Have you ever been stranded?

[redrhodie]

Have you ever been riding your bike, and had either a mechanical issue which made your bike impossible to ride, or faced an impassable road, unsafe conditions, or other situation where you just couldn't get to where you were trying to go?

What did you do? Was that the best solution, or was there a better one you thought of after the fact?

If it's never happened to you, you can play, too...

What do you think you would do if it happened to you, and (let's make this more challenging) your emergency call person is not answering their phone, or is just too busy to come help you? Add in, you're getting cold, and it's getting dark.

Jeez, this sounds like the beginning to a scary movie, doesn't it? Maybe I have a screen play in me after all.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I got a terrible upset stomach about 5 miles from home on my bike once, the year before last. I was way out in the country, far from any stores or gas stations, etc. I felt pretty ill.
At that time I did not have a cell phone. That was one of the things that really prompted me to get one after that. I have 6 or 8 different people's phone #'s on my cell phone that I could call in an emergency. Somebody would be sure to be reachable- not all ideal, but hey they could do 'something' or possibly call someone else to help me too if they couldn't come to my rescue.

Anyway, every time i got back on my bike my stomach was in agony again- very painful! I wound up walking slowly along the side of the road, then sitting on some stone wall or guard rail for a couple minutes, feeling almost faint, then biking about 1/4 mile, then alternating back to walking again, etc. I suppose I 'could' have flagged down some passing motorist, but that idea seemed pretty scary to me.
I was truly miserable, but I eventually made it back home. Meanwhile all this time, my husband was innocently sitting around at home with our cars, not even knowing.
I think a couple weeks later I got a cell phone.

[Savra]

I biked to the DeYoung museum in SF. While locking up my bike I stepped back onto my bike helmet and my back went out. I could barely move, let alone bike anywhere. I ended up laying on the grass for a while hoping the pain would go away but when it didn't I started contemplating getting home. I couldn't take a cab since my bike wouldn't fit. I wasn't going to just leave my bike. I was finally able to get a hold of a friend who came and got me. He put my bike in his trunk and got me home. I was very thankful for my cell phone.

[Eden]

Like Lisa a ride experience prompted me to finally get a cell phone.

I was riding out to meet my husband once, it was late afternoon/early evening and he was practicing for a team time trial with his teammates, who mostly lived in the next county up, so I had ridden about about 35-40 miles to get there. When I did arrive, I found that where I thought we were supposed to meet was not where I thought it was..... I tried asking around, I even borrowed a cell phone and tried to call my husband, but he wasn't picking up (turns out he left it in his car, because he was wearing his skinsuit - no pockets).
I ended up with a handful of change at a pay phone trying to talk my parents (they were visiting at the time) through how to start up the computer and get to the phone book.... finally I got them to get a phone number of one of his teammates for me. (He is a police officer - he convinced me I should have a cell phone if I was going to be out riding alone like that...) and he helped me track down the hubby.

As a funny end note that teammate was the first phone # I put into my phone when I got it, that made him #1 on the speed dial. So recently I dropped my phone and the person who found it decided rather than doing the right thing and returning it (my credit card, drivers license etc, were in the case with it ) they would keep it and use it... I was alerted to the fact it was missing because they kept hitting speed dial #1 and calling my cop friend.... no not so bright my criminal friends. They also ordered pizza to their apartment with my bank card... I (and the police) have their phone number and address and they kept using my phone. I thought I might not be able to get anything back because it is a pay as you go phone, so I didn't hurry up in replacing it. Well turns out I could transfer my minutes and number to a different phone, which I did. Now I am getting calls for my thief and I know her full name as well.... like I said, not so bright my criminal friends.

[smilingcat]

two occasions.

first one was on a training ride. I was riding from Mammoth Mountain. I had rented a cabin there and was planning on doing training rides from Mammoth mountain ski lodge down into the town then up highway 395, up and over deadman's pass then over to Lee Vining, pass by Mono Lake and climb to the top of Conway pass and return to the ski lodge via June Lake loop. This was way before cell phone days. I made it to the top of Conway pass, back to Lee Vining, back to and down Deadman's pass then I pretzeled my rear deraillure, Shimano 600. Suprisingly, my dropout didn't bend. but the jockey wheel and the tentioner wheel was really not aligned and couldn't even pedal. Not enough cars were going by for me to hitch hike with my bike. Somehow, I managed to un-pretzel my deraillure just enough so that I could pedal and ride on my 4th gear, 15 teeth cog?? It was a 6 speed freewheel cluster. I had two gears to ride with 39 chain ring or 52 chain ring. Great choices . I struggled back up to my cabin on 39 chain ring and the fourth gear.

second time still before cell phone days. Orange County classic. heh! 100miler. After about 60mile mark, I was forced to take it easy, the group didn't bat an eye and just dropped me like a lead balloon. What'ya going to do when you start having cramps in your calf? not much but to be dropped.

