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Did it ever seem weird to anyone that mountain bikers sometimes hide their car keys on their vehicle tire back at the trailhead? I don’t do this myself because I’m afraid my car won’t be there when I arrive back. 🙂
I also don’t get the utility. Like, if something happens to me and my buddy needs to jump in my car to go get help, he should just grab the keys from my pack before heading to the car. I suppose it’s possible I might lose my keys during the ride (which would suck really bad!) but if I’m really worried, I use the little key hook thingie in my pack to make sure the keys stay with me.
Can someone explain to me why this is a good idea and why it’s become a habit?
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I’ve seen riders at the trailhead doing that. They’ll look around suspiciously, set their keys on their tire, look around suspiciously some more, then head into the woods for their ride. Makes no sense to me.
I keep all that stuff on me. I’ve had more than one break-in happen at a trailhead and the risk of losing those items on the trail seems less likely than someone popping my window and making life a real bummer.
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The people that I’ve personally seen do this the most are also experienced boaters. With boating especially, this makes sense–you could easily lose your keys in the river.
Also, for a river run you’re always running a shuttle, and you may not know who’s going to be grabbing what vehicle–so, if you leave your keys with the vehicle, anybody that you tell where the keys are can pick up your vehicle.
So in that sense, it makes more sense for me in relation to a shuttle–to make sure the keys are always with the vehicle. You also don’t risk leaving your keys at the vehicle at the top of the descent, and having no way to get back up there.
But for just riding a loop in the woods? Nah, not so much.
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Yeah, trailhead or boat take-out. An empty vehicle is there for probably one reason; on the river, or on the trail. And advertising that “I will be gone for a couple of hours”. I would want my vehicle as secure as possible…JMO
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I am fortunate to have a truck with the keypad entry. I just lock the keys in the cab and go on. I always do this not just when riding. Center right right center left ha!
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Thanks for blowing up the spot Jeff!
I think it’s a useful tool if you carpooled to the trail with other people. Let’s say something does happen and your buddy has to get into your car. What if in the heat of the moment, he forgets to get your keys from you? That’s precious time lost.
Or way more commonly, what if someone in your group has a mechanical or just a really bad day and wants to head back to the car early? They can get into the car and start drinking beer while they wait for the rest of the crew.
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“They can’t get into the car and start drinking beer while they wait for the rest of the crew.”
Valid point! : )
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It makes sense to leave the keys at the car but on the tyre is too obvious. I have another place that I share with anyone with me but not here!
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I’ve never done this but have seen others who do; almost always it’s with a rusted beat down POS that’s simply not a “high-value” target.
Now, if that guy with that brand new BMW X5 would leave his keys on the tire…..heh, heh, heh (just kidding). 😉
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I usually have a firearm on my person, or in my vehicle, so leaving keys (to the car, or to the lock-box) anywhere near it is a huge no-no.
Situations like this are what make the whole “that’s 100 grams lighter” conversation incredibly stupid to me… I keep my car keys (and basic bike tools) in a tail bag, under my seat. If the weight is having an adverse effect on my riding, I haven’t noticed it.
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Sometimes I’ll stash them in the gas cap compartment
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In very remote spots when I would be away from my truck for days, I have placed a key under a random rock somewhere near the car. But in general I carry my car key in my bag clipped to a D-ring.
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Having a pack is way more convenient and practical to store things. Never seen anyone here leave their keys on the tire.
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And when someone does leave their keys, with such suspicious glances around to be sure no one saw; did they leave the real keys, or decoys just so they could say, “Hah! made ya’ look!”?
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That used to be a thing back in the late 90’s, but I don’t know anyone who still does it. I hate wearing a pack, unless I am on a 3+ hour ride (maybe) but I still wear traditional cycling kit so I can just put them in a jersey pocket. The better question may be, why do you wear “mountain bike” clothes instead of a more functional traditional cycling kit?
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I don’t fall as much as I used to but when I do, man does it hurt. Not only that, it’s rough on you gear. I feel like trail specific gear gives more protection and is more durable. I’ve used my road kits while riding trails and found it doesn’t take the abuse well. It rips and tears too easily. I have to say it is more comfortable though.
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I’ve never observed this behavior. Guess I don’t pay enough attention in parking lots.
Seems silly. Why not just leave them under the mat with the car doors unlocked. About the same level of risk.
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I was guilty of this. For me, I hate stuff in my pockets moving around while I’m riding. It drives me crazy and distracts me. I also have this weird fear that I’m gonna crash and jab my key into my hip. I actually had a friend who crashed with his key fob and it destroyed his hip. Deep bruises for weeks, it was nasty, his entire leg was black n blue. For the longest time I rode with a pack and dropped it inside the pack but a couple years ago when I started feeling like I wanted to start riding lighter and ditched the pack I needed a place for my key. The tire it went. It always freaked me out though so I got more creative and found a cavity under my truck’s wheel well where it fit perfect and was totally discrete. Luckily I have the keypad now and, like AllGrainer, I lock them inside. Problem solved for me at least.
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Fanny pack for all my essentials and extra curricular items
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WOW…Fanny pack
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I stash my keys in the gas tank or under the hood just below my wipers most of the time. Most of the time I do this because I am within 30 min of my vehicle and riding light, no pack, and I hate having a bunch of stuff in my pockets. It is a convenience thing. If I have a pack on it is easy enough and plenty of room for them. Top the tire seems too obvious but consider most parking lots where mountain bikers are parking to ride aren’t frequented by the shady type. Most likely other bikers not looking to boost a car or steal out of it.
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The Topeak Wedge saddle bags are really good. They have a clip that hooks to the saddle rails and the smaller ones don’t grab the seat post (so won’t interfere with dropper). I am old school (no dropper), so I use a bigger one that does have the strap to the post in addition to the clip. No worries about the key bugging you in a pocket or stabbing you in a crash.
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Normally I just lock my keys in the car. That way they’ll be safe.
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Was once at a trail head in southern Utah and noticed a nail in my tire. When I came back it was pulled out and had to use my bicycle pump on it, 600 strokes later, I’d never leave my keys.
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