Riding alone out in the sticks

[DirtDiva]

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

[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 ).

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?


(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... !!!!

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... !!!!

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!

[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! 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!