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Stuff on bike--safety issues?
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Naismih from Florida on 6/1/2013 12:06:57 PM:
We've never done a trip for more than one night, so we wonder about people's advice regarding best practices for the safety of our panniers and contents when we go into a restaurant, museum, or some other stop. Of course any money, medications, ID, etc. are in our Camelbak packs which are with us at all times, so if someone wants to steal our dirty laundry and granola bars, it isn't a huge loss.....

But we wondered what other people do and what to expect.
 
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 6/1/2013 12:29:46 PM:
We had the exact same concerns as you. In all of our bike trips, not only on the C&O/GAP, we have never had a problem with someone trying to take our panniers or anything in them. We also carry money, ID, etc with us when we go into a business. I actually worry about my helmet and gloves as those are just hanging on the handlebars. We do try to park the bikes where we can see them. We always try to make it a little bit difficult for someone to try to steal our things. We only lock our bikes up at night. I guess if you are going to be in a building, (museum?), for a long period of time you may want to lock up your bikes.

I have to say that out on the trails and trail-towns, everyone has been very pleasant and "like-minded" and usually willing to help, (i.e., flat tire, asking for directions, etc.) I'm sure there is always a bad apple out there but we have been lucky and not come across him or her.
 
lenny on 6/2/2013 6:38:52 AM:
I concur with JJB. But at night I take the bike-bikes into the room.
 
Ken from Burton, Ohio on 7/20/2013 7:50:45 PM:
We have bicycle toured in Arizona, Idaho and Montana (a GREAT 180 mile loop there), Ohio, Michigan, New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania and others. We have never had anyone touch our bikes or packs. We occasionally lock them in more urban areas or if we are going to be away for them for several hours but we can't really lock the bags and we have never had any problem. Can't say it won't happen, but it never has.
 
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 7/21/2013 10:37:58 AM:
Ken, what is the name of the trail in Montana? I am interested in checking it out. Thanks!
 
James on 7/22/2013 2:13:52 PM:
I met a guy on the trail who said he experienced theft while in Harpers Ferry. Folks, the world is populated by Saints and Sinners. Take all possible precautions. A prudent man (or woman) never assumes or takes anything for granted. Enjoy your ride.
 
Angie on 7/29/2013 2:58:29 PM:
James,

I am wondering if you mean the rider and his bike were in Harpers Ferry, or if he locked his bike on the other side of the bridge, and the theft happened while he was over in Harpers Ferry without his bike. If you know, could you specify? ...We are trying to determine the best way to deal with our plans to do a day over there.
 
Rick Hancock from Grafton, Va on 7/29/2013 6:04:14 PM:
Getting you to the Harper's Ferry side of the Potomac isn't too difficult. But...maneuvering your pack laden bike up that skinny spiral staircase is a HASSLE! I've fought and cussed those stairs several times but I wouldn't leave my gear that far out of sight for an extended period of time. Most people are honest but there's always chicken thieves in the hen house. If I were you I'd bring my bike across maybe park it at the AT Conference Center.
 
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 7/29/2013 8:46:53 PM:
Angie, I agree with Rick. I have posted this in other topics here but I'll say it again. I have been to Harper's Ferry as both a biker and a tourist/hiker. My experience is that it is always "busy" around the path at Harper's Ferry. There are bikers, short trip hikers, AT hikers and tourists there, (in the area of the bridge and stairs). I would make several trips to get my bikes and gear to be near me so I could keep a better eye on them. It would not be hard to get someones bike up from the trail to the road and tossed in a truck and down the road it goes....But that is just me.
 
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