Lock your bikes!

[dragonpilot]

On Monday morning I hid the newbies' bikes (2) that were unlocked. Imagine their annoyance when they discovered their bike had been "stolen."

I later returned the bikes after an appropriate amount of teeth-gnashing.

Was I an asshat for doing this?...probably. Did they keep their bikes locked after that? Yes.

[Savannah]

You did them a favor.

[theCryptofishist]

I'm with Savannah. And I think the burn has a tradition of people teaching those kind of lessons in that kind of way. No coddling...

[Super Evil Brian]

I don't condone bike theft, but if one makes it easy for someone to steal a bike, it's difficult to feel bad.

I doubt bike thieves are walking around with lock-breaking tools and carting off bikes. It's probably someone needing a ride, seeing an unlocked bike and solving their transportation problem.

Or, maybe hippies dropping their bike where they are to chase after a sparkly thing and having no idea where their bike is.

I lock mine (even if just a "free lock") and keep it near something like a light post or a specific side of an art thing. I would often lock it in front of Media Mecca, which I used as a starting point often.

[Super Evil Brian]

On Monday morning I hid the newbies' bikes (2) that were unlocked. Imagine their annoyance when they discovered their bike had been "stolen."

I later returned the bikes after an appropriate amount of teeth-gnashing.

Was I an asshat for doing this?...probably. Did they keep their bikes locked after that? Yes.

Some need to learn the hard way.

I ride a bike regularly (I sold my car. Again) and it's second nature to lock my bike.

[Super Evil Brian]

A cable lock is usually enough, but plenty of people have reported cut locks.

The cheaper cable locks (under $100) cut like butter with a 14" cutter.
The more costly ones may be more resistant.

i do not use a cable lock with my good bike.

Cable locks are good for secondary locks, like through a seat, frame and rear wheel, while a good U-lock or proper chain are good for the front wheel and frame. I has a flimsy, vinyl-coated cable lock for my bike on the bike rack when I went in for some lunch or something on the way to BRC, but I brought my bike in when I stopped in a motel.

The Knog cable locks are no ordinary cable locks and are quite sturdy.

I doubt people are cutting locks on the playa. It seems unlikely but certainly not impossible. How many camps have tools that can also be used to cut locks?

[gyre]

There are reports of serious locks cut on the playa.
There are people there only to steal, like everywhere else.

[Super Evil Brian]

There are reports of serious locks cut on the playa.
There are people there only to steal, like everywhere else.

Well, in a group of 50,000+ a few are going to be criminals.

[gyre]

Recreational areas attract criminals, just as college campuses do.
It isn't a new problem.

[Martiansky]

There are reports of serious locks cut on the playa.
There are people there only to steal, like everywhere else.

This just bums me out......and makes me mad!
This is why we cant have nice things!!

Oh, are seats stolen often? I just found a decent one on clearance and put it on my bike.
Do I need some sort of lock or tether to make sure that doesnt disappear?

[mytripod]

Lock it or lose it. I love my bike. It is not a rental or a beater. It is my beloved. I lock it with double locks when not riding around the playa. I love people, but with 50,000 of them, there are indeed those who will steal because they can. Even if your bike is a beater, it's your ride. Don't let opportunity knock on your bike.

[Savannah]

There are reports of serious locks cut on the playa.
There are people there only to steal, like everywhere else.

This just bums me out......and makes me mad!
This is why we cant have nice things!!

Oh, are seats stolen often? I just found a decent one on clearance and put it on my bike.
Do I need some sort of lock or tether to make sure that doesnt disappear?

One doesn't generally hear of seats being stolen, no. Anything could happen, but it's much less likely. What happens is that some entitled drunken jackass stumbles out of a rave it took him 30 minutes to walk to, and decides he's too effed up to face getting back home without help. Inhibitions down, he steals transport. The seat alone would not generally be the biggest temptation . . . unless it's some fancy 200 hundred dollar seat I've never heard of, which I'm sure exists somewhere (and could be disguised with something fluffy).

[gyre]

There are locks and security hardware, but seat theft is about like anywhere.
Rare.

Hate to say it, but the sprung seat and shock I want is about $200.
Doesn't look like much unless you know the comfortable ones.
I hope to buy used.

Search security hardware/fasteners for some interesting options.

[BBadger]

We brought bikes one year and my friend's bike didn't have a seat because we thought we could find one on the way but didn't. Despite lacking a seat, there were benefits because people would see him riding around without the seat and invite him in for a beer. Strangely enough, while there was little incentive to steal a seatless bike like that, somebody did attempt to steal that bike before we caught the thief.

So lock your damn bikes up, even the seatless variety!