I decided to take it easy and turn it into a fun ride. Sat up riding hands free. looking at the open field and a lone coyote sitting at the top of a knoll. Looked up and I could see red tail hawk gliding on turqoise blue sky. Then I looked forward then down and realized that the black top was an inch below the concrete curve. My front tire rubbed the curve and I went flying onto the concrete sidewalk doing around 25MPH. My head bounced (lucky I wore a helmet even back then Kiwi helmet) but I ended up breaking my collar bone into three pieces. Right shoulder. couldn't move and all tangled up in my bike. suprisingly, my bike didn't get scratched, just the seat took the beating. I think I layed there for about 40minutes before an ambulance finally showed up. Maybe longer wait. Other slower cyclist weren't about to stop for me!! All the meanwhile about half a dozen red tail hawk was circling overhead. Every once in a while one would come down and check me out so I wave then the bird went back up, returned to circling overhead.

When I was released from ER, I must have called half a dozen friends of mine. None of them were home except for one. She came by and picked me up and drove me home. Later in a day I did manage to get hold of another friend so we went and picked up my Tercel station wagon. I managed to get my bike back about three weeks later at a bike shop.

ooo forgot a third incident. Again, before cell phones. Went for a training ride even though I had a fever. pretty dumb and subborn as an ox I guess. Needless to say, half way up on the first hill I got really faint, dizzy and just plain awful. pull into an open field where I just collapsed off my bike. Hand and knees on the ground. I ended up throwing up, shivering. It was cold, damp and cloudy that day. A police cruiser went by but he didn't stop. I was all balled up for about half an hour. sipping my cold water. I finally got back on my bike and limped my way home. I took a long hot shower and collapsed in my bed with my two kitties Mr. Cat and Raspycat. they snuggled with me all worried. And I slept a long time.

I'm not young anymore, and I'm not strong, so I'm lot more careful. In someway, I've lost that "fire" in me. I just don't push my limits like I used to.

smilingcat

[mimitabby]

Gee, smiling cat, what stories! Laying there waving the hawks away!!!


and Eden, did the police ever catch up to the thief? You dropped your phone, how did they get your credit card too?

[singletrackmind]

Been lucky so far, knock on helmet. Have had to turn the bike into a single speed. Have had to walk. Over the years have biked in separate incidences with a broken collarbone, a little bit of a fractured arm, cracked ribs, a concussion, whiplash and a finger sized hole in my head, a really swollen bashed knee. I can be a stubborn old thing.

Hmmmm.....
I really ought to stop crashing.

[Crankin]

Two or three years ago we went on a 50 mile ride with our cycling buddies. We drove about 6 miles to a meeting place in Littleton, MA and rode to Hollis, NH. This is one of the most beautiful rides we do. As we were eating lunch on the grounds of Kimball's Fruit Farm in Hollis, I noticed some dark clouds off in the distance. The lunch stop is high up on a ridge, so we decided to take off and head back. The return trip goes through Pepperel, Dunstable, Tyngsboro, and back to Littleton, which as some of you know, are not the biggest towns in the world. So as we made our way past the farms and residential areas, it started raining a little. Then a lot. I mean, torrential rain, with scary thunder and lightning. First, a man cutting his lawn let us hang out in his garage. It wasn't stopping, so we decided to brave it. Steve and I had rain jackets and arm warmers, but our friends did not, which was very weird, since Janine is the most prepared person I know. Finally, we took shelter under the eaves of the Dunstable Public Library, which was closed, since it was Sunday. Janine was shivering as it was now about 58 degrees out, dropping from about 84. I gave her my arm warmers, which barely got up her arms, since she's about 5'8" and I'm barely 5' 1". I was really worried that she was going into hypothermia. So, after much debating, Steve and Brant found a taxi service in Ayer, MA that would come out to the boonies and get them. They took the taxi back to where the cars were and then drove back to get us and the bikes. This whole thing took about 2 hours. It took dinner and several glasses of wine to warm up.

[Tuckervill]

The first thing I would do is remind myself not to panic. As long as nothing's broken (smilingcat!) on my body, or I'm not stuck in front of an oncoming train or something, I figure I'm okay.

The second thing would be to take stock of the situation. Figure out if this is something that's going to ruin the ride for good, or just delay me.

The third thing I would do is: Ask for help if there's someone available.

Two incidents have occurred. One, I was with my then-12-yo son in Albuquerque, and all four of our tires went flat due to goatheads, right in front of the Balloon Museum. Most people in Albuquerque do not know the bus routes, I'll tell you that. We asked the folks at the Balloon Museum and they were clueless. The phone book was no help. Finally found a place with a bus stop and called the number. They were very little help, either, but we eventually got back to our hotel via bus and walking, got the car and then went to get the bikes. The hotel was full of people that we knew, but only one that we knew a phone number for, and she didn't answer. None of them would have been in their rooms because we were there for a conference that son and I had skipped out on for a ride.

