tie some string or use the cable lock and tether the bike to a pannier inside the tent.
Trust your instinct most of all, if you feel uneasy about stopping somewhere then just move on.

 

[jackthelad]

for your chain

http://www.chaincondom.com/

 

[jackthelad]

ribble sell them for about £14 but got simular on ebay for about £3 the make was babieri

 

[lordloveaduck]

Cheaper and more practical.

 

[MarkF]

I leave it outside, always. I coat the rust vulnerable bits with ACF-50, it is miracle stuff.

 

[jjb]

This Golite/oookworks tent has a good size bike porch. I wouldn't worry about the rain too much though, just take small quantity of oil. Or a metre of thin polythene and some clothes pegs.

 

[billflat12]

Can be heartbreaking leaving your nearest & dearest outside in the rain, have you considered getting a shelter ,
http://www.umbrellaheaven.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=456

 

[patheticshark]

I cunningly bought a tent with a porch for bike storage purposes but this has backfired on me now I'm going tandem touring.

My plan is to use the tent footprint if it's pissing it down, as we're unlikely to need it as a footprint most of the time.

 

[mcshroom]

Mine gets parked outside with just a cheap cable lock through the back wheel most of the time. I've not had any problems with this setup other than finishing tour with a gungy bike from relubing the chain.

I try to avoid larger towns when touring, and tend to use smaller shops rather than supermarkets, but where I have parked the bike at a supermarket (Inverness Morrisons for example) I make sure that all the easily nickable bits are off the bike, and that there's some dirty washing on the tops in all four panniers. Nothing has been touched so far.

 

[oldfatfool]

If I am not using the groundsheet then I use that to cover the drive chain, Brookes saddle is a pain covered or not, and does need stretching. I hve been carrying a can of GT85 and give everything a mist over on a morning and every 3_4 days mikle the chain and lube.

 

[MrJamie]

Ive been thinking about cycle camping with a couple of mates, but I notice the majority of British campsites mention "no single sex groups", because they dont want a group of loud drunken blokes. Does this cause any problems, or do you all have a cycling lady to drag along?

 

[Tiberius Baltar]

Ive been thinking about cycle camping with a couple of mates, but I notice the majority of British campsites mention "no single sex groups", because they dont want a group of loud drunken blokes. Does this cause any problems, or do you all have a cycling lady to drag along?

Ahhh a cycling lady to drag along... at least I wouldn't have to do the washing up after dinner if I had one of those!

I think if you were to call ahead and explain that your touring and its only an overnight stop you should be fine. I would think the main concern is a gang of lads or girls turning up for a couple of nights and being rowdy and upsetting other guests. Three blokes on tourers with appropriate gear should be made welcome though.

 

[Aushiker]

I use an Axa Defender lock built into the rear wheel + a longish cable lock. As already alluded to D locks are not that useful with trees, fencepost, etc.

I do the same but have an

Abus Amparo 4850 CL NKR Frame Lock rather than the Axa Defender. Same principle but.​

Also my bike lives outside when touring. The Brooks gets a plastic bag if needed.

Andrew

 

[Alex11]

You can purchase some quite good cycling covers/bags which fold up really small but cover your bicycle from the elements overnight.
Very good indeed.

 

[BrazingSaddles]

"I've never seen a campsite where I've feel comfortable leaving my bike outside the tent.

Really? I won't be cycle-camping in Texas anytime soon then!