Cycling on your own

[jusdooit]

I too ride alone. Sometimes on country roads, sometimes in the "city" on paved multi use trails. But I don't have many people to call in case of an emergency. I have one person I work with who knows she may get a "I need help" call. But in my cell phone is my emergency contact info programmed as ICE (In Case of Emergency). I read in a magazine the emergency personnel look for this nowadays. I always carry 2 tubes, cell phone, and Id.

Good luck!!!!!!! Hope you can find someone to ride with.

[DarcyInOregon]

I also ride solo just about every day, though I have a few friends with whom I cycle now and then. Everyone else gave good advice. The only things I can add is to have the LBS programmed into your cell phone, along with the numbers of anyone who can give you a ride if you get an acute mechanical failure, including a taxi company. Also, always carry enough liquid and keep an emergency stash of sports fitness powder and calories in your saddle pack, just in case you take a wrong turn and go miles out of your way. If you run low on water, and you are rural, stop at a farmhouse and use their outside faucet. The farmers don't mind.

When you conquer your fear and get out on your own, the entire process is very self-affirming and it makes you a stronger women, more confident and self-assured in all aspects of your life. If you can go out and bike 70 miles on your own, then you realize you can achieve just about anything you desire.

The solo riding becomes addictive, wanting to explore new roads and go longer distances, and before you know it the miles add up.

Also, you get compliments from total strangers and friends, not normal ones such as gosh you've lost weight, but ones like wow you sure look fit.

I put my road bike on the car rack and go park at the state park for my daily rides. The state parks all have a permit you can purchase that give you something like two years of parking for twenty dollars. In addition, your car will be safe, and there will be water and restroom facilities. To map out your routes, use an internet site like http://www.routeslip.com. You can start out by looking at other cyclists' routes in your area, and using another route, then from there figure out your own.

Really, though, you just need to get out and do it, then your fear will go away.

Darcy

[TexanCzexican]

Hello again.

I managed my second by myself ride again today. Basically just exploring.

Thnx to Aggie, I found a local listserv and they have a PMS ride (heehee, once a month ride) that is a mix of people, so I'm going to try to go to that and see who I can find.

Until then, I keep on exploring.

[Aquila]

I'd like to second what Darcy said above about feeling stronger and such from riding alone. I carry a cell phone, my wallet, and car keys, and wear a road id on my shoe (some folks already suggested those).

For me, riding alone on the country roads is like being a kid and getting that feeling of freedom and exploration (except I explore 20 or so miles at a time and am way more fit than when I was younger). And people on the roads and such tend to wave and smile, and I always feel good about that.

[SouthernBelle]

Paige,
Also check sites like routeslips.com and bikely.com to see if anybody has posted routes for your area. You can get elevation and distance data.

If there is an area I'm interested in riding that I'm not familiar with, I'll drive it first to see if it looks viable.

[Starfish]

I ride alone a lot...up to 80 miles this year. I also find that it increases my confidence for the rest of my life.

I do a few things to try to be prudent, such as leaving a message on my brother's answering machine about which route I'm taking so that they would know where to start looking. I take my cell phone, but I often go places that don't have reliable coverage.

And, something that has made a big difference for me is that I have simply made peace with the fact that I carry a whole lot of cr@p that makes my rides heavier and dorkier, but contribute to my peace of mind. That includes a pump that is big and dorky, but that I can use if I mess up with my cartridges. It also includes a third bottle cage on the bottom of my bike. And, I always pack too much food.

All this came about because one time I had a cut tire and blowout 40 miles from home with few services around. I didn't have all that stuff with me, and although I gained confidence because I was able to limp home, it took me FOREVER, and I was tired, hungry, thirsty, and sunburnt. I decided I wanted to be more prepared.

Whew, this got long! I say go with what feels right to you, but consider that riding alone can sometimes give you a great feeling that carries over into the rest of life.

[Bad JuJu]

I agree with Pedal Wench--you might try riding with the slower group just to find out whether there's anyone in it who would like to try going faster. Maybe you can recruit a riding buddy who at least wants to attempt your distance and speed or can work up to it.

[Aggie_Ama]

If you run low on water, and you are rural, stop at a farmhouse and use their outside faucet. The farmers don't mind.

I would NEVER recommend this in Texas. The majority of the people are wonderful and wouldn't mind but seriously we have some gun owning nuts out in the country. My in-laws have a neighbor that shoots at dogs/people who get on their property (she is either a bad shot or just out to scare them because no one has been hit). I think they have called the sheriff on her but as far as I know she hasn't done anything they can get her for. Call me paranoid, but I am not taking my chances. Plus most of the houses in my area are 1/2 mile or more off the road up gravel.

I have learned from the local cycling club here that many rural churchs have water spickets behind them. Sometimes a lonely looking little church is all I see for miles. Also many of these small towns have tiny community centers with a water spicket. These are also good places to take shelter for a sudden thunderstorm or just a break from the heat!

The thing I did when I rode alone more was have set routes my DH and parents knew. I called an told them "I am doing X route, you should receive a call from me at X telling you I am home." If I had a mechincal issue I called to let them know I was running behind.

[TexanCzexican]

I would NEVER recommend this in Texas. The majority of the people are wonderful and wouldn't mind but seriously we have some gun owning nuts out in the country.

Heehee, I was thinking the same thing, lol.

Anywhosits, I found a pretty good route map that starts off of my street. The short route is 14 miles, but it has an option to make it up to 26 miles

[denda]

I think you can come across some of those kind of people anywhere, NOT just Texas.

[Aggie_Ama]

I think you can come across some of those kind of people anywhere, NOT just Texas.

Well this is true, but Darcy seems to have good luck with the farmers in the Pacific Northwest. Maybe there are less people likely to shoot you up there (I have never been there). Poaching and fishing on private property is a problem for the ranches around here. I think think they are all a little tired of trespassers, at least some post a warning. Of course we get a lot of friendly waves and hellos when we are riding, I know we have a lot of nice people out here.

Paige- Sounds like a great route! Let us know how riding alone goes and I am curious about the Monster PMS ride.

[Look]

I ride alone most of the time. My group ride is more social and I do longer rides when I do have a buddy to ride with, but at least 3-4 times/ week I either go myself or stay home, so I go. It hadn't really occurred to me to be nervous, although I do make sure I know the whereabouts of my neighbor and or my husband. Worse case scenario, he works in the middle of most good routes and could rescue me if he had to.

I found the people I ride with in spinning class. After I started riding, a few friends from the rest of my life expressed interest in riding, but if I'd waited for them I'd still be waiting. So that's my recommendation, go to spinning and see if there are compatible level riders and groups there. My Y has several groups of different speeds who go out at different times so I have different levels of proficiency to shoot for.