Pannier/trailer security?

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

d87francis

Well-Known Member
Location
Oxford
Hi all,
me and my girlfriend are planning to do some cycle touring this summer with a trailer on my bike and rack and panniers on hers; camping and visiting friends on the way down to Cornwall and back. We were planning on trying to do odd days around places such as Bath and the caves at Cheddar Gorge come to mind, but are worried about what to do with our bikes/trailer/panniers when visiting such places. I plan to take a long cable lock for at night and a shorter lock as well, but do we just have to rule out doing those sort of visits where there is a possibility of having all our camping gear stolen? Thanks.
 
It's the same sort of risk that anybody camping/caravanning runs?

I've never had a problem. I just empty the panniers into the tent - and keep the "empties" on the bike just for the stuff I need for the day excursions ......... aye - but all the really important stuff is always on my person or in the handlebar bag.
 

rich p

ridiculous old lush
Location
Brighton
This crops up with alarming regularity.
There's no answer. No-one can give you one solution fits all. It's a risk and if you're the sort of person who worries about someone nicking your spare undies, dirty T shirt or Dan Brown novel, then either don't leave your bike and gear out of sight, or take multiple locks.
If you take a more pragmatic and balanced view, then do what growingvegetables says. Carry the important stuff and trust to the Gods for the rest.
 

mcr

Veteran
Location
North Bucks
Does Bath, perhaps, have any secure cycle lockers? (Even the far less picturesque Leighton Buzzard, my local town, has them now.) Bath station may even have a left-luggage counter as it's used by so many tourists - I'm sure you can check online.

It's easy to become paranoid, I know, and I've sailed past sights rather than take the risk of 'parking'. Now I try to fit my overnight stops around where I want to sightsee, but I have to admit I do tend to use b&bs rather than camp, which means things are locked away. You could always try to persuade the staff at the Cheddar ticket office or wherever to store luggage behind the scenes (and it's the sort of place where backpackers are likely to need to offload their rucksacks to visit the caves). And make sure you leave the bikes locked in a busy area.
 

Auntie Helen

Ich bin Powerfrau!
On my recent Berlin to London cycle ride (solo) I had two panniers (stayed in hotels). One had all my clothing and stuff that was low value, the other had everything of value (iPad, money, passport, tools, chocolate supplies). When I left the bike I kept the clothing pannier on it all the time and made sure I always took the valuable pannier with me. Job done.

Oh, and being Germany I only actually locked the bike up three times in two weeks. No-one else was locking their bikes, after all!
 

fatblokish

Guru
Location
In bath
Drop em off at my house in Bath?
Alternatively, if you've enjoyed a meal at a pub/cafe etc, ask the proprieter if they can temporarily store them for you.
 

Yellow7

Über Member
Location
Milton Keynes
You could also make use of the warmshowers.org touring cyclist's hospitality website, there's members all over UK and europe now, and also get a bed for the night, or lawn space, depending on what the host offers. I hosted a university girl from NYC in January and a South African chap last month, it's a great way to help a fellow cyclist.
 
There is a wonderful invention called a Pacsafe

pac-safe.jpg



Designed for rucksacks

pacsafe85__78959_zoom.jpg



But very easily adapts to secure trailers:
ATTACH]

ATTACH]
P6180003.jpg



It can also be used in the largest size to encase the rear end of a cycle including the panniers. It then cinches to the botton bracket and rear stays
 
Top Bottom