Bikes and camping

I just attach it to the tent somehow so it will wake you up if someone tries anything

I try and make them as difficult to see as possible by laying them down behind the tent, then padlock them to a tent peg loop. I have never felt the bikes to be at much risk (famous last words), but we have lost the odd water bottle to light figured kids.

If you want the best tent for that go for the MSR velo tent. This is an amazing tent, I have been using on my 4 years trip and I would not change for anything. In this tent there is 2 entrances and a huge vestibule. In the vestibule I was able to put our 2 bikes standing up plus all of our lugguage (8 large Ortlieb bags plus all the smaller one! To tell the truth I used to put them in the tent but further I went on my tour and less paranoid I got. So now I would leave the bike underneath the tent if I really feel unsafe (lot of peolpe around, people saw us pitching the tent etc). or to protect it from heavy rain or sea weather. Otherwise I lock it to the tent like stromaroma said. and very often I just let it in the open esêcially if there is noone around!.

What we've been doing is locking the bikes together with a long (12 ft) cable. If there is a tree nearby, there is usually enough cable for us to get it through all the wheels and around the tree as well. Haven't had to do it in inclement weather though. We do the same at hotels too when the rooms are too small (or there are too many stairs) for us to keep the bikes in the room. Usually hotels will have a room or courtyard (in latin america anyway) where the bikes can be locked. Anything that can be removed from the bike without tools is taken to the room with us. I ran into one person in Mexico who said he was planning on bike touring the US and he was going to buy a 4-person tent and keep the bike in the tent with him. Personally, I think it's crazy to take on that much extra weight to keep your bike only marginally safer.

Other than that, I second dr56ok...when wild camping, I'm more worried about my own skin than the bike.

Matt

Took a camouflage tarpaulin with me which was a stroke of genuis on hindsight. Could park the bike pretty much anywhere at night and no one could see it.

Just remember, that there are disadvantages to tying your bike to your tent when Mongolian horsemen are around!

Same as anywhere else. Me and it is well hidden. Or me and it is very open and obvious. No in between.
On the theory that if someone is going to take it, short of standing shotgun, it's going to go. And I don't do that either. Rather be alive without a bike than dead without a bike. Sure there would be a difference.
On the theory that a thief prefers not to have an audience while he takes it. [I tend to think thieves are quite shy people]. Keep it obvious and visible. If camp place has a light, thats where my bike will be under.
On the theory that no lock will secure your bike, if you have tried to lock it like you're gone for the duration. Invitation for the bike to be gone for the duration also. [if you saw a bike unsecured would you figure someone is dumb enuf not to be near watching it. So, it's a long shot]
Done camping. Just wrap a lock around the bike and something substantial, somewhere. [like, I'm here nearby, I just did this on principle] Get friendly with people around so they know you and bike belong together. May not help, but you will feel happier.
Be nice to camp people, they may have somewhere you can store a bike. That way you only get to loose whats in your tent. Which was probably worth more than your bike anyway. Like, can get home without a bike, Tricky without money, passport and stuff.
Nah, can think of way better things to crawl up in a tent with than a bike. Thats way kinky.

Dotravel! Hmmmm, so not into the kinky bike thing, eh?

Been reading this post, and at the same time this week reviewing tents for purchase for my ride to Mexico. So far, its down to the Big Agnes SL, or one of the REI free-standing versions, was planning on putting my bike into my tent, but not so sure now.

Think if it was a tandem, hell!

when you peg in your tent, place your bike close to the tent and then allow the pegs and ropes to go over the bike, locking it into place so to speak. if anyone tries to take it, they will have to first mess with the tent and you'll most likely hear that.
also, bring a longer cable 1.5 to 2 meters long and lock the bike with that as an extra deterrant.

hope that helps...