A woman touring alone?

[Cassandra_Cain]

Hi summer

I think touring alone is very reasonable for a woman. That isn't a blanket statement, rather it can be given the right situation.

If you are going touring I feel you need a high level of self-sufficiency on the bike. Stuff can and does happen, you want to be able to deal with it, rather than being stranded thanks to a mechanical problem.

That aside you want to do your homework when it comes to planning. From choosing your route, to whether you camp or stay in hotels, etc. You want your tour to be within your abilities and comfort level.

There are places around the world (and the USA) I would feel comfortable touring in, and others I would not. That just reflects my own opinions, information, and perhaps, even prejudices. So whether it is because of crime or hostile drivers or seedy surroundings - you have to make that call.

I remember being in Alaska about 6 or 7 years ago in winter . I met this guy at a hostel in the Southeast, (Skagway), who had ridden from Anchorage across to canada, down to the washington state, then caught a ferry/boat up to the peninsula. That's one tour I would not have done for a variety of reasons, but then his perspectives and margin of error were different than mine!

For your first tour, provided you have taken these steps, I'd recommend choosing a well-traveled route at a popular time of year where you would be likely to encounter other cyclists. While you would be out on your own, you'd nominally have other rides to give you a sense of companionship.

BTW....great picture!

[Blueberry]

It's something I dream of doing one day Though hopefully DH will tag along (I'd go even if he didn't want to or couldn't). I think with careful route planning, adequate preparation and a prudent amount of caution, all would be fine. Sure, something could happen. But someone was attacked and killed in the parking garage where I park to go to the courthouse. Not trying to spook anyone - just trying to point out that you shouldn't not do something you dream of doing because something terrible could happen - we face risks every day! From my perspective, you have to go forward with living your life and not focus on what might happen.

That said, I have the impression that few women have encountered problems touring.

Hopefully DeniseGoldberg will chime in - she's done lots of touring, I believe mostly(?) alone, including a cross USA trip. In fact, I've been following her current tour over on crazyguyonabike.com (speaking of which - that's a great resource - lots of trip reports, with the option to filter by gender).

Enjoy it and, of course, keep us posted on your planning and write a trip report!

[Bad JuJu]

I love bike touring, and have done a couple of multi-day tours with others, but I've only done overnighters by myself. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages, but the feeling of freedom and self-sufficiency when you're on your own can't be beat. As Cassandra says, you have to know what you're doing, mechanically, or at least have done your homework so you know where to get help with bike problems if you need it. Also, lots of research on your planned route--I actually find this part exciting and fun, kind of like the appetizer before a special dinner.

And yes, DeniseGoldberg comes to my mind, too, as a person on these forums who's done her share of solitary touring. In fact, she's bike touring in Nova Scotia right now, and you can read her tour journals at CrazyGuyOnABike.
Also, look for her posts in the Adventure forum.

To me, if there's a choice between going alone or staying home, I'm definitely going alone.

[uforgot]

I love bike touring, and have done a couple of multi-day tours with others, but I've only done overnighters by myself. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages, but the feeling of freedom and self-sufficiency when you're on your own can't be beat.

Well said, JuJu, but then again I'm a loner and I don't necessarily want a sense of "companionship" when I'm riding. I would never go riding, or anything, with someone JUST so I have company. I prefer solo... "The Loners Manifesto" could have been written by me, and others on this board have referenced the book, so I bet they feel the same. Biking must be the perfect sport for those of us that prefer solitude...

[jobob]

One of our TE members, Rai Sue, is on a solo cross-country tour even as we speak !

Here's her journal, check it out:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...c_id=1810&v=ap


and Denise is on a solo tour in Nova Scotia :

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...oc_id=529&v=gc

[MomOnBike]

As someone who has toured by herself I say that it isn't all that different from riding in your own neighborhood. You just don't turn around and head home halfway through the day.

I rode from southern Minnesota to Sioux City Iowa - didn't quite make it back to Lincoln, NE - by myself and had a gas. I did take a cell phone and checked in with DH every night, but that was as much to keep him from worrying as anything else.

Anyway, even though I wasn't on an "official" bike route, I never felt unsafe. I even had the feeling that the local truckers were watching out for me. No, safety was not one of the concerns. Hypothermia, on the other hand...

As the commercial says, Just Do It. You tend to regret the things in life you didn't do.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...oc_id=941&v=6i

[Bad JuJu]

You tend to regret the things in life you didn't do.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...oc_id=941&v=6i

Roger that, MOB. You know that question they say you should ask yourself--If you knew you only had a day or so left to live, what would you be sorry you didn't do? Bet it wouldn't be stuff like painting the dining room, mowing the lawn a few more times, spending more time at work. But it MIGHT be taking more bicycle tours.....