Riding alone out in the sticks

[SnappyPix]

I was wondering how many of you ladies ride alone as part of your training?

There's a wonderul ride I can do from my front door, it takes me through some of the most stunning scenery and has some monster climbs that are fantastic for my training.
Thing is, I never normally do this ride alone. The countryside it takes me through has LOTS of narrow, blind bends - these are a mixture of steep climbs and nailbiting descents. There are very few houses for the latter part of the ride and cars can speed quite fast around the bends. The roads themselves are barely wide enough for a car.
My reluctance to do this ride alone is purely for safety reasons - if I got clipped by a car, there'd be no-one with me to look out for me or dial for an ambulance. This feels like a pathetic excuse though. I'm a confident, safe cyclist and can fix a multitude of mechanicals - and it frustrates me that I'm scared to do this ride on my own, as it would catapult my training into the next level. It generally takes about 4-5hrs to do the ride and because it's winter here, waiting for my partner to get home to do the ride together isn't an option.
I've never had any near-misses when I've previously done this ride with my partner, but I'm nervous to do it alone.

I guess the question is (after I've finished blathering on!), would you do the ride on your own? How many of you ride out into the middle of the countryside on your own?
I'm not sure if I'm being overcautious or whether I should just bite the bullet and conquer my fears!
I'd really value your opinion on this.

[margo49]

Yeah, I would do it
like a shot
Tell someone your route and when you go and when you expect to be back. (Usual kiwi procedure)
And take a cell phone set up with some quick dials for emergencies

Perhaps leave a trail of crumbs ...

[SnappyPix]

Sigh.

Your city's being bombed and I'm worried about a bit of traffic. :o


Tell someone your route and when you go and when you expect to be back.

Shhhh. I can't do that - I wouldn't be allowed to do that route on my own. It has to be my/our little secret! :rolleyes:

[tprevost]

I ride alone all the time; however, I do usually tell someone where I'm going and call DH when I'm done (Like today when I was riding in the heat and he was worried). Do you get cell service on that route? I do carry my phone in case of emergency along with wearing a RoadID.

Do you have another friend (who doesn't freak about you riding alone) that you can call w/your ride info and check in when you're done?

I would definately ride it; of course, taking all appropriate precautions first. Let us know what you decide to do!

Trac'

[kiwi girl]

I was trying to remember exactly where you live. Is your ride through the Waitaks? When my parents still lived in Avondale I used to ride up Scenic Drive and back thorugh Owaraka (sp) by myself when I was visiting them. I'd ride most places in and around Auckland that I could think of by myself.

I do almost all my riding by myself in the outskirts of Christchurch.

[Raindrop]

I almost always ride alone due to my schedule and although my routes don't come close to what you've described, an accident can happen in any situation right?

I do what others have said. I mention to my husband the general area I plan to ride, I have my cell phone with ICE (In Case of Emergency #) programmed in, and I have an ankle bracelet with my name and emergency contract on it that I got from RoadID.com.

So....I do what I can to identify myself in case of emergency. Life is too short to be too scared. I did that for too long and I don't want to live my life like that any longer.

Having said all that, do you have the equivalent of Craigslist there? Or use this site and try and recruit some partners to ride. There are a lot of women like myself that ride alone most of the time but would love to be on-call for a ride.

[crazycanuck]

Hey snappy,

What area exactly are you riding to?? (If you're a mtn biker let me know) If you're headed to the waitaks or the hunuas, be careful. (are you sure you don't want to become a mtn biker??? Much safer than the main roads around auckland & the north island in general)

I wouldn't ride on the main roads in auckland (hence why we're moutain bikers....) but if you do, make sure you ride in the main coverage areas for Telecom or vodafone, leave a note stating when you'll be back, take over the lane if possible as we both know how windy the roads can be!!

Most of all, take care on your ride & i'm sure there are some nice auckland drivers willing to give cyclists some space........:mad:

c

[Nanci]

I like to ride alone. I try to tell BF the general direction I am going. I also feel a lot better since I got my Road ID ankle thing. I feel like, if something happens, someone will know who I am and who to call.

