Riding without a cell phone?

[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

[MomOnBike]

I try to remember that cell phones are a recent invention and that people lived happy, productive, and reasonably safe lives before they were invented.

Sometimes I take mine, sometimes not. When I took my tour I called home every night, but that was mostly so DH could update the journal. I really didn't need it.

[SimpleCycle]

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.

I think you make an excellent point. I really would only need it for an absolute emergency that would necessitate 911. For that, I can carry my cell with no plan. It is in fact true that you can always dial 911 from a cell, even with no service plan. They told me that when I cancelled my old phone.

The reasons I've been thinking about lately are situations I could prevent or solve on my own. I've been worried about getting lost or separated from my group (carry the cue sheet/map, know the route) or having mechanical problems on the way to the start of a group ride (they'll either leave without me or come find me, I can fix my bike) or being out solo and having some sort of situation that warrents a ride home rather than an ambulance (probably something I can figure out without the cell).

I made it the first 22 years of my life without a cell phone, and the last year as well. I may decide at some point I want one for convenience or logistical reasons, but I think I'm probably safe without one, or with the one that can call 911.

Denise, those Road ID things are cool. Which kind do you have? I was thinking the ankle one might work well, especially for my commute, where I may or may not have my wallet and ID on me at any given time. And it occurs to me that people might not think to look in my seat bag or backpack for ID.