Stopping at shops without a lock?

louman999

I’m planning my first ever 100+ mile solo ride for the start of next year and I have a slight problem. Due to the length of this ride it’s highly likely I will have to stop at some kind of shop to fill up on liquids. This isn’t a problem of sorts as there are lots of shops I can stop at small local ones or much bigger supermarkets.

The problem I have is it’s just me so I have no one to watch my bike and I don’t own a lock as I have never been daft enough to ever want to leave a bike that costs the same as a car unatteneded anywhere in public. I spoke to my dad who used to cycle locally to me and he said he always took his bike into the shop even the tiny local ones. Now to me it seems embarrassing and a nuisance to everyone walking around in Lycra in a small shop with a bike. I also imagine the much larger supermarkets do have rules saying you can’t bring a bike into there shops.

What do you people do when you need to stop somewhere on your own? Do you carry a lock with you which sounds like a pain on a journey this long.

pilot_pete

Buy a small retractable cable lock for about a tenner. They are the sort used for ski boots etc. Wire lock it to something fixed like railings and ideally leave the bike in sight from inside the shop. Spend as little time in there as possible and actually pick small shops in small villages rather than supermarkets in towns. This will not stop a determined bike thief, but stops an opportunist simply walking off with your bike. They still could by yanking hard enough, but hopefully you will have enough time to go out, lamp them and make a citizen’s arrest!!!

PP

PP

louman999

Pilot Pete wrote:

Buy a small retractable cable lock for about a tenner. They are the sort used for ski boots etc. Wire lock it to something fixed like railings and ideally leave the bike in sight from inside the shop. Spend as little time in there as possible and actually pick small shops in small villages rather than supermarkets in towns. This will not stop a determined bike thief, but stops an opportunist simply walking off with your bike. They still could by yanking hard enough, but hopefully you will have enough time to go out, lamp them and make a citizen’s arrest!!!

PP

PP

I had just been looking at them cable locks but didn’t really think they are much good but as long as they can’t just ride of with it then that seems good enough for me.

slowmart

Plan your stops around cafe’s. You can usually sit outside and have your bike close by. I always leave my bike in a high gear so it’s hard to ride quickly and in plain sight but I also have a cafe lock but rarely use it, £10 as it’s a deterrent, no more.

I’ve also taken my bike into a service station as I didn’t know the area and needed jelly babies as I was on my chin strap. Brass it out as any embarrassment you feel then would be a small percentage if you saw your bike disappear up the road in a van or some scrote riding furiously away.

Oh and physical altercations in cleats are to be avoided.

Enjoy your first solo century ride.

awavey

Louman999 wrote:

Pilot Pete wrote:

Buy a small retractable cable lock for about a tenner. They are the sort used for ski boots etc. Wire lock it to something fixed like railings and ideally leave the bike in sight from inside the shop. Spend as little time in there as possible and actually pick small shops in small villages rather than supermarkets in towns. This will not stop a determined bike thief, but stops an opportunist simply walking off with your bike. They still could by yanking hard enough, but hopefully you will have enough time to go out, lamp them and make a citizen’s arrest!!!

PP

PP

I had just been looking at them cable locks but didn’t really think they are much good but as long as they can’t just ride of with it then that seems good enough for me.

I always take a cable lock, wrapped around the seat post, or the top tube looped around the front to carry, its never going to stop a determined thief, but you work on the probabilities that you wont meet a tooled up bike thief on your travels on a sportive and it should deter the opportunisitic thief enough,and youll be in/out quickly or keep the bike in sight.

but youll be amazed how many people do leave very valuable bikes unlocked and unwatched at these things, Im surprised its not more of a problem really, especially at starts/finishes when people rack their bikes, wander off to pick up numbers or coffees etc, no-ones paying any attention to anyone wearing cycling kit, who just picks up a bike and rides off with it.

priory

people who don't lock their bikes are crackers.


out

pblakeney

A pocket cable lock and an insurance policy that covers me if I use it.
Simple.

MiddleRinger

Like others have said, a small retractable cable lock is easy to carry. It won't stop a prepared bike thief but at least some scrote won't be able to run off with it easily!

I've never had an issue putting my bike inside the front door of smaller shops and service stations. Be polite and most employees will let you. Try to buy your food quickly and always have one eye on your bike. Don't stop anywhere you think looks particularly dodgy.

But stopping at a cafe is always best. :-)

pilot_pete

And when we stop at a cafe we cable lock bikes together - some frame to frame, some wheel to frame/ to wheel etc etc, it just makes for a ‘bike jumble’ which will delay thieves enough for the group of us to go out and lamp everyone!

As for cable locks being ‘good enough’, it all depends what you want them to do - I’ll happily lock my Colnago with a cable lock outside a cafe (in view hopefully) whilst I imbibe with some beans on toast + poached eggs, but I wouldn’t leave it anywhere unattended for any length of time, especially somewhere like outside a train station, even with a Gold standard lock!

I’ve got one of these for a fiver...

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BLJOIMRELO/jobsworth-ristretto-retractable-cafe-lock

PP

Midlands Grimpeur

I spoke to my dad who used to cycle locally to me and he said he always took his bike into the shop even the tiny local ones. Now to me it seems embarrassing and a nuisance to everyone walking around in Lycra in a small shop with a bike. I also imagine the much larger supermarkets do have rules saying you can’t bring a bike into there shops.