Nanci

[DeniseGoldberg]

I ride alone most of the time. In fact, when I rode across the United States (http://denise2002xc.crazyguyonabike.com) it was a solo effort.

I also live alone, so there is no one to call at home if I'm in an accident - but I wear a RoadID (http://www.roadid.com) that includes my name and emergency contact info as well as health-related info and the name & phone number of my primary care physician. I hope that is never needed, but I'd rather have it on me than not.

--- Denise

[margo49]

Shhhh. I can't do that - I wouldn't be allowed to do that route on my own. It has to be my/our little secret! :rolleyes:

Yeah, I know that one from my Jordanian Border Route...
Lucky the SO knows that I *just haffta* every 6 months .So we agreed that I would tell him and he would not worry or complain as long as the frequency was 2 X per year. And I won't go into my "Yow! Gotta check the GPS! Seems like we've been transported to Teheran" routine
(You can cut that kind of deal after 20 years!)

[Cassandra_Cain]

I pretty much ride nothing but alone. If you've got the right partner than it can be fabulous, but otherwise, I'm most comfortable on my own.

Anyway, while intellectually doing this ride makes perfect sense obviously you have some reservations. Which, is totally fine.

Maybe think about what is making you a bit reluctant to do the ride. Are the reasons, good ones?

Finally, you can always start by doing portions of the ride - like most things, easing into them - slowly - makes it much better. It is your comfort level - do what feels right to you - if it means skipping this potential great ride, then that's ok, and if it means you try the new ride, well go for it! :D

[Tuckervill]

I ride alone most of the time, and on the same kind of route. I suspect it's a lot closer into town than yours, but it's still isolated. There are few cars to speak of, but the twisty bendy part is there, and I do worry about a fast pick-up sliding into me. I worry more about dogs, though, because folks in the country don't keep their dogs penned up. Snakes. A rabid oppossum or something like that.

I was really nervous about it before I tried it. Then I did it. (I took the uphill way by mistake! oy.) After that time, I was no longer concerned about what could happen. The things I was worried about can happen anywhere at anytime. I have my cell phone and my ID. I told people which way I was going.

Perhaps you should tell someone you're going that way who doesn't really care what you do...like a co-worker or a neighbor. Heck, make it someone here on TE who lives near you. Have a prearranged check-in time with instructions on what to do if you don't call.

Life is for living, not worrying. When my kids were born I vowed to never be like my mother and say, "BEEEEE CAREful!" to them when they left the house. I always said, "HAVE FUN!"

Have fun!

Karen

[DirtDiva]

I agree. Do the ride and tell someone who won't snitch on you where you're going and when you expect to be back. (If you're comfortable doing that of course - maybe you're not as naturally sneaky as I am... :p)

[Veronica]

I ride alone a lot, usually areas that I know well. Today, I'm moving out of my comfort zone though and doing a solo ride in Marin. It's not the boonies, really, but it's also not a place I KNOW. But I've made sure Thom knows my route. MP does too, since she helped me work out. :p

When I ride alone I usually e mail Thom when I leave and when I get back. He knows the general area I'll be in.

I'd give it a try. You know the route, you know what to expect. And I wouldn't be sneaky about - but I'm lucky that Thom fully supports my riding.

V.

[natheless]

I ride alone most of the time. I have a cell phone now, but that's new this year, and mostly in case something worse than a flat happens. I'd like to get one of those RoadID thingys - right now I just have a card in my bike trunk with emergency contact & medical info. I don't tell anyone my route (though that's not a bad idea.)

As others have said, bad things can happen anytime, anywhere. I just heard about a friend of a friend who didn't wear his helmet because he was just going to run an errand, and the poor guy got unlucky and had an accident (no one really knows what happened) and got his head bashed in within a couple miles of home (he's alive, but not in good shape.)

