Riding without a cell phone?

[singletrackmind]

I don't have a cell, I don't want a (jail) cell. I make sure someone has a basic idea of where I'll be and when I expect to be finished, especially if I'm in the woods. Other than that, I'm on my own but for the kindness of strangers and I've found there are many many very kind people on this planet.

I did read somewhere that you can dial 911 for emergency help from a cell whether you have a plan or not. You could only use it in emergency situations, of course. That you'd have to do more research on yourself.

[snapdragen]

I carry mine, gives my mom piece of mind. (Mom, I'm 48 - I can take care of myself.....) It's always turned off when I'm riding.

There are pay as you go phones -I don't know much about them though.

[Irulan]

there's a fine balance between carrying a cell phone as a tool, and using it lieu of being self sufficient.[generalization] I hear so much stuff where people dont' develop skills becuase they have a cell phone - whether it's basic repairs, navigation skills, trouble shooting, awareness of danger.
-If the weather changes, I'll just make a call
-if I break down, I'll just make a call
-if I get lost, I'll just make a call
-if I am in danger, I'll call 911.

etc. This is sort of an overview, not specific to cycling. I think a cell phone is really false security, you need to know how to take care of yourself.

irulan

[CorsairMac]

I carry a cell phone on all my rides. As a rule I ride everywhere alone and have no one at home waiting and worrying on me. So if anything goes wrong I'll have to call someone to come get me. I also carry my cell phone because it has a built in GPS so if I'm hurt really bad and/or disoriented, if I can Just get to the phone and hit 911 it activates the GPS and the EMTS can find me.

I didn't even think of that until Lynne mentioned it: all my numbers are programmed into the phone as: parents, sister, brother etc....so if I"m unconcious, someone can still get hold of my family/friends.

[Lynne]

I started carrying a cell phone when I was a hiker; I'd come back to the office or back home and get a call "are you ok??? we thought you were dead!" because some idiot had fallen off the cliff on the route I was hiking, or a lady had been raped or robbed, etc (I hiked only fairly well-travelled trails, so it wasn't an issue of being in the boonies where these things were occurring). I had a pay as you go phone.

When I started riding, I upgraded to a regular service cell phone. I've forgotten it a few times and regretted that immensely. One, when I ride with the BF, it's good to be able to call for help if I need it (ie, so even when I'm not alone, I may still need it and DID in fact need it one time). Two, since the BF usually gets ahead and I tend to turn at the wrong time (or not turn at the right time), I find I often have to call and ask what turn I missed or where I turned when I wasn't supposed to. Even when riding alone, I end up calling the BF (which usually goes something like "So, I don't cross that bridge do, I? 'Cause that kind of looks like I'd be heading the wrong way"-of course, 9 times out of 10, I was supposed to cross the bridge...). Three, if something does happen to me, I want to be able to call the BF and friends and tell them where I'll be and whether or not I'm ok. Honestely, after an accident, I'm not sure I'd remember the numbers to tell a co-rider or stranger. The numbers are programmed into my phone, so that's not an issue.

Having said all that, I guess it's fairly obvious that the phone isn't so much for ME as for my friends....

[latelatebloomer]

No cell phone for me. The more I see people with them glued to their heads, the more I enjoy being unencumbered by one. Maybe that'll all go horribly wrong someday, but I, too, believe that if I need help, someone will help me. My husband knows my route and arrival estimate.

I do have address stickers on my bike that include our home phone and my husband's cell phone numbers, and want to do something a little more visible in that regard.

[DeniseGoldberg]

...I do have address stickers on my bike that include our home phone and my husband's cell phone numbers, and want to do something a little more visible in that regard.

I'd recommend carrying your emergency contact information on you - not stuck to your bike. If you get in an accident, the bike doesn't go with you to the hospital...

--- Denise