8 bikes stolen at recent Half Ironman
penguin
Posts: 37
in General Chat
I have always had this worry too - that on leaving a bike in transition you are ultimately relying on the event staff to mind it for you.
Will be leaving my bike overnight come the UK Ironman - guess, I can bring a lock for that and I may have read about overnight security that is provided.
I do have bike insurance, but it would be messy.
Like you penguin, I'd be interested to hear of peoples experiences and views.
Will be leaving my bike overnight come the UK Ironman - guess, I can bring a lock for that and I may have read about overnight security that is provided.
I do have bike insurance, but it would be messy.
Like you penguin, I'd be interested to hear of peoples experiences and views.
0
Comments
I recently completed in the Germany 70.3, after a few days of painful recovery, the organizers sent an email around in German which essentially said.
8 bikes were stolen from the transition area between midday and 4 pm and a 25,000 Euro reward is offered for information.
The stolen bikes that were mentioned in the email were:
> CERVELO R3 SL,
> SPECIALIZED, S-Works Tarmac SL
> ORBEA ORA, Special Edition Vitesse
> LOOK 595 Pro Team
> CUBE Litening HPC
> SCOTT Addict Limited,
No mention of the other 2 bikes.
My question is…is this a ‘semi-regular’ problem to have bikes stolen at triathlon events?
My next event has the possibility to check-in on the day prior, but I am a little worried after reading this email.
Any thoughts would be appreciated,
Cheers
You could always find out where froggie puts his bike, then put it next to it, they will nick his instead! I use the same theory when I park my crappy 306 in a car park, in the last few months I've left it unlocked 3 times owing to the key not working properly and no one has stolen it yet!
I am more concerned when the bike is made to 'sleep' outside in the rain as you are often only allowed to cover the saddle and handlebars/computer.
really off putting though. Tommi - you now have everyone trying the doors of 306s!!
I am glad I have a non-fancy pants Giant Road bike... I hope to keep it.
My bike is not mega expensive but not bad. Not exactly cricket I know, but just need to make it slightly less easy to nick than the one next to you.
that is part of the problem....My next event (somewhat worried about the distance and my bike being stole) has on their webpage (http://www.koelntriathlon.de/index.php?lg=en)
a 'show your bike contest', which has a nice web page containing nice juicy pictures of full carbon speed weapons with the owners name attached. One quick little click on the web pages starters list, and the potential thief’s now know the owners stater number and therefore were to find it in the racks...a thief’s catalogue if you will.
I like the advice of D-lock in transition overnight (thanks paulfitz!), as the fun day is ending in a marathon which stops in another location from T2( around 15km away) I think I might even D-lock it after the cycle portion of the race. Sad but not worth loosing a bike over a 1 minute delay in T2.
Running with my keys might be a bit of a pain....more thought required perhaps.
But WHATEVER YOU DO..........don't drive to race the next morning and leave your only D-lock key by the front door at home, where you swore you would not forget it!!! [:@]
Not heard of any problems at any of the events I've entered by the T area always seem very well policed by marshalls.
As mentioned before, I am entering a triathlon with some friends, we contacted the triathlon organisers pretty much saying:
your 'show your bike contest', is perhaps a cause for concern given the recent thefts in the Germany 70.3. One quick little click on the web pages starters list, and the potential thief’s now know the owners stater number and therefore were to find it in the racks.
This was sent in good faith, just a friendly heads up, none of us have a Cervelo . We assumed they would have heard of the thefts.
They emailed back a sarcastic email offering us a stall at their triathlon to hand out free locks to the other competitors. They asked what do we consider tight security, guards every five meters or barbed wire fence? And they asked whether triathlon magazines should be banned cause it advertises fancy bikes and gives the location of triathlons, which may attract thieves. Finally asked whether they should call off the triathlon and let the thieves win.
I expected better, considering I ASSUMED it is their responsibility to protect the property of the competitors.
Childish and sarcastic in my opinion…
I HAVE TO SAY PENGUIN THAT I THINK THAT'S DISGRACEFUL AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH UNHELPFUL AND UNFRIENDLY COMMENTS FROM A RACE ORGANISER. OF COURSE IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ORGANISERS TO ORGANISE AT LEAST SOME FORM OF SECURITY, AND IF NOT, AT THE VERY LEAST IN A FRIENDLY MANNER REMIND PARTICIPANTS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT. I AM SHOCKED. HOWEVER BEING BENEVOLENT, PERHAPS YOU CAUGHT THE WRONG SIDE OF A VERY STRESSED RACE ORGANISER WHO REACTED AS A RESULT OF STRESS (PERHAPS THEY SHOULDN'T BE ORGANISING A RACE IF THEY CAN'T TAKE THE PRESSURE). MAY I JUST SAY THAT EVERY RACE ORGANISER AND REFEREE I'VE MET HAVE DONE WONDERFUL JOBS WITH FANTASTIC ATTITUDES.
Responding in such a way is a proof of his incompetence. Don't get wound up guys, he/she probably doesn't know better. (sadly)
Name and Shame that race! That is a disgraceful response to a (seemingly) earnest concern.
However in my experience Ive always found them to be more than helpful (although they seem to always have a bad taste in event music).
As for getting your bike nicked thats real shitty.....worrying about our pride and joy is the last thing that we should have to do. I lock mine if its in Tranny for any amount of time even though its only worth £750 I cant afford to replace it, I use a cheap combination lock that'll hopefully deter would be asshole theives and obviously I always try to get on the rail next to a felt or Cervelo....(they never nick the cheap bikes)
Mat.