How do you stay safe..alone?

[margo49]

I agree a lot of it is Body Language and looking like you're not to be messed with. But I dunno how a woman would cultivate that - being *born* with it myself if stories of my chilldhood are to be believed.
A friend of mine says there is a school of thought that a lot of people have an doggy/animal mentality. Whatever they perceive to be the power structure they accept and will fit in. So that if *you* project that you are the Top Predator *they* will be quite happy to fill in the roll of Bottom of the Food Chain, no questions asked. I think there is something in this but it is not the whole story 100% of the time.
I also agree that yelling and getting angry are good tactix.
I keep my eyes open 360 degrees, noting what cars are passing and especially u-turns.
I have done that pretend talking on the mobile phone thing once in the middle of absolutely nowhere while this weird guy was following me (me on the bike and him in his vehicle; he had even done a u-turn and was now following me from behind after I had "passed" him going in the opposite direction so I knew he was up to no good). It worked and he drove off as I described where I was and how I was "about 10 or 15 min away" which I dunno if he heard or not. I had quick-dialled the SO and stated talking immediately which was just as well because he dint answer and phoned me back only 15 min later to see what I wanted. LOL! I coulda been cut up in lil' pieces by then! Funny in retro only of course! I am an advocate of the phone on a clip to the bars for this reason.
Sad to say, I think age is a part of it. My Mother asked me worriedly once and I told her "Yes, people do sometimes look and even whistle or shout . But as I draw closer they become less and less enthusiastic" (to understate the case)