I bravely took my first solo ride this week (usually ride w friends on the weekend, but during the week it’s more difficult and I hate the trainer).
Here’s my question: when you go on a long enough ride that you need to stop to use the restroom or refill bottles, what do you do with your bike? I didn’t want to just leave it against the wall at the gas station, so I cut my ride short. What should I do next time?
You could get one of those snowboard locks. They’re light and small and would easily fit in your jersey. It’s just a small cable, but would require a tool to cut.
Often I’ll just lock my bike using my helmet. My thinking is that if a thief can’t quickly grab it he’ll give up. I always keep the bike in sight and the areas I’m in are pretty safe. I do this with a somewhat cheap cyclocross bike and not a nice tri bike.
Plan your route out better, find a park with a bathroom you can bring your bike into, and find water fountains that you can fill bottles at without having to leave your bike. Or bring more water and piss off the side of the road.
Plan your route out better, find a park with a bathroom you can bring your bike into, and find water fountains that you can fill bottles at without having to leave your bike. Or bring more water and piss off the side of the road.
^^^^^This.^^^^^
Or this…
I’ve been leaving my bike outside gas stations and park bathrooms for 20 years. You need to either stop worrying about it or ride in better neighborhoods.
I’ve been leaving my bike outside gas stations and park bathrooms for 20 years. You need to either stop worrying about it or ride in better neighborhoods.
^ This. I just lean mine against the wall near the door. If you’re a regular and friendly the clerks will help keep an eye on it. Even if you’re not, you can keep an eye on it yourself if you put it in the right spot. I also think if you keep it front and center than a bit of “peer pressure” kicks in and people won’t mess with it if they know everyone can see them.
Generally I just don’t worry about it. If I ever experience the worst case, then i figure that’s what insurance is for.
Living in NJ, can’t always bike in good neighborhoods. I use a ski lock myself. Light and fits in a saddle bag easily.
Hmm you’re probably right, I just need to stop worrying. I ride in the country, nowhere too scary for sure. Thanks all for the advice! Maybe also carry a lock “in case.”
If you do feel compelled to use a lock, the ski/snowboard locks others have suggest are a good choice. I just bought one the other day (for my son’s snowboard) and they’re very light and compact. They won’t stop a hard core criminal for long, but assuming all you’re doing is buying a drink they will probably be enough of an annoyance to stop the amateur grab and run types.
Here’s my question: when you go on a long enough ride that you need to stop to use the restroom or refill bottles, what do you do with your bike?
Interesting that you post this. I completed a year long solo tour and this came up all the time. If I were in North America or Europe I would lock my bike when I went into a grocery store or restaurant but in Muslim countries and most of SE Asia I left it unlocked and unattended. It was a bad habit but I felt far safer with my personal belongings in those countries.
For North America and Europe I carried a lock of course since I was on a fully loaded touring bike and would just lock my bike. My pannier bags were exposed but I took my valuables in a handlebar bag with me and never lost a thing from my main panniers.
One small step, of admittedly dubious value, but…
Sometimes when approaching a store or somethign where I’ll be leaving my bike, while I"m coasting in I click the shifters a bunch. basicaly, it means that if someone was to get on the bike and try to ride away quickly, the chain would seize up and they’d fall.
it’s never come to that. i’m not sure how much it would help. generally, i’m just careful about where i leave my bike (and where I ride). usually, a convenience store will be set up so that you can see your bike outside. then if someone tries anything you can waddle out on your cleats.
That’s a helluva idea! That and use helmet as a lock. That should slow em down enuff.
i just park it and don’t lose sleep and use the side of the road for bathroom, but I ride in the boonies.
you could remove your front wheel and carry it in with you
Just leave a note that says PEED ON FREQUENTLY !
That should do it 
I’ve been leaving my bike outside gas stations and park bathrooms for 20 years. You need to either stop worrying about it or ride in better neighborhoods.
Yep. If you need to feel more secure, most gas stations have front windows you can lean your bike against so you can keep an eye on it.
I plan rides along where there are stands of trees where I can carry bike in then do what I got to do.
This is my favorite solution so far.
In a pinch, I’ll hang my bike from a tree or high sign.
Mike L.
I wheel mine into the bathroom with me.
if you just have to buy something, rest the bike seat on your shoulder and carry it like a shoulder bag - i do that in NYC Rite Aids, and CVS stores if I don’t have my lock and need some quick food or drink (they won’t say anything cuz it’s technically not touching the floor). if you have to pee, pee on the side of the road, in the woods, behind a building, preferably not in poison ivy.