Learning ( how to pick bike locks)

Yesterday I and Giseli went to Clare College to print some stuff she need for the language classes in the afternoon. We arrived and locked our bikes in from of the Old Court. When going out of the college, Giseli's lock was not opening anymore.

Just before leaving home we had used some oil in this lock because it was a bit difficult to open. Apparently the problem just got worst. It was turning the key very well now, but still not opening. We decided to give up, since both were late and left it to solve today.

After arriving again today and expecting for some miracle, Giseli tried the lock again and it was as yesterday. Well we had lunch and then I went to do the dirty job.

First I went to the porters lodge to try to find someone with expertise in cutting locks. The porters are responsible for taking out bikes students leave indefinitely in there.

So they told me the basics:

- Normal (non D-locks) lock can be easily cut with a big scissor to cut metal. You don't need even to do much effort. Very easy job.

- D-locks cannot be cut, but the "hammer strategy" works with them. The porters gave me a big hammer and told to punch on the straight part of the lock. No cheap (less than £50) D-lock will resist to this technique.

In the end, after just 3 tries with the hammer, the lock was open. The porters were right.

This shows why it is so easy to have you bike stolen in Cambridge. The locks that the bike shops sell together with the bikes are really bad, but keep their business in selling bikes... :)