I imagine there's a range of attitudes to cyclists wanting to bring their muddy oily bikes into the nice clean rooms, but what is your experience of safe storage for your steed when overnighting on a bike tour? I'd like to dip my delicate toes into touring if the weather ever improves, but I'm concerned about getting my bike nicked while I'm in a hotel/B&B/hostel.
I did an amount of this back in the day in a few European countries. I don’t ever remember it being a problem. I don’t think the bike ever came in the room with us. But they always found some where safe for the bike
Yeah, I've always asked when booking, and managed to find places that offered a lockable garage or similar. Also stayed in Premier Inns a couple of times - they have a company policy of allowing bikes in rooms, or finding alternative storage if you prefer. I'm sure it has to be not dripping mud or oil, but I've never had them get fussy.
I can't recall having been in accomodations posh enough that taking bikes in was an issue while on tour.
Where there has been space concerns then the staff have always found an alternative .
When you arrive by bike as your mode of transport they tend to do a bit more for the storage than when you turn up expecting them to find storage just because you don't want to leave it in the car
2001 I left mine on a bike rack outside a hostel in Sweden. I was knackered and stayed two nights. Came out aaand someone had pinched the whole front end. Undone the stem, chopped the brake and gears. Bars with brakes shifters and aero bars plus fork gone.
If taken the front wheel off and put a dlock thought the frame and wheels.
So not outside.
I rebuilt it at a shop that had horded used purple stuff. A friendly shop to build it in, Purple v brakes, bar ends and possibly a bar almost made up for having the front swiped.
Can you carry a think bike bag/cover/ strong plastic bag and front wheel off/wheels off it into the room.
(got turned away when me and a muddy mate we’re doing a canal trip, saved by a less choosy local pub)
We stayed in a gastro pub in Osmotherly, they put the bikes on the coal pile in the corner of the garden and they moved them into the bar when the pub shut.
The Grande Hotel in Dinard had the porter lock them in the pool store. You phoned reception and your bikes would be there when you got outside. Most of the time you can sort something out.
Everywhere we stayed on Lon Las Cymru last year had somewhere to put bikes. They were used to it. Places on less well used routes might be less well prepared.
I should add that my experiences were all based in just riding into town, finding some where to stay and asking if they could put the bike some where.
We tend to use Premier Inns, too - specifically because of their bike friendly policy.
On one trip, we had a particularly wet last hour, on our way into Weymouth, so I popped into the reception and asked if they had any paper towels, to wipe our bike down with. The lady went to look for some, but couldn't find any, so she gave us a nice fluffy white bath towel each. I double checked that she knew what we were going to do with them, and she confirmed that it was OK.
A few minutes later, we wheeled the bikes in, and gave her two grey/brown, distinctly non-fluffy, towels.
No eyelids batted, at any point.
Not done bike touring but haven't ever had a problem with hotels and pubs putting bikes somewhere safe rather than leaving them in or on the car even when they are dirty.
Edit, most places are also quite accommodating with somewhere to clean your bike if you ask them.
I was assassinated on an Air BnB forum defending cyclists who brought bikes in to a living room when bike touring. So my recommendation is always ask to avoid upsetting hosts. Always treat a hotel or air BnB as if it was your own place so dont leave muddy marks on carpets on marks on walls. I would not leave my bike outside on a rack overnight.
I was assassinated on an Air BnB forum
Zombie bump 😉
Good point on not marking walls. I've stuck something between my bars and the wall when I've it into hotels and the like.
I don't like massive black marks on my wall and wouldn't want to damage someone else's place
Just ask before you pay. Première class in Paris let us leave the bikes in an conference room. In hotels with no receptionist anything goes including washing the bikes in a shower - we're not dicks though, we left it as we found it. I've been thinking hard and we've never had to leave a bike outside. When we first arrived in Pau the staff at the pool opened the boiler room for us to leave our loaded touring bikes while we swam.
Mainly experience of USA motels and hostels. Only once, in St Joseph, Missouri, got a refusal for the room. Went to the next motel.
In the UK hostels have always had a bike room. Travelodge and Premier Inn the room. Once had to lock it outside a BnB in Tomintoul. Happy to do it there.
never had problems on campsites or hotels/ B and Bs - always tell them in advance - only taken the bike into the room twice. Always take a lock mind - a decent one. Heavy but some piece of mind and a bit of a deterrent.
Not the same but the Laurieston Bar in Glasgow stows them in the cellar, proper old skool street cellar too, whilst you sink a few drinks.🙂
Four of us this summer - first ub locked them in a store room for us as we arrived. 2nd pub, the bikes we locked together in their back yard, and the pub locked the big gates (floor to ceiling) overnight.
Work wise - I've twice been able to leave the bike in a function room overnight, usually locked to a radiator (this week). Bike wasn't filthy this time, but first time I warned them it would be dirty, so they just put an old cloth down for me. It's never been an issue. Plan ahead though if you can.
I've only ever done short trips in the UK and have always used premier inn, just for the ease of knowing I can bring my bike in. As someone said above it's in their policy and they also say they will direct you to bike cleaning facilities. Sounds like that may just be fluffy white towels based on someone's experience above!
https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/bike-friendly.html