Roadside Assistance

[Trek420]

Queen,

I've had AAA since I first drove a car. Mom and Dad made sure I had a AAA card (right after Dad showed me how to check my oil and change a flat. He felt if I had a flat I should not have to be a damsel in distress.).

Last midterm election there were a couple measures that benefit mass transit and bus lines.

Bus lines, helps the poor, disabled and cyclists all. Who could object to that? Checked the voter pamphlet because that's one thing I go by, who sponsors a bill who objects.

AAA objects.

I'm torn, their service has been good and ... their call centers are union (sorry Snap I'll keep it above the line ___________________) but it's the same union I belong too.

and AA was astounding, awesome when I had the car-repair from he[[ from one of their aproved mechanics...they took care fo me.

But as a cyclist and tree-hugger I may have to say bye bye AAA.

[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!

[Offthegrid]

This is one of my big fears, especially because I'm not mechanically inclined. If I broke a spoke or something happened with the chain (more than just dropping it), I'd be totally stuck. Although this area is popular with cyclists.

Luckily, I have a lot of friends and relatives in the area. But there is no real public transportation I could catch. That Better World Club seems like a fabulous idea.

[Trek420]

i've never ridden with another person before. i think about what i would do if something were to happen, but its like the rest of my life. i go to school alone, go home alone, eat dinner alone, clean alone, go on trips alone, etc.

i carry bus fare and thats all i am prepared with. i dont ride on any "country roads" or anything like that.

it feels good sometimes to know that there is no one ever waiting for me or ever worrying about me when i am riding. if i get smooshed by a truck, the only people i need to call is 911.

i totally lied. it never feels good.

inatree, I know what you mean. I wear road id and it's with occaisional angst I notice that's for my dog. My roadid has the home and cell numbers for Spazzdog here and my dogwalker both of whom have the keys to my house and to my mutts heart

But there are some advantages to cycling single!! So enjoy them (while it lasts )

See this thread:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...=praise+single

And you're not too far away, we Bay Area gals may do a ride soon, and there's the Cindy. Are you going to do that?

Thorn, information about Betterworlds lobbying vs AAA's position is on their website. Admittedly that's from BW viewpoint. On the other hand I'm sure AAA would say "but we...." and they seem to be a pretty good place to work, which is important to me.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

it feels good sometimes to know that there is no one ever waiting for me or ever worrying about me when i am riding.

Well that's not entirely true- WE worry about you when you ride, and WE want to hear about your rides and how you are doing. Do keep us posted about your biking and what you're up to.


P.S. I am very proud of myself because I just FINALLY got myself a little cell phone so I can feel a bit safer when I am miles from home biking alone on the back wooded roads, which I often do. It's a pay-as-you-go inexpensive one, just right for people like me who don't gab alot but want it just for a handful of short calls per week. My aging brain is managing to slowly figure out how to work the damn thing and interpret the manual- all by myself!

[SouthernBelle]

I've been looking at the site and it's very cool. Contemplating getting it for both car and bike. My only concern is that to be useful for the car, you almost have to get premium membership. The tow limit on basic is 5 miles. That won't get me home from most places that I would be worried about.

[Pax]

I've been looking at the site and it's very cool. Contemplating getting it for both car and bike. My only concern is that to be useful for the car, you almost have to get premium membership. The tow limit on basic is 5 miles. That won't get me home from most places that I would be worried about.

I got the premium one for the same reason. It was pretty cheap piece of mind as I was moving cross-country last year.

[roguedog]

hmm.. since many of us are interested, i wonder if they would give us a group discount? or how many it takes to get a group discount...


sent an inquiry. hey. you can ask...

[Pax]

hmm.. since many of us are interested, i wonder if they would give us a group discount? or how many it takes to get a group discount...

Good question! It's seems like they have a huge untapped market with cyclists (since no one seems to have heard of them?), anyone feel like emailing them??

[SouthernBelle]

Drat, if you guys get a discount I've already signed up. the logical way to do it would be to see if Susan from TE would contact them. That gives them an organization to go through.

If we all join, I'll be eager to hear about experiences as we have to use them.

[Geonz]

I thnk it would be 'way cool if people started defecting from AAA to them. It would tell AAA that not everybody is focused on cruising in their automobiles at the expense of everything, and it would tell LAB that not everybody is a Lance wannabee [There has been some strife and turmoil in the past about the focus of LAB and what some folks felt was overemphasis on teh 'recreation industry' aspect of it.]

[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.