Hey there! Welcome to Part 3 of my Road Trip Blog Series where I reveal my plans for a future trip of my own and how I’m going to solve the questions I’ve been asking myself about it. In this part I’ll be covering third thing that I think [worry] about- Security.
While bikers going out on a proper tour likely won’t leave their bike alone for long except to sleep- I’ll be entrusting the security of my bike to the hotel’s car park. That is to say I do not trust the hotel’s car park. At all. Not that I don’t expect they haven’t taken as many security measures as they can, it’s just never going to be enough on it’s own for me to peacefully sleep at night. While I’m out and about all day and while I sleep my bike will be unattended, in unfamiliar territory and I won’t be able to keep an eye on it for many hours of the day for five days. Yes- I have thought about this way too much. So I have to take precautions so that I can feel as though I have done as much as I can and will be able to sleep without keeping an ear open. All so I’m able to enjoy the time off. So what can I do?
Tactic 1 – Get your hands on the biggest, meanest chain and lock you can find like the Oxford Hardcore 1.5m XL Motorbike Chain and Lock. More often than not- the sight of a fat chain and hefty padlock will be enough to deter any wannabe thieves. Most of them want it to be easy- a quick snatch with little hassle, so a chain that looks like it means business will usually put most of them off. However- the chain alone will not do. You need to be able to use that chain to secure the bike to something else like a lamp post, a rail or a friend’s bike if nothing else. Otherwise all it takes is two people [maybe just one for a small bike] and they can just throw it in the back of a van and drive off in a matter of seconds. So it’s all about making things difficult for them to the point it no longer becomes worth their time.
Tactic 2 – Opt for a locking method that’ll make a lot of noise, like the Oxford Screamer Alarmed Disc Lock. People who will want to steal your bike don’t really want attention, so something that makes a lot of noise and gives them more than they bargained for will hopefully cause them to give up pretty quickly. Or if you’re like me and you’re going to use the big chain -and- the loud disc lock together, you’ve got a backup just in case they figure a way around your first line of defense. Just don’t forget you put it on your bike before you go trying to ride off.
Tactic 3 – If your bike doesn’t have one of it’s own, maybe consider getting an alarm system for the bike it’s self. Not only will it give you a little peace of mind knowing your bike has an in built theft deterrent but your insurance costs may even go down a little bit if you’re using an approved and tested brand of theft protection.
Tactic 4 – Another one that I’ll be using when I go on my trip. It’s simple and won’t cost you anything extra unless you have to pay to park wherever you are; park the bike under a camera. If you’re leaving your bike in a car park like I will be, chances are there’s going to be a camera somewhere. So even if the worst does happen, your first two or three precautions fail and your bike is taken, you’ve a better chance of the police finding who did it and catching them.
Beyond that there’s little more you can do. You’ve taken all of the precautions you can and at that point there’s no point in worrying anymore. Might as well enjoy your time, relax and hope you get a room that has a window with a view.. Of your bike.
Thanks for reading Part 3 of my Road Trip Blog Series everybody! In the next part, on a less worrying and stressful theme, I’ll be talking about gear. Specifically worn gear and what to look for in what you want to wear.
Until next time!
– MattW at Ghostbikes.com
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