Sportive breaks and bike security

[RussellZero]

I've entered a few sportives in my time, but its always been with at least one friend, and we've tended as a group to be a comfortable pace to be able to stick together. Stopping at rest stops (x3 on a 100 miler) hasn't ever been a concern, one person stuck around to look after the bikes while the others stock up on food, have a wee (using the facilities provided, unlike recent reported events!) and so on. Ive entered some more this year, and the likelihood is I'll end up doing one or two "on my own" (apart from the other 1000 odd people!)

Question is - am I worrying about bike security at rest stops unnecessarily? Should I take a lightweight lock with me? Has anyone heard of any problems during organized events of kit or bikes being nicked?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Cycling events of all kinds are pretty common stomping ground for scum and lowlifes trying to nick bikes.

http://road.cc/content/news/111806-pinarello-dogma-stolen-sportive-bike-park-thief-cycling-clothing
http://road.cc/content/news/90219-police-appeal-help-after-ridelondon-freecycle-bike-theft
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bi...istration-by-thief-dressed-as-cyclist.143855/
https://www.facebook.com/NewportShropshireCyclingClub/posts/10151873996151637

 

[Big Nick]

Take a lightweight cafe lock, better than nothing and no problem to carry

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

take a hip lock

 

[HLaB]

Ive never had a problem but these recent stories do play on my mind a bit and I've been glad the last few sportives I've done have been in a group (so somebody I know able to keep an eye on the bike). I have sportive insurance but I hope never to find out if its any good, its supposed to cover me for a bike unlocked at an organised event.

 

[jefmcg]

vote for cafe lock. There will be lots of bikes unprotected, so any lock will do. using this principle ....

Two campers are walking through the woods when a huge brown bear suddenly appears in the clearing about 50 feet in front of them. The bear sees the campers and begins to head toward them. The first guys drops his backpack, digs out a pair of sneakers, and frantically begins to put them on. The second guys says, "What are you doing? Sneakers won’t help you outrun that bear." "I don't need to outrun the bear," the first guy says. "I just need to outrun you."

I've got this one http://www.wiggle.co.uk/abus-combiflex-202-90cm-cable-bike-lock/ though allegedly they have problems with seizing up, I'm very happy with it and it's small and light.

(personally would not enjoy wearing a hiplock for further than commuting distance)

 

[RussellZero]

Thanks all - ordered one of those Abus cable locks up. Hopefully there wont be any bears about on the day.

 

[ianrauk]

Just a small cafe cable lock that can fit in your saddle bag or jersey pocket will do.
A determined thief will cut through any lock to get a bike, but obviously the easy option for a thief is the unlocked bike.
so some sort of lock is better then nothing.
Just try keep your bikes in view.

 

[cyberknight]

Just got a "rape " alarm for the bike shed and i am considering taking one on a club run for cake stops , it might not stop the thief but if they trip it when moving the bike it would make a right fecking noise .
Activated when the pin is pulled out .
Grrr computer not pasting a link !! , ebay sell them for a couple of quid .

 

[zizou]

I hope i dont regret saying this but i dont really see the need - most sportive stops are in quiet areas in the countryside, usually just the side of the road rather than in a building.

The more at risk areas are at the sign in and the finish (more likely to be in a town or village, more likely to have lots of people milling around and more likely to have to leave bike unattended while changing, going to the toilet or signing in). However i have the car there so can just keep the bike there or have a lock in the car i can use if needed.

For club runs there is always a sprint before the cake stop, i always make sure i contest this so i can get in the queue quicker. A side effect of this is that my bike ends up having a couple of clubmates bikes leaned against it which provides a bit of security

 

[cyberknight]

As mines normally the cheapest bike there along with there always being a couple of sky look a like bikes i think mines safe anyway !

 

[ianrauk]

I hope i dont regret saying this but i dont really see the need - most sportive stops are in quiet areas in the countryside, usually just the side of the road rather than in a building.

There may be no need, but i'm not talking any chances ever with my bikes.

And have a word with @redjedi about mates looking after bikes. He left his under the eye of a watcher mate in Richmond Park, on a day when there were hundreds of cyclists in the park. Still a turd manage to walk off with his bike.

 

[Beebo]

I have a safeman lock, very small and easy to use.

 

[Pikey]

I hope i dont regret saying this but i dont really see the need - most sportive stops are in quiet areas in the countryside, usually just the side of the road rather than in a building.

The more at risk areas are at the sign in and the finish (more likely to be in a town or village, more likely to have lots of people milling around and more likely to have to leave bike unattended while changing, going to the toilet or signing in). However i have the car there so can just keep the bike there or have a lock in the car i can use if needed.

For club runs there is always a sprint before the cake stop, i always make sure i contest this so i can get in the queue quicker. A side effect of this is that my bike ends up having a couple of clubmates bikes leaned against it which provides a bit of security

Generally I'd agree with you, but...

On a recent audax, the second control was in a town centre, outside a busy waitrose. A good sixty or so nice looking road bikes, leant up on walls whilst people went into the cafe control.

Glad I had my little cafe lock.

 

[jefmcg]

Well, Audaxes and sportives are different in this respect; a sportive would never gather at a Waitrose - but then local lowlifes probably wouldn't be expecting them either.