Bike Safe Accommodations on Camino Portuguese Lisbon to Santiago- Are Stolen Bikes an Issue?

[SMcComb]

Does anyone know an app or website that identifies accommodations along the Camino Portuguese that provides a safe space to store bike(s) during the night? I am wondering if stolen bike(s) has ever been an issue on the Camino Portuguese. Is it important to find accomodations that have a safe storage area...or....is it OK to lock a bike up outside at night? I do not know if stolen bikes are an issue (or not an issue) on the Camino Portuguese. Any feedback on this topic would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Sharon

 

[Tincatinker]

Use Gronze and research your likely stopping places. You are looking for the phrase "Resguardo para bicicletas cubierto" as here: https://www.gronze.com/portugal/oporto/labruge/albergue-peregrinos-sao-tiago-labruge

 

[Corned Beef]

Where are you starting from? Never ever had a problem when starting from Porto.

Portugal is also a major manufacturer of bikes so they might actually have enough of their own

 

[Skinnybiker]

The Buen Camino App shows albergues with bike storage.
Is bike theft a problem on the Caminos? Think about it, if you were a bike thief looking for a supply of bikes to steal would you choose a walking camino?
Kryptonite make a good steel cable (Kryptoflex - 1.2m) and Abus make a good Titalium lock, that's what I use but then that's no recommendation, nothing is determined-bike-thief-proof!
Keep one of three things on your bike; your arse, your eye or your bike lock.

 

[SabsP]

Where are you starting from? Never ever had a problem when starting from Porto.

Portugal is also a major manufacturer of bikes so they might actually have enough of their own

And they all seem to love to drive their car. At an amazing speed and with a certan attitude of being a daredevil...

 

[SMcComb]

The Buen Camino App shows albergues with bike storage.
Is bike theft a problem on the Caminos? Think about it, if you were a bike thief looking for a supply of bikes to steal would you choose a walking camino?
Kryptonite make a good steel cable (Kryptoflex - 1.2m) and Abus make a good Titalium lock, that's what I use but then that's no recommendation, nothing is determined-bike-thief-proof!
Keep one of three things on your bike; your arse, your eye or your bike lock.

Thank you for the info! Appreciate!

 

[SMcComb]

Use Gronze and research your likely stopping places. You are looking for the phrase "Resguardo para bicicletas cubierto" as here: https://www.gronze.com/portugal/oporto/labruge/albergue-peregrinos-sao-tiago-labruge

Thank you for the information about Gronze. Appreciate!

 

[SilentNight]

Does anyone know an app or website that identifies accommodations along the Camino Portuguese that provides a safe space to store bike(s) during the night? I am wondering if stolen bike(s) has ever been an issue on the Camino Portuguese. Is it important to find accomodations that have a safe storage area...or....is it OK to lock a bike up outside at night? I do not know if stolen bikes are an issue (or not an issue) on the Camino Portuguese. Any feedback on this topic would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Sharon

If you haven’t already, you may want to check out the YouTube videos on how long your choice of bike lock will resist a cordless angle grinder, the tool of choice for bike thieves. Nearly all bike locks can be cut open in 10-30 seconds. The LiteLok took 3+ minutes to be cut open. The HipLock D1000 bike lock is so far uncuttable by a cordless angle grinder.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

If you haven’t already, you may want to check out the YouTube videos on how long your choice of bike lock will resist a cordless angle grinder, the tool of choice for bike thieves. Nearly all bike locks can be cut open in 10-30 seconds. The LiteLok took 3+ minutes to be cut open. The HipLock D1000 bike lock is so far uncuttable by a cordless angle grinder.

Those locks cost more than most bikes I've ever bought, but I tend to buy used ones. I think the best way to prevent theft is to have a decent lock on a bike that doesn't have a high resale value. That way, no hard-core bike thieves will even look at it.

 

[SilentNight]

… a bike that doesn't have a high resale value. That way, no hard-core bike thieves will even look at it.

That perspective works for university or high density urban areas, where bike theft may be common. Once you earn a good income, why settle for instant noodles when you can have filet mignon?

