Cycling on your own

[TexanCzexican]

Any advice or plan for my situation is appreciated:

I recently moved(for work) about 3 hours from everyone I know. I'm slowly making friends here and work has been lovely.

I haven't been cycling as much as I would like to, because I have this nagging worry that I'm going to break my bike, get lost, or get into an accident and there is no one for me to call. Last night was the first time I have really spent serious time on my bike and that was going repeatedly on a 5 mile loop around my place on my mtb as the roads around my place have serious debris.

I generally prefer road cycling, so I'm missing my other bike.

I tried the local cycling group, but the problem I'm having is that there is a BIG difference between their B and C groups. The 'social' ride is only about 8-10 miles and goes so slow and truly a social-let's chitchat while on bikes-not what I'm looking for. Their B group does much longer rides, but go so fast that I'm not able to keep up.....so there lies my dilemna. I explained my concerns during a group ride and basically left with the impression that I just had to train more to get faster (duh, but who do I go to help me train?)

Any and all opinions welcome.

[Aggie_Ama]

Are you in Texas? We have a few Texans on here, maybe you will get lucky and one of us is in your area?

I don't have suggestions on riding alone, as the area I am in is country and I do not do it. It is my own personal choice to ride with someone as I am usually on isolated county roads.

[li10up]

Have you met any of your neighbors? Maybe you could ask them if they would be your safety net in case of emergency. Explain that you are new to the area, etc., etc.

[indysteel]

Just a few thoughts:

First, take a look at this website, which others have posted on TE about. Perhaps it would give you a meausure of comfort.

http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicycles/bike_assistance.htm

I ride alone a fair amount on country roads, but I realize that not everyone feel okay doing that. If it's something you're willing to try, there are things that you can do to feel more comfortable and safe. Always tell someone where you're going and about how long you'll be gone. They don't necessarily have to live nearby; just make sure someone knows that you're riding. Wear the brightest clothes you can. Carry pepper spray or mace and a fully charged cell phone. Program in emergency numbers for local police and the sheriff. Have enough supplies to change two flats (and know how to change a flat). Carry ID and medical insurance and emergency contact information, as well as some cash.

As for finding places to ride and people to ride with. Go back to your club and see if anyone would be interested in getting together more informally. Ask if they have any suggestions for routes or route maps. Go to any area bike shops and ask for suggestions for routes and/or fellow riders. And try the club ride again.

Good luck.

K-

[lauraelmore1033]

You could try a Better World Club membership which would entitle you to roadside assistance in the case of a break down.http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicycles/index.htm I ride alone a lot and I bought a membership just in case I should have a bike related problem while out in the boonies alone, but I've never actually needed to use it. Between that and the cell phone, I feel pretty confident about riding by myself.

[Torrilin]

If you're in an apartment building, ask the manager if they're ok being an emergency contact. In a good building, they'll say yes, or even be available for you to "check out" and "check in". Since my asthma kicked back in, my building's manager has been great about that kind of thing. She's also a cyclist and understands why I want someone keeping an eye out :).

I've also had online friends keep an eye out, or called my mom. Even if you don't have someone in town, you can still have someone who can raise the alarm. Modern telecommunications are *great*.

[TexanCzexican]

Thanks for your responses.

The Better World might be a worthwhile investment! I like riding by myself, I did it all the time where I previously lived, I just was able to call folks if I needed help.

Thanks, y'all!

[meridian]

I live in west texas and I found myself in a silimar position not too long ago. My riding partner got me started with cycling and he was pretty much the only one I ever road with, and I never went out alone.

But he moved off, and I didn't really know any other cyclists in the area, so for a long while I didn't really ride because I was pretty darn scared for the same reasons you are right now.

I came here looking for a new riding partner in the area, and even though I didn't find one here, in the end I got enough encouragement to take the plunge and go out on my own. I started off small, in the area's close to home, then branched out as I felt more comfortable.

Low and behold nothing terrible has happened to me, and I now enjoy riding by myself more so than with other people. I ride various tracks.. some dozens of miles out in rural territory, and some in the city parks, traffic, etc.