[Shambala]

I bring an inexpensive cable bike lock and really try to use it whenever I stop. I added some brass tarp grommets to my backpack and run the cable through the grommets to keep that secure as well. There is really nothing of value in the backpack, but I would hate to lose it. The funky backpack also makes it easy to spot the bike from a distance when I can't find it.

[silkkat813]

*making note to make bike tags with camp name and address for my campmates this year*

[theCryptofishist]

*making note to make bike tags with camp name and address for my campmates this year*

(Shrinky dinks are good for this. It's possibly the only use they have.)

[katy potaty]

[quote="theCryptofishist"
(Shrinky dinks are good for this. It's possibly the only use they have.)[/quote]

Aw, thanks. I haven't thought about shrinky dinks in ages!

[clocksnmirrors]

We brought bikes one year and my friend's bike didn't have a seat because we thought we could find one on the way but didn't. Despite lacking a seat, there were benefits because people would see him riding around without the seat and invite him in for a beer. Strangely enough, while there was little incentive to steal a seatless bike like that, somebody did attempt to steal that bike before we caught the thief.

So lock your damn bikes up, even the seatless variety!

please tell us how you caught the thief and what you did to the schmuck!

[silkkat813]

*making note to make bike tags with camp name and address for my campmates this year*

(Shrinky dinks are good for this. It's possibly the only use they have.)

I gave my niece some this past Christmas for making jewelry. I will return to the store to see if they still have the kit.

[lemur]

[DoctorIknow]

I have the good fortune to have a "ladder rack" extending from the top of the Econoline that can fit 5 bikes. I always take 2 for myself and leave one unused until my other one has a problem or is stolen (and I do lock it.) The extra is sometimes used by trusted friends who get a key to the lock on a necklace.

BTW, if you have a number of bikes, and you use padlocks, get 5 locks all keyed the same in case one of your party loses their key.

And as a side note, if you buy a beater in a garage sale, realize that the cost of a seat, new tires and tubes can get close to the price of a cheapo WalMart bike, which last year was $95 for a 12speed with fat tires.

[unjonharley]

Bring all the same size bikes.. With extra tires and tubes.. This year I'm throwing in a bunch of stripped out parts for a cargo port.. Any one can get spare part from me.. nut,bolts,springs and things

[swampdog]

I think if you have a cheap bike, a cheap lock will do just fine. I seriously doubt there are people going around with cable locks to steal garage sale, thrift store, or even Walmart bikes. I had an unlocked bike taken last year from right outside my camp. There's a very low but non-zero chance that I just stupidly left it somewhere, but I'm pretty sure it was just taken. It was cheap, non-descript, and unlocked - a perfect target. Whoever took it may not have even known it wasn't theirs. It probably ended up as moop at the end.

[International Incident]

*making note to make bike tags with camp name and address for my campmates this year*

We did this - made a bunch of laminated tags that had the camp address on them - there was enough space to write your name as well.

These got used on bikes, bags, cameras.

I think we will make some again

[Elliot]

A couple of years ago I heard of a fellow who was caught with his motor home full of stolen bicycles. He'd been selecting better bikes without glued-on decorations, and busting locks. My wild guess is that he might have been a flee market seller.

I have been inspected for "too many bikes" while loading up. So they do know that there are organized thieves.

For your good saddle, you could reduce the risk of theft by replacing the quick release with a bolt and nut.

[unjonharley]

Our family has used a small cable and padlock on removable bike items.. Have not lost a seat in years..

If your bringing a bunch of bikes.. May be take a picture in your cell phone.. on the way in.. The phone will be turned off all week.. so there will be power to show your before picture if asked..

Just a padlock on the large sprocket will do the trick..

[DoctorIknow]

Just a padlock on the large sprocket will do the trick..

Technically, it is fine.

However, if one "borrowing"/stealing an unlocked bike is scanning 10 bikes per second looking for bikes without cable locks, chain locks, Kryponite style locks, he/she wouldn't see the padlock on the sprocket, and might grab the bike, and as soon as he/she discovers your sneaky trick, just drop the bike where it is, or damage it out of spite to the owner.

Yes, I'm paranoid as besides physical injury, losing a bike is a burnbummer that just keeps giving all week...

[unjonharley]

Just a padlock on the large sprocket will do the trick..

Technically, it is fine.

However, if one "borrowing"/stealing an unlocked bike is scanning 10 bikes per second looking for bikes without cable locks, chain locks, Kryponite style locks, he/she wouldn't see the padlock on the sprocket, and might grab the bike, and as soon as he/she discovers your sneaky trick, just drop the bike where it is, or damage it out of spite to the owner.

Yes, I'm paranoid as besides physical injury, losing a bike is a burnbummer that just keeps giving all week...

Your right.. I was speaking more for the trikes that I ride., Here in Salem you have to run a cable through everything on the bike.. I see just bike frames hanging from city bike racks all the time..