Security advice is available on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website. Www.fco.gov.uk. The travel advise generally paints a cautious or even pessimistic assessment of the security situation. They have to allow for people who’s idea of a good holiday is to go and get completely pissed whilst taking no cognisance of local customs and sensitivities. I have visited several countries listed as “essential travel only” without problem. As a general rule, be aware of and respect local customs and sensitivities and avoid any protests if these spring up as this may bring you to the attention of the countries security services. At no time during the trip did I feel “this is a bit dodgy I need to make a move”. On the contrary, people where overwhelmingly interested and willing to help.
I locked my bike with a long cable lock overnight and if I was leaving it unattended for a while but was by no means pedantic about locking it. Most of the time I would leave it just propped up unlocked outside when I went into shops or places to eat for refreshment and lunch. During the day I would leave all panniers on with the exception of the front pannier that I kept things that needed to be easily to hand and valuables in like my passport. On several occasions I forgot to unclip my phone from the handlebars and it was still there when I got back.
In India bicycles are seen as transport for poor people. There were a handful of hotels where I had to persuade them that it was a special bike and that leaving it out directly on the street overnight was not good and that it should at least be tucked out of sight around the back. A couple of these places were in larger complex and I wanted to park my bike in the secure parking with the mopeds. The Indians are very much into rules and the security guards or parking attendants would say not allowed, bicycle on street. I found the best policy was just to cycle on in and ignore the attendants if they started running round in a flap.
I also carried a lightweight alarmed café lock. The alarm is triggered by movement. I only used this on the few nights I was camping when the bike was simply laid behind the tent.