Motorcycling cyclists - At the trailhead, what to do?

[goldenchild]

So I'm VERY excited! Why? I just built up my new mountain bike (Intense Spider) and I just finished building a rack to carry the aforementioned mountain bike on my motorcycle. Yeah yeah, crosswinds, unstable load, weight distribution of the motorcycle shot to hell, my motorcycle will be stolen while I'm out riding the bicycle... Whatever, it's an ADVENTURE forum after all right?! Live a little will ya!

Anyway, there's NO WAY I'd ever be able to install locking hard luggage on my motorcycle, so I'm left with soft luggage.

That said, when I'm off to my favorite trails, in my saddlebags I'll be carrying my mountain bike gear - shoes, helmet, shorts, camelbak, etc.

My question to those that ride to their ride (assuming that you don't have lockable hard luggage), what do you do with you mc gear?

The best I can figure is this - 5ft cable + padlock. String the cable through my jacket sleeves, a pant leg and finally through the helmet chin bar and lock it to the bike. For my boots and gloves I can only think to put them in the saddlebags and have a bit of faith in my fellow human beings.

I've looked into Pacsafe products, but they don't make anything small enough for my saddlebags. Not to mention I'd have to buy a pair of them and their stuff ain't cheap!

Basically, if somebody wants something, they'll take it and there's no way for me stop them when I'm riding the trails, the best I can hope for is to slow them down.

Thoughts? Advice? Recommendations?

[Snr Moment]

Do the lock/cable thing. On top of the gear, place a couple of crushed beer cans (cheaper the beer brand, the better) and several empty shotgun shells.

Ride in peace.

[Ramv]

Here the lock and cable thing is more then adequate.

How did you build a bike rack?

I would love to haul my Reign 2 on my Multi.

[tedder]

pictures of the rack, please.

Pacsafe is fine, any hard luggage'll do.

[bikefree]

I do a lot of trail running and keep more stuff than fits in my hard tail bag. I keep a cable lock with me at all times and do what you mentioned. I have a cheap pair of boots that I wrap up inside my jacket. They aren't locked but they are out of sight.

I think the pacsafe 80 (80 liters) for about $80 could fill your needs. Not cheap but much less than any hard luggage. Rather than using the pacsafe for your saddlebags you could just use it by itself and lock it to your bike.

pacsafe 80 at amazon

My next short term goal in life is to go to a triathlon on my motorcycle. Love to see how you hooked up your mountain bike.

[Murf2]

So, your not worried about your bike being stolen, just your gear?

"Whatever, it's an ADVENTURE forum after all right?! Live a little will ya!"

Murf2

[PMC]

I'd be a bit sketchy about leaving my stuff out and visible but running a cable through everything should do the trick. You may need to hide your gloves or just ride in with your MTB gloves on.

Rack wise I'm jealous of you guys who've built your own solutions. I'm a bit less handy but have found 2x2cycles who make a nice set up for many bikes. Not a thread hijack, just wanting to pass on the info to some other cyclists.
http://2x2cycles.com/products/bicycle-rack/

[goldenchild]

Okay, for those that wanted to see pics...

The rack isn't 100% finished yet. I still have some fine tuning to do as well as painting the whole thing flat black.

The rack is going to be attached to my spare passenger seat. I plan on taking off the faux leather and padding and bolting the whole thing to the seat's base, then strapping it all down around the subframe. This technique works well for my bike and I've used a similar set up for my knock off Givi top case and Pelican case. If there were a way to attach the rack to either of those locking cases, then I'd be set, but just no way to do in on my bike, an RC51 (I refer to it as my do all piggie).

Anyway, I started off with a piece of 3/4" plywood cut to size - just wide and long enough to accommodate the rack, along with the bicycle wheels and saddle bags.

Then I drilled a bunch of holes and attached a fork mounted bike rack meant to be used in a truck's bed. Next came 1/8" x 1" aluminum stock (found at Lowes). That too was cut to length and drilled. Add to the mix a bunch of stainless M6 bolts and I'm done.

The bike in question -


Rocky Mounts fork rack -




I took the remainder of the tubing to use as a means to hold down the rear of the bike. I'm going to use contact cement to attach a rubber strip to it so as not to scratch my chainstays.


All done up


Threaded rod and the little knobs can also be found at Lowes. On one end I have opposing bolts and red loctite, the other end will use a simple lock washer.


A spare tube to act as a cushion


Wheels on. I'm going to use 3/4" straps at the bottom and up top to secure the wheels to the bike frame and to the rack's base.


From the back. (Anyone wanna come over and tidy up my work benches?)


The rail is long enough to accommodate the road bike, cross bike, jumping bike and the Intense. It's not long enough for my Spot 29er, but with the Intense, I doubt that that bike will see much trail time anymore.

I may or may not use saddlebags to secure my crap going to and from the trails, but they fit both under and over the rail in case I decide to use them. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the set up. It's lightweight and it's very secure. I'm really looking forward to riding to my favorite trails!

[dec181966]

I don't care what anyone says. That is badass!!

[Joe?]

That is a fine looking wheel set you've got there Not sure what the trailheads look like in your area, but I probably wouldn't think twice about leaving my jacket and pants and boots slung over the seat in plain view when the bike is parked in the woods amongst other outdoorsy types, especially with that bike rack hanging off the back. However, a PacSafe locking bag is still cheaper than new gear.

Edit: Just saw who the OP was. I've read the IBA posts on your blog, great stuff. In that case, I'd buy as many locks as you can; those New Yorkers are animals.

[goldenchild]

Thanks folks!

Upon further reflection, I've decided to bring my 6ft Kryptonite chain along for the ride to the trails so I can at least lock the mc to something while I'm busting my ass out on the trails

And I'm going to end up with a Pacsafe something other...

[bob393]

This is well done! And I hope its working out for you.

When I'm hiking I do the cable and lock thing, just through the arm of the jacket
and through the face of the helmet. However I do have locking bags.

[tedder]

Originally Posted by bob393

This is well done! And I hope its working out for you.

When I'm hiking I do the cable and lock thing, just through the arm of the jacket
and through the face of the helmet. However I do have locking bags.

+3 points for 18-month thread resurrection.