I've been traveling through Europe now for the past few months and here's what I've been doing. This has been through Germany, Belgium, France and Spain so far...



This is my bike loaded. The top black bag is my backpack with all important items in there. The grey bag is my clothing, toiletries etc. Whenever I enter a new city, I park my bike among the other bikes parked on the sidewalks and lock it up. I take my backpack with me and the rest is under my half cover, which covers the tank bag and rear duffel as well as my license plate. (NY plate I don't want to be a souvenir for some local) I have yet to have any issues. Oh and I have a Kryponite disk lock that also locks me to something nearby with my chain.

You will realize that every city, atleast the more southern ones are infested with bikes. No one will pay attention to yours.

In gas stations/markets or at rest stops, I leave everything in place. Never a problem. And smaller towns and villages crime is so seldom I rarely worry.

I highly suggest doing it. Taking my bike through Europe so far has been one of the greatest adventures of my life. The other day I was traveling down the A5 from Madrid to La Alberca, Spain and saw this wonderful little castle village. I swung off the highway, drove up to the castle wall and ate lunch with my feet swinging over the edge. Can't do that from a traincar.