Roadside Assistance

[Pax]

I belong to the Better World Club, it covers me in my car and on the bike. http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicyc...assistance.htm

I can't speak to their service as I haven't had to use it but I found some excellent testimonials online when I was shopping for a plan.

[Mr. Bloom]

Queen, that's a great program. My single biggest concern is Silver's safety when she rides alone...I will have her signed up before the weekend. She can take care of herself, but I'd sure get peace of mind.

[mtkitchn]

Queen, I think that's exactly what I was looking for! Interesting. I see it covers you for 30 miles....is that to take you somewhere within 30 miles? Or coverage within 30 miles of your home?
I need to give those people a call.

[Pax]

Queen, I think that's exactly what I was looking for! Interesting. I see it covers you for 30 miles....is that to take you somewhere within 30 miles? Or coverage within 30 miles of your home?
I need to give those people a call.

They were very responsive to the zillion emails I sent them when I was shopping.

[Triskeliongirl]

Queen, thanks for the tip. I will look into that service too! My understanding is that AAA will not help you, they are an AUTO club only. Normally I am riding in a place where my husband or son can pick me up. But, if I am traveling, I take extra supplies (more tubes than usual, a pump instead of C02, a patch kit, a tire boot, chain pins and a chain tool, etc.) so I can handle most situations. Once I had something different fail, my eyeglass frame broke and I am blind without them. At first I panicked, until I realized I could take the black electrical tape marking my seat position, and use it to hold my eyeglasses together until I was safely home.

[KnottedYet]

Ooh, Queen, that one sounds good! And they do "domestic partners" as part of the family package!

I'm all over that!

(and folks, don't forget to register your bike! www.nationalbikeregistry.com )

[Pax]

...(and folks, don't forget to register your bike! www.nationalbikeregistry.com )

I emailed my local police department today about the registry, I wanted to see if they bother checking it when they recover a stolen bike. The first response I got was that they'd never heard of the registry, then the officer said he was forwarding my email to several people within the dept. to see if they could start using the registry.

[wannaduacentury]

I emailed my local police department today about the registry, I wanted to see if they bother checking it when they recover a stolen bike. The first response I got was that they'd never heard of the registry, then the officer said he was forwarding my email to several people within the dept. to see if they could start using the registry.

That's a good sign- Last month in the town I work in, a young girls bike was stolen from Wal-Mart. She used it everywhere she went and was heartbroken b/c the bike had sentimental value and practical value of course. The article stated that there weren't enough bike racks in commonplaces in which to secure your bike-downtown stores, WM, the library(bike stolen from there too-a hybrid) Maybe I need to make sure they know about the registry next time I see them. Her article received a warm response and I was glad to see it.

[uk elephant]

I've had similar worries out on the country lanes around here (as has BF). I always carry a phone (and try to remember to keep it charged). And I always carry $20 at least, pluss my credit card. Not sure who I would call though. I don't have AA and a taxi wouldn't be able to take my bike and BF doesn't have a car.....I do always carry spare tube, tools, patches and pump too and have needed them once when I had a puncture.

On long rides, I try to at least occasionally let my route intersect the train route. Which is what I did on Tuesday when the weather was much colder than I had anticipated and the headwinds stronger and I couldn't face another two hours of painfully cold toes. I made my way to the nearest train station and took the train home. Luckily, around here there are lots of train lines, and lots of stations. I rarely have more than 10mi to get to a station from anywhere, usually not more than 2 or 3 miles. And every village has at least 3 or 4 pubs, so I can always find somewhere to duck into to warm up and dry out if the weather is really horrible.

[Thorn]

Hey Trek...can you provide more info on the AAA stuff? I missed that and, well, you're right, it would be a reason to switch. Disappointing, but good reason.

My apologies to the list if this is a contentious issue, but...inquiring minds want to know!

[indysteel]

I belong to the Better World Club, it covers me in my car and on the bike. http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicyc...assistance.htm

I can't speak to their service as I haven't had to use it but I found some excellent testimonials online when I was shopping for a plan.

Queen, thanks for posting this. I ride alone in the country and could really use the added peace of mind/protection of something like that. And I love the idea of a group discount (maybe we can chip in for a "finder's fee" for you).

To add to the discussion, I carry a cell phone and money with me at all times, along with a spare tube, Co2 cannisters, etc. I also have a laminated card with my name, address, phone, emergency contact, insurance information, etc. I have several bike shop numbers programmed into my cell phone as well. I tend to ride near one in particular where they know me pretty well. While I have no concrete reason for this, I tend to think that if I was in trouble, they would come out and get me if at all possible. My fear, of course, is that I'll be involved in a hit-and-run accident and be unable to call for help. I'm torn, for that reason, between keeping my cell phone in a jersey pocket (where it could get smashed if I fell) or in my seat bag (where I might have trouble accessing it if I'm in an accident and thrown from my bike).

[SouthernBelle]

I'm torn, for that reason, between keeping my cell phone in a jersey pocket (where it could get smashed if I fell) or in my seat bag (where I might have trouble accessing it if I'm in an accident and thrown from my bike).

I've been in an accident where the phone would have been smashed when I fell, by me, which would have hurt me more than I was more than likely. That's why I go with putting it in my bag.

[roguedog]

here's their answer:

Hi,
>
> I think we can work something out. I'd be happy to waive the sign up fee
> for your club. Would you like the bike only plan or out auto and bike
> option.
>
> How many people do you think would be interested?
>
> Kelly Ward
> Better World Club
> Toll Free 1.866.239.1130 (8:30-5:30 PST)


So.. what's the count of who's interested? Maybe I should start a new thread for this??

Susan (from TE) do want to do this or should this remain a rogue thing that members of this forum did. (She may want to do the latter due to biz risk reasons and the "non endorsement" type of stuff)

[Blueberry]

And what's up with the fact that you get 4 calls per member on a car, and 2 in a bike???? Inquiring minds want to know

[SouthernBelle]

You need to ask them, not us.