Frankly, I tend to feel like the middle of nowhere is safer a lot of the time, and that a helmet (and bright colored clothing) is your best defense. Most likely, the only problems you will encounter will be mechanical - since you can handle those, you're unlikely to get stranded... (but make sure you bring plenty of water, in case you do ever find yourself having to walk home!)

[SouthernBelle]

I too ride alone most of the time. And out in the boonies too. I actually feel safer there than in town.

As to dogs, go to a pet store and ask them if they have a spray for warding them off. I have a can clipped to the handlebars. I've only used it once. Most dogs just want to run along side and bark. But when one looked to be headed for my ankles he got zapped.

[Pedal Wench]

I ride a neighborhood loop by myself. I can get a decent 26 mile loop right out my front door. But it has lots of stops and starts.

There's a great ride that I absolutely love, but it's in a rural area, and it's just a bit too desolate for me to feel comfortable riding by myself. Not so much worried about someone intentionally hurting me, but if I swerve off the road to avoid a squirrel, it could be days before they find me. I need to get over that one.

The other ride I always did by myself was on a local bike path. After the beginning few miles, you could go for about 30 miles without an intersection and very, very little foot traffic. However, the news this morning is reporting a cyclist is missing after riding the trail. I'm not sure I'll be able to convince myself that I can ride out there alone now.

I live alone, and my BF doesn't live around me. I usually call him when I finish a ride, but he's used to be turning a short ride into a century, so he wouldn't send out the calvary for a few days.

[Tater]

I am a lone biker. I also do a lot of rides out in the boonies where there isn't much around except for sagebrush, whistle pigs and a few cows. I always wear my RoadID, carry my cell phone and hope I can get a signal. I also let Mr. Tater know where I am going to be and about how long I'll be out. As for the dog thing, I carry pepper spray.

[mimitabby]

I admire you all for your courage. I have gone almost 20 miles by myself, on a busy route, mostly bike trail. i was rather surprised to find almost no one out that day which spooked me. I do much better with a group or riding partner.

[Kano]

I am a lone biker. I also do a lot of rides out in the boonies where there isn't much around except for sagebrush, whistle pigs and a few cows. I always wear my RoadID, carry my cell phone and hope I can get a signal. I also let Mr. Tater know where I am going to be and about how long I'll be out. As for the dog thing, I carry pepper spray.


I was just about to ask "Whistle Pigs?????" when I decided to do a quick Google...

Fun to spook the whistle pigs! -- though at our house, we call 'em rock chucks.

I been meaning to order one of those road id things....

Karen in Boise

[bcipam]

This has been an interesting thread. I also ride alone alot and it's good to know that others do as well.

I don't live out in the country but even so, I do ride up into fairly remote areas, after work, and often wondered what would happen if I had an accident. I don't always tell people where I'm going. I do tend to ride alot of the same routes, which my close friends know, so I guess if I don't show up for a few days, someone would go looking. They are some mountain bike trails I won't do alone. They are more technical than my normal routes and I could very easily get hurt which I wouldn't want to do while riding alone.

I think bottom line, you have to make a choice and/or take a chance. I do ride on some remote, barely two lane rides up in the hills, but there is so little traffic on those roads, and the roads are so narrow and twisty so traffic usually moves slower than I so I don't worry but if you are out on remote country road where traffic moves fairly quickly, I would make sure you are highly visible (wear yellow!), don't ride in the gutter or on the shouder - take as much road as possible, make traffic move around you. Also let someone know you are going out. I wish I were there to join you - sounds like a beautiful ride!

[chickwhorips]

i always ride alone (no one else to ride with :( ) unless bf is having a very easy day. when i ride there is no one else around on my route.

i usually let bf or someone else in town know where i'm going and when i'll be back. also carry a radio in case of emergency. also, i have default plans along my route. if something should happen at X i will go to safe point Y and do Z.

