Viewing le Tour - Questions re: Security - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

05-19-2004, 10:13 AM

With a bit of luck (and the fact that I'm online so much :-) ) I was able
to secure a booking with Graham Watson Sporting Tours for their
Alps-to-Paris Tour de France tour in July. I'll be taking my bike and
riding some of each day's stage (L'Alpe d'Huez, here I come!).

But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about protecting
my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets, and
I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
wandering off during the excitement of the moment.

Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

~_-*
....G/ \G
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
CycliStats - Software for Cyclists

05-19-2004, 11:19 AM

"GaryG" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> schreef in bericht
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> With a bit of luck (and the fact that I'm online so much :-) ) I was able
> to secure a booking with Graham Watson Sporting Tours for their
> Alps-to-Paris Tour de France tour in July. I'll be taking my bike and
> riding some of each day's stage (L'Alpe d'Huez, here I come!).
>
> But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about
protecting
> my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
> money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
> under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,
and
> I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
> pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
> wandering off during the excitement of the moment.
>
> Any advice from those of you who've done this before?
>
> ~_-*
> ...G/ \G
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> CycliStats - Software for Cyclists
>
>

Expect everything you also would expect during a sunny saturday afternoon in
a crowded high street.
Yes, pickpockets may be there, as anywhere else (we're European, which
almost equals aliens). A small rucksack may be effective for your things.
I used to climbe on of the small electricity houses of the EDF (Energy the
France) for a good overview and good photo shooting.

You should leave your bike at your hotel.

When you want to see the Alpe d'Huez finish you'll be wanting to arrive the
day before the event, as during the day of the event the roads are closed
for all traffic.

have phun

--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

05-19-2004, 11:19 AM

"GaryG" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> schreef in bericht
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> With a bit of luck (and the fact that I'm online so much :-) ) I was able
> to secure a booking with Graham Watson Sporting Tours for their
> Alps-to-Paris Tour de France tour in July. I'll be taking my bike and
> riding some of each day's stage (L'Alpe d'Huez, here I come!).
>
> But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about
protecting
> my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
> money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
> under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,
and
> I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
> pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
> wandering off during the excitement of the moment.
>
> Any advice from those of you who've done this before?
>
> ~_-*
> ...G/ \G
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> CycliStats - Software for Cyclists
>
>

Expect everything you also would expect during a sunny saturday afternoon in
a crowded high street.
Yes, pickpockets may be there, as anywhere else (we're European, which
almost equals aliens). A small rucksack may be effective for your things.
I used to climbe on of the small electricity houses of the EDF (Energy the
France) for a good overview and good photo shooting.

You should leave your bike at your hotel.

When you want to see the Alpe d'Huez finish you'll be wanting to arrive the
day before the event, as during the day of the event the roads are closed
for all traffic.

have phun

--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

05-19-2004, 11:19 AM

"GaryG" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> schreef in bericht
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> With a bit of luck (and the fact that I'm online so much :-) ) I was able
> to secure a booking with Graham Watson Sporting Tours for their
> Alps-to-Paris Tour de France tour in July. I'll be taking my bike and
> riding some of each day's stage (L'Alpe d'Huez, here I come!).
>
> But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about
protecting
> my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
> money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
> under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,
and
> I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
> pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
> wandering off during the excitement of the moment.
>
> Any advice from those of you who've done this before?
>
> ~_-*
> ...G/ \G
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> CycliStats - Software for Cyclists
>
>

Expect everything you also would expect during a sunny saturday afternoon in
a crowded high street.
Yes, pickpockets may be there, as anywhere else (we're European, which
almost equals aliens). A small rucksack may be effective for your things.
I used to climbe on of the small electricity houses of the EDF (Energy the
France) for a good overview and good photo shooting.

You should leave your bike at your hotel.

When you want to see the Alpe d'Huez finish you'll be wanting to arrive the
day before the event, as during the day of the event the roads are closed
for all traffic.

have phun

--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

05-19-2004, 11:19 AM

"GaryG" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> schreef in bericht
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> With a bit of luck (and the fact that I'm online so much :-) ) I was able
> to secure a booking with Graham Watson Sporting Tours for their
> Alps-to-Paris Tour de France tour in July. I'll be taking my bike and
> riding some of each day's stage (L'Alpe d'Huez, here I come!).
>
> But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about
protecting
> my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
> money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
> under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,
and
> I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
> pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
> wandering off during the excitement of the moment.
>
> Any advice from those of you who've done this before?
>
> ~_-*
> ...G/ \G
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> CycliStats - Software for Cyclists
>
>

Expect everything you also would expect during a sunny saturday afternoon in
a crowded high street.
Yes, pickpockets may be there, as anywhere else (we're European, which
almost equals aliens). A small rucksack may be effective for your things.
I used to climbe on of the small electricity houses of the EDF (Energy the
France) for a good overview and good photo shooting.

