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

[skinimini]

This afternoon, I decided to do a short recovery ride just in the area around my neighborhood. I live in suburban Atlanta, a place where there are many cyclists, walkers, children, dogs, etc. I was traveling on a moderately busy two-lane road when I noticed a beat up van behind me. He was following just behind me for a little while. When the traffic in the other lane cleared, I motioned for him to go around. Nothing doing. Finally about 1/3 of a mile down, he turned off into a church parking lot. Another half mile or so, I turned onto a less busy, neighborhood road. A few minutes later, he was behind me again. I was really starting to feel uneasy, and I was about 3/4 mile from any high traffic area. So, I turned onto a cul-de-sac street where one of my friends lives, hoping she would be home. He followed me. (I know this was probably a big mistake). I immediately went to the back of her house as if I lived there. He made a turn in the cul-de-sac. Of course my friend was not home, so I waited about 5 minutes and ventured back out. About half way down the street, this guy was parked on the side of the road. I was terrified, so I went back to my friend's house. I called my husband first to come get me, then 911. Of course, by the time my husband got there (which wasn't long), this guy was gone.

Should I have ridden on to get to a busier area? This is an area that I would never have hesitated to walk or ride--lots of nice houses and generally people out and about. However, today this road was absolutely deserted. DH says I should have called 911 immediately. In retrospect, I agree, but I really didn't know this was going to get so creepy. I really feel as if I weren't on guard and generally feel like an idiot. Now my husband is worried about me riding alone, even on my neighborhood streets.

What would you have done differently?

[OakLeaf]

Personally, I can't dial a phone and ride at the same time. I absolutely would not have got off my bike. Without knowing more about the neighborhood, I can't say what I might have done. But getting to a busier area would've been high on the list.

That said, I had a nearly identical experience years ago - except that it was before dawn, before cell phones, and I was running, so my range and speed were much more limited. I too was terrified. Until I noticed that the van was delivering newspapers.

[Biciclista]

I think you did your best. Next time get his license plate number if you can.
Stop, turn around (so you can see his plates) and call 911.
that's what I'd do. someone else probably has better advice for you.

[sundial]

What would you have done differently?

I would have produced a Magnum 57 from my skort.

[papaver]

I was in the same situation when I was 14 or so. A man was following me with his car for at least 15 mins (which seemed like ages). The first house I saw I acted like it was 'mine'. I opened the gate, took my bike and parked it against the house and walked around the house. I waited for a good 15 mins and the guy was gone.

that was ofcourse long before cellphones excisted.

[Mr. Bloom]

I don't think there is an absolute right or wrong...but I think you did well under the circumstances.

I encourage you to contact your friend and let her know...this guy followed you to her house and may be have that house on a radar now.

[skinimini]

I encourage you to contact your friend and let her know...this guy followed you to her house and may be have that house on a radar now.

You're absolutely right about that. I certainly didn't think about that issue.

My husband continues to think I wasn't vigilant enough, and he may be right. I'll certainly be from now on.

I'm also really ticked off that jerk was able to ruin my afternoon.

[kermit]

First off, congrats on your observation skills. Thats 99% off getting a**holes like this guy off the street and keeping yourself safe. Don't let this guy chase you out of your riding spot. A license plate number would have been a huge help to the police. I hope they look for him. If this ever happens again, make no secret of the fact that YOU see him. If you have a camera on your phone, take a photo of him. Most guys are trying to act tough in the safety of their car and want to try to make you uncomfortable. I would let your friends in the area know about the car. Find a friend to ride with for a while if you are feeling uneasy. It's no fun to be looking over your shoulder all day.

[Tokie]

I can ride and dial 911 - or at least ride and pretend to dial 911 - and just pulling out a cell phone could cause the creep to look for another victim. I love bike jersey pockets - so handy - no zippers, no fumbling, the phone is always in it's own pocket so I know how to get it, and also know I won't lose it getting out a snack, etcl I hate seeing vans parked on the roadside of my favorite climb. the vehicle of choice for kidnapping. Scary! Tokie

[Aggie_Ama]

Most cell phones allow you to program 911 by holding down a button, look into that. And because you went to your friend's house unfortunately you may have put her at risk. We had a thief here who followed people on rides to case the house. So best your friend knows about the situation. I would have called 911 and given as much information as I could. Even if I could only say "he is in a white toyota". Of course for some reason I am freakishly good at picking model and approximate year of cars but still practing even a partial plate.

Tell your husband to not badger you too much about how you should have handled it, that is why they say hindsight is 20-20. Learn from the incident and warm thoughts heading your way!

[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.