Is there a way to confirm this?

[Grog]

That's not very good to hear.

But if you're going to get pepper spray or mace or something like that, please, please take some formal instruction in how to use it and also in self-defense in general. I know from the forestry people I work with that many people end up shooting themselves instead of whatever is attacking them (in their case: bears), and that's quite counter productive! Self-defense will also make you feel a lot more confident and give you means to fight back if the circumstances require it, whether on your bike or elsewhere.

Peace. Thinking of you.

[Aggie_Ama]

Thanks for the suggestions ladies. I will see if any of the local organizations are offering self defense, I have always thought I should take it. I have a friend that is a single mother who would be interested as well.

As far as Mace/Pepper Spray I would definitely take classes even if it meant buying two so I could practice with one.

I really think and hope this was a random act and not a serial rapist. I am already aware but now I need to think harder about how I am protecting myself.

[Tuckervill]

Is there cell phone service out there? I hate to come off like I'm blaming the victim, but there are probably things she could have done. She's probably asking herself the same questions.

I made a stupid mistake once on the interstate. A guy drove by me and started pointing at my car (my son was with me, about 9 or 10, I guess). I already knew there was something wrong with the plastic cowling under the car, and I decided to check it out to see if it had gotten worse with the speed. So, I let him get ahead of me a ways, and then I pulled over to the shoulder. It was in broad daylight on I-40 with lots of big rigs going by, so I felt more afraid of those than the guy.

But, the idiot stopped up ahead, and then proceeded to drive in reverse down the shoulder. I was on my knee looking under the passenger side front wheel, when I noticed him getting out of his car and coming toward me. Alarm bells went off. I hopped up, said my thanks, and walked around the back of the car and got in. He never got within two feet of me, he started to back off when he saw my son, I think, and I was out of sight before he got back in the lane. I'm glad I never turned the car off.

It's easy to make a mistake like that. I thought I was okay, and that he would just go on, but no, he stopped. And he was probably perfectly fine, although I still feel that alarm when I think of him. Like I said, I'm sure that victim in that case is asking herself what she did wrong, and it's good to learn from that.

Karen

[Aggie_Ama]

Yup cell phone reception but it is still very isolated and does suddenly make me feel a bit less safe. It a major east-west thoroughfare even though it is not high traffic it is the way to the hill country so there is no way to assume this scum lives nearby or that this would happen again. But it did shatter my sense of well-being and I think most people would feel the same.

I think being concerned and suddenly knowing this road is not quite as idyllic as I have always felt is smart. I may be sounding paranoid but I was stopped at this same intersection riding my bike alone that evening about an hour before dark. I stop at this general area everytime I ride home, sometimes I have to wait up to 5 minutes for a car to come my way and set off the signal for me to cross the highway.

I feel most people would suddenly have their red flags up upon hearing this crime was committed practically in their back yard. This is less than 10 miles by bike from my house. Much like your situation this is an area where you trust someone offering help, you don't think the worst of people. I wasn't raised that way, people are good, things like this don't happen. I mean duh I was told not to talk to strangers and all that stuff but really no one assualts you while you are broken down. But wait they do.

Sorry to go off on a tangent but this is my home, I mean really my home. Not the metro area, not my work, it is where I live and play. Obviously sleeping on it didn't make me less angry about it. But I have found several places to call about self-defense classes. And my husband is still adamant about looking into pepper spray, we believe the gun shops sell it.

Honestly I should have done both things in 2003 when I started running or even before when I was just a woman walking across my college campus. I just honestly hate the "preparing so you aren't the victim" feeling. My MIL carries a concealed handgun because of things like this, I always wanted to believe that was stupid. I won't get a gun, I don't have an desire for one.

[Smilie]

How very scary. Stay safe and get your pepper spray. Sending good vibes to you.

[Dianyla]

I stop at this general area everytime I ride home, sometimes I have to wait up to 5 minutes for a car to come my way and set off the signal for me to cross the highway.

Is there no way you can trigger the sensor using your bicycle? Sometimes you have to tilt or lean the body of the bike over the sensor to trip it if it won't trip just by sitting on top of it.

Also, is it possible to just treat this light like a four-way stop? I know the legality of this varies by state, but... well if it were me, I'd come to a full stop, then as long as traffic was clear I would just move along on my way.

Lastly, I highly recommend The Gift Of Fear, by Gavin DeBecker.

[Aggie_Ama]

I am going to look into that book, thank you.

I believe bikes might trigger the camera since a motorcycle has before. I just usually stop in the shoulder so cars will pull up to the line. I will probably talk to the Sheriff I see around town and ask him in this case what I should do. Honestly I think they would not even attempt to ticket but I hate the way it looks to anyone nearby! I really think (hope) it was a random act of horrible violence.

[sundial]

Aggie, the Spot has a button you push for 911 service if you get in an area where there's no cell service.

If there is a predator out there, he may go to any lengths to harm a victim--including running over a cyclist. Be alert!

Concealed weapon permit--allows you to carry peace of mind.

[OakLeaf]

I believe bikes might trigger the camera since a motorcycle has before.

A new stoplight should have an optical trigger (in which case you shouldn't have any difficulty triggering it).

But an older one will have a magnetic trigger, and there's nothing you can do on a carbon-framed bicycle. Motorcycles (especially older ones with steel frames) ordinarily have enough steel to trigger a magnetic light - in the crankshaft if not in the frame. Bicycles are something different. Just treat it as a stop sign and go through it as you would a stop sign. If you get pulled over... well that means there's a cop there, and your primary problem is solved.

Hugs to you (and to the victim), that is scary, but Trek and others have a very good point. Crime is actually much lower than it was years ago, but you'd never know it from listening to the news.