Riding alone questions

[malkin]

"Pumped and ready to ride" is my new favorite pun!

[vinbek]

When I ride, even if its on the road - I let several people know where I am going and when I should be back. A few years ago, I went for a 40 mile bike ride while the kids were in school and my son got sick. They tried calling me and couldn't reach me. They called my husband's cell and he was 3000 miles away on a business trip. My son had to sit there a few hours before I reached him. I felt awful. I now carry a cell phone all the time and let the office manager at the school know if I am going out for a ride. I live in California now and I am always swapping info with my sister in Montana who will go out cross country skiing by herself. She always checks in with the park ranger and e-mails me her route, timing, etc. You can never be too safe. I carry a whistle, cell phone, water, food, ID, and program two ICE numbers in my cell phone. Now, I won't ride further than 20 - 25 miles in distance away from the house. I won't ride off road alone - the last time I went out, I encountered a mountain lion...B