Have you met any of your neighbors? Maybe you could ask them if they would be your safety net in case of emergency. Explain that you are new to the area, etc., etc.
Have you met any of your neighbors? Maybe you could ask them if they would be your safety net in case of emergency. Explain that you are new to the area, etc., etc.
As we must account for every idle word, so must we account for every idle silence." ~Benjamin Franklin
Just a few thoughts:
First, take a look at this website, which others have posted on TE about. Perhaps it would give you a meausure of comfort.
http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicyc...assistance.htm
I ride alone a fair amount on country roads, but I realize that not everyone feel okay doing that. If it's something you're willing to try, there are things that you can do to feel more comfortable and safe. Always tell someone where you're going and about how long you'll be gone. They don't necessarily have to live nearby; just make sure someone knows that you're riding. Wear the brightest clothes you can. Carry pepper spray or mace and a fully charged cell phone. Program in emergency numbers for local police and the sheriff. Have enough supplies to change two flats (and know how to change a flat). Carry ID and medical insurance and emergency contact information, as well as some cash.
As for finding places to ride and people to ride with. Go back to your club and see if anyone would be interested in getting together more informally. Ask if they have any suggestions for routes or route maps. Go to any area bike shops and ask for suggestions for routes and/or fellow riders. And try the club ride again.
Good luck.
K-
Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.
--Mary Anne Radmacher
You could try a Better World Club membership which would entitle you to roadside assistance in the case of a break down.http://www.betterworldclub.com/bicycles/index.htm I ride alone a lot and I bought a membership just in case I should have a bike related problem while out in the boonies alone, but I've never actually needed to use it. Between that and the cell phone, I feel pretty confident about riding by myself.