Taking a bike...

[4everblue]

It now looks like I'll be able to take a nice big motorhome instead of camping in a tent this year and was wondering about whether or not to put our bikes in the back. I'm going with my ten yr old son and we are staying on Bleu Nord which is a bit of a way from the village so thought it may be useful to take them for getting around.
Is there a problem with using bikes there? I know on race day it will be busy but thinking it will save his little legs if he can use his for a couple of days beforehand

[MrBaker]

We always take ours, do a lap of the course take a decent lock , or lock them inside when your not using them

[MrBaker]

We always take ours, do a lap of the course take a decent lock , or lock them inside when your not using them

[nic smith]

We'll be doing a Le Mans start with folded bromptons from the first chicane to the second, bikes are a great way to get around if you are a confident rider.

[Some Gump]

nic smith said:

bikes are a great way to get around if you are a confident rider.

They're also good when massively pissed.

[Troubleatmill]

Le local trois point une quatre's will thank you very much for your contribution to their income.

When not in use - lock it in the car.

[hunton69]

Bikes are great as you can ride the whole course and get into town but they don't let them in on race day.

[JT3K]

Don't bother if you're precious about coming home with it. Also, following some shenanigans on GoPed type devices a couple of years ago, they're now much more aggressively restrictive about use of them around the circuit so they may not be as much use as you'd like!

[Skywalker]

Take them. They are a great way for you - and perhaps more importantly your son, to get about and see different bits of the circuit.
It can take a long time on Shanks' Pony

[JamieBurford]

We've never taken bikes, just prefer to wander with a beer usually. Some friends in a large group took a few bikes over a couple of years back and a few were stolen in the night, so definitely take some sort of lock, but in the campsites there may not be many immovable objects to chain them to.

[Rs2oo]

We take our bike for this...

Cycle to the supermarkets for stuff via the Mulsanne Straight.
Cycle to Arnage or Mulsanne Village for lunch
Cycle to Arnage viewing area on Saturday night/early hours Sunday morning passing the long slow traffic jam

Don't try getting too close to the Village/main grandstand area, too crowded.

Lock them up well....

[4everblue]

Thanks all, looks like I'll pop them in the back

[karl c]

we're taking bikes this year for the first time as got to be the quickest way from A to B, but reading this i'm abit worried about bike thieves, we will be locking them up every time they are left, has anyone had a lock cut off and their bike stolen?

Karl.

[MonkeyRacing]

Been taking bikes for 7 years and they're an absolute must for us. Only times we're not on bikes is the very busiest of periods near the main straight. Always locked up when not in use and never had a theft or potential theft.

[swanny1]

same here. bikes have become essential for us.

ride out to arnage, no problem, traffic hopeless, not on a bike. nice easy daily trips to the shop for fresh bread while the kettle boils. perfect!

[FraMac]

karl c said:

we're taking bikes this year for the first time as got to be the quickest way from A to B, but reading this i'm abit worried about bike thieves, we will be locking them up every time they are left, has anyone had a lock cut off and their bike stolen?

Karl.

Yes, a few years ago on Maison Blanche.

Use a steel shackle chain rather than some wire covered in plastic, (think motorcycle chain and heavy padlock) and secure to something immovable.

[hunton69]

swanny1 said:

same here. bikes have become essential for us.

ride out to arnage, no problem, traffic hopeless, not on a bike. nice easy daily trips to the shop for fresh bread while the kettle boils. perfect!

Many years ago we were cycling back from arnage after some heavy drinking kept falling of the bike into ditches got to the roundabout where the old bill were stationed they took my bike and let all the air out the tyres and gave it back to me. Priceless

[karl c]

hunton69 said:

Many years ago we were cycling back from arnage after some heavy drinking kept falling of the bike into ditches got to the roundabout where the old bill were stationed they took my bike and let all the air out the tyres and gave it back to me. Priceless

At least they gave it back to you!
thanks all for advice about bike security, will be taking chunky chain and big padlock to be on the safe side.

Karl.