I ride a combination of trails, streets and country roads, often by myself. I always carry my cell phone, turned on, as women have been attacked on the trails and I have been harrassed on the road. Nothing stops a harrasser quicker than pulling out your cell phone and dialing a number. I can make simple bike repairs and I hope I can defend myself as I have studied martial arts for several years. However, having a cell phone on board gives me a second option in case Plan A doesn't work out.

My son is currently living with me after graduating from college but for the past two years I had no one waiting at home to make sure I arrived back safely. If a car struck me (car/bike hit and runs have happened here too) and I was laying in the ditch, hopefully I could reach my cell phone and call for help. To me that's being self-sufficient and smart!

One thing for sure is that I am not an auto mechanic, nor do I want to be one. I have AAA for those times when my car breaks down. I've used my cell phone at least once a year to call them for things like a dead car battery, removing too tight lug nuts off of a flat tire, etc. Thank goodness I had with me and charged up to boot.

P.S. Just purchased a digital camera. Can't wait to carry that along on the next big bike club event ride.