What helps me feel more confident is being very vigilant with my safety by using a mirror, high vis clothing, and lights, following traffic rules, carrying a cell phone, an ID, the tools and knowledge to fix a flat and other mechanical issues, and letting a co-worker/friend know what route I'm cruising on if necessary.

While out and about and through bringing my bike into the LBS I've met several people over time that I can regularly ride with when I feel the urge, but it's great to be able to get out there whenever you want, go wherever you want, as fast or as slow as you want, without other cyclists with different expectations.

If you realy want to ride with those faster local groups, maybe take your car out and drive around until you find a route you're comfortable with doing alone, map it well for yourself so you won't get lost, and start doing that regularly so you can more easily get the training miles in and the speed up to start hanging with them if you prefer riding with others more than solo. Or, if the courage just isn't there, you can torture yourself on a trainer! :p

[Pedal Wench]

Instead of asking the B group to slow down, maybe you could do the C ride and see if there is anyone else in a similar predicament.

[RolliePollie]

I almost always ride alone on isolated country roads. I feel pretty safe, but that may be because I grew up around here and I know the area quite well. I always have my cell phone and pepper spray along, and several people know my typical routes, so my hope is that if I were to disappear, someone would have an idea about where to start looking.

I sure hope you are able to find someone to ride with. But if not, maybe riding alone will start to grow on you once you get more comfortable with it. I try to be very alert and safe, but you never know what might happen. That goes for other activities too, though.

It's interesting that all of us have such different comfort levels with riding situations. I would be scared to death to ride in city traffic whether I was alone or with a group. I'm scared of stop lights and intersections! But others would not feel comfortable riding the roads that I ride every day.

[sundial]

I, like others here on TE, ride long solo rides. I choose to do so because 1.) there are no other female roadies that like to ride and 2) the guys are sooo competitive.

I choose roads that have few blind spots, hills, and good shoulders (well, most of the time) with little traffic. I recently purchased a RoadID to give me peace of mind in case someone wants to use me as a hood ornament. Here is the website for the ID-- www.roadid.com

Is there a chance that your co-workers might be interested in cycling? How about any motorcyclists that could pace you? Check with your local bike shop and see if there is an individual who would be willing to ride at your pace. I know many cyclists will find a friend to ride at least once a week with them. Maybe you can find someone to match your training goals and who will ride at your pace.

If you cannot find someone to ride with you, consider carrying personal protection, wear high vis clothing, keep a cell phone handy, and if possible, leave information of your route with someone so that they know where you will be. Have some form of emergency contact numbers on your person (preferably) or in your seat bag. I printed out a small card that listed my name, address, phone number, and emergency contact numbers and had it laminated. I wore it around my neck, under my jersey, in case someone needed this info.

I hope you meet more cyclists in the near future and I wish you luck. :)

[jusdooit]

I too ride alone. Sometimes on country roads, sometimes in the "city" on paved multi use trails. But I don't have many people to call in case of an emergency. I have one person I work with who knows she may get a "I need help" call. But in my cell phone is my emergency contact info programmed as ICE (In Case of Emergency). I read in a magazine the emergency personnel look for this nowadays. I always carry 2 tubes, cell phone, and Id.

Good luck!!!!!!! Hope you can find someone to ride with.

[DarcyInOregon]

I also ride solo just about every day, though I have a few friends with whom I cycle now and then. Everyone else gave good advice. The only things I can add is to have the LBS programmed into your cell phone, along with the numbers of anyone who can give you a ride if you get an acute mechanical failure, including a taxi company. Also, always carry enough liquid and keep an emergency stash of sports fitness powder and calories in your saddle pack, just in case you take a wrong turn and go miles out of your way. If you run low on water, and you are rural, stop at a farmhouse and use their outside faucet. The farmers don't mind.

When you conquer your fear and get out on your own, the entire process is very self-affirming and it makes you a stronger women, more confident and self-assured in all aspects of your life. If you can go out and bike 70 miles on your own, then you realize you can achieve just about anything you desire.

