Do you feel this is safe?

[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.

[OakLeaf]

7.2 oz in a jersey pocket? Wouldn't fit in mine! My 3.3 oz phone is a lot.

And wouldn't you have to put it in a ziploc bag... kind of defeating the purpose?