Riding alone questions

[gingerale]

I'm fairly new to riding. I've ridden alone all around my neighborhood and local park, but haven't yet ventured out onto the main roads alone. I have decided to start riding once or twice a week in a local state park nearby. But, here's my issue. Hubby is currently deployed and I have 2 kids in elementary school. I also don't have any family here. Do you think it would be unreasonable of me to check in at the ranger station before I ride and leave a note telling them if I'm not out by a certain time to send someone to look for me? I'm getting one of the wrist id bracelets to wear, but this park is rather quiet during the week. Very few cars down there. Just worried if something did happen to me that no one would know to get my kids, etc. I'm being such a chicken about it all, I know. Sort of scared of riding like that completely alone.

[sundial]

Do you think it would be unreasonable of me to check in at the ranger station before I ride and leave a note telling them if I'm not out by a certain time to send someone to look for me?

Not at all! I think you are being a good mom for leaving your info with the ranger station. I ride in our parks too and have come to know the staff that works there. I like knowing they will come looking for me should I not be gone by nightfall.

Perhaps, too, the ranger will want to partake in a bike ride once he sees the fun you are having. :)

[gingerale]

Thank you! I was afraid they would think I was a real idiot leaving my info with them. I used to do a lot of hiking and in one state park, they require the hikers to check in and what date they think they'll be climbing back out. If they don't check in by that date, they send someone to look for them. I'm a big worrier and just need to make sure someone would care for my kids and/or get a message to the red cross if something, God forbid, did happen.

[sundial]

I ride solo often and one thing that brought me and my husband peace of mind was the Spot (http://www.findmespot.com/Home.aspx). You can add friends or family to the account and it will automatically send I'm Ok messages periodically or you can push the button for 911 assistance. They can track your ride on Google Earth. :cool:

[gingerale]

Wow! That is amazing. Going to have to look at getting one of those, too. I knew you ladies here could help me with my comfort zone on doing this. Thank you.

[newfsmith]

It is a standard outdoor safety feature to file a "flight plan" with someone. Even if you invest in Spot, having someone that is expecting you to check in by a certain time is wise. If you are away from family, I'm assuming you are near your husband's stateside base. Maybe another mother from his unit could be your contact person.

[gingerale]

Actually, he's a reservist so we're not near a base. I do have friends here and have spoken to them about it, as well. I'll let them know I'm going and when to call someone in case they haven't heard from me. Thank you.

[sundial]

I also carry a cell phone with me but you might not get a signal in the park. That's where the Spot is handy since it uses satellite signals to send and receive info. It's good to let someone know when and where you are riding, regardless. With an increase of violent crimes occurring in the parks, one can never be too cautious. :(

[gingerale]

Yes, we have the same problem in this park. It's down in a canyon and so no signals down there. I'm very interested in the Spot tracker. That's a great idea. Even after hubby gets back, it would be a great thing for me to have.

[gingerale]

Do any of ya'll carry any other items with you? Pepper spray? Anything else?? Just curious.

[sundial]

I have my concealed weapon permit which allows me to carry peace of mind.

[gingerale]

I like that kind of peace of mind, too. ;)

[IGGY]

I don't think it's stupid, I think it's fabulous! I know that I ALWAYS want people watching my back. Especially a Ranger! To know that someone would be waiting for me if I didn't check out after I checked in would be a comfort.
I don't carry any pepper spray or anything like that.
I do wear the road i.d.
You need sanity time to be a good mom while hubby is away. To do that, you need to relax during your ride. This sounds like a good idea. I'm gonna research the SPOT now.
If you want to publicly announce where you are, there are a bunch of us who have deployed husbands, maybe we have a connection for you to ride with?
You can e mail me privately if you'd like.

[pardes]

Good for you Gingerale. An excellent Mom taking care of her kids. With your husband deployed your kids are more in need of your security and by letting them know that you have alerts out for your safety....well that can only be very reassuring to them even if they don't admit it.

I always ride alone and what I'm concerned about are my furbabies if something happens to me. I may invest in SPOT or something like it. With no family left and friends too far away, it's a problem for the solitary rider.

[gingerale]

Well, I'm pumped (no pun intended) and ready to ride tomorrow. All I have to do is conquer this little fear and I know it'll get easier.

Thank you all for the encouragement and advice. I truly appreciate it.

[TrekTheKaty]

I leave myself a message on the home phone when my husband is out of town. That way if I don't turn up, someone might eventually know where I headed last. Not the best solution, but cheap. I also keep the ranger number in my cell--hunters are allowed in the wildlife area I used to run at. Occasionally, I ran into a bow hunter that creeped me out. Also, if I get hurt--I figure they are closer than the ambulance. I'm sure they won't mind you checking in--they may even have suggestions on routes!

[gingerale]

I did find out today that while I cannot call out from there in the park, I can send a text message. That was nice to know.