The solo riding becomes addictive, wanting to explore new roads and go longer distances, and before you know it the miles add up.

Also, you get compliments from total strangers and friends, not normal ones such as gosh you've lost weight, but ones like wow you sure look fit.

I put my road bike on the car rack and go park at the state park for my daily rides. The state parks all have a permit you can purchase that give you something like two years of parking for twenty dollars. In addition, your car will be safe, and there will be water and restroom facilities. To map out your routes, use an internet site like http://www.routeslip.com. You can start out by looking at other cyclists' routes in your area, and using another route, then from there figure out your own.

Really, though, you just need to get out and do it, then your fear will go away.

Darcy

[TexanCzexican]

Hello again.

I managed my second by myself ride again today. Basically just exploring.

Thnx to Aggie, I found a local listserv and they have a PMS ride (heehee, once a month ride) that is a mix of people, so I'm going to try to go to that and see who I can find.

Until then, I keep on exploring.

[Aquila]

I'd like to second what Darcy said above about feeling stronger and such from riding alone. I carry a cell phone, my wallet, and car keys, and wear a road id on my shoe (some folks already suggested those).

For me, riding alone on the country roads is like being a kid and getting that feeling of freedom and exploration (except I explore 20 or so miles at a time and am way more fit than when I was younger). And people on the roads and such tend to wave and smile, and I always feel good about that.

[SouthernBelle]

Paige,
Also check sites like routeslips.com and bikely.com to see if anybody has posted routes for your area. You can get elevation and distance data.

If there is an area I'm interested in riding that I'm not familiar with, I'll drive it first to see if it looks viable.

[Starfish]

I ride alone a lot...up to 80 miles this year. I also find that it increases my confidence for the rest of my life.

I do a few things to try to be prudent, such as leaving a message on my brother's answering machine about which route I'm taking so that they would know where to start looking. I take my cell phone, but I often go places that don't have reliable coverage.

And, something that has made a big difference for me is that I have simply made peace with the fact that I carry a whole lot of cr@p that makes my rides heavier and dorkier, but contribute to my peace of mind. That includes a pump that is big and dorky, but that I can use if I mess up with my cartridges. It also includes a third bottle cage on the bottom of my bike. And, I always pack too much food.

All this came about because one time I had a cut tire and blowout 40 miles from home with few services around. I didn't have all that stuff with me, and although I gained confidence because I was able to limp home, it took me FOREVER, and I was tired, hungry, thirsty, and sunburnt. I decided I wanted to be more prepared.

Whew, this got long! I say go with what feels right to you, but consider that riding alone can sometimes give you a great feeling that carries over into the rest of life.

[Bad JuJu]

I agree with Pedal Wench--you might try riding with the slower group just to find out whether there's anyone in it who would like to try going faster. Maybe you can recruit a riding buddy who at least wants to attempt your distance and speed or can work up to it.

[Aggie_Ama]

If you run low on water, and you are rural, stop at a farmhouse and use their outside faucet. The farmers don't mind.



I would NEVER recommend this in Texas. The majority of the people are wonderful and wouldn't mind but seriously we have some gun owning nuts out in the country. My in-laws have a neighbor that shoots at dogs/people who get on their property (she is either a bad shot or just out to scare them because no one has been hit). I think they have called the sheriff on her but as far as I know she hasn't done anything they can get her for. Call me paranoid, but I am not taking my chances. Plus most of the houses in my area are 1/2 mile or more off the road up gravel.

I have learned from the local cycling club here that many rural churchs have water spickets behind them. Sometimes a lonely looking little church is all I see for miles. Also many of these small towns have tiny community centers with a water spicket. These are also good places to take shelter for a sudden thunderstorm or just a break from the heat! ;)

The thing I did when I rode alone more was have set routes my DH and parents knew. I called an told them "I am doing X route, you should receive a call from me at X telling you I am home." If I had a mechincal issue I called to let them know I was running behind.