I do this, can't get nicked if you are holding on to it! To be fair, I never have any problems, small corner shops up to supermarkets are fine with it. As long as you are conscientious and don't get in anybody's way I don't see a massive issue with it.

mugensi

I cycle solo most of the time. If I have to go into a bigger shop where I cant see the bike, I take the front wheel with me. I know the bike could still be stolen but it certainly stops the opportunist scumbag who would steal a bike and cycle away on it but for the most part I try and find small shops which have a large front window so that I can see the bike. I also leave it in the big/big gear combo.

david7m

I go petrol stations and either take it in the shop or lean against the fire logs where there is CCTV.

StillGoing

As others have said, you don't need a massive lock to just nip into a village shop and buy some water. You don't need to stop other than to replenish your water bottles anyway. Stuff your pockets with your gels and food, 2 x 750ml water bottles and away you go.

dodgy

You don't need shops. All churches and cemeteries have free fresh water stand pipes in the grounds or up against the church itself. I have no idea why people are so often surprised when I tell them this, but it's absolutely true.

hadoken

I've always taken my bike in with me, never had any shop tell me I'm not allowed!

Matthewfalle

€2 cable lock from Decathlon here when out for a ride ride- you don't notice it in your pocket and it stops someone just wandering off with your bike.

proper lock if going to the shops/pubs/tracking down blow.

Longshot

As a last resort, I tie my helmet straps round the back wheel and frame. No, of course it's not secure but it may be a few seconds if someone tries to nick it.

A mate of mine who is a policeman uses handcuffs as a cafe lock. Fairly secure, albeit limited, but always a good talking point.

Bumo_b

I take the link out of my KMC chain with a tiny pair of pliers and put a medium padlock (about 4cm around the spoke crossover on the rear wheel). Will never stop someone who puts it in a vehicle but it cant be ridden anywhere quickly. Otherwise right by the front door with the wheel just visible and just don't hang about browsing

DeVlaeminck

Only ever been turned away from one shop - petrol stations or supermarkets are fine because they are just staff they either don't care or are unsure if there is a rule against bikes. If I do leave it outside a village shop I undo the QRs on the wheels though I do keep meaning to buy a cafe lock (been riding as a sport for 17 years and still havent got round to it!).

Matthewfalle

if caught without a lock just use a cable tie from you phuck up kit in your back pocket/underseat bag/bidon bag/whatever you use.

snap it off using your multitool.

homers_double

Matthewfalle wrote:

if caught without a lock just use a cable tie from you phuck up kit in your back pocket/underseat bag/bidon bag/whatever you use.

snap it off using your multitool.

That is a very good call, and one I'd never thought of!

chris_bass

priory wrote:

people who don't lock their bikes are crackers.


out

racist

Darius_Jedburgh

Strewth.
The pinko leftie politically correct brigade can find racism anywhere and everywhere.

Would you care to enlighten the uneducated masses as to where the racist connotations might be found?
After all if we have not been properly educated in the gospel of total inclusivity we might make the same mistakes ourselves.

chris_bass

there must be a way to make something that acts as a bottle cage but transforms into a temporary lock for such occasions - i'll patent it one day and be a millionaire!

Matthewfalle

homers double wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

if caught without a lock just use a cable tie from you phuck up kit in your back pocket/underseat bag/bidon bag/whatever you use.

snap it off using your multitool.

That is a very good call, and one I'd never thought of!

not just good looks me, eh, see.

#upstairsforthinking,downstairsfordancing

de_sisti

dodgy wrote:

You don't need shops. All churches and cemeteries have free fresh water stand pipes in the grounds or up against the church itself. I have no idea why people are so often surprised when I tell them this, but it's absolutely true.

Because people don't know what they don't know. :roll:

pblakeney

Franco di Banco wrote:

Strewth.
The pinko leftie politically correct brigade can find racism anywhere and everywhere.

Would you care to enlighten the uneducated masses as to where the racist connotations might be found?
After all if we have not been properly educated in the gospel of total inclusivity we might make the same mistakes ourselves.

Reverse racism - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_(term)
Some people lead sheltered lives.

Wayne Plunger

De Sisti wrote:

dodgy wrote:

You don't need shops. All churches and cemeteries have free fresh water stand pipes in the grounds or up against the church itself. I have no idea why people are so often surprised when I tell them this, but it's absolutely true.

Because people don't know what they don't know. :roll:

I didn't know this (or more likely once did but forgotten) but am happy to learn. I suppose it is obvious really for people to provide water for the flowers on the graves. I intend to check this out next time I pass such an establishment on my bike.

dodgy

De Sisti wrote:

dodgy wrote:

You don't need shops. All churches and cemeteries have free fresh water stand pipes in the grounds or up against the church itself. I have no idea why people are so often surprised when I tell them this, but it's absolutely true.

Because people don't know what they don't know. :roll:

It's not exactly earth shattering, though, is it? I've been on several threads on here and pointed it out and usually it gets ignored and we go back to stuff you can buy to fix the issue of finding water.
I guess people like buying stuff.

apreading

I also have an app called 'Refill' which shows you local places who have signed up to supply water. Doesnt seem to include any churches but has quite a few other places. Not as good as it could be because not widely known perhaps so many places havent signed up, but its an extra option that might help.

step83

Chris Bass wrote:

there must be a way to make something that acts as a bottle cage but transforms into a temporary lock for such occasions - i'll patent it one day and be a millionaire!

Or, a lock that fits into a tool bottle?