All in all, though, my ride went off without a hitch. I did 20 miles and felt great. I do plan on doing it again and again since it's a good, safe long ride. I was still nervous, but my confidence level got a boost after completing it today with no problems.

[sundial]

That's great! Keep up the good work. :)

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I'm in a similar situation to yours. My next of kin is 6 hours away and I have a friend here that I either text or call before I take off and then when I get back to the parking lot. Yesterday, I went on a ride that I would consider sketchy at best as it's densely wooded and limited cellphone reception. I am in the market for a SPOT but I haven't seen any yet, not sure where to pick one up? Either case, the phoen works well, as does the flight plan that someone talked about. I always leave one on the front seat of my jeep, flipped over or folded up so no one knows where I went just by looking in my car. I also carry a gps that is meant for the 'rode' (garmin nuvi) and you wouldn't believe how helpful it is here in the East to know which way is toward the parking lot. Helped me from getting very lost last night. Always pack something to eat and a light in case you get really lost and will be riding in the dark. Just a cheapy $25 light for your handlebars is good enough if you aren't intending to be out riding at night. Remember, the days are getting shorter so plan accordingly.

I don't have a road ID but in my camelbak I have my old driver's license that expired with a sticky note with all my emergency numbers. I also have my new address with the phrase "I have a dog" on it, in case something happens.

I really need to get a spot. The best thing about that is family far away can keep an eye on you, not just when you are riding but in general.

[Cha Cha]

A related topic but a good reminder I hope! I always keep a cell phone with me, along with id and emergency contact information. The roads I ride on have good cell coverage and are heavily traveled by cyclists, but my main concern is getting injured and being unable to communicate.

Drugdigest.com has a great free emergency information card form, you can personalize it and it's credit card size. (I got mine off of webmd, but this one is similar.)

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/SeniorCorner/MedCard/1,10373,IT,00.html

I keep one in my seat pack at all times (and my wallet too). I keep my DBF's phone numbers, my doctor's number, my blood type, date of last tetanus shot, and meds taken on it. Basically, the info I would want someone to have if they found me lying at the side of the road.

Hope this is helpful!

[Brandy]

Lately I've been doing more remote rides in the mountains, alone. I have been "filing a flight plan" by emailing my boyfriend my intended route and expected time off of the mountain. He does the same on his rides.

When we are both going to be riding remotely together (though we always split up and do our own thing), our "flight plan" goes to both close friends and family. In fact, our weekend flight plan was emailed to three different people before we left on Friday. It's nice knowing that there is someone out there that knows our plans and intended whereabouts.

We would love to get the SPOT messenger at some point but it's not currently in the budget.

[andtckrtoo]

Another who absolutely thinks your idea is top notch! I used to do Search and Rescue, and I'll tell you that "filing a flight plan" in as many places as possible is a fabulous idea. I wish more people would do that!! It gives a starting point for search teams and trailing dogs if you do get lost.

If I'm hiking solo (well, I never go without my dog, but as he cannot dial 911, it's solo enough), I leave a description of the route I expect to take, the time I left and the time I expect to be back, on the driver's seat of my car. I also leave the same set of info at home.

When I leave from the house, I also leave a detailed description of where I am going and what time I expect to be home (this is important so people know when to start worrying - I always leave a buffer of about an hour or two - depending on the complexity of the hike/ride/run).

I know we don't expect to get lost or get hurt, but neither did any of the people I have searched for. And it never hurts to carry a little extra food, water and even a solar blanket (they come wrapped up and are about the size of a thick wallet) just in case you are forced to spend the night in the dark.

*steps off soap box*

[gingerale]

You all have great ideas. I didn't take food with me this time but definitely will next time. I did carry a whistle with me this time, too, just in case I wasn't able to be seen from the road. And I printed up info with my name, address, emg numbers etc and put it in my bike bag. But I like the idea of leaving a note in the vehicle, even though I've left one at the station up top. I'll do that next time, as well. And I would like the Spot so I'll be getting that with the next paycheck. That way even my dh can keep track of me, even from where he is.

[sundial]

That way even my dh can keep track of me, even from where he is.

It's the next best thing to being there. ;)

[malkin]

"Pumped and ready to ride" is my new favorite pun!

[vinbek]

When I ride, even if its on the road - I let several people know where I am going and when I should be back. A few years ago, I went for a 40 mile bike ride while the kids were in school and my son got sick. They tried calling me and couldn't reach me. They called my husband's cell and he was 3000 miles away on a business trip. My son had to sit there a few hours before I reached him. I felt awful. I now carry a cell phone all the time and let the office manager at the school know if I am going out for a ride. I live in California now and I am always swapping info with my sister in Montana who will go out cross country skiing by herself. She always checks in with the park ranger and e-mails me her route, timing, etc. You can never be too safe. I carry a whistle, cell phone, water, food, ID, and program two ICE numbers in my cell phone. Now, I won't ride further than 20 - 25 miles in distance away from the house. I won't ride off road alone - the last time I went out, I encountered a mountain lion...B