[Fredwina]

I also ride alone a lot.
Like Pam, I live in a urban area, but ride in some isolated areas in the San Gabriel Mountians -lot of it is rides I want to do, but can't find partners to do it. I've also lived in a rural area (Central Pennsylvania).
I Think if you take precautions, you should be ok. As an example, I like to do some hill training on a local road (Mt. Baldy Road). However, I will only do it going up on weekdays. It's just too busy with too narrow a shoulder to do on weekends.

[Denise223]

Hi Everyone!

I really, really admire all of you who get out there & ride alone. I have yet to "take that step"..... I know in my heart that I would enjoy the quietness.

I'd love to find a riding partner during the weekdays....but, I haven't been able to find one. I'm pretty new at cycling, and right now, my husband and I enjoy the beautiful country roads & scenery -- so, I'd probably be much too slow for a large number of people. We go out together late afternoon & weekends.

Enjoy AND please stay safe!!!

Denise

[Aggie_Ama]

I ride alone. The lovely thing about my house is in about 10-15 minutes you can be on a quiet country road. I always call my husband or my parents when I leave and let them know about how long I plan to be out. If I happen to ride longer, I check in and let them know. If I had some mechanical problem, same thing. I really should email my mom a list of my normal routes, just in case.

[Trekhawk]

I road ride alone (mountain bike with a friend too scared of Cougars to go out there on my own) and I find it really relaxing. Having children means this is about the only time I get to myself. At first I was a little worried about being out in the sticks on my own but now I just let my husband know what route I will be taking and off I go. If I decide to change my route a little to explore then (if I can get a mobile signal which can be a problem here ) I ring him and let him know.

Do what you feel comfortable doing. If you decide to ride the route make sure you give us a ride report.

Happy riding.

[weathergal]

We have a lot of paved county roads around here, and I ride alone on them all the time. It's pretty wide open though, not twisty, and not many trees. I carry a cell phone and ID, along with plenty of water. Had a bit of a concern a couple of months ago when one car was passing another on a hill, and I was forced to bail into the ditch. Hopefully though if there had been a collision, one of the drivers would have stopped to help.

[SnappyPix]

Hi guys,

Wow, thank you all for your wonderful responses!
Have given it some thought and decided to just give it a go and enjoy the ride. Strange thing is, back in the UK, I'm perfectly happy to pootle off into the middle of nowhere on my own - I think the driving here is more aggressive and has made me more wary.
I've 'fessed up to my partner that I'm planning to go (can't do the sneaky thing), so at least someone will know to look for me amongst the possums at the side of the road!

Kiwi Girl/CrazyCanuck - yeah, part of the ride is around the Waitaks, out to Piha. Actually, in retrospect, getting out of central Auckland is probably more dangerous than the country roads themselves!

Thanks again to everyone - sometimes I think we all need to take a little step out of our comfort zones (as long as we're not planning to ride through Deliverance country and can hear the banjos tuning up in the background!).

[caligurl]

i ride alone.... hubby knows my usual routes... i let him know if i'm going to deviate so if something happens... he knows where to come look!

i used to not even go into the park... cuz no phone service... and little traffic... but i've gotten braver... cuz i like the low traffic!

i ALWAYS carry my cell phone! and i have dog pepper spray that i wouldn't hesitate to use on a person if i needed to!

[Trek420]

Live alone other than doggie, other than the commute I do not often ride alone.

Standard precautions: wear road id. carry cell phone, keep it charged, vary route, road id has numbers of "Maes friends", they have my families numbers.

Kids don't try this at home: :rolleyes:
Non standard precaution: I have a second degree black belt in Aikido, I carry a small (very small, minute, tiny) knife. If my gut is telling me to leave...it will be in the back of my left glove.

Highly reccomend listening to your gut, if you feel it's unsafe...you're probably right. Leave. Other than that have fun out there, if we stop~they win.

[DirtDiva]

Snappy, you can't not do a ride that involves views of Piha etc. It would just be rude! :D

[Raindrop]

I agree totally with Trek420 about listening to your gut feelings. I read a book many years ago that was based on that premise and I've recommended it to a lot of people.

The Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker

Just a little OT addition to this thread.

[makbike]

I would say 95% of my rides are solo rides. Is there danger, most certainly but then again I could be hit or attacked while riding with a group. I simply refuse to live in fear. I live in a rural area that does not have a lot of cyclist out and about on the roads. In fact I really don't anyone in my county who cycles or could cycle with me on an impromptu invitation. I rode with the club last week and this very topic came up for discussion amongst those participating on the ride. Many said they would never ride alone for their feared something bad would happened. I shared that I ride all the time by myself and fear is not present and it won't be present. I guess I feel if something bad is going to happen to me it must be my time and it will be out of hands at that point. Maybe not a good attitude to have in today's society but I really do refuse to let fear run my life and dictate when I can ride or for that matter do anything. I maybe should send an email to my boyfriend indicating where I'm going but a lot of the time I have no idea where I'm going to go or what roads I will explore. Life is full of chances and I guess I'm betting that I'm always going to receive a good roll of the proverbial dice.

[SnappyPix]

Snappy, you can't not do a ride that involves views of Piha etc. It would just be rude!

Heee - too true! You crack me up DD! :)

[Trek420]

Raindrop "I agree totally with Trek420 about listening to your gut feelings."

Thanks, its not about fear. Gut feelings cover a lot of stuff, Like the first time I met someone sight unseen from this board (AG at the SF Grand Prixe). I just felt "I don't think she'll try to steal my kidneys" :) I was right, still have kidneys.

And you don't have to do a martial art. I feel anything we do to make you feel strong, comfortable in your body is the best self defense. Some bad guy may be thinking today "I don't think so, she looks strong" when S/he looks at you. Bad guys have gut instinct too ;-)

The fight that never happens is the one you win.

Some of you who have had encounters with violence you did nothing wrong. It's truly never the victoms fault.

Some days, wrong place and time..nothing you can do.

But if you're reading this you survived and that's all that matters, you're here.

I don't train to be the biggest baddest..whatever (ignore the hysterical laughter in the background of those who have met me :D ).

I hope to never use my training outside of class...again.

If I could snap my fingers and there would be no violence, no chance I'd ever need it....I'd still train.

On good days it's the next best thing to flying, and I love to learn. On bad days it's like fixing that 3rd flat ;-)

It's like cycling that way and that's why we ride. So keep pedaling TE gals (and guys).

But back to the topic at hand, don't give into fear but trust your gut.

Sure you may feel silly turning around and going the opposite way because of something you feel about that car, or pulling out your cell phone to call for help because of something about the way that person looks at you, or stopping at a store or business if you feel something's wrong about the situation.

Better silly than hurt. But it's important to take action imediately.

If you turn out to be wrong and that person was me or another peacefull harmless person we can laugh about it later.

I guess I'm feeling pensive, sad because of the rider who died. I like to think if I was attacked I'd do what she did, she fought back, hard and continualy from all reports.

I'd never know how I'd react and hope to never find out.

I like to think that in a true emergency life/death situation that if I loose that fight at minimum there will be enough remains bits and peices flecks of blood and parts *of my attacker* on me to pin the case on him.

can we talk about chocolate now?

[Raindrop]

Yeah, I still agree to listen to your gut, because usually your first impression or inkling, is the probably the right one.

Still...spending most of my formative years in Alaska and riding the bike trail near my house (along Campbell Creek), I often...not occasionally, but often met up with moose on the path. I always felt fear! And I always, turned around, and rode home.

Maybe the word "fear" is not correct here but the act of caution is correct. I don't live my life fearing what might happen, but when I'm in a situation that raises the hair on the back of my neck, the fight or flight kicks in!

I ride alone and in some areas that at first made me nervous. But after you do it...it ceases to have the fear connection. But....if I encounter something that makes me fearful, I pay attention to it because as tough as I think I am...some situations call for me to rethink what I'm doing or where I am.