You should leave your bike at your hotel.

When you want to see the Alpe d'Huez finish you'll be wanting to arrive the
day before the event, as during the day of the event the roads are closed
for all traffic.

have phun

--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

05-19-2004, 11:19 AM

"GaryG" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> schreef in bericht
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> With a bit of luck (and the fact that I'm online so much :-) ) I was able
> to secure a booking with Graham Watson Sporting Tours for their
> Alps-to-Paris Tour de France tour in July. I'll be taking my bike and
> riding some of each day's stage (L'Alpe d'Huez, here I come!).
>
> But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about
protecting
> my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
> money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
> under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,
and
> I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
> pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
> wandering off during the excitement of the moment.
>
> Any advice from those of you who've done this before?
>
> ~_-*
> ...G/ \G
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> CycliStats - Software for Cyclists
>
>

Expect everything you also would expect during a sunny saturday afternoon in
a crowded high street.
Yes, pickpockets may be there, as anywhere else (we're European, which
almost equals aliens). A small rucksack may be effective for your things.
I used to climbe on of the small electricity houses of the EDF (Energy the
France) for a good overview and good photo shooting.

You should leave your bike at your hotel.

When you want to see the Alpe d'Huez finish you'll be wanting to arrive the
day before the event, as during the day of the event the roads are closed
for all traffic.

have phun

--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

05-19-2004, 12:05 PM

> But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about
protecting
> my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
> money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
> under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,
and
> I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
> pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
> wandering off during the excitement of the moment.
>
> Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

Gary: I've been to France five times (and will be going again for the TDF
this July) and have found that security concerns are largely overblown.
I've never used a money belt, nor been aware of any attempts to pickpocket
me (including while traveling a number of times on the metro). When you're
actaully riding to a spot where you'll watch a stage, your bike will be with
you... simple as that. Just like thousands of others. For most stages, the
Graham Baxter vehicle will be there at the stage, and you'll simply load
your bike up in the trailer.

I've never brought a lock for my bike and, in fact, have left my bike (along
with several others from our group) outside a relatively busy restaraunt (in
a small shopping center) for an hour, entirely unattended... and it was
still there when we left. Strange, but true.

You may read about my trip with Graham Baxter last year-
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

05-19-2004, 12:05 PM

> But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about
protecting
> my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
> money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
> under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,
and
> I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
> pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
> wandering off during the excitement of the moment.
>
> Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

Gary: I've been to France five times (and will be going again for the TDF
this July) and have found that security concerns are largely overblown.
I've never used a money belt, nor been aware of any attempts to pickpocket
me (including while traveling a number of times on the metro). When you're
actaully riding to a spot where you'll watch a stage, your bike will be with
you... simple as that. Just like thousands of others. For most stages, the
Graham Baxter vehicle will be there at the stage, and you'll simply load
your bike up in the trailer.

I've never brought a lock for my bike and, in fact, have left my bike (along
with several others from our group) outside a relatively busy restaraunt (in
a small shopping center) for an hour, entirely unattended... and it was
still there when we left. Strange, but true.

You may read about my trip with Graham Baxter last year-
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

05-19-2004, 12:05 PM

> But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about
protecting
> my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
> money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
> under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,
and
> I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
> pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
> wandering off during the excitement of the moment.
>
> Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

Gary: I've been to France five times (and will be going again for the TDF
this July) and have found that security concerns are largely overblown.
I've never used a money belt, nor been aware of any attempts to pickpocket
me (including while traveling a number of times on the metro). When you're
actaully riding to a spot where you'll watch a stage, your bike will be with
you... simple as that. Just like thousands of others. For most stages, the
Graham Baxter vehicle will be there at the stage, and you'll simply load
your bike up in the trailer.

I've never brought a lock for my bike and, in fact, have left my bike (along
with several others from our group) outside a relatively busy restaraunt (in
a small shopping center) for an hour, entirely unattended... and it was
still there when we left. Strange, but true.

You may read about my trip with Graham Baxter last year-
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

05-19-2004, 12:05 PM

> But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about
protecting
> my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
> money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
> under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,
and
> I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
> pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
> wandering off during the excitement of the moment.
>
> Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

Gary: I've been to France five times (and will be going again for the TDF
this July) and have found that security concerns are largely overblown.
I've never used a money belt, nor been aware of any attempts to pickpocket
me (including while traveling a number of times on the metro). When you're
actaully riding to a spot where you'll watch a stage, your bike will be with
you... simple as that. Just like thousands of others. For most stages, the
Graham Baxter vehicle will be there at the stage, and you'll simply load
your bike up in the trailer.

I've never brought a lock for my bike and, in fact, have left my bike (along
with several others from our group) outside a relatively busy restaraunt (in
a small shopping center) for an hour, entirely unattended... and it was
still there when we left. Strange, but true.

You may read about my trip with Graham Baxter last year-
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member