[TexanCzexican]

I would NEVER recommend this in Texas. The majority of the people are wonderful and wouldn't mind but seriously we have some gun owning nuts out in the country.


Heehee, I was thinking the same thing, lol.

Anywhosits, I found a pretty good route map that starts off of my street. The short route is 14 miles, but it has an option to make it up to 26 miles:D

[denda]

I think you can come across some of those kind of people anywhere, NOT just Texas.

[Aggie_Ama]

I think you can come across some of those kind of people anywhere, NOT just Texas.

Well this is true, but Darcy seems to have good luck with the farmers in the Pacific Northwest. Maybe there are less people likely to shoot you up there (I have never been there). Poaching and fishing on private property is a problem for the ranches around here. I think think they are all a little tired of trespassers, at least some post a warning. Of course we get a lot of friendly waves and hellos when we are riding, I know we have a lot of nice people out here.

Paige- Sounds like a great route! Let us know how riding alone goes and I am curious about the Monster PMS ride. :D

[Look]

I ride alone most of the time. My group ride is more social and I do longer rides when I do have a buddy to ride with, but at least 3-4 times/ week I either go myself or stay home, so I go. It hadn't really occurred to me to be nervous, although I do make sure I know the whereabouts of my neighbor and or my husband. Worse case scenario, he works in the middle of most good routes and could rescue me if he had to.

I found the people I ride with in spinning class. After I started riding, a few friends from the rest of my life expressed interest in riding, but if I'd waited for them I'd still be waiting. So that's my recommendation, go to spinning and see if there are compatible level riders and groups there. My Y has several groups of different speeds who go out at different times so I have different levels of proficiency to shoot for.

[DarcyInOregon]

There is a difference between a farm and a ranch; it is farms where I bike, not ranches.

You can tell by the appearance of the farm house and outbuildings if it will be safe. For example, if there are chained dogs, then no. If there are acres of junked vehicles, then no. If it is all weeds and bare dirt around the buildings, then no. But if the farmhouse is all pretty with hanging plants on the porch and a sprinkler going on the lawn and somebody off to the side weeding a garden, then yes, stop and ask to use their water. It is also a safe stop at the corporate farms, where there are signs to show how many miles to the main office, and there are huge outbuildings just to house all of the equipment. Another indicator for safeness is if the farm has a stand for selling produce. Just use your common sense to tell if a farm is people friendly or not.

Darcy

[Aggie_Ama]

Darcy- I didn't mean any offense and I hope I didn't upset you. I think it is lovely that you have people like that around you. They are probably just as many around me but I am leary because of my in-laws experience. Their neighbor's house doesn't look like it would have a kooky old gun toting lady living there! And yes, it is mostly ranches around me not little farms.

I definitely would like to feel more comfortable riding alone and have gotten some great ideas. In the fall I won't have a choice but to ride alone as DH won't be home before dark.

[DarcyInOregon]

Hi Amanda,

It is really on a very rare occassion that a cyclist needs to get water from a farmhouse. One doesn't need water that very second, so over a span of a few miles the cyclist can make the best choice, or even take a detour to a nearby small town. As someone else said, rural churches are a possibility, Another choice I have is when crops or nursery plants are being worked by the farm workers, the farmers put out the porta-potties, and sometimes there is a location right next to the road instead of on the other side of the field. Some of these porta-potties have a big tank on one end with a sink and a faucet, and cyclists can fill up their water bottles there. And use the toilet too.

The trick is to always fill the water bottles whenever there is an obvious oppportunity, like at a rural store. I think most distance solo cyclists will agree that one never knows what will happen on a ride with respect to liquid consumption. For example, I know I typically drink about 12 ounces for every ten miles. Thus, if I am going on a route I've done numerous times and I know the exact miles, I should be able to tell how much water to bring with me. Wrong. Stuff happens, inexplicable stuff. Even if I hydrate well before the start of the ride, 5 miles into the ride I might be real thirsty for some reason, incredibly thirsty, and the 12 ounces per ten miles is meaningless. Or the temperature is a few degrees higher, and the sun reflecting back off the asphalt pavement makes my body lose more water than typical, and therefore I need more water to drink. Or I am 18 miles from the end of the route and a freaky very strong and hot wind starts up, so I am battling a high head wind that exhausts my energy stores plus the moisture is being zapped out of my body from the heat, and so once again the 12 ounces per ten miles is meaningless.

