Safeguarding unwatched bike?

[GreatDivide14]

I'll be away from permanent lodging this summer, and I'm very, very fond of the new bike I aim to bring out there. If I vanish into the woods on my own two feet for a few days, how should I keep my auxiliary rotary feet away from thieves? I can lock it in the car, but it doesn't take a genius to smash a window. Securing it to the roof rack with cables and padlocks can be defeated by cutting the roof rack with a hacksaw. I have a u-lock and a cable lock, and I can probably find an out-of-sight tree, but trees can be cut, too. Any tips?

[Duckman_]

I'd be afraid to leave it either place(inside or on top), as I've seen way too many piles of safety glass lying around in tailhead parking lots, and those probably didn't even have nice bike in it. Any outdoor shops nearby that'd keep it for you for those few days? Ranger station? Etc etc. That'd be my first choices. Last would be leaving it in plain view at the trailhead in any config.

I would die if someone stole my prized bike. Yes indeedy.

[Skyeward]

Hey David, got your email. I guess this isn't really an option for you as you've got the wagon, but if I take both wheels off my bike fits in the trunk of my Toyota Tercel (small coupe), totally concealed. Heck, people could break in and hot wire my car and still not get my bike! If duck's idea doesn't work, maybe take the wheels off and stick it in the back under all your other stuff? making sure it's covered enough so as not to look like a bike, as long as nothing is going to damage the bike. Works even better if you have a bunch of useless crap to pile on that no one would want, but then again, who's carting around burlap sacks and paisly lamp shades these days?

[toonces]

In general, how safe are the parking areas of national parks and wilderness areas? I've only been to Arches NP and it was only driving and it was crowded at some spots. I too will be carting my bike and all I have is a truck with not a lot of interior storage so this concerns me. I can lock it out the wazoo in the truck bed, but cables with padlocks...?

[ChristopherG]

I went MTB in southern Utah and swung over to zion for some backcountry two summers ago. I drove through St. George which is about 45 min. away and stored it at a bike shop. I think it was something like Red Rock Bikes or something like that. Anyway I'm sure if there is a bike shop close you could swing in and ask them to store it. If they say they don't do that then tell them to give it a tune up and then come get it in a few when you're done. A $35 tune up is better than a missing $1500 bike!!!

[Jay H]

When I bike to run errands, get groceries, what I've done was find the nearest gas meter/line in a building and lock my bike using a cable lock (my area is pretty safe) to the gas line. I don't think most people will be cutting through a gas line so you should be safe for those kind of thieves.

Jay

[brad nicholson]

back when i was in the states i always left my bikes on top of my jeep on my thule rack, locked down with a cable through the frames and around the crossbars which are locked too. however, in europe i keep them locked in the back of the jeep if at all possible, especially since i have american plates...a good number of friends have had either cars or bikes vandalized.