Do you feel this is safe?

[SlowButSteady]

I just got back from 21 miles alone on rural roads. On many rides, I meet or get passed by less than one car per mile or two.

I have a route that I love and I can ride this distance without ever being more than 6 or 7 miles' walk from home in case of a flat, mechanical problem, etc. I take a cell phone and pepper spray.

I'm much more afraid of crashing because I'm a klutz than anything else. Every once in a while I fall off but have never had to call DH to come pick me up.

Every once in a while some dumb redneck yells something at me.

Once when out running on these old backroads, a man stopped, got out of his car and walked around it *at* me.

I made ready to dismember him with my cell phone, which was the only thing I had with me at the time. Fortunately, I didn't have to defend myself.

I now remember to take my pepper spray.

[cyclinnewbie]

This may be counterintuitive, but I feel more ill at ease in crowds. Get me in Seattle, and I'm more uptight, feeling less in control. Get me out in the boonies, and I'm far far more comfortable. I always carry some pepper spray, and my hubby got me a small maglight that I can use for a weapon if needed. Add in my cell phone and my brains, and I feel pretty good. I also ALWAYS listen to my intuition...if something doesn't feel right, I turn around and go a different way. Also, my hubby, who is highly trained in defensive tactics, has schooled me in some self defense moves, so that does a lot to boost one's confidence. I would prefer to ride in solitude in the boonies....you can relax more and enjoy the scenery!

[OakLeaf]

Nowadays I feel naked without my phone.

But back in the day (when random crime was actually a bit more common than it is now) I toured for two weeks at a time, solo, before there was such a thing as cell phones. I'm still here.

One of the many benefits of being out on the road on a bicycle is being away from the freakin' TV that's telling us 24/7 how much danger we're in all the time.... and how we need to stay at home in front of the TV to be safe....

[redrhodie]

I have been stuggling with this problem for a while now and thought I would get your thoughts as a 'sanity check'.
Here is my situation: I love to ride and explore on the rural roads in my county. This means roads that meander though remote areas that may not have a house for miles and you may see a car every 10 minutes or so.

I dont know anybody to ride with so I go alone.

Would you ride alone in a situation like this?
Am I taking foolish risk?

Thanks

Are you taking a foolish risk--no.

Are you taking a risk--yes.

You should be able to ride on an isolated road without any problems (in a perfect Utopia). Unfortunately, we live in a crime ridden society. I've witnessed a violent attack, and I've been the victim of an armed robbery where I was tied up along with all of my coworkers. It's not all tv hype. Once when I did jury duty, they polled the potential jurors with the question of who has been the victim of a crime, or known someone who was the victim of a crime, and every single person (about 100 people) raised their hands.

Trust your gut. If you don't feel safe, don't do it. I think someone else suggested self defense training, and I second that. Empower yourself with more than the thought that nothing bad can ever happen.

[Zen]

This may be counterintuitive, but I feel more ill at ease in crowds. Get me in Seattle, and I'm more uptight, feeling less in control. Get me out in the boonies, and I'm far far more comfortable.

Same here. Except substitute the generic "town" for the Seattle part.

I think the jury's in.

[Tuckervill]

It's not all tv hype. Once when I did jury duty, they polled the potential jurors with the question of who has been the victim of a crime, or known someone who was the victim of a crime, and every single person (about 100 people) raised their hands.

That's a pretty broad question, though, depending on what your definition of "crime" is. A bunch of little kids opened the door on my car and stole all my change, and then came into the Wendy's where I was working and bought food with it. Was it a crime? Yes. Was I a "victim"? eh?

I can't imagine anyone who has never ever had something taken from them in some way or another. All "victims" of crime. But it is a matter of degree.

You're right...what risk are you willing to take? What's the benefit of taking the risk? We all have to decide that for ourselves.

If I didn't ride on rural roads, I wouldn't be able to ride at all.

Karen

[Jolt]

This may be counterintuitive, but I feel more ill at ease in crowds.

Same here!

[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.

[katluvr]

. Stay alert, don't talk to guys who have a "puppy" or "candy" in the car....unless it's chocolate (chocolate lab puppies take careful consideration)....

That is sooooooooooo funny! I don't own one, but I do love chocolate labs and they are irresitable!
I needed a good smile/laugh at this time of the day on a Friday when I cannot wait to escape!
I know...I digress from the thread. So to get back to the thread....isn't this why cell phones were made? So we could go where we want be alone if we want? Yet be safe! Sounds like a great thing!

[shootingstar]

When I lived in Toronto (several million people), I commuted solo from suburbs into downtown via ravine park system or another route that was bike path, park, blended with less ravine park, etc. I would start these work commute rides at approx. 6:30 am.

I did it for nearly 10 years, nearly everyday except for winter when I stopped cycling. I lived in a rougher area of town...known for drugs, whatever. On bike, it's being safe with cars around in traffic. You are after all, not a jogger who would be far more vulnerable (and slower).

My thoughts:
*if you ride in isolated areas...vary routes.
*become a strong rider on hills and in speed. For work-commuting, it's never leisurely for me anyway. Especially going to work.
*I don't mountainbike in this areas. Wherever possible, smooth roads /paths to give me speed.

*Did I see/experience stuff? Well, over the years:
-yea, once police were around to pull out something from bushes...
-a burnt-out car/bus on a quiet road. ARson...yep. But this did not freak me out.....I worked for the fire marshal's office...to know that arson....doesn't mean someone is out to hurt a person, just the property.


If I have a choice of safety in quiet areas....most certainly I feel safer as a cyclist speeding along vs. being a pedestrian/jogger.

From the car-less shootingstar....where living in a nicer area still ...there are drug grow-ops even in nice buildings. Crime can be in unexpected places.

[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!