It is all fun, very fun. I am totally addicted to it.

Darcy

[SouthernBelle]

On Memorial Day I was out for a ride, my ice was gone and it was hot. I spotted 2 Bellsouth trucks. They always have big ice water containers. I stopped, asked and received.

[onimity]

Throughout the world (even Texas :) ) I've found that people are more kind than not. My rule of thumb is to expect the former, be prepared for the latter.

I like your style, Darcy. Our judgment can tell us a lot and you can meet some really wonderful people asking for help or just stopping to chat. Anyhow, the risk of dehydration is probably higher than the risk of getting shot? :)

TexanCzexican, I really like riding by myself, especially on longer rides. Bring a cell phone and enjoy yourself. But it's important to make friends too, you may find that you meet other cyclists on your journeys that you can ride with. Just be friendly and don't discount the slower group even if you only use the chat time to find a riding buddy. Also, I ride my bike to work and on errands and find that a lot of people talk to me because of it. (The helmet and shoes are a dead give away) People just come up and talk about bikes.

Good luck! I second the suggestion on the road id.

Anne

[TexanCzexican]

Update:

Last night I set out for the short route of 14 miles on my own. Had cell phone and all my flat stuff packed, except for mace which I need to buy. Sent the route map via email to my mom and said if she didn't hear from me in an hour & a half, to start calling.

The route was very nice, though lightning started so I had to turn around. Ended up with 8 miles for the night and am planning to try the full 14 on Saturday morning.

Oh, and I officially signed up for a charity ride in September. I'm only doing the 12 mile ride as it will be my first. I'll do another ride in October, it will be a longer 30 mile option, in Goliad, TX

And I will be doing the Monday night social ride.

[sundial]

Sounds like you have some great rides in the near future. Hopefully you will meet new riding buddies on your group rides who may want to ride with you on your long rides.

[Look]

Update:

Last night I set out for the short route of 14 miles on my own. Had cell phone and all my flat stuff packed, except for mace which I need to buy. Sent the route map via email to my mom and said if she didn't hear from me in an hour & a half, to start calling.

The route was very nice, though lightning started so I had to turn around. Ended up with 8 miles for the night and am planning to try the full 14 on Saturday morning.

Oh, and I officially signed up for a charity ride in September. I'm only doing the 12 mile ride as it will be my first. I'll do another ride in October, it will be a longer 30 mile option, in Goliad, TX

And I will be doing the Monday night social ride.

Paige, just a thought...if your September charity ride has a longer option that you are comfortable with, my guess is potential riding partners will choose the ride that suits them, not a shorter one. So choose the length that bests suits your ability and challenge and then you'll more likely meet others riding at your pace and distance. Don't cut yourself short by riding to less than your ability.

[han-grrl]

I often do my training alone. In fact MOST of my training is alone. I work odd hours, and if i want to get my training in, it means solo. sometimes its boring (especially the long rides), but to me its a matter of commitment to my training.

i find this topic interesting, its neat to know other ladies out there ride solo as well. Too bad we couldn't all ride together!

anyway, i make sure that hubby or someone knows where i am going and which route i am planning. i have my cell phone with, and i dont' ride with music, so that i can hear what is going on around me. i carry my ID with me, and stay on more populated roads, even if it means a bit more traffic.

Once i was riding, and i can hear someone riding up behind me, breathing away. he was coming closer, and i was starting to panic a bit. i practically got ready to punch him out when i hear "hi hannah" as my COACH (at the time) pedals by with another of his athletes. my response was a "AAAAAAAAAAAAH!" then an "oops, hi". It was pretty funny, but i think he should have said something a little earlier.

Ride safe!
Han