Does any of that make sense?:confused:


(Yes...we can talk chocolate...or if you're like me, BBQ potato chips (the drug not usually allowed in my house. Curse my husband and his damn poker nights!!!)

[salsabike]

What Raindrop says is exactly what Gavin de Becker says in The Gift of Fear--pay attention to those gut feelings, because sometimes the feeling that you should turn around and get out of there is exactly right. You don't have to live in fear to give it its due respect when you do feel it---you just need to pay attention to it when it pops up because sometimes it's telling you something you really need to know and act on. The Gift of Fear is a very smart book by a security expert and I also highly recommend it--even made my husband read some of it.

[tomgrrrl]

I ride alone 95% of the time....I always carry my wallet with ID and Healthcard and my cell phone. Generally there are lots of routes around here in the East Bay that are pretty bike friendly. There are a lot of cyclists out and about so drivers are used to seeing cyclists. I also make it a habit (even in the heat) to wear my neon green vest when riding on the roads so as to make myself as visible as possible for drivers. In addition, I have a rear-view mirror attached to the drops (on the left) so that I can see what's coming.....I know it looks geeky on my Serotta, but I don't care what others think, it makes me more comfortable to see what's coming.

When I'm on my mtb and riding alone I stick with routes that are fairly well-travelled like Old Railroad Grade on Tam and tell my ex that I'm on the ride....

[crazycanuck]

Snappypix-if you're riding to & from Piha i admire you!!! The hill out of piha is well...:eek: !!!!

I think the main issue dear would be the windy bits on your way.

c

[esther231]

I think you gotta live your life. But taking precautions make sense. Yes, cell phone. Tell people where you are gonna be. Great idea about the neon vest if you are in the road. And riding safely, wearing a helmet, all that stuff is important. Do your part in keeping yourself whole and safe.

I carry mace for the people dangers. I have for decades. I keep it where I can grab it and not search around for it. If I'm out alone, day or night, I can reach it in about 1 second. When I get spooked, it's in my hand.

[SnappyPix]

Snappypix-if you're riding to & from Piha i admire you!!! The hill out of piha is well...:eek: !!!!

I think the main issue dear would be the windy bits on your way.

c

I've just bought a new HRM with altimeter and I'm quite excited about finding out the gradient of the climb, as I'm sure it's around 50% in some places!
Well, it feels like that anyhow!
I've only done the climb twice - the first time I bonked half way up (not having fuelled up properly up to that point) and was a broken woman at the top, completely demoralised and disappointed.
It was also a bank holiday and the traffic was terrible, pushing me into the gutter as I tried to snake up the climb.

The second time I made sure I'd had enough calories - and actually whooped at the top when I climbed the whole thing in one go!
That hill was definitely my nemesis!

I only had a 39/25 combo at the time, and have now swopped to a 39/27, so I should be spinning up that climb next time round! NOT!

[deena]

Trek420 -

I was watching my daughter's taekwondo class tonight thinking, "Wow, those sparring moves could come in handy." At the end of the school year I told the instructors I would start in fall - now I know what my off-season workout will be!:D

[Trek420]

Deena,

TKD is a beautiful art, great lower body work out. The focus is on kicks it will help your flexibility, range of motion, it'll build what some call "explosive strength" and concentration. Most TKD classes are very aerobic too.

It's an Olympic sport, competition can be fun. It's all good for the bike. Good choice for off season training.

Take it for those reasons, enjoy, have fun.

I'm sure your teacher would join me in hoping you and your daughter never ever need to "use it" but continue to enjoy learning and grow in the art.

[deena]

Trek -

I hope she (or me) never needs to use it for real! :eek: I've been watching my daughter's classes for almost a year now and never tire of it. You're right, the forms are beautiful - they remind me of ballet (did that for 15 years). I like the precision and control in the movements. I have been secretly waiting until she got to the "high belt" levels to start classes. Didn't want to steal her thunder and now she can teach me! ;)

Thanks for the positive motivation! I am excited to start!