What would you have done--creepy follower (long)

[tride]

Hi~
I ride pretty much every day and though I have a few occurances where I felt like something wasn't 'right' there has only been a time (maybe two) where things got creepy enough that I unclipped, stopped and immediately pulled out my cellphone. Once I pulled out my cellphone, the creep whom I believed was following me sped up. Though I wasn't actually dialing a number, it makes me wonder if the fact that he/she (I hate to place the blame totally on men without proof~~tho, I 'bet' it was a guy checking me out) saw me on my phone (and thus able to yell and give pertinent info. on their description and their vehicle) made them think twice of following me. It was along a highway where there was no possiblility of them delivering mail or checking out houses, etc. I truly believe they were following me for 'some' reason and once they realized I wouldn't tolerate it, they took off. Cellphones are great for more than the call for "I have a flat am am way too exhausted to change it. PLEASE come and get me." NEVER go on a ride without one! Plus, trust your instincts. Ride safely, fellow cycling friend.

[skinimini]

Thanks for all of your advice and empathy. I was able to give a fairly good description of the van to the emergency operators. However, not ever being behind him, I didn't get a license plate number. I just wanted to hide at all costs. I doubt a situation like this will ever come up again, but if it does, I'll be certain to whip out the cell phone first and try, try, try to get to a busier area.

On the weekends, I most always ride with a group. During the week, with my friends' conflicting work schedules, it's not always feasible. I really try to be safe and ride in those places with lots of activity. I never thought for a minute that a short ride around my neighborhood (especially on a busy Sunday afternoon) could have been dangerous. To this point in my short biking experience, my concern has been more with traffic issues and staying safe than worrying about some psycho/sociopath wandering around our streets. Lots of lessons learned today.

[OakLeaf]

Well, another good reason not to have a flip phone. Maybe I'm uncoordinated, but there's no way I could get my phone out of its plastic bag and open the hinge while riding, never mind dialing it. One more year on my contract...

I really, really think it's a bad idea to dismount or stop in a dicey situation like that. In cycling shoes you can't run, you can't really even walk efficiently. Half clipped in, you're a sitting duck attached to your bike. Even if you're a quick-thinking triathlete who can get out of her shoes and run barefoot in nothing flat, your top speed running is going to be maybe half or a third of what it would be on the bike. Never mind that while obviously your personal safety is more important than ANY property, it doesn't make sense to abandon your only means of escape, to potential thieves. Still, it wouldn't be a bad idea for all of us to work on skills like curb-jumping and off-roading, for the usual reasons primarily, but also to be able to get where a car can't follow.

Re: keeping phone in an unzippered pocket, there was a thread on here a couple of months ago where someone lost their phone out of a jersey pocket. I'm always afraid of that happening when I'm head down, butt up.

[TrekTheKaty]

On the flip side, my first thought was of him running you off the road with the van then tossing you inside. Of course, pulling into a subdivision left you cornered. It's easy to Monday-morning quarterback. You did the best you could with the knowledge you had. I like the idea that came up here the other day--at least pull out your phone and make it LOOK LIKE you are taking their picture. I hope this doesn't scare you off the road. When I used to run, I left notes saying what time I left, where I went and when I should be back--guess I should still do that.

[jesvetmed]

Sinimini: Glad you are ok and here to tell us about the experience. It is a reminder to be more aware, for sure. I had a similar situation running -- and I did exactly what you did -- went into a cul-de-sac where I knew someone and he didn't follow. Very scary, however. I wasn't sure when I could safely go back out on the road -- she actually offered to drive me, but I wanted to finish my run. (stupid looking back ). anyway -- good for you for doing what you did. Getting off your bike on the road for any reason would have been the wrong thing, I think.

[surgtech1956]

You have to do what feels right at the time. You didn't have alot of time to think about things, you did what you thought was best. I probably would have done the same. Its unfortunate that there are so many creeps aka wierdos out there and we are all such creatures of habit. Thanks for reminding us that we need to be very watchful.

[Tuckervill]

A similar thing happened to me in the '70s when I was about 14-15. No phones, of course. I managed to evade him and he didn't see where I lived. I never saw him again.

I DID get the plates and the make/model of the car, only because he followed me for a long time, and he would go ahead and then wait for me to pass again.

The only thing I would suggest you might have done, that I could have done, was immediately double back towards wherever you could have felt safe. In my case I was leaving the park after playing tennis, and my only choice would have been to go to my tennis partner's house and try to lose him in traffic on the way. Where I lived there was no traffic, but I could have lost him on the way to her house and ducked in somewhere.

I think I did everything it would have been logical to do based on what I knew at the time. I spent the next year looking for that car! Never saw it again. If I were you I'd keep a lookout too, and don't wait...just call 911.

Don't feel bad. You did everything it seemed reasonable to do.

Karen

[Trek420]

Glad that you are ok. Since you are ok you did the best thing that you could do. Don't second guess yourself.

The cul de sac thing, yeah, in self defense always "leave an out". But once more you are ok so you done good!!

The advantage bikes have over cars is movement. If someone is behind you.... stop ... turn around and look him right in the eye. Don't run.

Once aware of the situation or a possible threat you don't want him behind you.

My one bit of feedback was that in a way you let him chase you. Never let him take you to another location. Wherever you are my theory is best to stay put and fight. or in your case observe from the busier street.

But you done good!!!

Move AT them, or look. Many will leave simply being observed. I try diagonally in such a way I can see them and what's going on as I move away. "hey, I see you and I'm going that way, but I could just as easily reach you"

Don't beat yourself up or allow anyone else to do so. In the heat of the moment when there is fear and adreneline you did the best you could.

You did great!!!!

Bottom line you are ok so you did the right thing. Good description for the cops too.

I'll tell you a funny story about self defense and angles and facing them or not or ....
Long ago when my mutt was young we went for a walk. We walked down the hill, turned left which would take us on quiet streets and to a park. As we turned off the street a young dude across the street decided to cross the busy street and he fell in behind us. Coincidence? Maybe. I decided to turn right so he would be in my sight but not behind us ... what's he do? Turns right, now he's behind me again. Now this is getting annoying, we turn left so he's to my side and the street is curving back towards busy street and whadya know young dude turns left and is behind us again.

Coincidence? Maybe but I've had it.

I said "Mae, watch me" dog looks up at me.
"Mae, turn!" dog does a sharp about face.
"Mae, sit!" Mae's butt drops to the ground and looks up for her next command as I look at dude.

He ran

"Good dog, Mae"

Trek - 2nd degree black belt in Aikido - 420

[Mr. Bloom]

Lots of lessons learned today.

...and now you've had an opportunity to think about, and be prepared for, what to do if confronted with this again...and several other women on here are doing it as well.

Frankly, I think your instinct, alertness, and presence of mind in this situation was outstanding.