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

[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.

[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.

[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

[PamNY]

I think you did well -- first to notice the possible stalker, and second to take action. It's not easy to make a perfect decision in the heat of the moment, so I wouldn't second-guess myself if I were you.

It's good that you posted here because it helps the rest of us think through what we would do, and to be more prepared if something bad happens.

Pam

[Trek420]

Speaking of 911 for most of us if you dial 911 from a cell phone you get highway patrol. Then a transfer or two or three later you get your local police, fire, medical.

These dispatchers do a tremendous job but for most of us while I hope we never ever need it pleeeeeeease put the local pots (that's plain ol' telephone service) numbers for police, fire and medical in your cell for where you live, work and ride.

Those of you with only a cell and no land line this is doubly important.

[LoriO]

As someone who as worked in law enforcement (911 dispatcher for over 20 years) I have this to offer. First off, try and ride to the most populated area you can find. The more people around the better! Call 911 as soon as you possibly can, if you can get a plate, great, if not don't put yourself in jeopardy to get it. Just try and give us the best description of the veh and/or person that you can. Make note of anything that may stand out, a dent, bumper sticker, anything!!! Try and stay on the line with 911 so you can give additional information in case the vehicle/person starts to leave the area, let us know direction of travel, etc.

As for where your cell phone 911 call gets routed to, that is going to vary from state to state and where the designated call taker center for that area is. Here in CT, 911 calls get routed to the 911 center that is closest to the cell phone tower that picks up the call, and as a backup in case of a routing glitch it will go to the nearest state police barracks and then routed to the correct PD.

[LoriO]

just want to add, that Treks advise about entering the routine number for your PD in your cell phone is a very good one! There have been a few times when I have had to call something in while driving and while it isn't a 911 emergency is something that should be reported so I can just flip to my address book and press dial.

I have 3 towns that I drive through back and forth to work every day and I have each of those numbers in my phone and have had occasion to use each one at least once to report stuff

[KathiCville]

Great thread...I ride alone most of the time, and the tips offered above are ones that I'll definitely incorporate into my riding habits from now on. I'm usually focused on cars/trucks purely from the potential collision standpoint. Thank you for making me aware of other possible dangers, too!

[NoNo]

Wow, that's scary. I think you did a lot better than I would have in that situation. I'm not sure I would have even noticed there was someone following me. And I think your idea of turning onto your friend's street made perfect sense at the time, especially if they had been home. My first instinct would have been to find the nearest house of someone I knew (if there weren't businesses around). I, too, ride alone most of the time, so I will take the tips here with me. A very informative thread!

[Aggie_Ama]

I have the local sheriff, police departments and the 911 function enabled on my phone. The sheriff is the most helpful because the cities like to "hot potato" if you are in their jurisdiction.

[OakLeaf]

I'm not sure I would have even noticed there was someone following me.

And another reason to regularly check your rear-view mirror!

[NoNo]

And another reason to regularly check your rear-view mirror!

I don't have one

[Trek420]

I'm usually focused on cars/trucks purely from the potential collision standpoint. Thank you for making me aware of other possible dangers, too!

Great thread! And again, glad everything is ok, you done good!

I don't want us to worry about everything that could happen along the road. Nor should our random thoughts be "pothole, unleashed dog, car back, gotta read the license plates backwards of the cars behind me .... ooooh, it's pretty out! where's my escape route from here?"

The best self defense is get out there and ride looking fabulous, confident, aware, and strong enough to kick some @zz if it came to that because we are.

Get outside and ride!

[Triskeliongirl]

I have been in this situation, and I always drove into a highly populated area, shopping plaza, etc., and then texted the license plate number to my husband w a brief note on what is going on. Usually that makes the creep drive away, so I never felt threatened enough to call 911, but obviously that is a judgement call you need to make in the specific situation.