 

[peregrina2000]

I remember the first time I stayed in the Zamora albergue, there had been a bike theft the night before. The thieves had hopped down from above (the albergue is on a steeply inclined narrow road) into the small patio behind the albergue. I believe that some sort of roof or grate has been installed since then. Just to say that keeping one step ahead of determined thieves is a real challenge. I have met bicigrinos who were able to bring the bikes inside the physical structure of the albergue or hotel/pensión, but that may not always be possible. Good luck and hoping for a theft-free camino.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

I remember the first time I stayed in the Zamora albergue, there had been a bike theft the night before. The thieves had hopped down from above (the albergue is on a steeply inclined narrow road) into the small patio behind the albergue.

Wow! This was surprising to me, having stored my bike overnight there on at least three occasions. I have to confess that on 7 caminos I have never unduly worried about my bike in albergues.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

That perspective works for university or high density urban areas, where bike theft may be common. Once you earn a good income, why settle for instant noodles when you can have filet mignon?

Of course, if I had a very expensive bicycle, I probably would buy the best possible lock. And in retrospect, a lock like that might be worthwhile investment even for a less expensive bike; just to be sure that no one would try to take it.

Thanks for letting me know about the angle grinders. I had no idea. When I was growing up in Chicago, people always talked about the thieves using liquid nitrogen to shatter the metal. Not sure if that was a myth or not!

When I lived in Amsterdam, after losing a couple bikes, I got the most beat up bike possible and painted it garish psychedelic colors. That one lasted…

But you're right, the locks probably weren't good enough, although I thought they were at the time.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Whilst on a different camino (the Frances) in 2015 I cycled or arrival I always inquired about the availability of " off street storage". In a 22 day ride all but one establishment provided off-street and usually under cover storage. One casa-rural let me use their lockable storage shed. I will agree that the quality of your lock will make those thieves think twice about taking your bike in preference to one that is either unlocked or has a flimsy lock. Cheers

 

[BobbyJ]

I just finished my Camino from Porto last week and I was able to keep the bike in all the hotels I stayed in. Some even had areas where they have repair stations and electrical outlets for you to charge your e-bike. It was a great experience!

 

[Roland49]

I took a ride on a bike (not the worst) from the Albergue to the next supermercado in Esposende. And asked for a bike-lock. The Hospitalera had a good laugh .

I don't know the theft-rate in Portugal, but I'm sure it must be lower than in Germany

 

[TimCanada]

I just finished my Camino from Porto last week and I was able to keep the bike in all the hotels I stayed in. Some even had areas where they have repair stations and electrical outlets for you to charge your e-bike. It was a great experience!

Bobby, I am about to start from Porto this coming May. Do you still have your list of places that you stayed at. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated as this will be my first time from Porto and first time using a bike.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Does anyone know an app or website that identifies accommodations along the Camino Portuguese that provides a safe space to store bike(s) during the night? I am wondering if stolen bike(s) has ever been an issue on the Camino Portuguese. Is it important to find accomodations that have a safe storage area...or....is it OK to lock a bike up outside at night? I do not know if stolen bikes are an issue (or not an issue) on the Camino Portuguese. Any feedback on this topic would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Sharon

We live about 1/2 the time in small-town Portugal. It is the lowest-theft place I have ever been. When a theft, however small, occurs, it generally makes the news in the local paper.

I don't think you need worry about your bike except maybe in some of the bigger places along the way, and even there, it's more than likely, if you ask, that they'll find you a safe inside spot for your bike.

A very honest country.

And bom caminho!

 

[peregrina2000]

We live about 1/2 the time in small-town Portugal. It is the lowest-theft place I have ever been. When a theft, however small, occurs, it generally makes the news in the local paper.

Totally agree for the most part, but just about 100 km away from Barquinha, in Lisboa, there is a good sized group of pickpockets who patrol the Baixa. I have seen at least 4 people who were victims (we go to Lisbon every year for a few weeks, though, so this is spread out), and once my husband almost was - but thankfully his quick-thinking wife interfered.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Totally agree for the most part, but just about 100 km away from Barquinha, in Lisboa, there is a good sized group of pickpockets who patrol the Baixa. I have seen at least 4 people who were victims (we go to Lisbon every year for a few weeks, though, so this is spread out), and once my husband almost was - but thankfully his quick-thinking wife interfered.

That's very true! I was thinking, last night, about the comment I'd written--and considered that it probably didn't apply in Lisboa or maybe even in Porto--I'd heard a lot of warnings about pickpockets in the Lisboa Metro (and actually seen official warning signs in the Metro's cars.)

But--rural Portugal is another animal entirely. And it's hard to "pick" a bike!