usually the bikes are just parked outside your tent.
i have noted an unusual level of trust among RAGBRAI riders concerning possessions.
everyone brought theirs so there’s little interest in yours.
practice good KARMA and it will be yours.

While it’s true that almost nobody locks their bikes during the day, myself included, it’s not a bad idea to put a cable lock through the frame & wheels at night. There are typically a couple of bikes stolen during the course of RAGBRAI each year – why let it be yours?

As 1bluesteelguy said, bikes are usually just parked outside your tent and you can lock it to itself or another bike. IF you’re camping in a park, you’ll often find bikes lined up against chain link fences (both locked and unlocked).

Theft was not the concern-just logistics. Wondering how bike can be ‘parked’ without a rack or tree very near campsite. Guess I’ll find out soon enough.

Our tent has a vestibule that we use to park our bikes in. Out of sight, out of mind. Plus keeps them out of the rain and dew.

Hi Joe,

I usually find a tree or post to lean / lock my bike at night. I have seen two or more bikes leaning on each other for support. There is a trick I have seen where you loop a cord around your top tube and guy them to two tent stakes. You might want to put something between the cord and your bike to protect the finish. Otherwise, many bikes just lay on the ground. Expect dew on your bike in the morning.
I’m sure you will find your first time a true adventure. I wish you the best experience, and the wind always at your back.

I lay mine down inside (or mostly inside) my tent vestibule. It would make some noise to get it out of there. 4th RAGBRAI – no problem yet.

Most just lay it on the ground chain up outside tent. Some put it upside down. If lucky, maybe have a fence, wall or corn stalks to lean against. Locking is optional as enough other people nearby that a thief would not know if they are with you or not. I leave it there all evening as I walk into town. Never a problem.

Thanks everyone! My tiny tent lacks a vestibule, so I will try to get a site with a tree or other solid object to lean it on. And will hope not to stomp on spokes of any supine bikes getting back to my tent in the dark. Yikes.