Do you feel this is safe?

[Torrilin]

Would I ride alone? Yes. Is it a foolish risk? Maybe.

Being attacked doesn't worry me much. That can happen anywhere, at any time, and there is very little you can do to prevent an attack by a stranger. There is stuff you can do to make yourself a nasty target *g* but that doesn't prevent the attack. It does up your odds of surviving, which I'm all in favor of.

The reason riding alone worries me is pretty simple. If you have an accident or other medical emergency, your best chance for survival is to reach medical care within 1 hour. The faster you get treatment, the better. So if you're more than 30 minutes from the nearest hospital, it is a good idea to be cautious. It's very doable to get far enough out on a bike that cell phone coverage is spotty and EMTs can't get to you easily, and the nearest hospital is far away. Then I would *definitely* want a buddy or two and some first aid refresher courses.

One of my adopted uncles had a heart attack while out deer hunting in the mountains. He ended up hiking off the mountain to get help, alone. He was *very* lucky to make it at all. These days, he's more careful about the buddy system.

Don't get paralyzed by fear tho. Just take sensible precautions. If you're always within 30 minutes of a hospital, make sure people know when to expect you back. If you are going further out, bring a cell phone and check how well it works. Have a plan for the most likely emergencies (it's amazing how much good a space blanket, enough water and a rain jacket can do). A lot of the precautions for an attack by a stranger will be helpful in a medical emergency too.

[Aggie_Ama]

Do I ride alone? Yes. Is it foolish? Maybe.

Some of the roads are rural and I feel less in danger of a human attack but more worried about dogs (no leash laws in the rural areas) or wrecking on my own and being without help. I find the residents in the country areas wave and are pretty pleasant. City motorists are cranky. If I ride alone I tell someone my exact route, how long it should take me and call if I have an issue. I usually stick to routes I am familar with when I am riding alone.

[madisongrrl]

I ride alone for hours at a time in rural areas....

As previously stated:
1. Bring pepper spray.
2. Bring a cell phone
3. Self-defense knowledge is a good thing.

Additionally:
4. Bring enough tools to reasonably fix your bike/flats and have the know how to do it.
5. Get a road ID. If someone hits me and I end up dead/injured in country ditch, at least the police can notify my husband quickly instead of spending lots of time trying to figure out who I am.

Another cool thing is a product called the spot. It's one of the most affordable gps emergency devices out there. http://www.findmespot.com/Home.aspx

[Trekhawk]

When I lived in the States I would ride alone 90 percent of the time and because of where we lived it was pretty isolated riding a lot of the time. As one of the other girls mentioned it was dogs more than humans that worried me. Now we are back in Aust I pretty much do all my rides on my own and again after about 10 mins riding I can be out in the boonies (dogs again are my main concern).

Could I be attacked? Well I guess so but I could I be attacked in my own home ? Well apparently that happens a lot more than I would like to think on.

So I prepare as much as I can.
I have a road id with all my info and contact numbers on it including my folks as my husband is away a lot.
I always let someone know where I am going. This might mean ringing family or friends if DH is away.
I carry a mobile phone but I must say the reception can be hit and miss.

I think trusting your gut is good if a situation looks dicey get out of there.

[sundial]

I ride alone too. I love riding along the tall corn stalks, the fields of soybeans, and watching wild mink play tag. I think there is a risk with any ride. I try to be prepared by carrying my cell phone, SPOT, concealed weapon permit with gun of choice, Road ID, and plenty of water and snacks.

[Starfish]

concealed weapon permit with gun of choice

And what choice is that right now? I'm used to a heavier .45 or a shotgun for home, but a friend of mine has one of these, and it is quite small and quite light. Feel free to PM your response. Thanks!

[sundial]

That's one of my choices. Fits perfectly in the jersey pocket without advertising.