The second incident was when I was 15, and I was riding my bike home about 5 miles, after playing tennis. A guy followed me, and he'd pull up ahead, turn around in a side street, wait for me to pass, and then come out and follow me some more. We were still on party lines then, so no cell phones! The road was not deserted--houses here and there, and light traffic as I got out of town. I was afraid to pull into the only house I knew--a girl in my class lived there, and I didn't want the perv to think I lived there and get to her. I lived on a big hill. He climbed the hill in front of me, and I knew he couldn't turn around for about half a mile, unless he pulled in a driveway, which he hadn't done, yet--kept using streets. So I let him think I was climbing the hill and as soon as he was out of sight over the hill, I cut across to the neighbor's house just before mine. He still couldn't see me. I took my bike to the back of the well house and threw it down in a gully, then hid behind the well house. I saw him going down the hill, then I saw him drive back and forth a couple of times. When he finally left, I ran inside and called my mom at work and she came home. Oh, at some point I got his plate number and we found out his name, that he was probably a college student in one of the three colleges in town, but I never saw him again. It didn't appear that he had any clothes on, but this was the '70s and he may have had some short running shorts on. I tried not to look.

I could have asked for help during that situation, but I really didn't want the guy to see me interacting with anyone, and then think that I lived there. I just wanted to disappear from view. It would have been pretty audacious for him to grab me off my bike in broad daylight, in front of houses, with cars going by (this was 1976?)--although I know it happens. He was probably waiting for me to get out in the less populated area, which was about a mile beyond my house, leading down to the river. Or maybe he was just enjoying the view? I dunno. But I think I did the right thing, even knowing what I know now.

Even after all that, I'm a pretty trusting person. I like to think people want to help, if you're not asking too much. So far that has been my experience...

Karen

[newfsmith]

The only time I've actually been stranded was on day I set out to ride to Onset which is about 80 miles from home. It was mid summer, after a long, dry spell so the roads had lots of glass, safety pins, & staples. After 3 flats, I had run out of spare tubes, so when I got the 4th flat I gave up even though I could have put patches on the 3 tubes and continued. I was just tired of changing tubes. Fortunately, Dan did answer my cell phone call and came to get me. While I waited for him, 4 other cyclists passed by, 3 of them stopped to check on me and I think the 4th really didn't see me since I had moved well back from the edge of the road.

[SouthernBelle]

Since I ride by myself a lot, I too try to always remember my cell. & I have called a cab when I had no spare and my tube wasn't patchable. I also now have a BWC membership and have the card in my saddlebag though I haven't had to use it yet.

Last Monday I had a flat about a mile or 2 from home. I was being affected by the heat, so I decided to walk it and change the flat at home. I walked by a house where a guy was mowing. He pulled up a minute later in his jeep. He stopped mowing and came to get me and take me home. (Advantage of small town living! I didn't hesitate).

3 years ago now was when I crashed and cracked my ribs. I really didn't realize how badly I was hurt and probably should have gone to the ER. But another nice man loaded up me and the bike and took me home.

Being a good Southern girl, I have relied upon the kindness of strangers.

[indigoiis]

It hasn't happened to me cycling, but it did happen to me hiking. About eight years ago, I had planned a trip up to NH to hike with friends but everyone ended up not being able to go at the last minute. I went anyway and car-camped overnight at Lafayette Place campground. Sat. a.m. I went up to do the Franconia ridge trail. I got above treeline and was unprepared - a storm came through and the wind was whipping me about the exposed ridge. I had plastic sandwich bags from my lunch and I used them for mittens and had on a polar fleece jacket, cargo pants and a thin windbreaker. I had an ace bandage in my backpack and some med. tape (nice that I carried first aid but no extra clothes, right?) and so taped the medical wrap around my head for a hat. I got to the top of one of the peaks - I think Lafayette - where there is a stone shelter and saw someone else in the stone shelter. You have to do a little exposed climb up to the shelter and I was seriously thinking I was going to be blown right off the mountain. I finally got in behind a wall and sat down and started crying - very scared. Two guys were there and they gave me a hat and a poncho, and then it was only a mile or so down to the hut. I stuck with them to the hut and then returned their gear and hiked the rest of the way down alone, soaking wet.

On my bike for long rides, I now bring a wool hat (you never know), a pair of cheapy chinese slippers (easier to walk in than cleat shoes and pack very easy into a bike bag as they fold up) and a poncho (folds up very tiny as well.) I know there will come a time I will have to walk. And I don't go without cell phone... too many creepoids out there.

[Trek420]

Knock on helmet never since then but happened long ago, '98 I think posted on the bottom of this thread:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=3943

[elk]

what's BWC?

[Eden]

and Eden, did the police ever catch up to the thief? You dropped your phone, how did they get your credit card too?

I think her crimes were too minor for them to bother with - and I had a nice little case that I kept my phone and all my cards in. I'm not a purse carrier and my messenger bag is too big for all the time use.