Safety and Security while on the road/trails

[Maye]

Hi Ladies,
During the weekend a double crime happened in one of the main trails that I use weekly for my regular rides in Central Florida (Cady Way Trail) that got me thinking and very worried. Not good in any league, horrible and sad :( I'm new to using public trails in Orlando and it never occurred to me to do an internet search to search for crimes in the trails that I frequent. Actually two cyclists were the ones who found the victims during their 6:00am ride. I also found out that few cyclists have been assaulted and or robbed in the same trail. Needless to say, I'm not coming back.

What type of safety precautions a cyclist can take to protect one self? Do you always ride in groups? Do you carry any type of self protection devices? I'm thinking about joining a local cycling club. I'm not taking any chances.

Mariela

[tzvia]

Everywhere you go you can be a victim. Awareness is your number one tool. No matter what you are doing, be aware. I'm not trying to be paranoid. Just alert. Crime is everywhere there are people.

That being said, what can you do on the trails? Always keep a cell phone handy. You might want to mount a 'bear spray' or keep a stungun in your jersey pocket? Ride with others when possible. But mainly keep alert. If something feels wrong, something is wrong- take action. Once when I worked in sales and left the store at 10pm, I noticed out of the corner of my eye 4 young men getting into a car after the saw me exit the store. I noted it, but went on to my truck. I looked in the back seat area before entering the car (always do this) and locked the door as soon as I got in. As I left, I noticed that car with the four men behind me. They were playing loud rap music, the car was a lowered small Honda. It was dark and I could not see the plate clearly. I had to travel both west and south, so proceeded to zig-zag the streets, left turn, right turn, left turn, right turn. They matched me, never more than 1 car behind me. I knew they were trouble. As I stopped at the last major intersection before entering my neighborhood, they pulled up on the left in the left hand turning lane and I could look down at them from my truck. When the light changed, I went straight and I could see them cut back right in the intersection to be right behind me. RED FLAGS! I was less than 1 mile from home. I turned right at the first street, and so did they. I then made another right and came back out on the major blvd I had just crossed in the opposite direction and then decided to drive to the closest safe place, a CHiP (California Highway Patrol) office that was about a mile away back the way I had come with them in tow. Left turn, they followed. Straight for a mile, then left into the CHiP parking lot and guess what, they didn't follow me into the parking lot (so they are not THAT dumb) and I watched them pass in my rear view. I parked as close to the building as possible and waited for about 10 minutes, then went home.

Yea, on a bike you are more exposed and the time to react is much shorter, but being alert can give you that extra moment to grab that spray or stungun if you choose to carry one.

[Maye]

What a scary experience but thanks God you did the right thing by not showing them them where your home was, and that's SUPER important and clever. I used to live in a very highly crime area in San Juan, PR and women have to be always on the lookout no matter what all the time. Women putting babies in car seats are always targeted there since they are always distracted by the baby or busy seating their babies that they don't look around. I'm a mom myself and your precautions have to double when you are taking care of a little one. I'm not as guarded here in Orlando which is bad. My husband is always nervous when I go out for my bike rides alone and with reason.

Thanks for the recommendations! I will get one of those sprays or stun guns and of course, always follow your sixth sense.

[jyyanks]

There was a thread a while back where this was discussed. Someone recommended SPOT

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

http://gps.about.com/od/handheldgpsreceivers/gr/Spot-Satellite-GPS-Messenger-Review.htm

It's pricey but worth it if you want peace of mind.

[OakLeaf]

There's no place in Orlando that's out of cell phone range. Darn few places in Florida at all, considering how flat it is. No need for a SPOT as long as you're staying close to home. (Merritt Island NWR is out of Verizon range, but okay for AT&T.)

SPOT devices are important for more remote and/or hillier country where you're likely to be out of cell phone range. I just wish they weren't so dang heavy. Still really should carry one on my long runs.

[ehirsch83]

Mariela-

It is very scary! I live in the area and I ride on there once a week normally also.

PM me if you ever want someone to ride with or to show you some good routes!

I also help out with a Monday night beginner, women only, no drop ride out of a friend's LBS if you would ever be interested in joining. We just started doing it the other week so it is a small group, and we sometimes have women on hybrids also.. but we do about 23 miles(leave at 6pm and get back around 7:40) and work on pacelining, drafting and group skills.

I can also help point you to other group rides :)

[Maye]

Mariela-

It is very scary! I live in the area and I ride on there once a week normally also.

PM me if you ever want someone to ride with or to show you some good routes!

I also help out with a Monday night beginner, women only, no drop ride out of a friend's LBS if you would ever be interested in joining. We just started doing it the other week so it is a small group, and we sometimes have women on hybrids also.. but we do about 23 miles(leave at 6pm and get back around 7:40) and work on pacelining, drafting and group skills.

I can also help point you to other group rides :)

Emily,
Thank you very much!! I'll PM you since I'm interested in joining group rides in the area.:D

[Cynedra]

I saw in the news about the bikers finding that and have heard that certain sections of some of the trails can be a bit iffy in Orlando if you aren't careful. I live and tend to ride a little further west and have (luckily - knock on wood) never have any problems. I ridden with DH, my boys, and by myself with no problems. I will admit that I am a person who tends to stay very aware of what is going on around me (and once had a similar situation to the one another poster wrote about and did the same thing). The trails that I ride on - Withlacoochee and Van Fleet with an occasional trip to Hillsborough County to Flatwoods - generally have a few people on it. Most of the time I am more concerned with wildlife - wild hogs and snakes - than I am with people. So far no issues with these either. I'm still anticipating taking my new ride (sans children) to the Lake Mineola to West Orange Trail.

I'd totally try one of those Monday rides if I were you. Sounds extremely cool. I have the joy of being in Cub Scouts on Monday nights.