Gunpoint on my bicycle

I spent 10 days in 2012 guiding a group of 80 women for 450 km across three countries in South America.

After a long plane journey, we arrived in the incredible Panama City. It’s hard to arrive in a new country without preconceptions, so while the immaculate high-rise skyline was a surprise, with it came a modern and comfortable hotel surrounded by its own army of porters ready to help with our small mountain of luggage.

As our group of 80 weary riders filed into the hotel, my eye was caught by a man walking in the opposite direction carrying a rucksack from which dangled a lady’s cycling helmet. Giving little thought to what would happen when I caught up with him, I hopped onto my bike to give chase. The man quickly saw me and started to run. In no time I was alongside, but before I had a chance to grab at the bag, both the thief and I spun towards the hotel and the angry voice that was now bellowing at us. My Spanish is patchy, but the rifle trained squarely at us spoke very eloquently indeed. I wasn’t confident that a shot fired by the armed security guard would be anywhere near accurate, and as I exchanged a momentary glance with the thief, it seemed he agreed because quick as a flash he dropped the bag and disappeared down an alleyway.

I picked up the bag and returned to reception as casually as I could. It was only then that we realised many bags had gone missing. It quickly transpired the hotel had no staff to bring bags into the reception.

It was an unfortunate start to the trip. In a decade of leading cycle trips across the world, covering many thousands of miles from Malawi to Vietnam, I have always found the cycling part of the trip to be by far the easiest.

Alistair Mackenzie

I have worked for 10 years in the outdoor industry taking groups of cyclists and trekkers on once in a life time adventures in locations across the world. I am now developing the Back on a Bike project for the ETA Trust. Alistair Mackenzie

The iconic Brompton folding bicycle is the epitome of practicality – comfortable, durable, and easily stowed at home, in a car or on public transport – and we have one to give away, along with three months’ free ETA Cycle Insurance.

It’s easy – just email yourself a quote for any ETA insurance product and you’ll be entered into our prize draw.

Cycle insurance with 90 days’ worldwide cover

On the face of it, one cycle insurance policy is much like another, but the devil is the detail. How much excess you will be charged is just one of the things that varies wildly between providers. Another is so called ‘new-for-old’ replacement – many insurers use this term, but if your bicycle is more than a few years old, devalue it severely. This means you are left out of pocket when you come to replace it. Read our insider guide to cycle insurance.

Furthermore, every cycle insurance policy you buy from us helps support the work of the ETA Trust, our charity campaigning for a cleaner, safer transport future.

ETA cycle insurance has a low standard excess of 5% (minimum £25) and offers a new-for-old for life – however old the bike, if it’s stolen you get enough to buy a new model.

For 25 years we have been providing straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance. Whether you use your bike to commute, shop, race or amble in the park, ETA Cycle Insurance has you covered. We never devalue bikes no matter their age, allow you to buy your replacement bike wherever you like, replace stolen quick release components and handle claims in-house.

The Good Shopping Guide voted us Britain’s most ethical insurance company 2016.